RUMFORD – Jitterbugging, French Canadian foot-stomping music, jazz and a variety of other upbeat musical and dance acts are guaranteed to make it hard for anyone to sit still at shows Feb. 18 and 19.
Music in the Night is a benefit for the Jane deFrees Education Fund. All money raised will help pay for scholarships for Mountain Valley High School students.
“This is all volunteer. Everyone is donating their time,” said Bob Bohren, director of the shows. The only money taken from admission tickets will go for publicity and lighting rental.
Burt deFrees asked Bohren last fall if he would consider putting together a talent/musical show to benefit the education fund, sponsored by the Rumford Historical Society. A similar program was performed two years ago to standing-room-only crowds. Jane deFrees was a part of the society’s planning for an educational fund, and had given most of her life to education. When she died, the society named the education scholarship in her honor.
Bohren, who loves to perform, and a small group of other volunteers, have been working on the production ever since deFrees asked about the shows.
At Saturday’s show, beginning at 7 p.m. in the Municipal Auditorium, the jazz ensemble of Mountain Valley Middle School will perform such classics as “Jammin’ with Charlie” and “Evil Ways;” MVMS teacher Daniel Labonte will play “Bluebells of Scotland,” on his trombone; the Don LeBlanc Family will perform a foot-tapping series of French-Canadian music; and Ragtime pianist Ross Swain will play the newly acquired grand piano on the auditorium’s stage.
Dance acts and musical trios and duets are also slated for Saturday night, as well as a dance and song number from the high school’s spring musical, “Kilroy Was Here.”
On Sunday at 2 p.m., folk singer Jim Gallant and magician Scot Grassette will be added to the lineup.
During the intermissions of both shows, snacks and chances on a 50/50 raffle will be available.
Admission for adults is $8; students and seniors 62 and over is $6. Tickets are available at the door.
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