A Charity Ball in aid of Cancer Council Victoria
“Tuxedo Junction is the most fun you can have with your tuxedo on!” – Mathew Parkinson (Comedy Slapdown, The Einstein factor)
Check out this years online program here.
Tuxedo Junction 2011 – Raise The Roof – will take place in one of Melbourne’s most beautiful and historical buildings evoking the style and sophistication of the swing era. Featuring a live show produced especially for Tuxedo Junction patrons, a sumptuous three course meal and all beverages, guests this year will have the opportunity to celebrate friends and family whilst making a real difference to cancer research in Victoria.
Tuxedo Junction is simply a brilliant night out and opportunity to frock up and get on the dance floor. The B# Big Band and Show Director Scott Hendry wowed audiences in 2008, 2009 and 2010. In 2011 it will be no different.
The beautiful intimate venue means nobody is left out of the fun; a high quality art auction, raffle, a main and silent auction all give our guests the opportunity to contribute to Cancer Council Victoria whether it be $5 or $5000!
Descend the stairs to the Plaza Ballroom and enter a world of glamour and fun inspired by the grand era of yesteryear. Limited number of tickets available.
Raise The Roof for a great night out – You Won’t Be Disappointed – That’s Our Promise!
“I just want to thank you again for inviting us to your Tuxedo Junction. It was the most fantastic evening and I am sure you felt great pride and exhilaration as the night went on. We went to another evening two weeks later which didn’t even compare and a woman next to me (whom I didn’t know) said she heard there was a ‘great event two weeks ago called Tuxedo Junction!’ So word is out that your event is THE EVENT to be at” – Deb and Steve Sandler.
“The venue, food and entertainment were excellent and the ball provided us a great opportunity to share with our clients our approach to Corporate Responsibility. I am sure you will be proud of the success of the evening and the contribution from the event to cancer research.” – John Theodoulou, Regional Director, Victoria, Parsons Brinckerhoff Australia PL.
Our Creative Director Scott Hendry is putting together another memorable night that will Raise The Roof!
Our Hosts:
Jennifer Hansen and Alan Fletcher
Jennifer HansenHigh profile media personality Jennifer Hansen graduated from the University of Melbourne with an Arts degree, majoring in English Literature and Criminology. She accepted a cadetship (starting immediately!) at Channel Ten while completing her final year. ?Jennifer is best known as the co-host of Channel Ten’s evening news bulletin at 5pm on weeknights, alongside Mal Walden. Performing this role for more than a decade, Jennifer and Mal became the longest serving news duo in Australian television history, maintaining strong ratings and winning widespread support among viewers.
When Jennifer left Ten, she also enrolled in the Professional Writing and Editing course at RMIT (part-time) and graduated with a Diploma at the end of last year. From the course, she has completed her first novel and is working on a film script. Jennifer Hansen returned to a news-reading role in 2009 and 2010 – this time reading the ABC’s Australia Network bulletin, broadcast overseas to 44 countries; Australia Network news is particularly popular in India, where it out-rates CNN and BBC, with an estimated audience of 8 million viewers. Last year Jennifer began writing a weekly column for the Saturday Herald Sun, called “The Other Half”, which involves interviews with the partners of successful Australians. Being married to Neighbours actor Alan Fletcher (aka Dr Karl Kennedy) Jennifer well understands what it’s like having a partner in the spotlight. ?Writing, running a business and freelance news reading gives Jennifer the flexibility to continue with her many MC and guest-speaking commitments – not mention looking after her two children, Tom and Veronica.
Alan FletcherAlan Fletcher was bitten by the acting bug early, appearing in various school productions, but it was whilst attending Wesley College that Alan’s passion for acting really developed where he took on major roles in plays.
Alan was offered a place at the National Institute of Dramatic Art. However, at the same time, he was offered a years contract on the popular Crawford Production’s television show Cop Shop. TV won out and an 18 month stint established his television credentials.
The 1980′s were a period of intense growth for Alan. Perhaps his favourite role was as Frank Vittorio in the Simpson Le Mesurier mini series Sword of Honour which chartered the tragic consequences of the Vietnam War.
Numerous guest appearances on Australian television series and comedy programmes were punctuated by three radio series of the satirical ABC comedy program Don’t Get Off Ya Bike!
In 1988, Alan commenced work at the Melbourne Theatre Company where he remained almost continuously for three years.
The nineties were the decade that saw Alan’s career truly flourish. For three seasons, he played Australian consul Michael Clayton in the ABC/Grundy programme Embassy, receiving an Australian Film institute nomination for best actor in a series.
In 1994 Alan’s life underwent a complete change. He was offered a one-year contract on Neighbours and, over ten years later, he’s still there!
One of the bonuses of working on Neighbours is the opportunity to perform in pantomime in the UK, and to tour with his band Waiting Room.
Despite a frantic Neighbour’s schedule Alan has managed to squeeze in appearances in the stage musical MAME for The Production Company and two shows of The Great Australian Dog of the Year.
Chelsea GibbChelsea is our very own Tuxedo Junction regular! Her performances at Tuxedo 2008, 2009 and 2010 are talked about all year! After two and a half years in the role of Roxie Hart in Chicago – The Musical, touring Australia and Asia, Chelsea was Reno Sweeny in The Production Company’s Anything Goes. In 2004 Chelsea starred in the World Premiere Season of Get Happy?– The Musical in the role of Ruby Red, followed by Queenie in The Wild Party at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival. Chelsea is currently performing in her own musical theatre/jazz cabaret show. In July 2010 Chelsea starred in The King and I as Anna Leonowens at The State Theatre, Melbourne.
B Sharp Big BandTuxedo Junction is pleased to welcome back to the musical stage, the B# Big Band. The B Sharp Big Band is Melbourne’s most exciting swing band. They are bringing a fresh and invigorating sound to Melbourne and casting a spell on new audiences with every performance. The founder and manager Henry K, has pulled together some of Australia’s best individual jazz artists to perform the classic arrangement of Beale, Ellington, Goodman, Miller and other Big Cats of the 30s, 40s & 50s.
Janet Todd is a young Melbourne Soprano. She made her operatic debut with Victorian Opera this year as ‘Pamina’ in The Magic Flute and recently sang ‘Liesgen’ in VO’s Baroque Triple Bill. Janet was the Soprano Soloist (Faure’s Requiem) in The Australian Ballet’s Elegy and performs regularly in concerts and recitals around Melbourne. Janet has won numerous prizes for singing including the Opera Foundation AIMS Award and the Dame Nellie Melba Opera Trust Scholarship and was runner up in the Herald Sun Aria in 2009. She will play Marsinah in Kismet with The Production Company this month.
Josh trained at The University of Ballarat Arts Academy, graduating in 2006. Whilst there, Josh performed in many productions including Kiss Me Kate, Into the Woods and The Rocky Horror show with the cast of Neighbours. He later joined international pop-opera sensation, The Ten Tenors and performed around the globe. In 2010 Josh performed alongside Geoffrey Rush in The Drowsy Chaperone with the Melbourne Theatre Company (MTC). Most recently Josh played Tony in the 2010/2011 production of West Side Story to critical acclaim and is currently starring in The Production Company’s Kismet at The State Theatre.
Originally from Melbourne, Dominic has been living in London for over six years and has performed in numerous West End productions including Jesus Christ Superstar, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and My Fair Lady. He currently performs his own cabaret show throughout the USA and other territories on chartered cruise liners. He has had several hit chart singles in Australia- a career highlight. Dominic is very proud to be a part of Tuxedo Junction 2011, a cause very close to his heart.
Scott trained in Musical Theatre at the W.A. Academy of Performing Arts. Over the past 15 years Scott has performed around Australia and Asia in numerous productions including Sunset Boulevard, The Wizard of Oz, Chicago, The Full Monty, My Fair Lady, as well as a performer and resident Director on Eurobeat. He has also worked as Assistant Director on Damn Yankees and most recently as Children’s Director/Assistant Director on The Production Company’s The King & I. Scott extends his thanks all the Artists for their time and incredible talents!
Students at the APO Arts Academy have a unique opportunity to participate in a variety of industry-focused courses that consolidate technique and performance skills in the three core disciplines of singing, acting and dancing. All courses draw on the experience and knowledge of lecturers, various high profile guests and other industry professionals in music theatre and the wider entertainment industry. The Academy staff and students are delighted to be involved with Tuxedo Junction again this year supporting Cancer Council Victoria.
Daniel started performing at a young age, competing for his local dance studio as an acrobat and contortionist in regional dance festivals. In 2003 he completed a Bachelor of Circus Arts from Australia’s National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA). While performing at corporate events Daniel was chosen by Cirque Du Soleil for the Las Vegas performance of “KA”. Daniel travelled with the international ballet theater performing in Latin America as a cultural exchange and fundraising effort for children living with HIV.
Cancer Council Victoria:
| Manager Community Relations & Fundraising | Deborah Stringer |
| Community Relations & Fundraising | Marlene Cirillio Irene Manitta Luciana Longo |
| 2011 Committee | David Speakman, Fracs, (Chair) Paul Davies Caroline Holmstrom Pamela Irving Drew Lette Lloyd O’Brien AO Mark Schroffel George Spink |
| Event Producer: | Kate Bonser Tuxedo Event Management |
| Artistic Director: | Scott Hendry |
| Auctioneer: | Mark Staples, Hocking Stuart (Carnegie) |
| Marriner Theatres: | Deanna Preston Andre Branda-Pawlaczyk |
| Design: | Norman Connell Advertising |
| Website Design & Host: | Norman Connell Advertising |
| Ticketing: | Delma Dunnoon TryBooking |
Thank you to the volunteers who staff Cancer Council Victoria’s Hotline.