Peter Urlich tells Belinda McCammon it's time for the New Zealand dine and dance to have a glamourous revival.
After appearing on Dancing With the Stars it seems musician Peter Urlich's career has come full circle with what he hopes is the renaissance of the traditional New Zealand dine and dance.
Urlich, a member of iconic Kiwi band Th'Dudes and a DJ on Auckland Radio station George FM, is taking to the stage again, this time with his five piece swing band in Auckland in July.
It is a concept which Urlich hopes will revive the great New Zealand tradition, the dine and dance - one which he believes people of all ages are crying out for.
"It's a chance for you and your partner to throw on your finest, dine in luxurious ambience and to glide around the dance floor in suitable style."
While Urlich had been performing at the occasional wedding or anniversary over the years, it was all very much "under the radar".
It was not until he fulfilled a drunken promise made while touring to his road manager to sing at his wedding that the idea took on "an energy of its own".
At the wedding Urlich sang one song to a backing tape, Fly Me to the Moon, and as he walked off stage was met by concert promotions manager Brent Eccles.
"He went 'Wow I didn't know you could do that stuff'.
"He was so excited and said 'Let's do an album' and I thought, it's the chardonnay talking.
Urlich said yes but wondered who was going to buy the album.
Eccles told him to worry about recording it, he would take care of selling it.
"The next Monday he called me and the process started from there."
The album, Between You & Me, features the type of music you would expect to hear at dine and dances in community halls around the country, including Don't Get Around Much Anymore, You Can't Take That Away From Me and Everybody's Talkin'.
"What's not to like," Urlich said in Auckland.
"It's a complete bonus for me, this came out of the blue and it seems to have an energy all of its own."
After a less than stellar turnout himself on Dancing With the Stars, Urlich will be happily watching others dance while he sticks with what he knows from the stage.
Urlich has his own theories as to why the concept of the dine and dance - the first will be held in Auckland in July and more are planned throughout the country - is so popular.
"We're talking about classic songs, so I guess it could be a reaction to music these days as seen as disposable.
"People miss that old world, those times when people had different values, the way they dressed and acted."
Urlich rejects the suggestion the music only appeals to a certain generation.
"The music has been done by young men, Harry Connick Jr, Michael Buble, Tim Beveridge.
"I sing these songs to my little boys. It's melodies and great lyrics from a time gone by.
"It's a nostalgia thing we're dealing with, classic songs we hope will hold their own forever."
Urlich says there are few opportunities for people to dress up, which he thinks will be another reason a cross-section of people will attend the Auckland dine and dance.
"The whole glamour thing is sitting there."
Society had become very casual, which left people craving for opportunities to dress up and make an occasion out of going out, he says.
"Someone said 'bring out the diamonds'."
Urlich is also enjoying the vibe of performing this style of music with his band.
"It's just all fun and as they say, being a band is like having your own gang.
"I only see them when they're doing gigs. I said to my wife, one of the reasons I do this is so I can hear
them play.
"It's something different and if the word spreads, we could see a little renaissance."
*Between You & Me is out now. Peter Urlich performs at the Rangitoto Ballroom in The Langham on July 3. Tickets available through ticketek.
-NZPA
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