Great Bend is thrilled to be resuming live events with a special appearance of Pearl Django for a summer evening of Hot Club jazz and outdoor swing dancing at the Salmon Center, Saturday evening, August 14!

Your ticket to this special (21-and-older) fundraiser for Great Bend’s early childhood music program will include not only your admission, a free swing dance lesson, and one (1) drink ticket, but also some surprise special gifts for the evening from Great Bend and our sponsors. We’ll be featuring local microbrews from Potlatch Brewing and custom cocktails from Hardware Distillery in the beer garden, and we’ll be auctioning off some exciting vacation, culinary and musical experiences in our efforts to pay for a new early childhood music teaching position! 

Tickets are limited – grab yours today!

$60 per person | $100 per couple


 

Hot Club or “Manouche” jazz is a blend of traditional Roma music and swing jazz. Originating in Paris in the early 1930s, it was first popularized by the Quintette du Hot Club de France led by guitarist Django Reinhardt and violinist Stéphane Grappelli. A group usually consists of an acoustic lead guitar, one or more rhythm guitars, a bass and often a violin or saxophone. Drums are usually absent, as the guitar and bass are played with a percussive rhythm.

With a performance history spanning more than two decades, Pearl Django endures as one of the most highly regarded Hot Club style groups working today. Although the band’s roots are firmly in the music made famous by Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli, its extensive repertoire includes traditional jazz classics and original compositions. 

Pearl Django has performed at festivals, dances and nightspots throughout the U.S. and abroad. They have played at the prestigious Festival Django Reinhardt in Samois sur Seine and have been featured on NPR’s “All Things Considered.” The band’s signature style is marked by pristine and dexterous string work, colors of Bal Musette, the steady pulse of rhythm guitar and an unmistakable swing that delights audiences of all musical sensibilities. Throughout the years, Pearl Django has cultivated a devoted and enthusiastic following and they continue to play to packed houses wherever they perform.