Lyceum to Tell the Story of the Woodward Opera House THURSDAY FEBRUARY 28

MOUNT VERNON – Pat and Sandy Crow will present a program explaining the history of the Woodward Opera House as part of the Elixir Chautauqua/Lyceum Series, on Thursday February 28 at ThePlace@TheWoodward (111 S. Main Street in historic downtown Mount Vernon).Who was the man named Woodward and why would he build a four story building in Mount Vernon?

Research has shown that the Woodward is America’s Oldest Authentic 19th Century Theatre still standing (there are no original pre-19th century theatres in America). Updated historical investigation has moved the first performance date in the Woodward Hall back to at least December 8-10th, 1851.

The Woodward is the recipient of two federal “Save America’s Treasures” (SAT) grants. This particular grant is only for those projects recognized as being of national historic significance. Receipt of the grant is competitive and is measured against all other national projects from every part of the preservation universe. As a result, VERY FEW preservation projects receive SAT funding.

Opening the program and featuring music written in the era of the Woodward’s heyday, will be Series organizers, Elixir, consisting of Chris Petee, Gerry Rensel and Mike Petee. Their music is referred to as re-inventing Americana and they will light the stage at 7 PM.

The doors at ThePlace@TheWoodward, a first floor facility, open at 6 PM for this donation based event and the program begins at 7 PM. For more information for this program visit www.elixirpresents.com or www.VisitKnoxOhio.org or call 740-392-6102 or 740-392-3018.

Chautauqua Series Welcomes California Dreamer – Mama Cass

MOUNT VERNON – When she blasted onto the scene in the 1960’s with The Mama’s and The Papa’s, the voice of Cass Elliott has been loved and revered ever since. After the final Mama’s and Papa’s album in 1971, she set off on her own solo journey and her audiences grew from her albums to television shows. Her tragic end at age 32 was ruined to have been caused by choking on a ham sandwich [the irony being she was Jewish] but the urban legend is totally untrue.

To find out the real reason for her early death, join Allison Miller portraying Mama Cass Elliott as Elixir, the Ohio Humanities Council, the Rolls-Royce Charities/Civic Fund and Ariel Foundation present he 7th season of the Elixir Presents Chautauqua Series. Allison, popular interviewer and WMVO personality will be making her second Chautauqua appearance.

Opening the program with be FolkTails, a duo consisting of Chris & Mike Petee, bringing sounds of the 1960’s to warm up the audience for Mama Cass’s program presented in first person by Allison.

The program will be at ThePlace@TheWoodward (111 S. Main Street in downtown Mount Vernon) on Thursday, February 21, 2013. Doors open at 6 PM for this donation based event and this family G rated program begins at 7 PM. For more information for this program visit www.elixirpresents.com or www.VisitKnoxOhio.org or call 740-392-6102 or 740-392-3018.


AND REMEMBER - THE LAST SATURDAY CAFE - will be even bigger and better this month as Sarah Goslee Reed, Bill Miller, Desmond Wall, Skip Trask and Mike Petee roll out new original material and a blend of acoustic and electric soothing sounds from 7 - 9 PM this Saturday February 23 at ThePlace@TheWoodward - the event is donation basis and is presented in a casual, kick back and enjoy atmosphere with coffee, tea, bottled water and cookies, brownies and other snacks available. Warm music for a cold winter evening. As a reminder, this is not an open mic event. For more information call 740-392-6102 or 740-392-3018.