The Melbourne Zoo’s a Swinging Joint

The Melbourne Zoo’s a Swinging Joint

(Last updated Feb. 25, 2007)

The lions and elephants were a bit grumpy because their sleep was rudely disturbed, but the monkeys were snapping their fingers and jiving last night at the Melbourne Zoo as we joined Lisa, Jacob, Tilly and Eleanor at an under-the-stars concert to hear a delightful 1930s-style swing band called “the Moovin’ and Groovin’.” Lisa has always been fond of Big Band music from the Swing era, and Jacob, an old saxophone blower, and Alma, a once-active clarinetist, also got right into it. So did Tilly and Eleanor, who danced the night away to music that I venture very few kids of their generation have ever heard—the likes of Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman and all the rest of the jazz greats of the Big Band genre.

We spread our picnic blankets, broke out the savories and bottles of wine and listened to the five saxophones, four trumpets, four trombones, bass guitar, keyboard and drums belt out four sets of great old tunes, while three jazz singers alternated with the lyrics. Between sets the audience was given some instructions in Swing dancing and the Charleston, into which Alma, Bill, Lisa and even Tilly and Eleanor joined. Jacob, an old rock ‘n roller, offered some commentary from the comfort of his picnic blanket. Tilly almost went apoplectic with laughter while watching Papa trying to revive his ‘40s and ‘50s dancing skills, which were honed at Mrs. Ford’s Dancing School in Scarsdale, N.Y., which he attended under extreme duress. Eleanor broke us all up with an unusual dancing style that entailed rolling her eyes skyward, grinning maniacally and shaking in feigned spasms like some kind of Holy Roller at a revival meeting. The more we laughed, the more bizarre her routine became, which is Eleanor’s wont.

Anyway, the band warmed up to its task as the night went on, and, demonstrating that music does, indeed, sooth the savage beast, the Zoo’s permanent residents uttered nary a protest long after darkness fell and Tilly and Eleanor started to yawn uncontrollably, indicating it was time to go home and into bed.

A good time was had by all, and to prove it here are some photos. As usual, the picture credits go jointly to Lisa and Bill.

The picnic spread is ready before the music

Alma and Jacob get into the food and grog

The weather couldn’t have been better for a concert

To avoid embarrassing anyone, the identity of this man will be withheld. His dancing partner is a bit odd-looking, too, but then maybe it’s genetic.