Decades Rewind return to the Van Wezel in Sarasota
Like a flash, the holidays are upon us. Is it me, or does the ticking of time take on an exponential rate as the years roll by? It seems like last week was Labor Day and Halloween was just yesterday, but, alas, the magical, sparkling days of the winter holidays are arriving. Knowing the time you will spend with family and friends is precious beyond reason, it’s important to choose special events and destinations to be the foundation for this year’s merrymaking. Gorgeous setting right on Sarasota Bay, where the purplish hues of a sunset sky will be the perfect background for a tropical Christmas card? Check. Broadway-style show where the hits of the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s spring to life and warm your heart with nostalgic memories? Check. Sarasotans, assemble your group and make plans for a one-of-a-kind evening of music and memories as Decades Rewind returns to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall on November 17.
Treat your family and friends to a theatrical experience that will tickle your soul and fuel your jog down memory lane. With a cast that includes six vocalists, eight musicians, a full horn ensemble and towering screens depicting the mood and views of the different eras, you cannot help but be transported back to the good old days. Exciting additions to the group recently include Lisa Larkin, a local vocalist, and Calvin Jones from the international a cappella group, Rockapella. Spot-on lyrics bring your favorites like Led Zepellin, Prince, Michael Jackson, Pat Benatar, Chubby Checkers and even Madonna to the stage in dramatic renditions of the songs that control your heartstrings. When you hear ABBA, you will be the “dancing queen,” singing every word to songs you had forgotten you knew. It’s so nice to reconnect with your musical past, and touch on treasured times in your life when long-haired arena bands rocked your world and sometimes mended broken hearts with tender words. Whitney Houston’s emotional “I Will Always Love You” will give you the chills like only she can. You could find yourself feeling better than good when James Brown gets the crowd up and out of their seats. And if you’re ready to get your groove on, fan favorites Colonel Funk and the Funketts will be bringing the house down and sending you to the nearest dance floor to exercise your newly-refound dancing feet.
While the music could be a stand-alone show, the combination of the theatrical component to Decades Rewind is what has garnered favorable reviews of the show. The dynamic costume changes will flip the memory switch back to 1968 when you couldn’t wait to get your first pair of white go-go boots, or the summer of 1975 when the bigger the bell the better on your ragged bellbottoms, or the 1980s when it was collars up and fingerless gloves on. The banter between the cast, who seem to enjoy life on the road together, is effortless. Their comfort level with each other as musicians and performers draws the crowds in for one big uproarious family affair.
Decades Rewind is happy to return home after a whirlwind tour of over 70 theaters in 32 states. They hope you’ll join them for a night you won’t soon forget. You’ll leave feeling like your life was just played out in a musical procession of your all-time favorite songs. Make a plan with your tribe. Decades Rewind at the Van Wezel on a beautiful fall night in November is the perfect way to kick off your holiday festivities. To purchase tickets for the November 17th, show or to see their full schedule, please visit https://www.decadesrewind.com
photos from Decades Rewind website