DUNGOG proved once again that it is a town that truly supports live music, with 360 people filling the historic James Theatre on Friday night to see the Spooky Men’s Chorale.
Presented by Continuous Music, the concert delivered an evening of rich harmonies, absurd humour, and moments of unexpected poignancy that had the audience completely enthralled.
From the moment the chorale stepped onto the stage, the theatre was buzzing.
The Spooky Men’s trademark mix of a cappella brilliance and tongue-in-cheek comedy had the crowd laughing, clapping, and at times holding their breath as haunting harmonies echoed through the hall.
The program moved seamlessly between hilariously clever original songs, celebrating everything from man-stuff to household chores, and soulful interpretations of traditional tunes.
Their vocal arrangements were complex yet effortlessly delivered, showcasing not only their musicianship but their ability to connect with an audience.
One of the night’s most memorable moments came with the encore, when the ‘Spookies’ invited everyone to the front of the theatre to dance along to their rousing, joy-filled rendition of Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance with Somebody”.
Within seconds, the aisles were alive with movement as the crowd joined in, creating a moment of pure, shared delight.
“It was such a joy to see the theatre so full,” one local said.
“You could feel the pride in the room, this was a real celebration of music and community.”
Ben Steer of Continuous Music said the turnout exceeded expectations.
“Dungog is punching well above its weight when it comes to live music,” he said.
“Having 360 people come together to share an evening like this shows how much this town values its arts and culture.”
If Friday night’s performance was anything to go by, Dungog’s appetite for world-class entertainment is only getting stronger.
By Shannon BENTON
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