WCBC

July 20th, 2016 by WCBC Radio

The Embassy Theatre, located at 49 Baltimore Street on the Downtown Cumberland Mall, will be hosting a 50's Dance Party on Saturday, July 30, beginning at 8 pm.

The party will feature 50's music by Smokin' Fireballs, and the event also includes special drinks at the cash bar, tended by cafe manager Trish Jankey. Those attending are encouraged to wear 50's attire, although it is not required. There also will be doorprize giveaways, and a dance contest that party-goers may sign up for upon arrival. Each registered couple will have numbers pinned to their backs. Judges will observe their dancing and select finalists midway through the evening. The winners of the dance contest will receive dinner tickets for a nice, local restaurant.

Band members include Buzz Gunderson, Buffalo, NY, on bass;  G.E. Fisher, Richmond, VA, on lead guitar; Tom Powell, Phoeniz, AZ, on guitar; John Elliott, Manchester, England, on drums; and, Frank Valentine, Cumberland, MD, on tenor sax.

Vocals are shared by all members of the band.

The Smokin' Fireballs, based in Richmond, VA, was formed in 2015 by Buzz Gunderson and G.E. Fisher.  Both of the founding members have played in various groups over the past 40+ years and have toured extensively in the U.S. and abroad.  John Elliott, also an accomplished horseman, has played in many groups in the U.K. and in this country.  Tom Powell handles most of the lead vocals, and established himself during the past few years in the Richmond area.  Frank Valentine, whose musical roots go back to the early 'sixties in Cumberland, has enjoyed playing with such local groups as Joe Derrico's Wild Ones and has also performed with the Chinese Bandits on several occasions these past few years.

The Smokin' Fireballs specialize in music from the beginnings of rock and roll – the nineteen-fifties.  They enjoy playing the music that started it all – i.e., rock, pop, R&B and a little bit 'o blues from that era.

The band has had tremendous success in the Richmond, VA area, and has performed throughout Central Virginia from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Chesapeake Bay.

Tickets are available at the door, or by making telephone reservations at (240) 362-7183. Or, advance tickets can be purchased on www.eventbrite.com. Admission is $10 per person.

For more information about the Embassy's 50's Dance Party, visit https://facebook.com/embassytheatrecumberland.