When the Centro CBD name born in Stewart Street, Wollongong seven years ago new owners Robert and Bruna Specogna and Michael Arbelias set themselves a goal of hosting regular live dinners shows upstairs while continuing to run the long established Italian restaurant on the lower level.
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Steadily the number of intimate concerts and dinners shows have grown and now the venue is in the enviable position of having at least one a week in the lead up to Christmas.
Mr Arbelias said the emphasis has always been on a great shows and great food and Centro CBD had built such a reputation for both its dinners shows regularly sell out.
James Morrison and a full orchestra were among the recent acts to sell out providing a great night for all and all the coming attractions are also selling well.
Mr Specogna said Wollongong is spoiled for choice with coming shows between now and Christmas.
“This week we start with Darren Coggan and his 'Like A Rhinestone Cowboy' show on October 13,” he said.
That is followed by Russell Morris on October 19, a Swinging Sixties Show on October 26, The Animals with two of the original members on October 31, Glenn Shorrock on November 29, the highly interactive Faulty Towers Dining Experience on December 6, Jeff Duff and Band’s “Bowie Unzipped” and the Black Sorrows on December 11 and Scott McRae’s final Stevie Wright tribute show on December 15.
“We started this wanting to done only one intimate concert every one to two months. Now we have built it up to almost one a week,” Mr Specogna said..
“It is great so many people are coming out and supporting live music. What is really good to is it is being supported by the food Michael and his team are preparing in the kitchen. The recipe of great food and entertainment is really working together well.”
Recent food and wine dinners have also proven so popular they are set to become more frequent with the next a wine dinner hosted by Bruce Tyrrell on November 15.
We started this wanting to done only one intimate concert every one to two months. Now we have built it up to almost one a week. It is great so many people are coming out and supporting live music.
- Robert Specogna
“We are very excited about what is to come. We do want to push the boundaries and continue to do more moving forward. We don’t want to get bored and we want to make sure Wollongong doesn’t get bored either,” Mr Arbelias said.
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