Treat mum to her own Xanadu this Mother’s Day Sunday 11 May with a tribute to the legendary Australian singer and actress, Olivia Newton-John and a Luigi’s Delicatessen gourmet buffet-style Italian lunch at Woodville Town Hall.
‘Tribute to Olivia Newton-John’ will be performed for the first time by Nikki Kosmider-Heuskes, daughter to Adelaide-based musical icon Ron Kosmider, under the musical direction of maestro Joe James and an ensemble of Adelaide’s most acclaimed musicians.
“Olivia had such a positive impact on my life and on the lives of Australian women and I know that so many mums will share my passion for her work,” she said.
The nostalgic tribute will kick off from 12pm and include door prizes for those that come dressed in their best Grease outfit and VIP seating including an exclusive opportunity to meet the cast and crew.
“It’s going to be an inspiring afternoon for mum with some delicious food and prizes on offer,” Nikki said.
Nikki’s music career spans 40 impressive years that has seen her front numerous live bands under the stage name “Barbarella”, and as the main act in nineties nightclub hit, Timewarp at Heaven.
She was fortunate enough to meet Olivia while completing sound checks as the backup singer for international cabaret star Hans.
“She walked in and sat down waiting for Daryl Braithwaite… I had never been star-struck before, I couldn’t even speak,” Nikki said.
“She said ‘Sing for me!’ So we did and it was such a special moment… I will never forget it,” she said.
Luigi Di Costanzo behind the multi-award-winning Luigi’s Delicatessen on Franklin Street and now in Seaton, is proud to be presenting the event with buffet-style offerings of traditional antipasti including arancini, seafood and cold meats, as well as lasagna, parmigiana and a selection of Italian desserts.
In Luigi’s signature “no-menu” style, he is encouraging ticketholders to centre the lunch around the family and friends that it is shared with, while trusting in the service, freshness and home made quality of his food.
“My legacy began with my beautiful mum and it is so special to put together a feast in celebration of Mother’s Day,” he said.
“More than that, this truly is a world-class show and there is no better tribute artist for Olivia Newton-John,
“Nikki is an incredible talent, her demeanour, her voice she really has the style of Olivia … she may even sound more like Olivia Newton-John than Olivia Newton-John,” Luigi concluded.
Nikki’s cover of “Hopelessly Devoted To You” has over 560k views on Youtube and was reposted on Olivia Newton John’s (@therealonj) Instagram page, with commenters likening her to the Australian icon.
“Nikki not only has Olivia’s voice. She has that same sweet soft and caring appearance,” one wrote.
“Close your eyes and you’d think it was Olivia Newton-John singing,” another said.
The set-list, curated by Joe James who has worked with Australian artists Andrew Strong of Mustang Sally, Kate Ceberano and Stevie Wright, and played the keyboard for Andrea Bocelli at the former Enzo’s Ristorante on Port Road, will feature Olivia’s greatest hits.
Including Xanadu, Physical, Hopelessly Devoted to You, and You’re The One That I Want in an afternoon to remember. See the full list of songs here.
The “Tribute to Olivia Newton-John” Mother’s Day Luncheon will kick off from 12pm-1.45pm, followed swiftly by the tribute show from 2pm-4pm.
Tickets are available for those who want to see the tribute show only.
Tickets: VIP Package* (Mother’s Day Lunch and Tribute Show) $132 + booking fee
VIP Package Under 15 (Mother’s Day Lunch and Tribute Show) $74 + booking fee
General Admission Tribute Show ONLY $55 + booking fee
*Groups of people purchasing the VIP Package MUST process their tickets under the same booking transaction to be seated together. Those who book seperately will NOT be guaranteed a seat on the same table.
ABOUT NIKKI KOSMIDER-HEUSKES ENTERTAINER
Currently approaching 150 million views on YouTube across multiple channels, Nikki has appeared in a plethora of music videos, highlighting remakes of the hits from the 60’s until now being part of a rising internet sensation bringing nostalgia to the masses.
Nikki’s passion for performing, entertainment and song is steeped in a history that she credits her Dad, iconic Adelaide-based musician Ron Kosmider and her childhood under the wings of her Mum, Robyn Kosmider, who nurtured her talents and pushed her to dive into the arts from a very young age.
With a career spanning 4 decades, Nikki has fronted numerous live bands, toured Australia nationally with them. Under the stage name of Barbarella, Nikki was also the main act in Australia’s longest running club night (Heaven Adelaide’s iconic ‘Timewarp’ show) entertaining legions of youth for more than 10 years, touring weekly to perform in Sydney, Tasmania, and Mebourne’s Crown Casino at Mercury Lounge.
Nikki spent more than a decade singing /emceeing weddings and corporate events until moving into a focus on her Kinesiology practice. Unsuspectingly, her casual (purely for the love of it) performances with the Hindley Street Country club went viral during Covid, paving the way for creating her new joy for live studio performing with Sing It Live World.
Often remarked for her likeness in tone to her idol Olivia Newton-John, she has plans to delve more into creating content to honour the magnificence of Australia’s own ONJ. Stay tuned for more…
Though now exclusive as a performer to Sing It Live, her passion for music and entertainment now sits in the essence of her children, all 3 of them with the gift of song in their blood, where the future looks edgy and bright, and this brings Nikki more joy than ANYTHING.
ABOUT JOE JAMES
Joe James is an accomplished musician and keyboard player from Adelaide, South Australia. He is a composer, arranger and producer and has worked with Australian artists including Kate Ceberano, Daryl Braithwaite, Stevie Wright and Andrew Strong of Mustang Sally, and childhood favourite Humphrey B. Bear.
ABOUT LUIGI’S DELICATESSEN
For as long as Luigi can remember, he has always dreamed of opening his own little cafe. He was born in Naples, Italy, so food, wine, people and family were an everyday affair and it was always like “the theatre of food”. Each and every meal was made with love and everyone would get together to eat, talk, laugh and share the givings of the day.
Eleven years ago Luigi opened Luigi’s Delicatessen and now has three locations on Franklin Street, Adelaide, on Trimmer Parade, Seaton and Love Your Mamma on Pirie Street, Adelaide. To him, his venues are an extension of his home and his customers are an extension of his family – he is honoured every time someone walks through the doors.
