FROM RIVERS TO SKY: Labor Day Concert & Picnic at Cedarmere
On Labor Day, Monday, September 7, The Friends of Cedarmere will host 3 programs of American music in the Great Room at Historic Cedarmere House in Roslyn Harbor, accompanied by a community pot-luck picnic on the beautifully restored and maintained grounds (see the organization’s website at www.friendsofcedarmere.org).
“From Rivers to Sky” commemorates the 150th Anniversary of the end of the Civil War, and marks the name centennial of Samuel Barber’s famous Knoxville: Summer of 1915. The program grew out of a Civil War Reading Group hosted by The Friends last spring at Cedarmere. A geographic panorama of vocal music by Americans--including magnificent spirituals, moving folk songs, poignant epitaphs, vivid settings of Walt Whitman’s stark war journal and Barber’s deeply emotional masterpiece based on James Agee’s ‘coming of age’ prose poem—offers a sweeping view of America’s historical and social landscape over fifty years, from the Civil War to World War I. The selections evoke a striving for peace that everyone can readily appreciate. Featured musicians are Boston-area mezzo-soprano Penny Lazarus and acclaimed metro-area soprano Patti Dunham, with Cedarmere Board of Director’s own Paul Baserman at the piano. The music continues informally outdoors on the Pond where the a cappella group “The CedarSerenaders” will entertain with a sing-along of traditional music. For this picnic, guests should bring a main dish, in quantities sufficient to share with others. Serving bowls, plates and utensils are guests’ responsibility; note, however: dishwashing will not be possible. The Friends will provide salads, non-alcoholic beverages, ice, paper plates, eating utensils, napkins--and one special dessert—as well as an air-conditioned space (monitored room with long table) to store prepared dishes indoors during the concert. The price of admission is $15 per person; $10 for seniors, students and veterans. Concert seating is limited to 55. Program times are 4:00, 5:30 & 7:00 pm. Limited picnic-table seating is available. Bring your own lawn chairs, pillows, insect repellant, and a hearty appetite for great music, beautiful nature, food, fun and hopefully a view of the fireworks over magnificent Hempstead Harbor. Enjoy picnicking from 5 ‘til 8 PM--before, during or after the later shows! Keep ‘The Good Old Summertime’ lingering a little while longer. . .“See You at Cedarmere!” |
Penny Lazarus, mezzo
Patti Dunham, soprano
Paul Baserman, pianist
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