History Notes- - Waseca County Historical Society

Chautauqua: Saturday, July 5, 2008
T he music we scheduled for Chautauqua this year is truly
rooted in America, representing a time in our history
when immigrants were arriving in droves. Finding their way
through unknown terrain to unknown destinations was stressful
and dangerous. One of the few comforts to be found came in
the form of music.
The “Sacred Harp or Shape Note
Singing” is the oldest form of
American music that continues today.
It came about when people of many
cultures gathered in make-shift
churches. Language was a barrier
between the different groups. The use
of shapes for notes led to what we
know today as Shape Note Singing.
“Helen & Karen” bring us the songs
of the Carter Family. A.P. Carter
settled in the hill country of Virginia.
Their music paints pictures of earlier times—times many of our
visitors may find familiar and a younger audience will find intriguing.
The “House of Mercy Band” returns to Chautauqua.
This rich mix of performers have played in numerous ensembles
over the years. On Saturday they will be performing traditional
songs with interesting twists that are unique to this talented
troupe. Amy Roemhildt performs her interpretation of
early American music as she moves around the site as a traveling
minstrel. Her husband in real life, Scott Roemhildt, returns
as “Asa Mercer.” Asa showed up last year to “recruit women
west” to the mining territories, gathering brides for the miners.
He returns with the signed contracts to “collect the women.”
You may know Scott from his involvement with the Rendezvous
event—he also teaches at MSU. New this year is Tracy
Tolzmann as “Professor Tolzmann’s Mechanical Music Menagerie”.
Actress, Maria Asp will conduct the Kids-Theaterin-the-Woods.
Returning to Chautauqua are “Magic Zack”
with new tricks, fiddler—Al Miller, and naturalist Al Batt, and
the last in the Muse at Maplewood series, “Scouting For
Camp Legends”. There’s entertainment for the whole family—
funded by a Sesquicentennial grant, Sue Warner will have her
“Greetings from Minnesota” project on display and anyone
can join in to work on an image for this giant mosaic. The finished
mosaic will be displayed at the Minnesota State Fair in
September. New this year “Java Live” from Faribault offering
espresso and other fine coffee concoctions. Out to Lunch will
be selling $1 hot dogs, and we’ll be selling popcorn, and root
beer. Events will begin at 11 a.m. and go all day until 4 p.m.
Remember, admission is just five cents, or free if you ride up
on your bike! See you all there!
—Joan Mooney, Co-Director
3
This
program is
made
possible by a
grant from
Prairie Lakes
Regional Arts
Council with
funds appropriated
by the
MN State
Legislature,
and from the
E.F. Johnson
Foundation.