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
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