SOCORRO, N.M.  – Yes, it’s “official” that the Official Blues Brothers Revue is returning to N.M. Tech’s Macey Center as a post-Valentine’s Day treat in a Performing Arts Series (PAS) event at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 15.

Similar to finding Elvis impersonators, the original Blues Brothers Dan Aykroyd and the late John Belushi have many pretenders to the crown, but this event is the only one of its kind officially sanctioned by Aykroyd, the Belushi, estate and original music director Paul Shaffer.

Billed as “Not a Valentine” Valentine’s Bash, the evening’s offerings include Tech Club Macey (TCM)’s  Schmooze, Booze and Bites adult social gathering from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and ticketed separately from the featured event.

In keeping with the tongue-in-cheek theme of the evening, TCM’s schmooze offers “Cards Against Humanity” and “Not a Valentine Photo Booth.” Featured on the booze side are the blue lagoon (blue curacao and vodka) and orange whip (vodka and rum). “Sweet home Chicago dogs,” served with all the fixings, fries and pizza squares, round out the event.

“Chicago is the Blues Brothers, and the Blues Brothers are Chicago,” said Ronna Kalish, PAS director and a native of the Windy City, where the Blues Brothers movie was filmed, featuring its legendary soundtrack.

Keep in mind, that even though the Blues Brothers Revue continues to attract huge numbers of fans of all ages, last year marked 40 years since the release of “Animal House,” the romp that launched Belushi’s career into the stratosphere and cemented his legend as a party animal.

Nowhere is this image better reflected than in Belushi’s role as Elwood Blues, alongside film brother Aykroyd as “Joliet” Jake Blues, in the 1980 film that followed their Saturday Night Live performances introducing the dark sunglasses, skinny ties, and black felt fedoras-wearing duo to the world.

Kieron Lafferty and Wayne Catania, playing white soul-men Elwood and Jake Blues respectively, bear an uncanny resemblance to Aykroyd and Belushi. Backed by a powerhouse band, they’ll give you a show to remember, packed with classic hits from the Blues Brothers catalog, including Soul Man, Rubber Biscuit, Sweet Home Chicago – and even a rousing version of the theme from the vintage western, Rawhide.

We’re talking pure foot-stomping entertainment that will have audiences dancing in their seats.

Catania is an established and respected musician, actor and creative writer with a career spanning four decades. In the late 1970’s, his resemblance to the late, great John Belushi opened the door to showcasing his own formidable acting and musical talents onstage and onscreen. As Jake Blues, Catania’s charismatic and animated physical style culminated in being cast in the Blues Brothers stage show.

Lafferty, as Elwood, was influenced by the great acts that played at his father’s nightclub, The Electric Circus. Following the footsteps of his mentors, he began a career as a musician, playing in the Toronto blues/rock circuit where he gained a solid reputation for his soulful vocals and melodic harmonica lines.

(Pictured at right are Wayne Catonia (left) as Jake Blues and Kieron Lafferty as Elwood Blues).

With Catania, he starred in the Blues Brothers Revival, a musical staged in Chicago in 2004. Since that time, their Blues Brothers act has toured extensively across the US, Canada and Australia.

This year’s performance marks their second appearance in Socorro, and promises to be a hit.

“We are truly excited about a return engagement by this incredibly talented duo, and the energy and charisma they bring to the stage,” Kalish said. “If you enjoy live music laced with comedy, this is the ideal entertainment package.”

Sponsors for the Official Blues Brother Revue are Wells Fargo, EMRTC, Wood Group, Van H. Gilbert Architects, and Best Western.

Tickets are $22 for adults, $20 for seniors, and $10 for youths. N.M. Tech students will be admitted free with their student ID at the door, or can pick up one ticket each at the NMT Bookstore.

Tickets also can be purchased online or at the following locations: PAS office, New Mexico Tech Cashier (Fidel Center) and Sofia’s Kitchen.

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