D-day Memorial's GI Jive Event

Hello Everyone,

Now that it is the New Year, we can start looking forward to the next big fundraising event held by the National D-day Memorial, the GI Jive! If you have attended the Jive in the past then you know how much fun the event can be with all the laughing, dancing, and eating! It is one of the highlights of the year! This year the event falls on Valentine’s Day, Saturday February 14, 2015. What better way to say ‘I love you’ than a night of 1940’s romance and dance. Spend the evening in the beautiful Trivium Estate, enjoying delicious food, sounds of the 1940s by Karen Nichols Quartet, a silent auction, and an exciting dance competition with prizes! Doors open at 6:00 o’ clock in the evening and the fun does not stop until 10:30 PM. Tickets can be purchased through the Foundation’s office; our phone number is (540) 586-3329. Tickets are $75 for individuals and $150 per couple. REMEMBER, space is limited and tickets are sold on a first come first serve basis so don’t miss out on a night of elegance and romance! It is truly a beautiful and memorable evening.

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Did you know?

Jitterbug Magazine, 1940s

The Savoy Ballroom in New York City opened in 1926, launching Swinging Jazz into stardom, creating the music that truly symbolizes the 1930s and 1940s decades. The Lindy Hop is one of the most popular, and original, swing dances of the 1940s, evolving from the Charleston of the late 1920s. When the 'age of jazz' was emerging and growing into a completely new genre, the dance styles evolved alongside it. Swing had a jovial decade long run until the 1950s rock n’ roll era took its place.

The Lindy Hop originated in 1927 when George “Shorty” Snowden, an enthusiastic dancer, was asked to name the new moves by a reporter. Gaining inspiration from a newspaper headline “Lindy Hops the Atlantic”, after famed aviator, Charles Lindbergh, the pilot who completed the first solo flight across the Atlantic that same year. Others refer to the dance as the “Jitterbug”, a six beat variation dubbed by Cab Calloway. The 1930s saw a major growth of admiration for swing and the Lindy Hop dance, but it was not until the 1940s, when US servicemen really took the dance by storm and popularized the moves across the world.

The dance has many variations depending on the tempo of the music. Dancers can choose to go slow and smooth, the very meaning of elegance, or they can dance fast and wild, using stunning footwork that seems to make them fly across the dance floor.

Faye McKenzie dancing with a service member at the Hollywood Canteen.

Herbert White created a Lindy Hop dance troupe, called the Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers, out of the Savory Ballroom. The troupe was showcased in various films, including “Hellzapoppin” (1941), “Sugar Hill Masquerade” (1942), and “Killer Diller” (1948).

As with any new pop culture phenomena, swing dance received some negative reviews. In 1936, Philip Nutl, the President of the American Society of Teachers of Dancing, said swing would not last through the winter. However, by 1942, the craze could not be ignored and swing was ceremoniously accepted by all. The wave of popularity lasted until the mid 1950s but was replaced by new moves by younger generations. However, swing did see a revival in the 1990s, with grandparents influencing their grandchildren in the ways of the past.

There are fifteen different swing variations that have developed over the decades.

1. Ballroom West Coast Swing: Popular in ballroom dance schools.

2. Cajun Swing: Born in the bayous of Louisiana.

3. Carolina Shag: Popular in the Carolinas and pays particular attention to the leader’s nimble feet.

4. Country Western Swing: A style of the Jitterbug popularized in the 1980s and usually danced to Country Western music.

Swing dancers at the Trocadero in L.A, CA, 1940s

5. DC Hand Dancing: Washington D.C.’s version of the Lindy.

6. East Coast Swing: Six count style of the Lindy, poplar in dance organizations.

7. Imperial Swing: popular in St. Louis, Missouri.

8. Jive: International style of swing usually danced in world competitions.

9. Lindy: smooth style swing dance

10. Pony Swing: Country Western style of the Cajun swing.

11. Push Swing: Popular in Dallas, Texas, the dance involves spinning the follower between dance positions with a rock rhythm break.

12. Savoy Swing: a style of swing particularly popular in the New York Savoy Ballroom, 1930s and 1940s. This style is very fast, jumpy, and casual-looking.

13. Supreme Swing: style dance popular in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

14. West Coast Swing: Popular in California night clubs, 1930s and 1940s, the use of nimble feet is required to do this dance justice.

15. Whip: Houston, Texas created the Whip which is similar to the Push Swing dance but with a wave rhythm break.

I hope you are inspired to dance out our own Jive this year!

Take Care,

Elizabeth

Meet the hilarious duo, Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, at the National D-Day Memorial

Studio photograph of Bud Abbott (Left) and Lou Costello (Right)

October has arrived and you know what that means?! Of course it means changing leaves, crisp cool air, pumpkins, and apple cider. But most importantly, it means the D-Day Memorial is hosting our annual birthday celebration event on October 12, 2014!

This year, the Memorial invites visitors to celebrate the 124^th birthday of General Dwight Eisenhower with a few special guests, the outrageously funny duo, Abbott and Costello! Enjoy watching the critically acclaimed comedians perform their most popular vaudeville and burlesque skits, like “Who’s On First?” And get a firsthand look into their personal lives and the entertainment industry of the 1940s. Bill Riley and Joe Ziegler are the hilarious men responsible for bringing Bud Abbott and Lou Costello to life in front of your very eyes. Both men have been performing together since 1994 and through vintage dress, authentic recreation, and vocal styling, they have mastered the art and genius of Mr. Abbott and Mr. Costello. As an added bonus, the comedic pair are bringing along their trusty Ace Press Agent, Scoop Fields, performed by Jason Crutchley.

Comedic duo acting out "Who's On First?" Skit

Guests of the event will enjoy bellies full of laughter and delicious food if they choose to join us for lunch and the performance. Or, if you prefer to skip lunch, guests can just enjoy the show! For two years in a row, the Memorial has sold out of this event! As a result, advanced tickets are required since seating is limited. So make sure to pick up yours today! Lunch is served at 1:30pm followed by the performance at 2:30pm.

Tickets for both the lunch and performance are $35.00 per person or $60.00 per couple. Tickets for the performance only are $15.00 per person. Call 540-586-3329 to purchase tickets or visit the Bedford Area Welcome Center. Click here to learn more about this event.

To get guests eager for the upcoming event, here are a few fun facts about the most popular comedic duo during World War II.

• Costello held a series of jobs, including a stint as a boxer, before heading to Hollywood in the late 1920s to pursue a career in acting, only to find out he was not particularly successful as a dramatic actor. He ultimately decided to move back home to New Jersey, but did not have the funds to make it all the way. So he worked his way up in Missouri burlesque clubs.

•   While working in Missouri in 1930, Cristillo changed his stage name to “Costello,” after actress Helene Costello.

•   At the age of 15, Abbott was drugged and shanghaied onto a ship bound for Norway.  He was eventually able to work his way back to the US. 

• Costello pitched the idea of pairing with Bud Abbott in 1936, and together they made one of their first radio appearances on The Kate Smith Show in 1938.

Buck Privates poster (1941)

•   Of the duo Abbott was the “straight man,” meaning he was the unfunny part of the duo that set up the comedic to deliver the punch line. 

• From 1940 to 1956, the duo made 36 films.  Among their most popular films were Buck Privates, Who Done It?, Buck Privates Come Home, Abbot and Costello Meet Frankenstein, and Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man.

Call us today to purchase tickets and show your support for the National D-Day Memorial. Celebrating General Eisenhower’s birthday is always a special event for the Memorial and we would love to share that experience with you all!

(Left to Right) Costello and Abbott on set (1940).

Hope to see you all there!

Elizabeth

The Memorial is thankful for the support of event sponsors English Meadows (Elks Home Campus), Everafter Flowers, Cakes, and Gifts, The Glebe, and Town Kitchen & Provisions.