Oldham
County Picnic
Oldham
Co. Arts Association
picnic to feature 40s swing
Concert
set for courthouse lawn
By
Helen E. McKinney
Contributing Writer
LA GRANGE, Ky. (August 2002) The Oldham County
Courthouse lawn will be swinging to the spirited sounds of Benny Goodman,
Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, and the like on Aug. 9 from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.
during the Picnic and Free Concert.
The fourth annual event is sponsored by the Oldham County Arts Association
and geared toward bringing people of the community together to enjoy
dancing, music and providing a chance for winning great prizes.
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La
Grange Courthouse
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People are invited to come in 1940s apparel and
dance to the swing sounds of Oldham Countys own, The Sizzle,
said event chairwoman Mary Broecker. The Oldham County Arts Association
is creating a nostalgic look and sound that harkens back to a slower
and more peaceful time.
The Sizzle is a six-piece band that plays a variety of music, specializing
in jazz standards, said member John Manning.
This group of professional musicians has been together since the mid-1980s.
Manning added that he has been involved in some aspect of the music
scene since the late 1960s and is a member of the Musicians Union.
The Sizzle is noted for its Big Band Sound, having performed at concerts,
private parties and corporate events. Manning cited performances at
past events, such as Derby Eve at the Kentucky Derby Museum, the Jeffersonville
Main Street Concert and Theatre Square in Louisville.
A new quartet from Oldham County, The Generations, will take the stage
before The Sizzle, said association president Sandra Graves. The Generations
made their debut at this years Arts on the Green.
In addition, there will be several couples swing dancing, and all participants
are invited to join in the dancing. This family and community oriented
event will also provide a clown to entertain children, said Graves.
While the mood of the evening will take guests back to the 1940s, the
picnic competition was patterned after a more recent event, said Broecker.
She based her idea on Heartstrings, an event by the Louisville
Orchestra.
Participants may enter in their choice of three categories, gearing
their dress and food to a style reminiscent of the 1940s era. The picnic
theme categories are as follows: for families (Bobbie Socks and Lollipops),
for couples (Ill Take Romance), and for general entries (Swingin
40s).
Last years winners in the Made in Kentucky picnic theme
category were Sonny and Pat English. It was lots of fun; and it
was fun just getting ready. It is really an addition to Oldham County,
Pat English said.
The Englishs combined creative efforts with another local couple,
Glenn and Katherine Yost, to produce an entry unique enough to win first
place in the competition. English said their picnic consisted of country
ham, an antique quilt, wildflowers, and a pitcher made in Kentucky at
Louisville Stoneware.
Prizes will be given away totaling more than $800. The people and businesses
of Oldham and Jefferson Counties have donated all of the prizes, said
Broecker.
Baskets have been assembled for first, second and third place winners,
including such items as theatre tickets, restaurant coupons and gifts
from shops in Oldham County.
This years overall picnic and concert theme is a repeat of last
years Swing theme because, everyone had such
an incredible time, said Broecker. Past themes have been classical
and brass bands.
This event is a celebration of the end of summer, Graves
said. Its one of a series of things we (the OCAA) provide
to the community, to bring the arts to the community and to bring the
community together through the arts.
In the event of rain, the event will be moved to La Grange Elementary
School.
For more information, contact Broecker at (502)
222-1731 or Graves at (502) 222-2429.
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