Outdoor dancing
The Love Junkies are providing the music for The Guardian’s Frosty Night.
The Love Junkies enjoy watching people get swept up by their music. Whether they’re playing the Sportsman’s Club in the winter, Fishbones in the summer or wedding dances and corporate gigs throughout the year, they like seeing audiences get involved.
So, when the Charlottetown cover band hits the outdoor stage on Victoria Row in Charlottetown during The Guardian’s Frosty Night on Saturday, Feb. 17, expect to start moving.
“We’re really excited about this gig. Our goal is to get people up dancing on the first song and keep them dancing all night. Some even end up on stage with us,” says Pat Deighan, drummer for the group that includes Dennis Ellsworth, vocals, Colin Buchanan, bass, Don Wagner, guitar, and Chris Coupland, keyboards.
The Guardian’s Frosty Night is a free family event, part of the Jack Frost Winterfest. In addition to music, there will be buskers, free giveaways and the return of the Jack Frost fireworks.
Audience members can also expect to hear favourites like “Sugar Pie,” “Build Me Up, Buttercup,” “I’m Going Down” and other popular songs from the Love Junkies, the night’s main musical attraction.
“‘Run Around Sue’ is a classic.
“When we started playing weddings, we realized the importance of getting people up dancing. And, we found, this is the song that crosses the whole spectrum to get everybody up dancing right away.” Considering the long-range forecast, dancing to stay warm is a good idea, says the keyboard player.
“It won’t be the coldest night we’ve played,” says Coupland, adding the band played New Year’s Eve for the City of Charlottetown’s outdoor celebration a few years ago.
“It was at least 20 below. I had never played like that before, so it was grin and bear it.” And, although Deighan expects cold temperatures, he says strategically placed heaters as well as the positive energy of the crowd will help to keep everyone warm. “The whole vibe of the Love Junkies is getting people up and dancing. We love playing to families and kids for this kind of show,” he says.