Swing Dolls Performance to Celebrate the USO

Before Destiny’s Child, Spice Girls and TLC there were the Andrews Sisters. This prolific trio of vocal harmonies established themselves with personality, talent and energy as America’s most popular female singing group of the 1940s.

During World War II, they entertained the Allied forces, inspired a nation to support our troops and brought a zest of life to a trying time with hits like Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.

“The Andrews Sisters’ harmonies and songs are still influential today, and have been covered by entertainers such as Bette Midler and Christina Aguilera, but the true spirit of swing is best captured by the aptly named Swing Dolls” says Naamah Franke, chair of the Desert Arts performance.

In musical tribute to our troops, The Swing Dolls will perform on Friday, Nov. 22 on the stage of the Hermiston High School Performing Arts Auditorium, 600 S. First St. Doors will open at 7 p.m. and the performance begins promptly at 7:30 p.m. Tickets ($30 adult, $15 child, with special discount tickets available for veterans/active duty military and their immediate families: $25 adults and $10 for children) can be purchased individually, or as a part of Desert Arts Season Ticket packages at the Desert Arts Council website or at the Hermiston Chamber of Commerce office and at Hermiston Parks and Recreation office at City Hall.

The Swing Dolls, have been entertaining audiences nationwide for more than 10 years with their close harmonies, dazzling costumes and stylish choreography.

“The Swing Dolls take you on a journey back in time, to where it all began – the birth of the United Service Organization.” says Mary Corp, president of Desert Arts Council.

The Swing Dolls embrace the 1940s big band swing with explosive energy and the glamour of the 1950s, infused with charisma and humor The Andrew’s Sisters would be proud of, said Corp. They have garnered appearances on television’s Gilmore Girls and Your Big Break and frequently perform in concert halls around the country. The Swing Dolls have been hailed by the press for their patriotic, vintage and show-stopping performances.

The Desert Arts season will resume on Jan. 11 with the return of Dancing with Your Stars (Tickets $30 adult, $20 child), showcasing local community members putting their dancing skills to the test in an effort to raise money for local community charities.

On Feb. 15, the SAGE Center n Boardman will host Love Letters, an elegant evening affair that includes a wine and hors d’oeuvres reception. The final event of the season will be the 10th Annual Hermiston Art Walk on the first weekend in May on Main Street in Hermiston. Check the Desert Arts Council Facebook page for updates and more details over the coming 2012-2013 season. For more information call 541-567-1800 or visit the Arts Council website.