Those of you who grew up and spent their youth in the ‘50s and ‘60s can still remember the dance clubs and ballrooms full of young men and women shakin’, rock ‘n’ rollin’ and jivin’ to the evergreen sounds and rhythms of post-war music. Top nightclubs, situated mainly in Valletta and its suburbs, such as the Premier in Pjazza Regina, Las Vegas next to the Main Guard, the Vernon near Auberge de Castille, the Maxims in Zachary Street and the Phoenicia Ballroom, were a major source of entertainment in the 50s. The capital city was living its golden years.

All this is history. However, on 8 August, Spiteri Lucas Entertainment in collaboration with the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts will take the audience back to when Valletta was still considered the hub of entertainment through the spectacular live show, Golden Oldies. This event promises to be one of the highlights during this summer’s edition of the Malta Arts Festival. This live musical production will be staged open-air at the Old Opera House (Teatru Rjal) in Valletta from 9pm onwards, and will feature some of the most memorable tunes from the 50s and early 60s, regarded by many as the Golden Age of Pop Music.

Golden Oldies will surely give its audience the opportunity to relive the excitement and great memories of post-war music and its music idols. These were light tunes, with sweet lyrics, sung by wholesome singers. In fact, hit tunes by legends such as Elvis Presley, Fats Domino, Paul Anka, Cliff Richard, Neil Sedaka, Pat Boone, The Platters, Nat King Cole, crooners Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra as well as popular female artists like Marilyn Monroe, Shirley Bassey, Connie Francis, Petula Clark and Doris Day will feature prominently in this show.

The 1950s and 1960s produced sound and rhythm which can still make people of different ages sing, sway, shake, rattle and roll in time to the beat, and the show compiles a varied repertoire that appeals to different generations since many of its songs are still very popular. From rock ‘n’ roll hits such as Blue Suede Shoes, Hound Dog and Rock Around the Clock to the more sentimental ballads like Can’t Stop Loving You, Blueberry Hill, Smoke Gets in Your Eyes and The Great Pretender. From hit tunes such as Stand by Me, Summer Holiday and Diana, to sing along melodies like That’s Amore and Volare. The Latin feel of the 50s will also be present with such songs as Tequila, Sway and Kiss me Honey. There is also room for some 60s hits which will go down well with the audience.

For this important event, Spiteri Lucas Entertainment has assembled a star-studded cast with talented and established artists like Julie and Ludwig, Debbie Scerri, Glenn Vella, Antonello Persiano, Triccas, Nadine Axisa, Leontine, Ivan Spiteri Lucas, Neville Refalo, Maria Mallia and upcoming artist Christabelle Borg. All artists will be accompanied by a seven-piece band under the direction of popular musician and singer Mark Spiteri Lucas, who is also responsible for the musical arrangements. Celaine Buhagiar is in charge of choreography.

Nostalgia is related to old melodies, ones which when replayed after many years, still elicit a collection of feelings, leading us to take a trip down memory lane and relive the excitement. Given the recent resurgence on our islands of post-war music, and the massive interest in events dedicated to evergreen standards, it is worth booking a seat at the historical Old Opera House and watching every single minute of this production. With a repertoire of popular melodies, a highly talented cast, choreography, light and sound effects, costumes and a few surprises in store, Golden Oldies promises to be an exciting event not to be missed by all music lovers.

Golden Oldies is supported by Guinot Institute – Paris, V & C Contractors Ltd, Bestprint Co. Ltd, Beautique Parlour, Photocity, and Cut Coiffeur Hairstylists. The Malta Arts Festival is supported by HSBC Bank Malta, the Valletta Local Council, Bank of Valletta and the Westin Dragonara Resort.

Booking is open and tickets at Lm5 and Lm6 can be obtained from Dolceria Croce Bonaci, St John’s Street, Valletta, Tereza Bazaar, Zabbar or SLE (Tel. 2123-3958, 9946-8429). The ticket hotline is 9989-6638.

Tickets are also available from the Malta Arts Festival information Stand in Freedom Square, Valletta. Or you can call the Malta Arts Festival hotline on 9999-0145.