Bells for Peace Benefit Concert
Building a
Century of
Progress
Dawn of a New Day: World's Fair Songs of the 1930s
Featuring the Retropolitans
Postponed due to illnesses in performers' families
We are sorry to report that two performers have recently had illness in their families. Due to this, we are postponing the performance. We will contact anyone who bought tickets about refunds.
Written for the 1939-40 New York "World of Tomorrow" World's Fair, the optimistic, better days lie ahead, tone of "Dawn of a New Day" could easily be applied to any of America's world's fairs of the 1930s. Each of the fairs focused on the bright future ahead for the United States.
Now, 70 years later, the "World of Tomorrow" looks bleak for the Belgian Friendship Pavilion from that New York fair. Relocated to the campus of Virginia Union University in Richmond, Virginia, in 1941, it's exterior is decaying and in dire need of restoration. In addition, it is missing the 35-bell carillon that greeted visitors to the world's fair. Bells for Peace, Inc., a nonprofit organization raising funds for the restoration and purchase of replacement bells, looks toward the future and the "Dawn of a New Day" when bells will again peal from the pavilion's long empty bell tower.
Through this concert and fundraising campaign, the Art Deco Society of Washington hopes to ensure that there is, indeed, a bright future ahead for one of only two remaining buildings from the 1939 New York World's Fair.
Additional information on the Belgian Friendship Pavilion, the role of music at the world's fairs, and the Retropolitans is contained in the Guide to Washington's World's Fair Weekend.
If you are unable to attend the concert, please fill out the form on page 31 of the Guide and mail your donation to the Art Deco Society so that it can be presented to Bells for Peace at the concert.
Order Tickets
Ticket sales have closed.
Join ADSW and pay the discounted member's price for your tickets at most events. ADSW members enjoy many benefits. Membership costs $35 for singles or $50 for couples.
Directions
The Charles Sumner School is a beautifully restored historic building located at 1201 17th St., N.W., next to the National Geographic Explorers Hall.
- Map: from Google Maps, from Yahoo Maps, from MapQuest
- Metro: .25 miles from Farragut North on the Red Line, .35 miles from Farragut West on the Blue and Orange Lines.
- Parking: Some on-street parking is available after 6:30 pm; there are also several public garages in the area.
- Dining: There are a number of restaurants and hotels with bars and restaurants located nearby.
For More Information
For further information, contact Jim Linz at jlinz@adsw.org or 703-568-3745.
Comments
Created August 1, 2010; Modified Thursday, September 23, 2010.