Going way back: Valentine’s dinner and dance will have 1950s vibes

Bandmates of “The Way Backs” are looking to go way back in time when they host a 1950s themed Valentine’s Day dinner and dance at the Marconi Multicultural Event Centre next month.

The group’s lead singer Jeffrey Wright felt the Sault was lacking in public events that celebrated February’s romantic occasion.

“For Valentine’s Day, we don’t do a whole lot of stuff in the city, so if we can do something big for people, that’d be amazing,” he told SooToday. “People love themed events, so we want to bring something new and fresh but hit the nostalgia as well.”

A longtime musician, Wright rediscovered his calling to music last year when he played the role of Johnny Cash in the West End Theatre Project’s spin on the famous Million Dollar Quartet recording session.

Soon after the show, he joined forces with fellow cast members Liam Seymour, Marshall Jaaskelainen, and Jaime Jacques to form “The Way Backs” – one of the newest bands to the local music scene.

Most recently, the group performed in front of a sellout crowd at the Moose Lodge for Wright’s show called "Hurt: A Tribute to the Legend, Johnny Cash.“ The band managed to squeeze 28 of the country legend’s songs into two hours.

“We’ve been blown away by the response in this community,” Wright said. “We’ve definitely taken a leap from where we started, and now we want to keep it going. We really want to focus on building community and building connections with people while providing entertainment.”

The Way Backs have invited a number of local artists to join them for a night of music at the Marconi on Feb. 14, including Jay Gasparetto, Jay Case, Rachel Jaaskelainen, Meggy Lee, George Wright, and Sarah Lily Wright.

Organizers promise to perform some of the most popular classics from the “greatest era” of music, including “Can’t Helping Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley, “Jolene” by Dolly Parton, and “Stupid Cupid” by Connie Francis.

“We’re really excited to see how this whole thing unfolds,” Wright said. “We have such an amazing lineup of people. The Sault really needs this.”

Prizes will be awarded to the best dancer and best dressed couple, while one person from each table will take home a centerpiece.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with dinner to follow shortly after, which includes penne, meatballs, salad, bread, coffee, and tea. A cash bar and photo booth will also be available.

Tickets are $75 each and are available for purchase by calling or texting 705-256-0204, or by emailing [email protected]. They can also be purchased in-person at the Marconi between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

“Don’t wait until the last minute,” Wright suggested. “Because it’s a catered event, tickets aren’t available at the door, so you won’t be able to get them after February 12th.”

For more information, readers can visit The Way Backs website by clicking here.