Festival News
2014 Festival Scheduled for April
In 2014 the Les Brown Big Band Festival moves to a new month: April. Originally set in March because of Les' birthday, the festival committee decided to move the festival from March to April because of college spring breaks and the possibility of bad weather.
Sentimental Journey Turns 70
Written in 1944, Sentimenatl Journey, the Band of Renown's biggest hit turns 70 years old in 2014. To celebrate this milestone, next year's festival theme will be "A 70 Year Sentimental Journey."
Reinerton: The Town of Renown
For years we have called Reinerton, the town of renown. Last October the Reinerton township supervisors voted and agreed on adopting it as the town's official slogan. It was announced at the 2013 festival to the public and the Brown family as they were assembled on the stage. Two signs will be posted on Route 209, one as you enter Reinerton from the east and the other from the west.
Festival Newsletter
This year there will be a festival newsletter that can be received electronically or by US postal service. If you haven't signed up for it, you can do so by sending a message to: lbrownfest@gmail.com
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Announcing the 2014 Les Brown Big Band Weekend:
70 Years of Sentimental Journey
Friday, April
The Les Brown Dance
Kevin's Place
105 Main Street, Lykens, PA
(717) 453-7181
Start the evening off right at 5:30 for a buffet dinner at Kevin's Place. Then at 7:30 pm, two hours of dancing to the music of the big band era by After Hours, the valley's big band. Dance admission is $10.00 per person. The optional buffet is available for an additional $20.00 per person.
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After Hours Big Band
Saturday, April
The Les Brown Festival
Williams Valley High School
10300 Route 209, Tower City, PA
(717) 228-8513
email: lbrownfest@gmail.com
The doors open at 11:30am for the celebration of the music of Les Brown from noon until 6:30pm. Admission: $8.00/adult, children & students (through college with ID) are free. Food available throughout the day.
With special guests:
Les Brown Jr.
Leader of the Band of Renown and host of The Music of Your Life radio network
Jeff "Swampy" Marsh
Grandson of Les Sr. and co-creator of Disney's Phineas & Ferb
TBA: Festival Master of Ceremony
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Featured bands:
TBA: Central PA Big Band
TBA: Central PA College Jazz Band
Williams Valley "Cool Blue" Jazz Band
Pine Grove Cardinals Middle School Jazz Band
Williams Valley Elementary Rainbow Jazz
The Town of Renown Alumni Jazz Band
2014 Festival Schedule
12:00-12:10 Welcome
12:10-12:30 W.V. Elementary Jazz
12:30-12:45 Interview: Les Brown Jr.
12:45-1:15 Pine Grove Middle School Cardinal Jazz Band
1:15-1:30 Special presentation
1:30-2:15 Williams Valley Cool Blue
2:15-3:00 Manhattan Dolls
3:00-3:45 Elizabethtown College Jazz Band/ Pine Grove in food court
3:45-4:15 Town of Renown Alumni Jazz Band in food court
4:15-5:00 Big Band
5:00-5:45 Manhattan Dolls
5:45-6:30 Big Band
6:00-6:30 Workshop/talk with Swampy Marsh
6:00
Sunday, April
Les Brown Church Service
A non-denominational service attended by many of Les' relatives, friends and fans.
Directions to Tower City
From Harrisburg International Airport:
Take I-283N; exit 51B to I-81N for 36 mi.; exit 107 to US-209S for 6 mi. (W.V. High School). Continue 7 mi. to the west end of Lykens for Kevin's Place.
From northern PA:
Take I-81S to exit 107: US-209S. Continue to Tower City
From Lancaster:
Take US-72N to I-81N; exith 107 to US-209S to Tower City
Lodging
Pine Grove, PA:
Hampton Inn, 481 Suedberg Road 800 741 5072
Comfort Inn, 433 Suedberg Road 570 345 8031
Econo Lodge, 419 Suedberg Road 570 345 4099
Jonestown, PA:
Hampton Inn, 255 Bow Creek Road 800 741 5072
Days Inn, 252 Bow Creek Road 800 741 5072
For more festival information
email lbrownfest@gmail.com
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