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Library Lecture Series 2010 - 2011

The Library Lecture Series was conceived by Library Director Hedi BenAicha in Fall, 2008, and has continued to bring bright minds and interesting topics to the college community.

Presenter Bio:

Dr. Steven Kane

Dr. Steven Kane is a Pastoral Counselor/Therapist, and a Professor of Anthropology at both Rhode Island College and URI.  

Lecture Information

The Home of Happy Feet: A Musical Tribute to Harlem’s Savoy Ballroom

February 28, 2011

Fortes Room (room 409)

 

“Music has been central to my life since early childhood,” he explained, “Aunt Rosie opened the Roseland Ballroom in Taunton, Massachusetts”, so his appreciation of music began at a very young age. 

Kane’s comments about the history of the Savoy Ballroom and the musicians and bands that played there were interspersed with samples of musical tracks from the greats; Chick Webb, Ella Fitzgerald, The Jimmie Lunceford Band, The Savoy Sultans, and the great Duke Ellington’s orchestra.  The audience of jazz lovers, from students and faculty to administrators, began to accompany the music with toe tapping which soon spread to their fingers, knees, and shoulders and before long the room was moving to the beat that the Lindy Hoppers danced to more than 50 years ago.  As promised, it was a toe-tapping experience!

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