“Women of Note”, aka Famed Dames, will be here in no time and you don’t want to miss making their acquaintance. Your introduction will come in the person of Damaris Peters Pike, Professor of Music Emerita of Hiram College, musician, historian, communicator par excellence who will be presenting a 25th Anniversary Benefit Series in support of local causes—education, historical preservation, music programs, theater, community resources. Local sponsors include Ohio Health Benefits, LLC, Total Lifetime Care Medical Associates, Cortland Banks, Charles Auto Family and Hiram College.
These women have appeared before audiences in ten states and France; they have opened eyes and minds to new facets of history and music, people and sounds and the spirits of many ages. You can see them now. Who are they?
Lucretia Garfield speaks to us in “The Garfields—An Ohio Presidential Couple”. A local girl who later became one of the first First Ladies to have a college degree, “Crete” Garfield advised and supported her husband, portrayed by Jack Warren, throughout his career. She reflected the anguish of the nation when he was assassinated only months into his presidency. She drew her family about her and continued the tradition of public service which had been the spirit which pervaded their home. She is one of us.
“Hildegard of Bingen—A Feather on the Breath of God” was a writer, composer, philosopher, Christian mystic, Benedictine abbess, visionary and polymath. And, as if that weren’t enough, she may well have been a synesthete, one who experiences symbols (letters of the alphabet, for instance, or numbers) as colors or sounds or sensations. She wrote theological, botanical, medicinal texts; she wrote liturgical songs and poems. Pope Benedict XVI recognized her as a Doctor of the Church in 2012. She is sometimes known as the Sibyl(female prophet) of the Rhine. Not your everyday Church Lady. Come and meet her.
Show Biz rears its fascinating head when “Frankie Gershwin—We Let George Do It!” takes the stage. Often relegated to the backstage , such as in the film, “Rhapsody in Blue”, she was a part of the family of George and Ira Gershwin as well as a musician and performer in her own right. She performed before they did, she performed with them, she performed in her own way. She was a part of the family, as it was a part of her.
Just a preview. More information later. You don’t want to miss any of them
Tickets are $10, except the final program, which is a “double-header” (with desserts and beverages)at $20. Or you may purchase the entire series for $50 as a Patron Package . Tickets may be purchase at the places of business which are sponsoring the programs or by calling 330.569.3210.
Here are your calendar dates to mark : October 3, “The Garfields”, October 9, “Hildegard of Bingen”, October 14, “Frankie Gershwin”, October 16, “Irving Berlin—a Daughter Remembers”, October 23, “Dolores Hope”, “Doris Day”.
Famed Dames, indeed!
