CULLMAN – On Friday evening, the Cullman Civic Center came alive with music and dance as hundreds of area youth and adults gathered for the 21st annual Cullman Big Band Dance. Live music was provided by the Cullman High School Jazz Band under the direction of CHS Band Director Christopher Smith. For those who needed a little help, Jean and Dodd Holt offered a crash course in various dances prior to the official start of the festivities.
By the time the Mardi Gras-themed dance got underway, the Civic Center's main auditorium was packed wall-to-wall. The band kicked off the evening with the Glen Miller big band classic "In the Mood," and progressed through a wide-ranging set that included pieces like "Blueberry Hill" (A Glen Miller hit years before Fats Domino covered it, for those of you who enjoy music trivia!), the traditional country classic "Tennessee Waltz," and even the Beach Boys' hit "Surfin' USA." Dancers enjoyed a gamut of foot fare as well, from classic waltzes and rumbas to the ever-popular "chicken dance."
Students gathered for group selfies in their best dresses and suits, posed for more formal pictures at the photo booth, fixed plates on a well-outfitted finger food buffet; and lots of them actually danced! The floor stayed full for most of the evening.
Cullman Band Boosters President Mary Hovater was pleased with what she was seeing at this event, that was in part a fundraiser to purchase new uniforms for the CHS band.
"I think we've had a really good turnout," she said, "and I think we may have raised a little money to help toward the uniforms. I'm pretty excited about that! We've got some nice guests here: some of the school board is here, (Councilman) Andy Page is here dancing with his lovely wife, so we've got some local celebrities here. That's fun!"
Copyright 2017 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
