Inside the Pontiac Museum Complex, you will discover two wonderful exhibits, each which deals, in part, with the music of a particular era in American history.
The Music of the Civil War exhibit gathers dozens of pieces of original sheet music from the antebellum and civil war years, and displays them with background information to provide the context for understanding each work's importance to the time. Recorded music, antique musical instruments, and other civil war era artifacts complete the exhibit. The "Life in the 1940s" exhibit is comprised of 5 rooms - four of them are decorated as a home would be in the middle of those turbulent years. The final room is a re-creation of the most famous nightclub for servicemen in New York - The Stage Door Canteen. At the canteen, enlisted men from all of the Allied nations could enter, enjoy a cup of coffee or tea, eat a meal or just a snack, and listen to or dance to, live music played by some of the most popular bands of the day.
This Summer, you can visit the museums displays, learn about the subject, and then, come to the concert to hear the music produced live and in person! There will be two performances of each show. See below for additional information.
MUSIC OF THE CIVIL WAR
One of Pontiac' most popular exhibits is the Music of the Civil War display located inside the Pontiac Museum Complex. Curated by Ron Selle and Darlene Agner, the exhibit features original sheet music, antique musical instruments, and some rare artifacts from the antebellum and war years. Last year, as a special treat, Selle and Agner presented live performances of some of the songs most popular and meaningful during this troubled time for the nation. This year, the performances of Civil War Music by Selle and Agner will be given at the new Eagle Performing Arts and Conference Center. The Eagle theater is located at 319 N. Plum Street in Pontiac.
On Friday, June 3rd, there will be a Matinee with Lunch performance at the Eagle. The lunch meal, catered by Bernardi's II, will be served at Noon, and the performance will begin shortly after the meal. Tickets are priced at $25 per person and include both the meal and the show. Reservations are required for the Luncheon Performance. Call (815) 844-1187 for more information or to make reservations.
On Friday, June 17th, there will be a music show only performance. There will not be food service at this show. Tickets are priced at $10 per person for the Show Only performance.
The music popular during the American Civil War, and the stories that serve as the background for those songs, are the important bits and pieces of our nation's history. Remembering that era though that time's own music provides us with special insights into the daily lives of those who lived then. Join us as we travel back to that bygone age of sacrifice, heroism, and emotion.
MUSIC OF THE FORTIES
Ron Selle and Darlene Agner will be live at the Eagle Performing Art and Conference Center on July 1 and July 15 to present their popular musical program that features the songs of the "Big Band" era. They were exciting years, those years of the big band, when, for less than a dollar, you could spend an entire evening watching, listening, and dancing to the songs of your favorite orchestra and singers. Audiences back then thrilled to the sounds of Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey and others.
Selle and Agner will guide you back through time with stories and songs that stand as musical mileposts through the turbulent decades of the 1940s.
On July 1, there will be a Matinee show with lunch catered by Bernardi's II. Reservations are required for the luncheon show and tickets are priced at $25 per person. The meal service begins at Noon.
On July 15th, the performance will not include a meal. However, it will include the full performance. Tickets for the July 15 performance without food service are priced at $10 per person and reservations are recommended. Call (815) 844-1187 to make your reservations today.