Big Nazo Rock Band Visits the Viking Ballroom

By: Sarah Tesorero
Posted In: News

Quasi Moto, Dr. Salvatore Monella, and Edna Abu-Azim Malaka Silverfish Jones McFeces Nudd are just a few of the names of the motley crew that will be invading the Hotel Viking in Newport this coming February. Part of the Big Nazo Rock Band, the larger than life, creatively costumed performers will be performing at the newly renovated “New Grand Ballroom,” highlighting the first ever Fantasy Snow Ball to be held at this year’s Winter Festival.

Their performance is described on their website as a show that is truly unique: “Their innovative mask & puppetry techniques combine stand-up comedy, Sci-Fi, Go-Go dancing, daredevil stunts, soap opera hysterics and professional wrestling with live rock & funk music and audience-interactive improvisation.” Although the Festival has featured the Big Nazo Family Show, this will be the first performance of the Big Nazo Rock Band. Andrea Dillinger, Events Coordinator at Marketing & Events, Inc., said, “Having Big Nazo perform will be an exciting, and bizarre aspect to the event.”

The Fantasy Ball, scheduled for Friday, February 20, from 7-11 p.m., is a new spin off of the annual Fantasy Auction that has been a highlight of the Winter Festival for the past 15 years. The Winter Festival Office decided to add the ball and the Big Nazo performance in an effort to “jazz up” the usual auction to go hand in hand with their partnership with the Newport Preservation Society in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Jazz Festival.

Previously, the Fantasy Auction has been held at the Astors’- Beechwood mansion, with all proceeds from the past five years going to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association of Rhode Island. This year’s move to the Hotel Viking is new to the Festival, but its recently renovated ballroom is the ideal location for the newly added Fantasy Ball. This year’s proceeds will also take a step in a new direction, going to benefit local charities, possibly the Women’s Resource Center as well as others. Dillinger says, “Even with the changes, we anticipate the auction to be very successful.”

A Live and Silent Auction will take place between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., offering dream packages and prizes up for bid. Trips offered at previous auctions will be available again, including a beer drinker’s dream entitled “Cheers.” In this particular trip, a limo will escort the high bidder along with five friends for a private tour and tasting at the Sam Adams Brewery in Boston, MA, where they will receive gifts such as hats, t-shirts, beer glasses, and a case of Sam Adams Light. The winner will then head to Fenway Park to take in a Red Sox game over lunch, all courtesy of the Boston Beer Company. Other packages may include five-night stays in the Caribbean, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic and Cancun, Mexico from one of the Festival’s sponsors, Sol Melia Hotels and Resorts. Spa packages from the Hotel Viking may also be included in the auction.

The auction will also retain certain annual delights, including hors d’oeuvres from the Viking, wine tasting from local vineyards, as well as drink specials throughout the evening. The annual Winter Festival wine will also be available for purchase, custom-made by Newport Vineyards.

Tickets to the Fantasy Ball and Auction will be $25 at the door based on availability, and $20 with a Festival button. More information is available by calling 401-847-7666. The dress code will remain versatile for the convenience of the tourists, but dancing shoes are recommended to keep up with the high- energy, Mardi Gras party Big Nazo will be sure to provide!