IT may be
almost 35 years since the Wigan Casino doors slammed shut for the final time,
but co-founder Russ Winstanley is proving that its legacy lives on with another
bumper celebration planned this year.
The
Springfield DJ is heading up what is dubbed the biggest Northern Soul event in
the world at Butlins Skegness where they enjoyed record attendances last year.
The first
weekender was held in 2013, commemorating 40 years since the first ever Wigan
all-nighter. And once again, Russ has secured a number of huge acts to perform
with prices from just £115 per person for three nights. There’s a twist to the
theme this year too and it’s one that organisers are hoping will be a huge
success once again.
He said: “I
decided to go Motown this year. I’ve got the Velvelettes who did stuff like It
Was Really Saying Something which Bananarama copied and had a hit with, and
Needle in a Haystack and another five or six songs that were big on the
Northern Soul scene.
“The Countours
will be there, who had a hit with Do You Love me and had big hits on the
Northern Soul scene. There’ll be a girl called Kim Weston who had chart hits
and Brenda Holloway and Chris Clark. Chris actually is the only one who is a
millionairess because she wrote the Lady Sings the Blues film which Diana Ross
starred in.”
Last year
thousands descended on Skegness for the weekend, setting a new high for the
number of people at a Butlins music event. Russ believes this shows how the
scene is still growing and is “bigger than ever”.
The
62-year-old has also recently been snapped up to host three big Northern Soul
Nights at Warner hotels.
“I’m
busier than ever at the moment,” he added. “It’s great, there’s a lot to look
forward to and we still do so much here in Wigan.”
To book
tickets call 0845 070 4780 or visit www.bigweekends.com
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