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The
Sixth Annual Presented by - The Lundergan Group
There will be a ceremony at the Russell Theater at 7:45 p.m. Friday, September 24th to dedicate a Kentucky historical highway marker documenting Rosemary Clooney's great career and her connection to Maysville. Phil Dirt and the Dozers will begin their free concert on Third Street at 7 p.m., and the dedication will take place during their first break. The marker will be unveiled in front of the theater and local and state dignitaries will be in attendance as will Nina, Nick and other members of Rosemary's family. We want everyone who loved Rosemary to feel free to attend this tribute to her. If you can't be there Friday evening, please go by the theater to see the marker whenever you visit Maysville. The Museum Center, 215 Sutton Street, Maysville, applied for the marker and worked with Nick Clooney in preparing the text for it. Rescue the Russell, Inc. paid the necessary cost for the production of the marker so it has been a community effort to obtain this special remembrance in Rosemary's honor.
Rosemary's dream lives on in Maysville -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By Jan Perry, Post contributor, 9/23/04 When the lights flood the stage on Third Street in Maysville, Ky., come Saturday night, Rosemary Clooney won't be the one in the spotlight, but her voice will be heard just the same. The annual Rosemary Clooney Festival, begun as a way to raise money to save the town's Russell Theater, took on an altogether different meaning following the singer's death in 2002. The money generated still goes to rebuilding the Russell, but since Rosie's passing, the event also serves as a celebration of her talent, her musical legacy and her never-forgotten ties to her friends and family "back home." Nick Clooney, Rosemary's brother (and candidate for U.S. Congress) will once again serve as master of ceremonies. In the spotlight Saturday night will be Grammy winner Roberta Flack. Maysville's Miss America 2000, Heather French Henry (wife of Steve Henry, former Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky), will perform, as well. Flack, whose singles include "The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face," "Killing Me Softly with His Song," "Tonight I Celebrate My Love" and "Where Is the Love," will also perform some of the Clooney Classics. (Her 1995 album "Roberta" features a cover of Rosemary's signature song -- "Tenderly.") But the festival begins long before the dinner and concert on Saturday. This year, the celebration actually kicks off on Friday evening with the unveiling of a Kentucky historical highway marker documenting Rosemary's career and her continuing connection to Maysville. The marker was a community effort. The Maysville Museum Center applied for the sign, Nick helped write the text and "Rescue the Russell, Inc. underwrote the cost. The dedication of the sign will take place in front of the Russell Theater at 7:45 p.m. during a free concert by Phil Dirt and the Dozers. Local and state dignitaries will be in attendance as will Nick, his wife, Nina, and other members of the Clooney family. Saturday morning at 10 a.m., Field's Auditorium at Maysville Community College will be the site of Clooney-Crosby Connection II. Popular at last year's festival, this is a chance for fans to hear of the professional and personal friendship that grew between Rosemary and Bing during and after the filming of the holiday classic, "White Christmas," first released 50 years ago. In addition to commentary by Nick and Bing's widow Kathryn Crosby, there will be plenty of video clips edited by Crosby family film archivist Bob DeFlores. (Tickets, $20 at the door.) Items for a silent auction, donated by friends and family members (including "Rosie-themed-baskets"), will be available for preview during the program. All proceeds from this event will go towards funding the restoration of the Russell Theatre. Last year's festival attracted more than 3,000 visitors and raised $23,850. "Now that's a successful fund-raiser,'' said Maysville Mayor David Cartmell after last year's total was announced. More than $350,000 has been collected during the festival's first five years, an amount that has allowed significant progress to be made in stabilizing the once grand theater where Rosemary's first movie, "The Stars are Singing," premiered in 1953. With the help of grants and many small donations, the roof of the theater and annex have been replaced, the marquee restored and Phase 1 of the restoration has been completed. Phase II, includes replacing electrical, plumbing and heating systems. The total estimate to bring the historic building back to its former grandeur exceeds $3.5 million. Nick's own description from a column written for The Post might help explain the town's dedication to the theater. "The Russell opened its Spanish/Moorish doors in December 1930. ... (It) had every gee-gaw, gargoyle, mask, column and wonderfully exhibitionist appurtenance available. No big-city movie house would out-do it in tiles, statuary, twinkling stars, moving clouds (there was) even a rainbow when the movie was completed." Tickets for Saturday evening's dinner and concert are $150-$250 (for served dinner), $90 (for "Rosie" dinner basket) and new this year, $15 for a general admission bleacher seat during the concert. (Dinner not included; festival food available.) For reservations call 606-564-9419, ext. 322. If you can't attend but wish to help with the theater restoration project, contact Rescue the Russell Inc., P.O. Box 371, Maysville, Ky. 41056 or through e-mail at info@rescuetherussell.com.
General admission tickets available for Clooney fest Maysville Ledger-Independent - 9/1/2004 For the first time ever, general admission tickets will be offered for Maysville's annual Rosemary Clooney Music Festival concert, organizers said Tuesday. According to Abby Dobson of Lundy's Special Events, the $15 general admission tickets for the Sept. 25 event are on sale now for the area on Upper Market Street. Grammy award-winning singer Roberta Flack will headline the event. Others expected to perform include Maysville native and former Miss America Heather French Henry and the Rosemary Clooney Choir, made up of junior and senior students at Louisville Male High School. Catherine Crosby, the widow of crooner Bing Crosby will be on hand for a book signing earlier in the day and will make an appearance at the concert. A portion of the proceeds from the festival go toward restoration of the historic Russell Theatre in downtown Maysville where the late Clooney's movie, 'The Stars are Singing,' premiered five decades ago. Dobson said the decision to offer general admission tickets was a bow to Clooney's desire that the festival be open to everyone. Ticket prices ranging from $250 to $15 should accomplish that goal, Dobson said. Dobson said she has already received numerous request for the general admission seating and should the tickets sell out other options will be explored. The general admission tickets will include bleacher seating. No food or drinks may be carried into the area from outside although concessions including alcoholic beverages and food will be available inside, Dobson said. Seating will begin at 5:30 p.m. the day of the event on a first come, first served basis. General admission tickets may be purchased in advance by calling 606-564-9419 or at the Upper Market Street gate throughout the day of the event. Tickets for dinner and the concert are also available at the same number.
As Clooney fest gears up, community asked to remember its roots Maysville's Ledger-Independent - August 21, 2004 A Grammy-winning singer and a choir named in Rosemary Clooney's honor will be among the entertainers expected to perform at the Sixth Annual Rosemary Clooney Music Festival in Maysville on Sept. 25. Roberta Flack will headline the event first conceived as a fund-raiser for Maysville's historic Russell Theater. Abby Dobson of Lundy's Special Events said it is important that focus remain on the festival's roots and original purpose. In fact, it was Clooney's idea to established a performing arts program at the theater and that was one of the primary reasons for enticing Flack to Maysville. Dobson said Flack, a native of Black Mountain, N.C., shares the same small town beginnings that Clooney continued to embrace even after becoming a star. And she understands the goal of continuing the arts in a small town setting, Dobson said. 'Out of everyone I've worked with, she's the most energetic and responsive,' Dobson said. 'She knows the true meaning (of the festival), how important it is in our children's future.' Flack is excited about the event and looking forward to visiting the area, Dobson said. Flack will be joined by the Rosemary Clooney Choir, made up of junior and senior students at Louisville Male High School. Dobson said she recently sat in on a rehearsal of the choir and was inspired to tears by what she heard. In addition, one of Maysville's favorite daughters, former Miss America Heather French Henry will return to sing at this year's event and Catherine Crosby, the widow of crooner Bing Crosby, will again host a book signing and attend the concert. Dobson also promised some surprises 'like nothing you've ever seen before' are in store for those attending the festival. Table sales are going well, although Dobson said it is critical that the event receives support from the community and sponsors in order to continue toward the goal to restore the old theater in downtown Maysville where Clooney's first feature film, 'The Stars are Singing,' premiered. Tickets for the Rosemary Clooney Music Festival are still available by contacting Duff Giffen at 606-564-9419, ext. 322.
Flack to Headline Rosemary Clooney Music Festival By: REBECCA BUSH, Staff Writer, Submitted: 6/2/2004 Grammy Award winning singer Roberta Flack will headline the sixth annual Rosemary Clooney Music Festival, organizers announced Tuesday. Flack, whose hit songs include 'Killing Me Softly' and 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,' has agreed to perform during the Sept. 25 event to benefit the Rescue the Russell foundation. 'We wanted someone with a relationship to Rosemary,' explained festival producer Jerry Lundergan. 'Mrs. Flack is excited to perform on the streets of her friend Rosemary.' She has even requested to stay in Maysville during the festival weekend, Lundergan said. Flack, like Clooney, comes from a family where music was used as an outlet for self-expression and entertainment. 'It was important to feature a woman with a similar background to Rosemary,' Lundergan explained. Flack will perform a compilation of her own songs as well as several Rosemary Clooney favorites. Repeat performer 2000 Miss America Heather French Henry will also offer musical entertainment during the festival. The Rosemary Clooney Music Festival was established in 1999 to benefit the Russell Theatre where Clooney's movie 'The Stars are Singing' premiered in 1953. After her death in 2002, Rosemary's family promised to keep her dream alive, and for the 2002 event held a 'tribute' to the late star. The festival has boasted such performers as Linda Ronstadt, Michael Feinstein, Debby Boone, Alison Krauss, the Big Kahuna and the Copa Cat Pack and the entire Clooney family. In the past, the city of Maysville has taken responsibility for much of the organization of the festival. In order to assist the city, Lundy's Special Events of Lexington now provides production, management, and operation of the event. The Lundy Group has produced the event for the last five years. The Rescue the Russell restoration project has been named as the official ambassador of the event. Donations and funds raised during previous Rosemary Clooney Music Festivals have allowed for restoration of the marquee, removal of hazardous material, new roof and doors and the restoration of the segregated stairway. The proceeds from this year's festival will help begin work on Phase II of the restoration which calls for plumbing and heating and electric, all of which must be installed before plastering can begin. This phase of the project will require approximately $300,000 in raised funds or state grants, Lundergan said. 'Each year is a year closer to making our dream come true of restoring the Russell Theatre,' Maysville Mayor David Cartmell said during the press conference. With Flack headlining, organizers are optimistic that this is indeed the case. 'This year's festival will be the best ever,' Lundergan said. As in previous years, guests will dine beneath the stars and lights of the Russell Theatre. Tickets are now available on a first come, first served basis by calling Duff Giffen at 606-564-9419, ext. 322.
GET YOUR "First Annual Rosemary Clooney Music Festival" COLLECTIBLES HERE
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