Early Auckland dance music:   When orchestras ruled

​​

This year's Heritage Festival Concert delves into the era of early Auckland when dozens of orchestras kept feet tapping, skirts twirling, and the good times rolling. 

 

Dances were held in every community hall, church hall and dance hall, and even at roller skating rinks. They brought communities together, energising Auckland's entertainment life during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. 

​

Relive toe-tapping numbers from ragtime, Dixie and two-step to fox-trot, waltz and tango. Plus slow numbers to regain your breath (and for those memorable romantic moments). 

 

In addition to music from 'greats' such as Joplin and Gershwin, the programme includes long forgotten gems from our heritage music collection by some of the multitude of composers who wrote tunes as fast as they could to satisfy the popular obsession for dancing. 

​​​

Admission is free.