Tomaree Spring Encore Concert: Sax Blue

ENCORE CONCERT BY POPULAR DEMAND - SURE TO SELL OUT AGAIN!

Join us at Tomaree Lodge Hall on the shores of Shoal Bay as Sax Blue makes the Headland swing again following their sold-out show the previous night at the Tomaree Sunset Spring series. Showtime is 2pm-3pm, Sunday, 29th November.

SAX BLUE enjoy playing a vast range of music styles from classical transcriptions to jazz tunes and novelty numbers. Over a period 34 years, Sax Blue have learnt to exploit all the sounds of the saxophone. Creamy, punchy and quirky sounds all serve in a repertoire that includes baroque and romantic arrangements, jazz standards such as American Patrol, Liza and I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good), special tunes like Tiger Rag, Black Bottom Stomp and Bohemian Rhapsody together with tunes played by the Brown Brothers Saxophone Quartet from the early 20th Century.

The members of the group are Craig Parish (soprano/alto saxs), Mitchell Parish (alto), Gareth Lewis (tenor) and Rod Barnes (baritone). All are also members of the Dungeon Big Band.

Sax Blue supported the internationally-known Dutch Swing College Band, has played at Newcastle Jazz Festival over many years, Newcastle Music Festival, at garden parties and other private functions, and is led by Rod Barnes, also leader for Dungeon Big Band and Pacific Palm Court Orchestra. Rod arranges much of the music for these groups.

TOMAREE HEADLAND SITE

Originally a military hospital dating back to the Second World War, then a facility for mental health patients, the Tomaree Headland site was set aside by the NSW Government for the exclusive use of the Port Stephens community in 2021. The heritage-listed site and buildings are now undergoing a period of transition to new community uses following release of the Master Plan for Tomaree Headland by the Department of Communities and Justice in July this year. The venue for this pilot series of concerts was originally the hospital refectory. It is hoped the pilot will help to identify improvements that can be made to make the building more suitable and adaptable for its future community uses.

TOMAREE CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT GROUP

The Tomaree Cultural Development Group is a community advocacy group committed to campaigning for a modern purpose-built theatre and cultural complex to be established in the Port Stephens local government area. Led by Kathie Barnes, the group has been active since 2021, commissioning an Economic Impact Assessment in 2024 and a Concept Plan for a new Performing Arts centre in 2025. Its activities recently resulted in Port Stephens Council officially committing to support the development of a cultural centre and it continues to advocate through its own cultural and awareness and fundraising initiatives.

All profits from the Tomaree Sunsets Spring concerts will go back to the TCDG to be put towards its continued advocacy for a Performing Arts Centre for Port Stephens. If you would like to make a donation towards the campaign, please see the donation option under ticket types.

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