News
Come and sing along with Steve
12/03/2010 08:42:00
STEVIEOKE is coming to town this Friday; a fun new karaoke night in the Firelounge in Fusion that is hoping to appeal to singers and people who are up for a good time.
Steve Smith, the man behind the venture, has more than 3000 songs that he has collected over 12 years.
"It's a very eclectic mix, I have a lot of stuff you don't normally
see," said Steve. "I have American music and country music that isn't
always available here, rock music including the Foo Fighters and Red
Hot Chilli Peppers, and Blues music. I also have a lot of mega mixes,
like Abba and Grease; things that get everyone bouncing up and down."
He added that if people have a favourite song they want to sing, they
can bring along their own karaoke discs and he will be happy to play
them.
Steve explained that the first time he'd ever heard of karaoke was when
he was in Japan on business around 25 years ago: "The company I was
visiting took us out out for a meal and afterwards we went out in
Tokyo. We went up to the 30th floor of a building, where they had
little booths set up with tables, microphones and a TV screen. That was
my first taste of karaoke and I loved it."
He didn't come across it again until 15 years ago when he was on
holiday, and his passion for the singing sensation has carried on from
there.
"Eventually we got a machine at home and started adding in music," said
Steve. "When I got enough that it was worthwhile I started asking
around to see if anyone would be interested in doing karaoke nights.
The bowling alley were setting up at the time and were looking for
something regular, so I started holding my nights in there, twice a
month until it closed.
"Since then I've done a few parties and events, folk always say to me 'what are you going to do next?'. This is it!"
He added that he was going to be introducing a couple of things to make
the evening a bit different, including bringing back the '20 minute
smooch'!
Steve explained this is based on the tradition of the men asking the
ladies to dance, and vice versa, and spending a good 20 minutes slow
dancing on the dance floor: "It's not just about singing, I want people
to go out having had a good night. If people don't get up and sing we
will be playing music, hopefully that will get people singing along at
their tables."
He said it would be good for nights out for any age group; work nights
out, hen and stag nights and any other events: "Any excuse for a party!
One of the things that is always moaned about up here is that there's
nothing to do, nowhere to go. For this to be successful, people have to
turn up.
"Stevieoke appeals to all those people who like to go out. It's all
about having fun, you don't have to be a great singer. It will be a
good four-hour bounce about, I hope!"
The first Stevieoke night takes place this Friday, March 12, in the
Firelounge from 10pm to 2am. Entry is £5. If the karaoke nights are
successful, they will hopefully become a monthly event.