Raising the curtain on rising stars

Evoking the ambiance of a classic 1950s New York jazz lounge, the return of the Stage Door Club to Charles Darwin University’s Casuarina campus has been nearly two years in the making.

The Stage Door Club is the creation of Vocal Studies lecturer Paolo Fabris, who said it was an excellent way to showcase the talent of CDU students who are studying for a Bachelor of Creative Arts in music.

“I started the club in 2014 and it became a very popular event for CDU staff and the wider community,” Mr Fabris said. “We set the stage up with lighting and smoke machines to create the atmosphere of a jazzy dive bar from the ‘50s, and sit the audience at tables onstage with our performers, so it becomes a very intimate affair.”

The concerts will feature, in the main, vocal performances with the backing of piano and guitar but there are other surprises in store.

Such is Mr Fabris’ commitment to the project that he does most of the preparation of the light snacks provided to the audience, who will also receive liquid refreshments.

All performances are free-of-charge, and open to everyone. Numbers are strictly limited to 40 people per performance, so booking is essential.  

The first Stage Door Club for 2018 will take place at the University Theatre from 5.30pm on Friday, 18 May, and thereafter it will be held on the last Friday of each month.

For scheduling information and bookings contact Paolo Fabris on T: 8946 7186 or E: paolo.fabris@cdu.edu.au.