Presented by Joseph Rubin and His Orchestra
Friday, May 13, 7:30 pm
Main Library Auditorium
60 S. High Street, Akron
From 1917 to 1958, summers in Akron meant one thing, Summit Beach Park. Step back in time to the heyday of the famous Summit Beach Ballroom and hear musical memories from the Big Band era.
Join us for this free performance and hear musical memories from the Big Band era: Stompin’ At The Savoy, When You’re Smiling, Stardust, Opus No. 1, Sentimental Journey, Begin the Beguine and much more. For the first time in six decades, this exciting concert features the swinging arrangements of famed Portsmouth, Ohio native band leader, Clyde McCoy and his “Sugar Blues” Orchestra. An Akron favorite, McCoy performed four times at Summit Beach Park from 1937-1946 and an additional nine appearances at the Palace Theatre and other Akron venues.
With a swinging 16-piece big band and vocalist Heidi Swinford, you don’t want to miss this exciting “living history” concert tribute to Akron’s gone, but never forgotten amusement park with Joseph Rubin and His Orchestra. An expert on American popular music, Mr. Rubin specializes in concerts recreating the music of 1890-1949 in a historically accurate manner. Mr. Rubin founded the non-profit American Musical Productions in 2003 and is one of the foremost authorities on early American Musical Theatre.
Doors open at 7 pm to this free performance in our Main Library auditorium. The concert begins at 7:30 pm and will run approximately 120 minutes including a 15-minute intermission. Registration is not required. Parking is free after 6 pm in the High & Market deck next to Main Library.
For more information, contact Special Collections Division Manager, Mary Plazo, at 330-643-9030 or by email at: mplazo@akronlibrary.org.