Trocadero Orchestra --History

THE TROCADERO ORCHESTRA
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

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The New Trocadero Alumni Orchestra pays homage to the bands of the 50's

In 1991 George Lake and a few others patrons of the Lion's Senior Citizen's Recreation Centre started up a small band, made up of old Edmonton music veterans. Within a couple of years, as more experienced (and serious) players started to join, they made a commitment to start a larger, more serious band that paid tribute to yesteryear. It was fellow musician , Zen Magus, who suggested the name of the group -- "The TROCADERO ALUMNI ORCHESTRA" made perfect sense, given the number of musicians in the new group who had played the Troc stage over the years.

The logo from the original Troc advertisements would become the foundation for the new band's identity. If you lived in Alberta in the fifties, you will recognize the logo -- and the new Troc band will remind you of the music, too!

[from the Journal announcement, 1946 Dec 26]

"DANCING AT 8:30"

The Trocadero presents to Edmonton a new policy in dancing. The theme of this beautiful new ballroom is dancing "tonight at 8:30." Three hours of dancing will be offered between 8:30 and 11:30 pm. Throughout the Middle West United States and on the Pacific Coast, this policy has proved exceptionally popular.

The effect of "dancing at 8:30" is designed to enable patrons to catch buses and street cars home -- to provide time for a "snack" if preferred -- and everyone, whether a student or worker, to enjoy the advantages of the foremost of heathful recreations, without interfering with a normal full night's sleep.

"REFRESHMENT BAR"

A very modern soft drink bar is in the ballroom -- a novelty that will readily appeal to dancers. A variety of cool refreshing soft drinks will be served. The bar has been skillfully designed following the general colour scheme of the ballroom, featuring new non-inflammable leatherette pig-skin that is magnificent in appearance. The location of the bar permits dancers to still enjoy and see the "goings-on" in the room.

Trivia notes: Actually, "LYON" was not his real name at all....it was his stage name. His real name was Robert Rutherford. Bob Lyon named the "Trocadero Ballroom" after a similar venue in Sydney, Australia (he was there for a while during the war).

HERE IS SOME HISTORY OF THE AUSTRALIAN TROCADERO BALLROOM - JOAN FORD HISTORY OF FRANK COUGHLAN - THE 'FATHER' OF AUSTRALIAN JAZZ

Edmonton Journal, December 26, 1946