Down for the Count perform at Concerts in the Park

Published: 20 Feb 2020   |   Written by: Mike Paul-Smith

Photos courtesy of Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council, Photographer Andrew Fox

In June 2018, Down for the Count were honoured to be invited to take part in the Sutton Coldfield Concerts in the Park, where we performed to an audience of 4000 people.

This is a wonderful community event organised annually by the Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council, taking place in Sutton Park (just north of Birmingham). 

In 2018 the audience were treated to a wonderful day out, featuring:

• two sets of music from Down for the Count - one of swing and jive music, and one of soul and Motown
• swing dancing from The Swing Era
• choral music from Ex Cathedra
• the glorious City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, featuring BBC Strictly Come Dancing's vocalist Lance Ellington

The weather couldn't have been better for the 2018 Concerts in the Park. We were opening proceedings with the first of our two sets - an hour of up-tempo swing and jive music from our Swing Orchestra.

We were delighted to be joined by our friends and colleagues The Swing Era - a Birmingham-based Lindy hop group, who danced to our music at the front of the stage and taught the audience some simple dance moves.

After our first set, we handed over to the host for the day - TV presenter Josie d'Arby - who introduced the next act, choral group Ex Cathedra.

Whilst the choir was performing, we were getting changed into our sparkles - ready for our set of soul and Motown music as The Motown Collective. As the sun began to set, we got the audience up and dancing and loved their energy.

After our performance finished, we headed into the audience to enjoy the sounds of The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra - one of the UK's premiere orchestras. 

Their special guest was singer Lance Ellington, as seen on BBC TV's Strictly Come Dancing. Lance performed classics such as Singin' in the Rain and Let's Face The Music And Dance.

The CBSO then finished a wonderful day of live musical entertainment in style with a Last Night of the Proms style send-off, for everyone to wave their Union Jacks and have a good old sing song.

It was a wonderful day out, with some great food and drink on offer from local suppliers. It was a joy to be part of such a special day, and to be working with such talented creatives and crew on a very special event.

Down for the Count's festival bands

Down for the Count have several large line-ups, perfect for festivals and outdoors events. For outdoor events we tend to perform as anything from a 12-piece to a 30-piece ensemble and can present a wide range of music - from much loved swing and jive music to energetic soul and Motown music.

Check out The Down for the Count Concert Orchestra - our largest band which features 10 string players, giving us a huge sound great for a programme of Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Doris Day, Aretha Franklin and Ella Fitzgerald music. 

 

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