A Fine Romance Jewish Songwriters Exhibit on View at the Main Library January 13 February 23

January 3, 2012

“A Fine Romance” Jewish Songwriters Exhibit at the Main Library, Jan. 13-Feb. 23

Using images from Broadway musicals, classic films, and personal collections, “A Fine Romance: Jewish Songwriters, American Songs, 1910–1965,” on view at the Main Library (800 Vine St., 513-369-6900), January 13-February 23, tells the story of Jewish artists who created songs of wit, sophistication, and optimism through America’s ups and downs during the 20th century.

The sky was the limit for talented young people with big imaginations—young people such as Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein, and George Gershwin. Their witty and romantic songs—“Body and Soul,” “Over the Rainbow,” “Thou Swell,” “That Old Black Magic,” “It Had to Be You”—became beloved classics that remain enduring elements of American popular culture.

The Library is also sponsoring a number of free programs at the Main Library in connection with the exhibit. See below for details.

PHOTO CREDITS: Poster for Swing Time. Courtesy of RKO Radio Pictures Inc./Photofest ©RKO Radio Pictures Inc. Photographer: John Miehle

A Fine Romance: Jewish Songwriters, American Songs, 1910–1965 was developed by Nextbook, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Jewish literature, culture, and ideas, and the American Library Association Public Programs Office. The national tour of the exhibit has been made possible by grants from the Charles H. Revson Foundation, the Righteous Persons Foundation, the David Berg Foundation, and an anonymous donor, with additional support from Tablet Magazine: A New Read on Jewish Life.

Save-the-Date for These Free Programs Celebrating “A Fine Romance” at the Main Library.

All programs will take place in the Main Library’s Reading Garden Lounge and are sponsored by the Friends of the Public Library.

Sunday, January 15, 2:00 p.m.

University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music Preparatory Department will present a concert to celebrate the exhibit opening.

Sunday, January 29, 2:00 p.m.

The Cincinnati Klezmer Project will perform Eastern European Klezmer, Jewish, and Yiddish music.

Fridays, February 3 & 10, Noon

Join pianist Della Enns for a lunchtime concert of music by the composers featured in the exhibit.

Sunday, February 12, 2:00 p.m.

Rabbi Kenneth Kanter of Hebrew Union College will discuss the Jews of Tin Pan Alley.

Saturday, February 18, 2:00 p.m.

Samba Jazz Syndicate will perform a combination of jazz standards and Brazilian music.