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Swingin' Blue Stars at Firehouse Memorial Day weekend
High-spirited 5 female vocalists always a tribute to U.S. military

by Jeb Bing

The Swingin' Blue Stars of the USS Hornet will once again bring the music of the 1940s to Pleasanton's Firehouse Arts Center for the city's Memorial Day observances.

"Remember the USO -- A Memorial Day Tribute" will be performed starting at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 27.

The five female vocalists, who entertained last Memorial Day weekend to a sold out audience, will perform songs made popular by groups such as the Andrews Sisters, including memorable WWII tunes such as "In the Mood", "Rum & Coca-Cola" and "The Boogie-Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B."

The Swingin' Blue Stars group was founded in 2002 by members of the East Bay Blue Star Moms who had sons and daughters serving in the military. Initially, they began singing together to relieve the stress of having loved ones serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as to entertain aging veterans. They selected their repertoire to demonstrate appreciation of veterans of all wars, while increasing public support for troops currently serving in combat.

Within a few years, their high-spirited, period style and swing repertoire gained a solid following throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Public demand expanded beyond the initial Blue Star Mom "support our troops" mission, with performance requests by veteran's organizations, community groups, county fairs and city parades, retirement homes and the USS Hornet Museum.

On New Year's Eve 2006, the Swingin' Blue Stars was the opening act for the reconstituted Glenn Miller Orchestra before an audience of 1,400 big-band enthusiasts and swing dancers on the USS Hornet. In May 2007, the group became The Singing Blue Stars of the USS Hornet, and established a relationship with the famous WWII aircraft carrier museum in Alameda. In January of 2011, its name was changed to The Swingin' Blue Stars of the USS Hornet, but its mission, to bring history to life for its audiences, remained the same.

Tickets for the Pleasanton Firehouses performance are Adult: $15, $20, $25; Senior $20, Child $12. Group discounts are available.

Tickets may be purchased online at www.firehousearts.org up to three hours prior to the performance, by phone at (925) 931-4848, or in person at the Firehouse Arts Center Box Office. Box Office hours are Wednesday-Friday, 12 noon-6 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and for two hours prior to the performance. The entrance to free parking is on Spring Street near First Street.

The Firehouse Arts Center is located at 4444 Railroad Avenue in downtown Pleasanton.