Leichhardt Town Hall Sunday June 4, 11am — 4pm, FREE ENTRY
Performance Highlights:
There won’t be a quiet moment at this year’s Leichhardt Long Lunch, with a rotation of fun-filled, diverse performers taking the stage all day long to keep you dancing.
LIMPIN’ JIMMY AND THE SWINGIN’ KITTEN
This DJ team specialises in — you guessed it — music from the 1940s to the 1960s. They boast a music library covering lounge and cocktail, Rock‘n’Roll, Rockabilly, Jump Blues and Doo Wop, Soul, and Latin and Salsa, just to name a few. They’re sure to be offering some old-school jams to groove to all day long.
THE DREY ROLLAN BAND
This Blues / R&B / Rockabilly / Rock’n’Roll band does it all, in the name of old-school music. Comprised of Drey Rollan on lead guitar and vocals, Bobbie Green on vocals and percussion, and Little B on rhythm guitar and vocal, these musicians add their own touch to a classic sound to get your toes tapping. Hits to listen out for include ‘Be Mine’ and ‘Field of Dreams.’
ALL ABOUT SWING
This Sydney-based dance troupe are experts in creating energetic and memorable performances. They usually offer live fun performances for weddings and corporate events, so will be sure to light up the Leichhardt Long Lunch stage in high-speed style. All About Swing will also be giving dance lessons to those hoping to get in on some of the Rock’n’Roll dance action.
HIGHLIGHTS
Boutique beer and wines:
The Royal Hotel Leichhardt will be showcasing ‘Beers of the Inner West’. Tempt your taste buds with Five Dock’s Akasha Brewing, Young Henry’s Newton, Marrickville’s Batch Brewing, and Camperdown’s Marrickville and Wayward Brewery. Also on tap will be the newly released Goose Island – Midway Session IPA from Chicago and a range from Matilda Bay Brewing.
Fantastic food stalls:
Like its name suggests, you won’t be leaving Leichhardt Long Lunch without indulging in a delicious range of food. For meat lovers, Black Iron Smokers and BBQ will be cooking up pulled pork burgers, beef brisket, ribs and BBQ share plates, while The Fancy Burger will provide homemade sausages in artisan bread rolls. Monster Rolls’ will deliver slow cooked meat and baguettes, and The Molong Farm offers meat that is sustainably and locally sourced. It wouldn’t be an Inner West food festival without the enticing scent of Spanish paella permeating the air — Tapas Market will be creating some delicious Spanish dishes. For dessert to wash down all that meat and tapas, The Cream Machine will serve up coffee, milkshakes and ice cream.
Vintage shopping:
There’s no need to forfeit your chances of winning the best dressed competition if you don’t own a piece of vintage clothing; Leichhardt Long Lunch will boast some wonderful pop up vintage stores for your shopping needs. Bluebell Vintage Clothing will offer reproduction vintage garments and accessories for girls, and Da Vintage Code will provide a range that epitomises 50s and 60s fashion for boys and girls alike. Bread and Butter Vintage offers retro, collectable vintage and other unique-style pieces, while Leo’s has the guys sorted with old-school menswear, cowboy boots, vintage denim shirts and jackets available to shoppers. Beyond dress, check out Val + Wazza’s music store for records, cassettes and DVDs.
ACTIVITIES
Dancing lessons
As well as performing live throughout the day, All About Swing will be offering free dance lessons inside the town hall. If you’ve got two left feet, this could be your chance to learn the ins and outs of Lindy Hop, Rock’n’Roll and Swing dancing. The lessons will take place at 11am, 12pm and 1pm, and will be 20 minutes each.
Free kids rides and games
Adults aren’t the only ones who’ll be having fun at Long Lunch. Kids have a fun-filled day lined up for them, with a plentitude of kids’ rides and games on offer (which won’t cost you a cent). We’re talking bungee jumping, giant Lego, chess and more.
Pop up barber:
Leichhardt local, singer and Elvis fanatic Dom Vasta — who started an Elvis-themed barber in Marrickville, called Memphis & Co — will be helping attendees style the perfect quiff or rock n roll doo for the day.
Best Dressed Competition:
This year’s Best Dressed Competition will be looking for those who hit the nail on the head with their Rock’n’Roll attire. The winners will be announced at 1.45pm on the entertainment stage, with anyone and everyone welcomed to enter at 1.30pm. Event team members will be scouting for anyone dressed up during the day, with the twitter and instagram hashtag #leichhardtlonglunch2017.
If the fun of dressing up isn’t enough to convince you to don a poodle skirt or Elvis wig, the prizes on offer might: they include a 6 week class pass for the winner and a friend from All About Swing, a BYK 250 kids bike, and $100 vouchers to Bluebell Vintage Clothing and Bread & Butter Vintage Clothing.