An audience consisting of live art donors and the public were given a performance with singing, dancing, acting, costumes, scenery and a live band. The Townsend Center presented the fifth anniversary live art performance on Jan. 21, featuring Five by Design performing their musical revue, “Club Swing.” The vocal quintet, with a three-piece combo led by LSU faculty member Willis Delony at the piano, performed for a full house.

“The show was sold out and we had a great audience,” said Misty Parham, patron services manager of Townsend Center. “It will be hard to top such a great show.”.  Over 200 tickets were sold to the public at $38 apiece.

The setting represented the fictional Club Swing, a soon-to-be shuttered nightclub built during the heyday of swing. Joe Sullivan, the club’s former mixologist visits the establishment one last time before it is destroyed. The scene was set with the construction sounds filtering through the recreated lobby of the Hotel Crosby; a news report echoed the impending demise of the once popular nightspot. As drop cloths are removed, the neon marquee flickered and then began to glow as Club Swing is transformed to its former splendor as Sullivan remembered it.

Five By Design includes Lorie Carpenter-Niska, Kurt Niska, Michael Swedberg and Terrence Niska, who have been singing together since 1986.

“We’ve been together a long time and it’s been great!” said T. Niska. “Over 25 years of entertaining together has been fun.”

The group’s familial ties include brothers Terrence and Kurt Niska and the husband-wife duo of Kurt and Lorie Niska and childhood collaborator, Michael Swedberg. In-house artist representatives Alton Accola and Midge Swedberg support the creative team. The technical team includes sound engineer Phil Henrickson who has been with the group since 1987.

Five by Design has been described as being inspired by the music of the Great American Songbook, the quintet has created several productions that showcase the group’s “signature, aged-in-wood harmonies” and today they are among the number one symphony pops attractions throughout the United States and Canada. In September of 2011, Wisconsin Public Television recorded a six-camera shoot of “Club Swing” and it is set to air as a pledge special in August of 2012. The ensemble is also making plans to premiere their newest production for the 2012-13 season, “The Ultra Lounge Show.”

Contributions to live art help to sustain programming and outreach in the Townsend Center Professional Series and supports the P.J. Hovey Live Art Scholarship Fund for art, music and theatre students. For more information on becoming a patron, please contact Misty Parham, patron services manager at (678) 839-4803, email [email protected] or visit their website www.townsendcenter.org.