Alex Mendham and his Orchestra delighted dancers at the Peacock Court ballroom at the InterContinental Mark Hopkins Hotel on October 25th. Celebrating its centennial year, the Peacock Court ballroom served as an elegant and very appropriate backdrop to Mendham’s Art Deco Dance Series.
Stepping into the Peacock Court Ballroom was like time traveling—glittering crystal chandeliers, robin’s egg blue walls, gold floor to ceiling accents, and of course the signature 1926 peacock emblazoned behind the stage all evoked a bygone era. Glamorous guests adorned with tuxedos, tiaras, a top hat or two, a monocle here and there added to the tableau.
Using a copy of an 1932 RCA 44-BX stand up ribbon microphone with a custom-made NBC flag made especially for the venue, Mendham offered a nod to the history of the room. In the ’30s, Bay Area band leader Anson Weeks broadcast from the Peacock Ballroom for KFRC and NBC’s West Coast Network, inspiring Mendham’s set list for the night.
Alex Mendham and his Orchestra at the Peacock Ballroom. Photo by Jon Bauer 
Alex Mendham and his Orchestra at the Peacock Ballroom. Photo by Jon Bauer 
Alex Mendham and his Orchestra at the Peacock Ballroom. Photo by Jon Bauer 
Alex Mendham and his Orchestra at the Peacock Ballroom. Photo by Jon Bauer 
Alex Mendham and his Orchestra at the Peacock Ballroom. Photo by Jon Bauer 
Alex Mendham and his Orchestra at the Peacock Ballroom. Photo by Jon Bauer 
Alex Mendham and his Orchestra at the Peacock Ballroom. Photo by Jon Bauer
Adding their own spin on Jazz-era favorites such as “Shall We Dance,” “Aint Misbehavin,’” “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” “I Came I Saw I Congad” (yes, complete with a conga line led by Mendham), “Puttin On The Ritz,” and “These Foolish Things,” Mendham channeled his big band ancestors and created a new generation of dance orchestra lovers. Mendham started promptly at 8:00 and stretched the 10:30 end time closer to 11:00, delivering a full evening of glamour and frivolity.
Bandleader and vocalist Mendham was backed by Lucas Davis and James Dunning on trumpet, Victor Imbo on trombone, Patrick Wolff and Galen Green on alto sax, Casey Jones on tenor sax, Frederick Hodges on piano, Alan Jones on bass, Benny Amón on drums, and Vic Wong on guitar. Guest vocalist Halsey Varady added her own special sultry sauce to the evening.
Watching the dancers glide around the floor was as much fun as dancing. A love of dance permeated the room, and an undercurrent of looking for a love who dances added a bit of electricity to the air. The mood was as effervescent as the bubbles in the coupe glasses of sparkling wine.
Dust off your dancing shoes, freshen up your finery, and join the dance floor denizens for Alex Mendham and his Orchestra when they return to the Mark Hopkins on November 22 and December 20 (and hopefully monthly thereafter). —Patty Riek
