FOCUS

“
I’VE BEEN PASSIONATELY performing this music for
years, and I wanted to do a Gypsy jazz music festival—
and an event where there was food and dancing and
concert experience all rolled into one night.”—Oliver Swain
piece I’ve been following for a few years.” The band’s lead vocalist,
he says, “is just a remarkable artist; he’s doing some really interesting
things, and diversifying our lineup a bit by bringing in a full-on Western
Swing ensemble.” Victoria-based groups the Marc Atkinson Trio and
Trio Voltaire (with whom Swain himself will take up his bass
during the shows) round out the list of performers.
When I asked Swain whether he would be performing, he said
that in the past few years of the festival, he hung back, but looks
forward to taking the stage this time. “I’m an artist first; I’ve been
passionately performing this music for years, and I wanted to do a
Gypsy jazz music festival—and also wanted to do an event where
there was food and dancing and concert experience all rolled into
one night.”
The impassioned, rhythmic precision of authentic renditions of
labyrinthine 1920s and 30s Gypsy jazz repertoire does tend to inspire
dancers of all ages to hit the floor; after all, the art form developed
in an era when people came out to dance, not just listen.
“All of our groups say they often end up doing [straight] concerts,”
remarks Swain, “but one of the things that sets us apart from the way
a lot of jazz is presented is to have the dance component, and our
artists love it. They absolutely love the fact they can do a concert
set on one side, then walk down the hall and play for dancers.”
There are swing lessons offered before the Friday and Saturday shows,
and a competition each night (with prizes) for the more experienced
and flashy aficionados of the dance. Join in, or sit steadfastly in your
chair—either way, the visual spectacle of swirling skirts, fancy footwork,
and acrobatic “aerial” lifts is worth the price of admission. “During
the show, people are really cuttin’ a rug,” says Swain. “It’s a total crowd
favourite. Elite dancers from Vancouver and Seattle are now coming
in to participate. Have a drink or snack and watch some pretty worldclass
dancers; come early and learn a few steps.”
Victoria Django Festival runs February 12-14. On Friday, Feb 12,
Petunia & The Vipers and The Marc Atkinson Trio, 8pm at White
Eagle Hall, 90 Dock Street: $25 advance (available at Hoyne Brewery,
Lyle’s Place & Larsen Music) / $30 door; Saturday, Feb 13, Hot
Club D'Europe, Petunia & the Vipers, Lache Cercel and the Roma
Swing Ensemble, Trio Voltaire, 8pm at St Andrews Church & Kirk
Hall, 680 Courtney: $40 advance / $45 door; Friday & Saturday pass:
$60 advance / $70 door. Sunday, Feb 14, 6pm dinner concert with Hot
Club D'Europe at Hermann’s Jazz Club, 753 View: $80 advance.
Musicians can also check out DJANGOCAMP afternoon workshops
with Paulus Schafer (Guitar), Olli Soikkeli (Guitar) and Lache Cercel
(violin), $40 per class, booked at Larsen Music, 250-389-1988. See
www.victoriadjangofestival.com.
Mollie Kaye, a local writer and passionate lover of all
things swing, will see you on the dance floor.
Ea rly
Music Society
OF THE ISLANDSS
House of
Dreams
TD
Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra
ra
TORONTO
5
March
2016
Alix Goolden Hall 8pm 8
A magical multi-media journey
to the meeting places of
Baroque art and music
www.earlymusicsocietyoftheislands.ca
w.
theislands.ca
Box office 250-386-6121
February 2 — 28
2016
The
Valley
BYJoan
MacLeod
DIRECTED BY ROY SURETTE
“Relentlessly topical – and deeply
empathetic” THE GLOBE AND MAIL
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
250 385 6815 / belfry.bc.ca
1291 Gladstone at Fernwood
www.focusonline.ca • February 2016
37