We always enjoy a good fundraiser! This was was the 30th St. Frances Cabrini School Fundraising Auction. The setting: The Chandelier Ballroom in Hartford. First off, this particular room has a really cool history:
1920
Originally built as an Eagles clubhouse and park, the eleven-acre parcel was acquired by the Schwartz Brewing Co., during prohibition. The owners of the park were members of the Joseph Schwartz family.
The park was formerly owned by Peter Schwartz and A.A. Hauser, the latter having sold his interest to the Schwartz family.
In 1919, the Schwartz Brewery Company bought the Eagles Park and began leasing it and its recreational facilities to the Kissel Mutual Association in 1920.
1928
The Massive Art Deco ballroom was added in 1928 at a cost of $150,000.
The ballroom opened on October 20, 1928 with Harold Austin and his New Yorkers. Norbert S. Remmel the son of Joseph P. Remmel and Mary (Schwartz) Remmel was the first manager of the ballroom.
The largest dance hall in the area built to accommodate 3,000 dancers, the Schwartz Ballroom, was advertised as ‘The State’s Most Beautiful Ballroom.’
The Schwartz hosted regular dances every Saturday and Sunday evening featuring the best modern dance orchestras. The Schwartz also advertised ‘excellent lunches and fountain service,’ including their specialty chicken and steak dinners served in a ‘delightful dining room.’
The Schwartz admission price for most entertainment in those days was 25 cents for ladies and 75 cents for gentlemen. Sunday matinee dances lasted from 2:30pm-5:00pm and admission was 15 cents for ladies and 50 cents for gentlemen.
CHECK OUT THIS MENU! 10 Cents bought you a bottle of Schwartz Beer!
This place also served at a POW Camp during WWII. Check out the link for more history. It is a VERY interesting read:
https://www.chandelierballroom.com/history/
All in all, the show was successful in the fundraising sense. The theme was “Don't Stop Believing”. Well with that said, we were believing we were a LITTLE rusty after the taking most of the winter off, but nothing that we would lose sleep over. We enjoyed the atmosphere and even more so, the people that joined us up front. We loved the enthusiasm and participation! Believed, we did! ;)
Thank you to Stacy and her crew for putting on such a wonderful event. We were happy to be a part of it! You gals ROCK! And to all that donated, sponsored and gave to the cause, kudos to your generosity. We hear this event was a huge success! Bless you all!
Facebook photos of the show:
VIDEO RECAP OF THE SHOW - Coming Soon!
Video/Photography: Amanda Trash of Trash Photography
Sound/Production: Breezy Point Sound & Lights Co.
Lights: Jamie Masche
Merchandise: Karen
Stage Techs: Jamie, Marty & Karen
SETLIST:
- Don't Stop Believing - Journey
- Animal - Def Leppard
- Talk Dirty To Me - Poison
- Here I Go Again - Whitesnake
- Love In An Elevator - Aerosmith
- You Give Love A Bad Name - Bon Jovi
- The Stroke - Billy Sqiuer
- Danger Zone - Kenny Loggins
- The Final Countdown - Europe
- Dance The Night Away - Van Halen
- Rebel Yell - Billy Idol
- Rag Doll - Aerosmith
- Rock Of Ages - Def Leppard
- Movie Medley - Various
- Panama - Van Halen
- Jump - Van Halen
- The Flame - Cheap Trick
- Boys Of Summer - The Ataris
- Separate Ways - Journey
- Living On A Prayer - Bon Jovi
- Pour Some Sugar On Me - Def Leppard
- Ballad Medley - Various
- We're Not Gonna Take It - Twisted Sister
- Money Talks - AC/DC
- Fat Bottom Girls - Queen
- Living In Paradise - David Lee Roth
- Fallen Angel - Poison
- Armageddon - Def Leppard
- Still Of The Night - Whitesnake
- Home Sweet Home - Motley Crue
- Pop Medley - Various
- Metallica Medley
- Crazy Train - Ozzy Osbourne
- Don't Stop Believing (AGAIN) - Journey