- 1
- 2
- next
- | single page
|
At the Civil War Gala in 2010, Elena Smith of Pittsburgh wears a stunning "Gone with the Wind" dress (like that worn by Scarlett O'Hara in the barbecue scene) for her evening attire, while a caller from the Victorian Dance Ensemble shows his chivalry. Many women sew their dresses for this event every year but Smith rented hers. The 2011 gala was canceled because of weather. Tickets are on sale now for the 5th annual Civil War Gala set for 7:30 p.m. Nov. 3 at Friedens Lutheran Fellowship Hall by calling 814-395-3200. (Photo by Sandra Lepley / October 10, 2012) |
The 5th annual Civil War Gala has been set from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Nov. 3 at the Friedens Lutheran Fellowship Hall.
Last year's gala was canceled because of a snow storm that hit the area but this year, organizers are once again planning for an evening filled with entertainment and dancing in a new venue. The gala has been held in Berlin since the beginning in 2007 but this year's event will be held in Friedens.
The Victorian Dance Ensemble will be featured again as the instructors and callers for the gala. This group has performed for the Smithsonian Institute, the National Park Service, the National Civil War Museum and the National Theater in Washington, D.C. as well as several other prestigious sites.
The group was founded in 1995 as a performing troupe of the Civil War Dance Foundation, performing at various venues by carefully teaching the dances of the Civil War Era.
Music will then be performed by Smash the Windows with Bruce Young on fiddle and Peg Shutes on piano.
"We are very honored to have such well-known groups," said Christine Sechler of Confluence, who along with her husband, Everett, re-enacts with the 142nd Pa. Volunteer Infantry Co. F. "No one needs to worry about their dance skills because the callers will be clear about their instructions to make sure everyone understands the dance steps."
Sechler, along with Becky Andrews of Springs Church in Armstrong County, and Robin Cordek and Katie Cordek of Davidsville area are coordinators for this year's event.
Mt. Union Church Camp No. 502 of the Sons of the Union Veterans, Somerset Trust Co., Berlin Area Historical Society and Old Petersburg-Addison Historical Center are sponsoring the event.
The original idea for the Civil War Gala came about after July 2006, when a Civil War wedding was held at the Mount Union Church near New Lexington. With more than 400 people attending, it was a well-received event. At the wedding, there were horse-drawn carriages, ladies in hoop skirts, Civil War soldiers with muskets and sabers, American flags with 35 stars and even a wedding hymn sung in Shape Note singing style.
Because the Civil War wedding went over so well, the idea was conceived to host a Civil War Gala dancing event as an educational and fun-filled evening.
