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The Gangsters' Ball

One of Sydney's swinging-est events returns – so save the date, hepcats

First published on 8 Jun 2011. Updated on 2 Sep 2012.

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Attention flappers and zoot-suiters: your moment to shine is almost upon us, once again. The Gangsters’ Ball, that annual celebration of all things mobster, is back for its fifth year and – yes, we know – bigger than ever. It has to be, says the event's godfather Graham Coupland. "The expectations of attendees become greater each year," he says. "It's proving harder to keep raising the bar, but I enjoy the challenge. This year's definitely the biggest we've ever had."

Burlesque, gambling, swing bands, vaudeville – all the elements necessary to send revelers back to the ’30s will be present and accounted for.

The era's appeal lies in the sense of style, which is painstakingly recreated for the ball. "Over the decades, we've gotten lazier and lazier with our fashion. Back then, men wore three-piece suits and women wore pillbox hats; everybody looked amazing every day. " Just how into it do the attendees get? "They go nuts," laughs Coupland. "It's incredible to walk into a room with close to a thousand people dressed for the ’30s and ’40s."

Since starting the ’30s-themed night back in 2008, Coupland has strived to capture the escapist feel of entertainment prevalent back in the day. His own jazz and swing band, the Velvet Set, front a lineup of awesome bands from a bygone era. "For me, it's about performers who do something unique," he says. "The acts you'll see at Gangsters' Ball you won't see doing these routines anywhere else. The burlesque girls we have are the best of the best." He's not wrong: the Sydney event will feature Miss Burlesque Australia 2012, Briana Bluebell.

This year's event will also feature a hypnotist, Shane Hill, which may feel a bit of an odd fit. "It's a Gangsters' Ball first. People will be selected out of the audience to participate in a traditional ’40s-style hypnosis show, the likes of which hasn't been seen before."

In another first, the Gangsters' Ball is heading overseas later this year. "That's the plan," says Coupland. "We're getting the show happening in casinos in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, and we'll be including as many Australian performers as we can." One lucky guy or doll will get a head start, with a trip for two to the Vegas event up for grabs at this year's Ball.

Heading to ‘Lost Wages’ seems like a natural progression, given that the funny-money Gambling Den is always a highlight of the Ball. "It really adds to the atmosphere of the night, along with the two most popular aspects – the dressing up and the swing dancing."

What is the most rewarding part of the whole experience for the kingpin of swing? "Walking around the venue and seeing people drinking, laughing and dancing, completely embracing the theme of the night and having a great time," says Coupland. "There's definitely a formula, but it works. There's nothing like it."

Coupland's five gangster movies to get you in the mood:

The Godfather

Goodfellas

The Untouchables

Casino

Scarface

Coupland's five gangster songs to get you swingin':

‘Hey Pachuco!’: Royal Crown Review

‘Zip Gun Bop’: Royal Crown Review

‘Minnie the Moocher’: Cab Calloway

‘Zoot Suit Riot’: Cherry Poppin' Daddies

‘Mr Pinstripe Suit’: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

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