The Opera House at Enosburg Falls presents a weekend of romance and nostalgia to celebrate its 110th anniversary, July 12-14. Bob Manning will exhibit the art of the World War II era. The Proper Ladies of Boston offer passion. The Ed Moore Jazz Combo reprises its 2001 show with an evening of Dixieland. The weekend is a joint Community Treasures/Mentors series production. BIRTHDAY BASH JULY 12-13, 2002
The Enosburgh Historical Society will present painter and art historian Bob Manning's Bearing Witness on Friday evening.
"This is a talk about social commentary art," said Society President Jon Whiting, "with slides of Rosie the Riveter posters and Bill Mauldin cartoons and a lot that pertains to World War II."
Bearing Witness emphasizes the message-bearing art of the Second World War with a long look at how art is used as propaganda. Mr. Manning uses two projectors and two screens to make comparisons between images and objects. "For example, I show some of the overwrought Nazi sculptures of the thirties alongside Michaelangelo's David," he said.
Mr. Manning was 8 years old when Pearl Harbor was bombed. "From 8 to 12 you are aware of everything the war," he said. "As a kid during the war, collecting scrap metal, cooking fats, tin foil, the war dominated my childhood. As a budding artist I did maybe thousands of drawings of planes and ships during that time. "
Social commentary work has always intrigued him. Mr. Manning taught the history of art and works in his studio in Ryegate. He has a one-man show coming to Catamount Arts in St Johnsbury in September.
The free presentation is sponsored by the Enosburgh Historical Society with funding from the Vermont Council on the Humanities.
On Saturday evening, the Proper Ladies deliver shimmering harmonies, laughter, history and more. Anabel Graetz and Deborah Anne Goss invite singing along with familiar favorites, sighing to the romantic gems, and laughter. Much laughter. They will peruse the passion and pathos of the first full century of American Independence, a century that lead to the building of the Opera House.
"We sent them a bunch of programs from the early days," Jon Scott said. "The Proper Ladies will tailor their performance to Enosburg's history."
Ms. Graetz and Goss make that history come alive with their a cappella arrangements of the folk and professional songs of the Opera House era. It was an era of lush melodies and tender lyrics. In this time when love was young; composers created the most romantic songs: Tell Me Darling That You Love Me, Love's Old Sweet Song, Listen to the Mocking Bird, and more.
A Fulbright Fellow, Ms. Graetz founded of The Festival of Light and Song as well as the women's folk ensemble Laduvane. She performs songs that reflect women's roles in culture and history in her solo program Heroic and Outrageous Women.
Ms. Gross is a Vermont native, an actress, singer, and historian. She has appeared at many Boston area theaters in both singing and non-singing roles - most recently at the award-winning Nora Theatre in A Roadside Garden.
The Boston University's School for the Arts alumni have combed archives of museums, libraries and historical societies for the nineteenth century songs in this show.
Ed Moore and his Jazz Combo close Saturday evening with a danceable mixture of Dixieland, traditional jazz, and the music of the thirties and forties. The quintet is Ed Moore, clarinet, John Moore, guitar, Rick Presson bass, Linda Presson vocalist, and a famous unnamed drummer. Rick Presson is a bassist with the Vermont Symphony Orchestra.
"We usually play the melody and then improvise and try to get a little toe tapping along the way," Ed Moore said. "We are always happy to have folks dance."
The combo has recently played Burlington City Hall as well as the Tyler Place and will play a barn raising benefit in Highgate later this year. "We play for the enjoyment and like to share that with everyone else," he added.
Dr. B. J. Kendall built the Opera House at Enosburg Falls in 1892 to house cultural events, entertainment, and meetings. The building has an intimate stage and acoustics to match the great music halls. It soon became the cultural and community center for much of Franklin County with drama and musical productions, "medicine shows," town meetings, political rallies, and school and community events such as dances, graduation ceremonies, and trained horses.
The current restoration began in 1975 when community interest and funds were raised for plays, pageants, and other summer activities. By this year, over $700,000 had been spent to reopen the doors of a state-of-the-art facility with backstage space for performers, an art gallery, an elevator, and the foundation for future upgrades.
The Opera House Community Treasures Series presents the traditional events that are part of the history of the House and the community. The Mentors Series presents established artists to the community and acts as an inspiration for up-and-coming Franklin County performers.
Bearing Witness will be begin at 7 p.m. Friday; the Proper Ladies and the Ed Moore Jazz Combo will open at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, both at the Opera House at Enosburg Falls. Admission ison Saturday is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and students, and $5 for children 12 and under at the door. Save a buck on advance sale tickets at the Merchant's Bank in Enosburg Falls, at Swanton Rexall, and at Better Planet and at the Kept Writer in St Albans. Buy a ticket for all the Opera House Birthday events; the ticket is all-inclusive (of course, the Historical Society program on Friday is free.) Call 802-933-6171 for more info.
123 Depot Street
Post Office Box 1250
Enosburg Falls, Vermont 05450
802.933.6171
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