6 August 2004

We'll meet again - thank you for the music Vera Lynn

Heads will be nodding and toes will be tapping at the Town Hall on Monday 30 August when the golden era of music from a veritable legend is brought back to life.

Yolande Gibson, former NZ Entertainer of the year, will be taking the stage at 11.30am to perform songs recorded over five decades by the highly acclaimed Dame Vera Lynn.

The free concert, “Thank You for the Music – A Tribute to Vera Lynn”, is proudly sponsored by Auckland City and the Hobson Community Board, and is an acknowledgement of the contribution Auckland’s senior citizens, returned servicemen and their families make to our community.

Vera Lynn became the most popular British singer during the war, hosting a BBC radio program Sincerely Yours. Her morale-boosting ballads were extremely popular with servicemen. She appeared in an armed forces stage revue, toured Burma in 1944 and also made three wartime films. In 1976, she was made Dame Vera Lynn.

Described by Sir Harry Secombe as “simply brilliant with the audience”, Ms Gibson describes Vera Lynn’s songs as “very stirring, exactly the effect they were meant to have”.

Ms Gibson is supported by Terry Gordon, former Queensland Entertainer of the year, and Australia’s loveable larrikin of comedy and song. Mr Gordon’s versatility as a balladeer, songwriter, comedy performer and television host has established him as one of Australian country music's most popular entertainers.

Auckland City is encouraging friends, sons, daughters, grandsons and grand-daughters to make the most of this opportunity to get together and enjoy this fantastic free concert. There are 1600 seats available, which will be allocated on a “first come first served” basis.

Auckland City is also searching for some special residents to attend the concert. In particular, it wants to find the person who has lived within the city boundaries for the longest consecutive period. This person will be invited to attend the tribute to Vera Lynn as a VIP and will be chauffeured to the concert.

The search is part of Heritage Week, organised by Auckland City, which runs from 4 to 10 September 2004. If you think you, or someone you know, could be the person we’re looking for, email Barbara.Strong-MacKinnon@aucklandcity.govt.nz or call Auckland City on (09) 379 2020 by Wednesday, 18 August.

Further information on Heritage Week is also available through this number or on the website www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/heritage.

ENDS

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