January 2005: Hollick Wines Gig. Review reprinted with permission from Ian Hollick.
Hot Summer Night with John Waters
Hollick Wines hosted "Hot Summer Night" with John Waters on January the 22nd. The decorating team headed up by Claire Mossop, Jane Staude, Deb Kilsby and Megan Caldersmith excelled themselves and set the scene for the evening by decorating the barrel shed with hundreds of stars 200 guests were greeted with aged Hollick Sparkling Merlot and Pinot Noir Chardonnay Sparkling in the entrance of the barrel shed which was lit by candles and fairy lights.
A sit down three course dinner accompanied by a selection of Hollick wines, including back vintages of the Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot, was served before the concert. Guests enjoyed an entree of chargrilled asparagus, wild rocket, prosciutto and shaved parmesan salad, followed by a main of scotch fillet with dauphinois potato and Ravenswood glaze or chicken breast with sweetcorn pancake and french peas. Cheese platters were bought out just before the much anticipated arrival of John and his band.
As the band made their entrance on to the stage, which was featured by a large Union Jack as a backdrop, people were getting excited and clapping for John to join them. Finally he made his way to the floor, greeting the guests and launching straight into his first number. It only took two songs before people were up and dancing and by the end of the evening the dance floor was a maelstrom of frenetic activity and there was hardly an occupied seat left in the barrel shed. John belted out a collection of Brit rock songs including classics from Elton John and John Lennon. A tongue in cheek rendition of the Play School theme followed after ample encouragement from the audience.
The "Hollick staff Tabernacle Choir" (pictured) got right into the swing of things joining John and the band on stage to help them belt out the song 'Gloria'. As the show drew to a close it was evident people weren't ready to go home calling John and the band back for three encores.
The night was a roaring success with bookings received on the night for next year. Ian and Wendy kindly donated the proceeds for the night to the Red Cross Tsunami Appeal along with money raised from a raffle held on the night.
