Swinging into action

A big band wants to raise big money for a Marco Island museum.

The swinging sound will take center stage at the Olde Marco Days Extravaganza.

Singer Marion Blomeier will be master of ceremonies for the show, a fundraiser for the Marco Island Historical Society.

"I already know that a lot of my friends will attend," she said. "We really need a historical museum on the island."

The proposed museum would be built on South Heathwood Drive, across from the Marco Island Branch Library. The county has set the land aside, and the Historical Society is trying to raise more than $3 million for its construction.

The dinner show will begin at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19, at the Olde Marco Island Inn & Suites. A cocktail hour will start at 4:30 p.m.

At the dinner show, Blomeier will introduce comedian and banjo player Doug Jacobs, dancer Jill Demchak, singer and cornetist Jimmy Wallat, and guest clarinetist Tony Polumbo of Naples.

Bobby Gideons' All Star Big Band will accompany the entertainers and play dance music from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Blomeier, former owner of the Olde Marco Inn, plans to sing old favorites Lili Marlene and Falling in Love Again.

"People have said I sound like Marlena Dietrich. I'm proud of it," she said. "Falling in Love Again was (Dietrich's) first song, sung in Blue Angel."

Blomeier also promises a surprise guest singer from Marco Island.

"He is very popular and people will be very pleased," she said.

Gideons and Blomeier have been a duo for 33 years at the Olde Marco Inn.

"When the Historical Society people talked with me about doing a show, I felt it had to be played at the Olde Marco Inn, as it is a historical location," Gideons said. "Marion and I have been around so long, maybe they'll put us in the museum."

Over the years Gideons has played with Wallat and Jacobs when they've visited Marco in the winter.

Jacobs is from Detroit and plays with his Red Garter Band.

"His music is real Dixieland," Gideons said.

Wallat is from Berlin, Germany, where he plays with Jimmy's Magnolia Jazz Band.

Gideons said he went to Germany to play with Wallat's band last summer.

Soloist Toni Rae will sing with Gideons' band.

Program Chairwoman Cindy Anderson said Blomeier has put together an outstanding evening of entertainment.

There also will be an exquisite dinner menu and a cash bar, she said.

Tickets are $75 each. For reservations, send a check made payable to the Marco Island Historical Society c/o Cindy Anderson to 848 Collier Court, No. 303, Marco Island, FL 34145; or call 393-0656.

Seating is limited to 200.