Hooked On Swing honours the Jazz and Swing eras of the 30s and 40s with the enchanting The Three Little Sisters, dazzling Kate Blakk, charismatic crooner Chris Lloyds, and the blistering Boogie Woogie Big Band, at the Wollongong Town Hall on Thursday, 27 March, from 7pm.

The Boogie Woogie Big Band plays to authentic arrangements while The Three Little Sisters trio—Shelley Pantic, Tania Savelli, and Melanie Smith—share the spotlight with captivating chanteuse Kate Blakk and charming Chris Lloyds to perform iconic melodies from the catalogues of Billie Holiday, Benny Goodman, The Andrews Sisters, Glenn Miller, Nat “King” Cole, Cab Calloway, Ray Charles, Peggy Lee, Frank Sinatra, and others.

‘It Don’t Mean A Thing if It Ain’t Got That Swing’ and Hooked on Swing is overflowing with nostalgia, vintage charm, beguiling personalities, and stunning harmonies, from entertainers who are passionate about the legacy of the Big Band era.

Seasoned actor, entertainer, and recording artist Chris Lloyds is your Master of Ceremonies. You may remember him from television appearances, including Neighbours as Natalie Imbruglia’s fiancé! His mesmerizing stage presence and performance of traditional Swing classics are reminiscent of early Ol’ Blue Eyes, Tony Bennett, Bing Crosby, Bobby Darin, and other icons who left their mark on the American Songbook.

Multi-talented Kate Blakk stands out as one of our most diverse and in-demand entertainers, skipping between roles with an infectious joy that has taken her around the world.

A classically trained vocalist, her theatre credits include playing the leads Maryanne Renate in ‘Shout! The Musical of the Wild One,’ Elphaba in ‘Wicked in Concert’ in Dubai, Helen in ‘What The World Needs Now,’ and countless other roles in ‘Oklahoma,’ ‘Sunset Boulevard,’ ‘My Favourite Year,’ and more.

One of the official anthem singers for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, Kate has performed at the Bledisloe Cup, NRL Grand Final, State of Origin, and other major events, and in concert with the NSW Police Force, as well as sharing the stage with Tim Minchin, Eddie Perfect, and Ben Elton.

Kate is a passionate animal lover, owning two Hungarian Puli dogs and the founder of the Sydney Royal Festival of Dog Sports (the largest performance dog festival in Australia).

The Three Little Sisters are best known for their 5-star award-winning show, ‘An Andrews Sisters Tribute,’ and their appearance on Season One of Channel 7’s All Together Now, where Rhonda Burchmore and Ronan Keating commented on their “good old-fashioned entertainment.”

This golden-voiced trio is recognized as “the sweetest songstresses” for their close, perfect harmonies and have brought the houses down with standing ovations at countless events.

Hooked on Swing recreates the significant years when music boosted morale, defined hope, spirit, and promise, and a time when everyone was listening and dancing to the same melodies—

‘Sentimental Journey,’ ‘In The Mood,’ ‘Minnie The Moocher,’ ‘Sing, Sing, Sing,’ ‘We’ll Meet Again,’ ‘Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,’ ‘Chattanooga Choo Choo,’ ‘Rum & Coca Cola,’ ‘A Tisket A Tasket,’ ‘Take The “A” Train,’ and so much more.

If you’re ‘In The Mood’ for a nostalgic trip down Memory Lane, don’t miss Hooked on Swing from 7pm at the Wollongong Town Hall on Thursday 27th March.

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