This Saturday we play at the Cleveland Arcade.  It's a first for me.  Looking forward to getting up close to a Cleveland landmark built in the 1800's.

The Arcade in Cleveland, Ohio was built in 1890 and designed by John Eisenmann. The construction was financed by John D. Rockefeller, Marcus Hanna and several other wealthy Clevelanders of the day. The cost of the project was approximately $875,000 - today it would be impossible to replicate. The inspiration of the project is said to be the Vittorio Emanuele in Milan, Italy. Although pedestrian arcades exist in several North American cities, few - if any, compare to the grandeur of the Arcade in Cleveland.

The Arcade was the first building in Cleveland to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The structure features a 5 story high atrium with extensive metal decorative work. The top floor features gargoyles which circle the entire atrium area. The structure includes the famous skylighted atrium as well as two 9-story towers, one each on Euclid Avenue and Superior Avenue.

...and it was GOOD 

We spent our evening Saturday playing for a large number of Oberlin College students that all had at least one thing in common....SWING. 

My SAX partner commented and I agree, that this group represents our future generation.  Based on what I saw, swing dance is alive and well.

The Oberlin Swing Society sponsored this event.  They started the evening with a lesson for those that might have been a little unsure of themselves.  But from the time the lesson was over until we played our last tune, they danced non stop. 

Actually, there was one number that stopped everyone, Little Darlin.  This is a very slow number that caught everyone off guard.  They all just stopped and watch as a group of 3 did an Impressionistic Ballet.  Very interesting. 

But once that was over, Swing, Swing and more Swing.  Even during the breaks, they had a PC programmed with more swing playing over the PA. 

I almost had a heart attach watching all of that energy.

Background on the 103rd Rediment of the Ohio Volunteer Infantry

In August of 1862, local citizens from Cuyahoga, Lorain and Medina Counties volunteered to help preserve the Union.  Approximately 1,078 officers and soldiers made up the 103rd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. 

After the war our veterans began having reunions in the 3 counties they came from.  In 1888 the reunions Officially Organized to put on the activities and the reunions turned into week long events, or what we now affectionately call "CAMPWEEK".  These reunions have continued since 1888 with out break.  A record that no other organization can claim! 

In 1907 the regiment incorporated and purchased land in Sheffield Lake, Ohio for the permanent headquarters.  This land was purchased so that long after the veterans were gone, their Sons & Daughters would have a place to return to every year to honor their ancestors. 

The first reunion was held at the new camp grounds in 1908 and the photo below was taken of the veterans who attended.  Starting with tents, the grounds have changed over the years.  Permanent buildings such as a Mess Hall, Dance hall, and Barracks have been built.  Individual cottages for the families have also been built. 

Membership is open to anyone who can prove a lineal descent from any of the soldiers of the 103rd O.V.I. 

SUMMER 2005 SUNSET CONCERT SERIES

Hope to see you there.

Glen, we'll miss you.  I found out today you will no longer be sitting in the Swing City Big Band sax section.  Why did you walk?  We had a good thing going.   

I didn't see all of you at Brendans last night.  You should have been there.  We were HOT 

John is an outstanding vocalist.  When he sang, the crowd always went wild.  I did a couple of solos on the flute.  The first was with John during "Moon Dance".  This is a new number for us.  The second solo was during a blues number, "Baby Drives a Fast Car"...  I had been passed over for a couple of solos.  So when this one came up, I blew my ass off.  The crowd went wild.  It was sweet.