LIGONER, PA – April 24, 2023 – Please join the Ligonier Valley Rail Road Association (LVRRA) for a new evening social event that will leave you with a history hangover! The Ligonier Valley Rail Road Museum will host the first annual “Railroad Rendezvous: An Evening of Music and History at the Darlington Station” on Saturday, June 10, 2023 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Our musical guest for this inaugural event is Cecelia “Cece” Otto of An American Songline, who will perform the world premiere of her new historical concert program, “Prohibition: 90 Years of Temperance, Temptation & Song.” Prohibition defined –and divided – America through the 1920s, ushering in an era of dizzying new freedoms even as it sought to curb some of the nation’s worst social ills. Beginning in the mid-19th century through the Jazz Age, popular song reflected both the scourge of alcohol abuse and the wistfulness of a people barred from partaking in one of their greatest pleasures. “Prohibition: 90 Years of Temperance, Temptation & Song” chronicles the entire era through the songs sung by both “wets” and “drys,” from Victorian parlor songs like “Father’s a Drunkard and Mother is Dead” to Tin Pan Alley favorites like Irving Berlin’s “See You in C-U-B-A” – and even speakeasy favorites like “The Charleston.” Cece will be accompanied on piano by Seton Hill University music education major Jennifer Kist.
While treated to tunes and trivia about this fascinating period in American history, guests will enjoy light appetizers from Myriam’s Table and tastings from local wine, beer, spirit and mead producers during this fun Prohibition-themed soiree. Adult beverages will be available to purchase from several vendors including Laurel Highlands Meadery, Rusty Musket Distilling Co., Glades Pike Winery and Quinn Brewing Co. The Ligonier Valley Rail Road Museum and its historic 1905 bobber caboose will also be open for viewing.
“Our organization is thrilled to host a fun adult-oriented evening at our beautiful museum that will combine history with the power of song,” said LVRRA board secretary Jennifer Sopko.
Tickets are $60/person or $100/couple and are available to purchase through Eventbrite at https://railroadrendezvous.eventbrite.com. A limited number of tickets will be sold, so get on the fast track and RSVP now! Please note that this is a 21+ event.
Support for “Railroad Rendezvous” is coming from the Westmoreland 250th Anniversary Initiatives, courtesy of Westmoreland County and GO Laurel Highlands. Proceeds will benefit the LVRRA’s operations and ongoing education and preservation efforts.
The Ligonier Valley Rail Road Museum is located at 3032 Idlewild Hill Lane, Ligonier, PA 15658. For more information about “Railroad Rendezvous,” please contact Jennifer Sopko at 412-496-4518.
ABOUT CECELIA OTTO:
Cecelia “Cece” Otto is a classically trained singer, composer, international best-selling author and historian who has performed in venues all over the world both as a soloist and in ensemble. In 2013, she completed her cross-country musical journey An American Songline, performing 30 concerts of historic vintage music on venues along the Lincoln Highway. Cece then went on to create other historical programs such as “The Songs of World War I” and “Centennial of Suffrage.” She currently lives in Portland, Oregon, and has written books and recorded albums based on her research.
ABOUT JENNIFER KIST:
Jennifer Kist is violinist, church organist and pianist based in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. She plays for services, weddings and other events. She is majoring in music education at Seton Hill University (SHU) where she participates in numerous musical ensembles and serves as Assistant Conductor of Setonia, the SHU choral ensemble. Jennifer also teaches violin lessons and plays clarinet in the Johnstown Civic and Reed Bands. She will make her debut at Carnegie Hall in New York City performing with the Johnstown Symphony Chorus in summer 2023.
ABOUT THE LIGONIER VALLEY RAIL ROAD ASSOCIATION AND MUSEUM:
The Ligonier Valley Rail Road Association is a Pennsylvania non-profit corporation that was organized in 2004 to preserve the legacy of the Ligonier Valley Rail Road, conserve its surviving vestiges, collect relics and memorabilia, and educate the public about the history of railroading in the Ligonier Valley. The Ligonier Valley Rail Road Museum is located three miles west of Ligonier, Pennsylvania and is housed in an original Ligonier Valley Rail Road station that was built around 1896. The mission of the museum is to preserve the history of the Ligonier Valley Rail Road, which carried 9 million passengers and hauled 32 million tons of freight during its 75 years of operation. More information is available at www.lvrra.org.