Wayne County Historical Society brings Voices From the Past to life
By Sharon Haught
December 11, 2010
520
For the past 17 years, the Wayne County Historical Society has been bringing history alive through its Voices From the Past series.
First presented in 1994, the annual four concert series mixes dramatic presentations and musical performances by some of the top performers in the country to illustrate a period in our nations history.
For the 2011 season, Voices From the Past chairman Ray Leisy has promised one of the best schedules hes ever presented.
I know I say this every year but this has to be the greatest four performances Ive had in the 17 seasons of the series in terms of quality and professionalism of the presenters, said Leisy.
This remarkable series has been incredibly popular through the years, with all but two of the nearly 70 performances selling out well in advance.
The 2011 season of the Voices From the Past will kick off Jan. 16 with the return of singer/songwriter Steve Free. According to Leisy, the performances by Ohios Entertainer of the Year and ASCAP award winner will feature music of middle America - the music we all know and love - which allows us to connect once more with our own heritage. This performance is made possible with the support of PNC Bank.
The second performance of the series will be held Feb. 20, with an appearance by first lady Abigail Adams, as portrayed by Philadelphia-based historical presenter Kim Hanley. According to Leisy, Hanleys presentation will focus on Adams unique roles as the wife of one president and the mother of another and provide a behind-the-scenes look at politics, running the family business and the vital role she played in establishing our country. This performance is sponsored by the Friends of Lynn Drumm.
The series continues March 13 with an appearance by Lone Raven. According to Leisy, the seven piece Irish Band will just blow the audience out with their eclectic blend of traditional music, from fiery Irish reels to Gypsy fiddle tunes, as well as their own original compositions. Sponsoring this concert is local attorney Margo Broehl.
The finale of the 2011 Voices From the Past series will be held April 10 when St. Louis-based Dennis Stroughmatt and his band, Creole Stomp, comes to town. Part music historian, part performer, Stroughmatt travels the backcountry of the upper Mississippi seeking out local musicians and documenting, recording and preserving their unique French Creole musical style for future generations. The Leisy family is sponsoring this presentation.
All performances of the Voices From the Past series are presented in the historic one-room schoolhouse on the campus of the Wayne County Historical Society in Wooster and begin at 2 p.m.
Leisy noted that tickets to the Voices From the Past series make the perfect gift for those hard to buy for people on any Christmas list.
Tickets are available now at the historical society during their office hours of 1:30-4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays or at the Wooster Book Company during their normal business hours. Tickets can also be purchased by mail via check made payable to the Wayne County Historical Society and mailed to 546 Bowman Street, Wooster 44691, after calling the office to confirm ticket availability. Tickets are $9 for society members, $13 for non-members and $6 for children under 17. Because tickets customarily sell out well in advance of each performance, tickets will not be sold at the door.
For more information, contact the Wayne County Historical Society at 330-264-8856 or visit their web site at http://www.wayne historicalohio.org.
