Wethersfield Historical Society
150 Main Street, Wethersfield, CT 06109
Press Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 12, 2010
Contact: Maggie Longey, 860.529.7761
CALENDAR LISTINGS:
Mark your calendars for the Keeney Cultural Series
February 12, March 11 & April 22, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 1, 2011
Contact: Maggie Longey, 860.529.7161
Wethersfield, CT…Wethersfield Historical Society is pleased to announce its 19TH season of the Keeney Cultural Series with three very special programs beginning with an afternoon theater performance on Sunday, February 12 at 2:00 p.m., followed by two cabaret performances on Sunday, March 11 and Sunday, April 22 at 2:00pm in the Keeney Memorial Cultural Center at 200 Main Street, Wethersfield. Doors will open at 1:30pm.
The price for each performance is $18.00 for members and $20.00 for non-members.
SUNDAY, February 12, 2:00 p.m. – Tammy Denease – Interpretation of Elizabeth Keckly
Tammy Denease, storyteller, teaching artist and living historian, will introduce the audience to the world of a former enslaved woman purchased her own, and her son George’s freedom for $1,200.00. After receiving her freedom she would become known as the couturier of her time. As a successful seamstress, Elizabeth “Lizzy” Keckly would dress the elite in the finest of fashion. Her list of clients included Varnia Davis, wife of Jefferson Davis and Mary Anne Randolph Curtis Lee, wife of Robert E. Lee. Not only was Keckly instrumental in helping to get the Contraband Relief Association established in Washington, D.C., but she also became a confidante to Mary Todd Lincoln and an informal advisor to our sixteenth president.
SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 2:00P.M. – InfiniTango- Connecticut’s Leading Tango Band
InfiniTango’s performances combine the essence of Tango Argentino, Nuevo Tango and International Tango. Formed in Hartford, Connecticut and comprised of an accordionist Markus Centola, a pianist – Maria Centola, a violinist – Jessica Meyer, and a double bass player – Sean Rubin, this dynamic ensemble has created a bright and unique repertoire. While evoking an unforgettable Argentine sentiment with classics from “Golden Age”, they also create new, innovative works with a timeless sense of beauty. InfiniTango plays the music with a deep understanding of tradition as well as an obsessive desire to evolve the art form to new levels.
SUNDAY, APRIL 22, 2:00 p.m. – Phil Rosenthal – American Melody
Phil Rosenthal is a nationally renowned singer, songwriter, recording artist and record producer. With firm roots in folk, bluegrass and country, Phil’s music is a delight for all ages. His rich baritone, expert picking on banjo, guitar and mandolin and warm stage presence have charmed audiences throughout the U.S., Europe and Japan, including appearances at the White House and The Grand Ole Opry. His original compositions have been recorded by Johnny Cash and Bill Monroe. In an article about Phil Rosenthal, The Washington Post wrote “One of the most expressive singers of traditional country music.”
The cabaret setting will provide the perfect milieu for the March and April concerts. Patrons may bring their own beverages; soda and a snack will be provided by the society.
July 12, July 19 & July 26, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 1, 2011
Contact: Maggie Longey, 860.529.7161
July 12 THE TIREBITER BAND is a veteran band of twenty-nine years. They perform a wide repertoire from Swing era, classic Rock n’ Roll to contemporary artists. Great vocal harmonies, energy and humor have been the signature of the band over the years.
July 19 EIGHT TO THE BAR draws its musical influences from American roots music – swing, boogie woogie, rhythm & blues, soul, Motown. The band is known for its outstanding instrumentalists and sophisticated musical and vocal arrangements.
July 26 ISLAND RHYTHM performs ethnic music from the Islands of the World mixed with beach party music by The Beach Boys, Jimmy Buffett and Harry Belafonte. They enliven performances with audience participation and interaction.
The concerts are held on Tuesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. on the grounds of Keeney Memorial Cultural Center, 200 Main Street, Wethersfield. Bring a chair, a blanket, your supper, favorite beverage, and your friends and enjoy an evening of great music. Concerts will be held in Keeney Hall in the event of rain. For information, call 860.529.7656.
Sponsored by Wethersfield Historical Society with support from the Robert Allan Keeney Memorial Trust at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.
Mark your calendars for the Keeney Cultural Series
February 13, March 10 & April 14, 2011
2011 KEENEY CULTURAL SERIES BEGINS FEBRUARY 13
IN THE KEENEY MEMORIAL CULTURAL CENTER
Wethersfield, CT…Wethersfield Historical Society is pleased to announce its 18th season of the Keeney Cultural Series with three very special programs beginning with an afternoon theater performance on Sunday, February 13 at 4:00 pm, followed by two cabaret performances on Thursday, March 10 and Thursday, April 14 at 7:00pm in the Keeney Memorial Cultural Center at 200 Main Street, Wethersfield.
The three performance series may be purchased for $56, individual performances for $20.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 4:00 P.M. – MARY CASSATT AND THE IMPRESSIONISTS
Robin Lane, actress, author, director and producer, will perform her one-woman dramatization about the life of Mary Cassatt, the only American painter ever to be accepted into the French Impressionist group that included Degas, Pissaro, Monet and Renoir. A recognized master of the style, Cassatt was also instrumental in encouraging wealthy Americans to purchase works by her Impressionist colleagues. Ms. Lane will bring you back in time to the 19th century with her engrossing and illuminating depiction of Mary Cassatt. The audience will learn what inspired this fascinating woman.
Thursday, March 10, 7:00 p.m. – From Buenos Aires to Aranjuez
Emil Altschuler (violin), Jérome Mouffe (guitar) and Artem Belogurov (piano) will perform a musical journey beginning with tangos in the clubs of Buenos Aires and finishing with Concierto de Aranjuez in the gardens of Aranjuez, Spain. It will be entertaining and adventurous for the audience as these internationally renowned performers take us through their musical journey.
Thursday, April 14, 7:00p.m. – African-American Music from Spiritual to Contemporary
Elizabeth Lyra Ross (soprano) and Doris Lang Kosloff (piano) will present a program of African-American music which ranges from traditional spirituals to contemporary songs written by African-American composers such as Hall Johnson, Billie Holliday, Eubie Blake and others. Ms. Ross carefully outlines the origin and meaning of each song before performing it. Her dramatic soprano voice, changing styles, expressions and rhythms bring depth to this wonderful performance.
The cabaret setting will provide the perfect milieu for the two Thursday concerts. Patrons may bring their own beverages; soda and a snack will be provided by the society.
The cabaret concerts begin at 7:00 p.m. in Keeney Hall. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.
Sponsored by Wethersfield Historical Society with support from the Robert Allan Keeney Memorial Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 7, 2010
Contact: Rachel Quish, 860.529.7656
CALENDAR LISTINGS:
Mark your calendars for the Lantern Light Tours!
October 16th & 17th
Join us for Lantern Light Tours on Saturday, October 16 and Sunday, October 17 in Old Wethersfield starting at 5:30pm. Five tours each night will be leaving every twenty minutes from the Keeney Memorial Cultural Center. Tickets are sold prior to the event, with remaining tickets at the door. Due to the limits on group size it is recommended to purchase tickets ahead of time at the Old Academy (150 Main Street) Tuesday thru Friday 10-4pm or on the “Shop” section of our website (www.wethhist.org). Event is not recommended for children under seven.
The tour will start and end at the Keeney Memorial Cultural Center (200 Main Street) where children’s activities, light refreshments and entertainment will be provided. Tours will be led by lantern through the Main Street neighborhood stopping to “encounter” spirits from the past in their homes, houses of worship and gravesites. Come and meet Jane Dunham in her high-style Victorian home, hear Gershom Bulkeley preaching to his congregation, watch Levi Robbins still fighting for the American Revolution, listen to Lydia Beadle’s tragic tale and chat with a World War II paratrooper about his wartime experience.
Wethersfield Historical Society is currently accepting reservations for the tours. Appropriate for ages 7 and up, tickets are $12 adults & $6 children. Group tours of 15 will depart starting at 5:30pm and leaving every twenty minutes with the last one leaving at 6:50pm. Each tour lasts a little over one hour. The evening begins and ends at the Keeney Memorial Cultural Center at 200 Main Street with refreshments, children’s activities and entertainment.
The tours will start and end at the Keeney Memorial Cultural Center, 200 Main Street, Wethersfield. A public parking lot is located behind the building. For information, call 860.529.7656.
Sponsored by Wethersfield Historical Society with support from the Neighborhood Arts & Heritage Grant from the Greater Hartford Arts Council and the Robert Allan Keeney Memorial Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving. Research by Amy Kirby.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 7, 2010
Contact: Elaine St. Onge, 860.529.7656
CALENDAR LISTINGS:
Mark your calendars for History Day for Familes!
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Wethersfield, CT…Bring your family and enjoy a fun day of living history as Wethersfield Historical Society presents this year’s History Day for Families on Saturday, September 25, 2010 from 10am to 4 pm on the grounds of the Keeney Memorial Cultural Center, 200 Main Street, Wethersfield. This free program features Sheldon’s Horse, Second Continental Light Dragoons, a re-established military unit, which will demonstrate Colonial Period military and civilian life while tying Wethersfield’s history to the Dragoons and their role in the American Revolution.
These family activities will be offered: grooming and saddling of horses, period weapons and marching drills, Crossed Sabers demonstration, mounted Dragoons on patrol in town and much more! Visitors will have the opportunity to visit their camp site and ask questions as well. Keeney History Day for Families is supported by a grant from the Robert Allan Keeney Memorial Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving. For more information contact Education Coordinator Mary Pat Knowlton at 860.529.7656 or visit our web site at www.wethhist.org
HIstory Day for Families will be held at the Keeney Memorial Cultural Center, 200 Main Street, Wethersfield and is FREE to all! A public parking lot is located behind the building. For information, call 860.529.7656.
Sponsored by Wethersfield Historical Society with support from the Robert Allan Keeney Memorial Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 1, 2010
Contact: Maggie Longey, 860.529.7161
CALENDAR LISTINGS:
Mark your calendars for the 2010 Keeney Koolers Concert Series
July 13
Peter Spink Band opens this series of three free concerts with a blend of the simple intimacy of folk music mixed with the improvisation of jazz and rock and roll. They have a true "Americana" style. On stage, the group dives into each song with a joyful energy that captures the heart of the audience.
July 20
Shaded Soul Band is a high-energy 8-piece band. They are known all over New England for their stage show and versatility in musical styles ranging from the 40’s big band music to the top 40 of today.
July 27
Stan Scott Band will perform the third concert with an extensive repertoire featuring Swing and Big Band. This band has the get up and dance big band sound.
The concerts are held on Tuesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. on the grounds of Keeney Memorial Cultural Center, 200 Main Street, Wethersfield. Bring a chair, a blanket, your supper, favorite beverage, and your friends and enjoy an evening of great music. Concerts will be held in Keeney Hall in the event of rain. For information, call 860.529.7656.
Sponsored by Wethersfield Historical Society with support from the Robert Allan Keeney Memorial Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.
150 Main Street, Wethersfield, CT 06109p. (860) 529-7656 f. (860) 563-2609 society@wethhist.org