Contact: Kenneth Billings
STARKVILLE, Miss.--Award-winning Biloxi crooner David Delk will be featured March 7 when the Starkville-Mississippi State University Symphony Association presents the "Skylighters Canteen Ballroom Affair."
A chance for fans of the Big Band Era to step back in time, the 7 p.m. public program takes place on campus in the Colvard Student Union's Foster Ballroom. Delk is serving both as emcee and performer for an evening of musical favorites from the world war periods.
"Canteen Ballroom" also is the symphony association's annual fundraiser, with all proceeds being used to help continue its numerous free, public performances throughout the year. Tickets are $50 each.
Recreating the atmosphere of a USO canteen, the ballroom will be decked in red, white and blue colors--among them, a 48-star U.S. flag. A variety of foods and beverages from the period will be available.
"We want the audience to have a hard time keeping their feet still as the jazzy rhythms, strong brass sounds and silky voices of the crooners engulf them in the music of some very vibrant times in our country's history," said event chairperson Ada McGrevey.
Delk will be accompanied by the Clifton Taylor-directed MSU Jazz Band. Vocalist Nancy Beverly of Starkville and members of the local Dancing Feet Studio also will perform.
A 30-year stage and theater veteran, Delk has directed or performed in such musicals as "My Fair Lady" and "Grease." In addition to membership in the Coast Big Band, he has been a guest performer with the Gulf Coast and Ocala (Fla.) symphonies, and holds awards and recognitions from the Mississippi Theatre Association and Biloxi Sun Herald, among others.
"Canteen Ballroom" tickets are available at the downtown Bookmart, from symphony board members or by telephoning 662-323-4142.
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For more information on the special event, contact Hailey Montgomery or Candy Crecink at 324-3080.
For more information about Mississippi State University, see http://www.msstate.edu/.