Fancy yourself as a bit of a mover? Then here’s your chance to impress one of the most popular disco acts of all time.
Since the 1970s, Sister Sledge have racked up a string of hits, including Frankie, We Are Family, Lost In Music and He’s The Greatest Dancer. But when they take to the stage for a fun 1970s night at Middlesbrough’s Stewart Park on Saturday, June 13, they’ll be casting an eye over the crowd.
For as group member Joni told the Gazette: “We like people to be a part of what we do - and we always look out for the greatest dancers!”
Summer 70s Live! is a successor to the now defunct Ormesby Hall 70s event, which used to bring in thousands of revellers, many in fancy dress.
To celebrate Boro reaching Wembley, organiser Jimmy Wattis is even pledging a free pint of lager, beer or cider for everyone attending.
And with Sister Sledge topping the bill, it promises to be one of Stewart Park’s most memorable occasions.
Speaking to the Gazette from Arizona, Joni - one of three sisters who currently make up the band - admitted she didn’t know about the Middlesbrough venue. But on hearing about its lakes, trees, grassland, animals and even the Captain Cook Museum, as well as its history staging events like the Radio One roadshow and Big Day Out, she said: “Thanks for telling me that - it sounds like fun! We might have to sneak around and have a good look.”
Joni says the girls love coming to the UK because it has “a really good connection with our music.”
But what can revellers expect at Stewart Park?
She said: “We are going to play our hits, of course, and we’ll introduce some new stuff.
“And we’ll definitely be going for audience participation.
“It’ll be like a big party - you can’t be shy around us. Just come and have fun and forget your inhibitions.
“The UK is pretty much our second home. We were there last summer and had a fabulous time.
“There’s a connection we have with the people and the music. People in the UK are uninhibited when it comes to having fun and enjoying music, and we feel that. It makes us feel amazing.
“You guys are our family.”
Joni says Lost In Music is one of her favourites in the set list, explaining: “It gives us the chance to stretch out with our band. It’s always completely different - we really do get lost in the music and we encourage people out there to have fun.”
And even after all these years, she says she feels blessed to be performing with her sisters.
She said: “We get along. We can fight over stupid, crazy stuff, like any family, but we respect each other.
“In the end, we’re sisters and we love each other.
“We are still receiving the fans’ love after all these years. We’re the luckiest people in the world.”
Tickets for the event, which is strictly 18s and over, with Challenge 21 in place, are £29.50 or £49 for VIP from the box office at Middlesbrough Town Hall or online at www.seetickets.com/go/summer70slive . The fun starts at 4pm with several support bands.
Organiser Jimmy Wattis said: “By bringing Sister Sledge to Middlesbrough, we’re really pushing the boat out. We hope it’s going to be a very successful day and event for the town. We’d love everyone to come out and support it in fancy dress.”
