2017 marks the 100th anniversary of the US entry into World War I. The Honeoye Falls/Mendon Historical Society has a number of activities planned to recognize the anniversary. The Society’s latest display in the Mendon Town Hall has a WW I theme. A special display planned for the museum prior to the Festival-on-the-Green weekend in June and a second display in the Mendon Town Hall case will follow.
The March 2, 2017 meeting of the Honeoye Falls / Mendon Historical Society will feature Michael Lasser. Lasser will present a program entitled “The Songs of World War I” and subtitled “The Yanks are Coming (Eventually). Hearing America Change, 1914 – 1919.”
The songs of the First World War reflect the attitudes, values and beliefs of their time, especially since it was our most musical war. They trace the dramatic changes in American attitudes from “I Didn’t Raise My Boy To Be a Soldier” in 1914 to “Over There” in 1917 to “How Ya Gonna Keep ‘Em Down on the Farm” in 1919.
Lasser is a lecturer, writer, broadcaster and critic. He is the co-author of American Songs: The Stories behind the Songs of Broadway, Hollywood and Tin Pan Alley and the author of America’s Songs II: From the 1890’s to the Post War Years. His nationally syndicated public radio show, Fascinatin’ Rhythm, has been on the air since 1980 and won a 1994 Peabody Award. A graduate of Dartmouth College, he is the former theater critic for the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle and CITY Newspaper, and speaks often at museums and universities around the country. In 2010, he was named a Thomas P. Johnson Distinguished Visiting Scholar at Rollins College. He is completing his third book, City Songs: The American Popular Song, 1900 – 1950.
Lasser will have copies of his books available for purchase and signing following the meeting.
The meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 2nd at the Mendon Community Center, 167 North Main Street, Honeoye Falls. This facility is handicapped accessible. The meeting is open to the public. For information call 624-5655.
