Dal Richards and the archdiocese

Dancing through the years

By Laureen McMahon

When renowned orchestra leader Dal Richards lifts his baton on Oct. 31 to conduct the musical program for the gala dinner and dance celebrating this year's archdiocesan centenary at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Charlie and Myrtle Hume will be one of the first couples up on the dance floor.

Booking Dal Richards, described in the Vancouver Sun as "the town favourite, the dance band king" to provide music for special family events is a Hume family tradition.

If fact, when planning their own 50th wedding anniversary dinner and dance a couple of years ago, the first person the longtime St. Joseph the Worker parishioners thought of was Richards.

"For many years I've been going to dances and other events where Dal has played," Charlie Hume told The B.C. Catholic. "I think when you're talking about good dance music that people of all ages can enjoy, you immediately think of Dal and his orchestra.

"I used to listen to him as a young guy growing up in Calgary, and when the family moved to the west coast, a big highlight for us, like so many others in Vancouver, was going dancing at the Hotel Vancouver's Panorama Roof, where Dal played for so many years. He and his orchestra were also a fixture at B.C. Lions games and at the Pacific National Exhibition."

When Hume's parents, Loretta and Charles, celebrated their 50th anniversary at Granville Island in 1985, naturally it was Richards and his band who played, so Myrt and Charlie Hume made sure they were on hand for Dal's 85th birthday party five years ago at the Vincent Massey Theatre in New Westminster. Earlier this year they also attended his 90th birthday party at the Orpheum Theatre, and the dinner and dance which followed.

"We're certainly not going to miss this gala," said Hume. "Dal is a part of Vancouver's history, so who better to play at the archdiocesan centenary? He has been a great musical inspiration for the city for seven decades and for us personally, and we're looking forward to an evening of great music and great dancing. They couldn't have chosen a better orchestra!"

Event committee member Pat Deppiesse said, "We're hoping people will see the gala as an opportunity to commemorate the many wonderful events which have taken place over the years in the archdiocese. A slide show during the evening will feature photos from the centenary anniversary book which will be available soon."

Tickets at $100 per person may be purchased through all parishes and online at www.rcav.org. More information is available from Deppiesse at 604-683-0281.