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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (July 21, 2022)
comedy Photo by Jim Ralph Music for Hard Times PENNIES FROM HEAVEN, THE TITLE OF THIS YEAR’S OREGON FESTIVAL OF AMERICAN MUSIC, FEATURES SONGS FROM THE GREAT DEPRESSION By Elizabeth Sotelo H ard times can result in great art. July 27 to 31 and August 2 through 6, The Shedd Institute will host its 31st Oregon Festival of American Music, Pennies from Heaven. This year’s theme is U.S. music from 1929-41 — the years of the Great Depres- sion. Despite those hard times, the period was marked by the rise of a variety of specifi c musical styles, resulting in what is known as the Great American Songbook. The festival is not making a direct statement about the past and present economic times, says Jim Ralph, executive director of The Shedd. “I call it historic cultural tourism,” Ralph says. Pennies from Heaven celebrates jazz and swing produc- tions from such well-known artists as the Boswell Sisters, Benny Goodman, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Artie Shaw, Walter Page, Benny Moten, the Gershwin broth- ers, Al Jolson and Ethel Merman. “This is one festival that is focused upon what I call the classic Songbook in historical popular music,” Ralph says. OFAM’s music director Chuck Redd is joined by fi ve guest directors, including local singer Shirley Andress, Eugene performer Lynnea Barry, vocalist Siri Vik and jazz artists Peter and Will Anderson. Twenty-four perform- ers also participate in the 10-day event as vocalists or in the band. Redd directs the opening gala concert, scheduled 7:30 pm July 27, featuring musical examples from the golden age of radio. Tunes include such hits as “Star Dust,” “In the Blue of the Night” and “Comes Love.” Concerts on July 28 and August 6 pay homage to the Boswell Sisters, a worldwide sensation in the jazz and swing eras. Benny Goodman, the king of swing, is highlighted July 29 and August 5. Stage-based music and theater brought from New York to Los Angeles and remade for the movies in the 1930s is the focus July 30 and August 4. Under Redd’s direction, Count Basie and Duke Ellington will be celebrated July 31. The early career of Artie Shaw will be introduced August 2. On August 3, selected jazz and popular stan- dards are scheduled to perform. Look forward to July 28 and August 4 to hear the Kansas City style pioneered by Walter Page and Benny Moten. Socially conscious music presented on the Broadway stage from 1928-40 is July 29 and August 5. The last concert, August 6, centers on 1930s crooners and swing ensembles. OFAM 2022 also off ers sing-alongs, fi lms, talks and dinners. Free community sing-alongs are guided by vocal instructor Amy Adams 1:30 pm, July 27 and August 3. Movies will include such hits as Pennies from Heaven, Swing Time, A Damsel in Distress and The Wizard of Oz.. Talk series are open to the public and guided by Ralph, Howard Schumann and others. The nine talks are 5:30 pm July 27-30 and August 2-5 at the Sheff er Recital Hall. Pre-concert meals are off ered in Warren Court at 6 pm for $25.75 (adults) and $19.75 (children 9 and under). Tickets must be purchased one day in advance. ■ Pennies from Heaven runs July 27-31 and August 2-6 at The Shedd Institute. Tickets start at $25, with discounts available, at TheShedd.org. WHITESIDE THEATRE CORVALLIS OREGON | TICKETS @ WHITESIDETHEATRE.ORG Whiteside Theatre | 361 SW Madison Ave, Corvallis | whitesidetheatre.org WITCH MOUNTAIN W/ MIKE SCHEIDT OF YOB GARCIA BIRTHDAY BAND Eugene’s Weekly Handcrafted Marketplace ARTS FESTIVAL X FOOD FESTIVAL X MUSIC FESTIVAL AUGUST 6 | 8 PM ADVANCE $10 | @DOOR $15 16 J U LY 2 1 , 2 0 2 2 SEPTEMBER 17 |7 PM GA ADVANCE $10 | GA @DOOR $15 Every Saturday X Rain or Shine X 10am-4pm X 8th & Oak Free Admission and Free Parking in the Parking Garages eugenesaturdaymarket.org 541-686-8885 E U G E N E W E E K LY . C O M
