Armed Forces Day Tribute Is Returning, To A New Location

An Armed Forces Day Tribute will be presented at Edmond Town Hall on Saturday, May 21. This will be the fourth annual event sponsored by Rocking Roosters Square Dance Club and while much of the event’s presentation and offerings – lots of live music, refreshments, good humor and merriment for all ages – will remain the same, one thing will be changing: its location.

This year the jamboree will move from the gymnasium into the theater/auditorium of the town hall, at 45 Main Street in Newtown.

Tickets are $8 if purchased or reserved in advance, or $10 at the door.

The music will be ongoing from 7 to 10:30 pm, and doors will open at 6.

Because this year’s event falls within the celebration of Newtown’s tercentennial anniversary, there will be a performance during the jamboree of one song from circa 1705.

Featured all evening will be The Roger Sprung Band and ShoreGrass Bluegrass Band. For anyone who enjoys bluegrass, country, folk, western and swing music, the evening will offer the opportunity to hear all of these styles.

Mr Sprung is a longtime resident of Newtown. He teaches from a home studio and also in New York City. He is a past world champion of the five-string banjo, and has performed (and recorded) with Doc Watson.

The ShoreGrass band, based in Branford, has performed throughout the state included just last month at Trinity Church in Newtown. The band has also performed at the last two Armed Forces Day Jamborees.

ShoreGrass is a bluegrass band from the Connecticut shoreline, comprised of Barbara and Frank Shaw (guitar and banjo), Paul Pozzi (mandolin), Larry Rothermel (fiddle) and Bob Csugie (bass). Started by the Shaws of Branford as a duet, the group has expanded to the traditional five bluegrass pieces and has performed as a quintet since December 1999.

 Their music is a lively mix of traditional American bluegrass, old-time, gospel, early country and folk songs as well as original pieces reflecting their roots in contemporary music. All five members of the band sing, giving the group that unique bluegrass blend of guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle and bass while alternating leads on three and four-part vocal harmonies.

Their musicianship gives the audience an ensemble experience that demonstrates the range and uniqueness of each instrument as well as an unusually rich vocal blend, all delivered with the special sense of humor that marks all ShoreGrass performances.

Between the musical performances, organizer Marty Maciag is planning humor skits. There will also be square dance demonstrations by members of the Rocking Rooster club, with calling by Clint McLean.

Jeremiah Day will also be a special guest this year. Mr Day is a storyteller from Maine with his own way of telling stories.

Door prizes will also be given out during the course of the evening, with many gifts and prizes having been donated by local businesses and residents.

Recognition will be given during the course of the evening to all veterans in attendance.

Charter Communications will be filming the evening, with plans to broadcast it at a later date.

For tickets and additional information contact Mr Maciag at 267-5445 (days) or 426-4817 (evenings).