Miningmoves
The samba set party!
Earlier this year, around 450 guests, elegantly dressed and ready
to party, attended the WA Mining Club’s social highlight of the
year – the Gala Ball.
This year guests were taken on a journey to Rio de Janeiro.
With its explosion of music and colour, high energy dancing,
elaborate costumes, flamboyant floats, adornments and revellers
from numerous samba schools – the Rio Carnival is commonly
cited as ‘the greatest party on earth!’
Upon arriving at the Hyatt, a rowdy contingent of camera-
bearing ‘paparazzi’ snapped photos and sought comment from
guests as they made their way into the Grand Ballroom foyer. Then
in spectacular fashion, stilt-walking girls, glamorous showgirls in
barely-there costumes and abdominally-blessed men gyrated their
way through the arriving guests dancing to samba drums.
In true Rio procession style, guests followed the moving
carnival group from the foyer into the Grand Ballroom. Walking
through a gauntlet of beating samba drums, an impressively
visual delight unfolded with a scene full of rich colour, dazzling
glamour and lots of pretty flamingos.
With guests comfortably seated, the night’s floor show
entertainment got off to an energetic start with a bevy of
Rio-inspired dancers and Simon Brook McLachlan performing
Peter Allen’s classic hit “I Go to Rio”. There was plenty of eye-
catching action, and guests shook their maracas, fluttered their
outrageously long eyelashes and blew their whistles to join in the
upbeat opening number.
Master of Ceremonies Tim Gossage then introduced President
Neil Watson who warmly welcomed guests and thanked event
sponsors. Neil provided a positive review of the Club’s activities
and objectives over the past year and paid tribute to the
enthusiastic committee who worked alongside him.
Throughout the evening, guests were treated to a gourmet
meal and a fabulous array of entertainment. The Ballroom
was a fine backdrop for the sizzling
dance and acrobatic routine by the Star
Factory. Such a display of high energy
entertainment would be a hard act for
anyone to follow, but comedian Paul Martell
had no trouble whatsoever, with his engaging Irish wit,
clever impersonations (Jack Nicholson, Al Pacino and
Russell Crowe to name a few) and his humorous yarns.
During the evening – which occurred on the night
of the 2013 federal election – “Live from Canberra”
‘
Phony Abbot’ and ‘KRudd’ gave their full
endorsement to those companies who helped to
make the Gala event such a great success. The
comedian did excellent imitations of the two
politicians, Tony Abbott and Kevin Rudd,
with camera footage showing Abbot
(
resplendent in lycra cycling gear)
in front of Parliament House and
various other locations around
Canberra, and Rudd during his
infamous desk-swearing blunder.
To start off the night’s dancing
entertainment were the ‘Boys in
the Band’, flown in to Perth especially
for the Gala event. Four talented young
men, whose repertoire included hits from
Frankie Valli, The Platters, Beach Boys,
Beatles, Jackson 5 and the Bee Gees, had
virtually all guests heading to the dance floor.
‘
Proof - The Band’ then took over the stage and
rocked the rest of the night away.
The pictures here capture some of the vibrant
Rio moments that was the 2013 Gala Ball…
Minesite 2013
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