What an exciting year 2003 has
turned out to be on the ARRAS calendar. We’ve had a veritable
smorgasbord of rock’n’roll. So far we have had Wintersun, Phil Haley
& his Comments, Marti Brom, The Barnshakers and we’re only half way
through the year. Huge thanks must go to Big T Promotions for bringing out
these great artists. Coming up we have Dave Sommerville of Diamonds fame,
playing at the Kingston Town hall on 16th August for an Elvis Tribute
night, compliments of Derrick Grey and The Official Elvis Presley Fan Club
as well as Memphis Mike & The Legendary Tremblers. To top it all off,
there is the Rodfathers gig, our Big Beat in November as well as all the
many pubs and club dances happening around the scene. The rock’n’roll
& rockabilly scene in Australia is alive and kicking!!! As a club, our
membership base has increased by 70% so far this year and a big thanks
must go to all members and the committee for this increase. I’d like to
thank all the old members for coming back into ‘the family.’ Our band
membership is looking like a who’s who of Australian rock’n’roll. As
our international members keep telling us, we publish the best magazine of
its type in the world. Something to be proud of as our members who write
the articles are volunteers and do it for the love of the music and the
club. I’d like to ask all members to become involved in the publication
of the magazine, either by direct contribution in the way of articles or
CD/band/gig reviews or by telling us of what you’d like to see featured
in future issues. Next year is a huge year for the club as we celebrate
our 30th anniversary. We are the longest running club dedicated to 50s
music in the world. There will be a special anniversary gig in March next
year to celebrate the founding of the club which will include free entry
for all past committee members as a thank you for their dedication and
time, as well as special radio shows featuring some of the original
presenters of ‘Shake Rattle and Roll,’ and a show ’n’ shine. As
usual with our gigs, we will showcase a number of bands with a few special
guests and one off performances. Make sure that you stay tuned for updates
and save the last weekends in March for this gala event. I’d just like
to remind all members that we are a club run by volunteers for you, our
members. If you’d like to be on the committee, help out at dances, host
a radio show, or submit articles to the magazine, please contact our
secretar y, Ms Kimmy Kitten on 0419 579 021 or email kscarffe@msn.com.
Thanking you for your continued support.
Rob Hine President.
