Event Archives
Saturday, Dec 6, 2008 • Michael Arenella & His Dreamland Orchestra • SDLI
Swing Dance Long Island is bring Michael Arenella & His Dreamland Orchestra to Brush Barn this Saturday, December 6th.
7:30PM - 8:00PM Beginner Swing Dance Lesson
8:00PM - 11:00PM Dancing to the music of Michael Arenella
Michael Arenella & His Dreamland Orchestra is an ensemble steeped in the hot-dance band tradition of the Roaring Twenties. Their size ranges from a full 11-piece orchestra to smaller incarnations. They play their “Hot-and-Sweet” music anywhere that fine and eclectic tastes meet.
The Dreamland Orchestra is authentic. Arenella transcribes by hand their entire repertoire from period recordings. Their delivery, as well as their instruments, attire, and equipment — are faithfully accurate. Arenella’s strong yet vulnerable baritone lacks pretense or sarcasm. He treasures each lyric, and has faith in the songs he sings. Even the most optimisic Tin Pan Alley tune has a disarming quality in his hands.
Though certainly anachronistic, the orchestra’s presence invokes the vibrations of something unmistakably timeless. While authentic to a “T”, Michael Arenella prefers not to be labelled a recreationalist. He takes an antiquated template and infuses it with the immediacy of the present. Spontanaeity is what gave the original music of the era its magic, and it is also the primary ingredient and imprimatur of the Dreamland Orchestra.
His men are dapper dandies; hair pomaded and shoes shined. They are based in New York, which with London were the halcyon capitals of decadence. All of this allows them to capture the essence of what this music and times were all about: joy, romance, modernity, and possibility.
Michael Arenella & His Dreamland Orchestra
Michael Arenella & His Dreamland Orchestra is an ensemble steeped in the hot-dance band tradition of the Roaring Twenties. Their size ranges from a full 11-piece orchestra to smaller incarnations. They play their “Hot-and-Sweet” music anywhere that fine and eclectic tastes meet.
The Dreamland Orchestra is authentic. Arenella transcribes by hand their entire repertoire from period recordings. Their delivery, as well as their instruments, attire, and equipment — are faithfully accurate. Arenella’s strong yet vulnerable baritone lacks pretense or sarcasm. He treasures each lyric, and has faith in the songs he sings. Even the most optimisic Tin Pan Alley tune has a disarming quality in his hands.
Though certainly anachronistic, the orchestra’s presence invokes the vibrations of something unmistakably timeless. While authentic to a “T”, Michael Arenella prefers not to be labelled a recreationalist. He takes an antiquated template and infuses it with the immediacy of the present. Spontanaeity is what gave the original music of the era its magic, and it is also the primary ingredient and imprimatur of the Dreamland Orchestra.
His men are dapper dandies; hair pomaded and shoes shined. They are based in New York, which with London were the halcyon capitals of decadence. All of this allows them to capture the essence of what this music and times were all about: joy, romance, modernity, and possibility.
Swing Dance Long Island, Inc. (SDLI)
Swing Dance Long Island, Inc. is an all volunteer, not for profit organization dedicated to the promotion of swing dancing on Long Island, New York.
Join a friendly group of people every Tuesday evening for a mix of East Coast Swing, Savoy Lindy Hop, Hollywood Lindy, West Coast Swing, Balboa, Collegiate Shag and some Ballroom dancing. No partners are needed and beginners are welcome.
Brush Barn
Brush BarnThe Smithtown Historical Society’s Brush Barn is located behind the historic Epenetus Smith Tavern at 211 East Main Street, Smithtown NY 11787 and is not visible from the street. About 0.2 miles east on Main Street from the intersection of Route 111 and Route 25 (Main Street). There is a white house that is #211 (Epenetus Smith Tavern) and a gravel drive beside the house.
