An American Legend:

A Salute to George M. Cohan

Sunday, June 12, 2011

A special Flag Day Event that will honor a Patriot, Son of Providence and

Father of the American Musical Theatre.

Location: Conley's Wharf, Fabre Line Club, 200 Allens Avenue, Providence.

Time: 1:00 pm.

Donation: $75 and incudes a light lunch, multi-media presentation, musical entertainment, silent auction and cash bar.

To reserve tickets, call the RIIFF offices at 401/861.4445. or click on the link below:

All contributions will go to complete the funding of the George M. Cohan public sculpture on Wickenden & Governor streets in Providence, designed by artist Robert Shure. All contributions are tax deductible as allowed by law.

This event is under the auspices of The George M. Cohan Committee, The Rhode Island International Film Festival, The Providence Department of Art, Culture and Tourism, The Heritage Harbor Museum (RI Heritage Hall of Fame), The RI Publications Society, d.b.a The Fabre Line Club, and Representatives of Rhode Island Irish-American Community Organizations.

TO RESERVE YOUR TICKETS, PLEASE CALL US AT 401.861.4445

(PROVIDENCE, RI • June 3, 2011) • Sy and Judi Dill, a retired transplanted New York couple saw something missing when they moved to the City of Providence several years ago: there was nothing that recognized one of the region’s most notable native sons, George M. Cohan. They took it upon themselves to remedy the situation. Two years ago, a statue of George M. Cohan was unveiled in the newly named George M. Cohan Plaza on Wickenden Street in Providence, near the performer's first home, commemorating his 1878 birth in Providence.

As the multitalented musical theater producer, performer and songwriter, who gave the world "You're a Grand Old Flag," "Over There" and "Give My Regards to Broadway," George M. Cohen made his mark in New York City. But Providence, Rhode Island was the place of Cohan's birth. Thanks to the Dill’s vision, and this beautiful new statue, the world now knows that one of the world's most famous songwriters is a Rhode Islander.

The Dill’s are now working to raise funds to pay the sculptor for his work and to continue with programming that will salute Rhode Island’s native-son, George M. Cohan, on a yearly basis. They have partnered with Flickers: Rhode Island International Film Festival to produce fundraising programs and to present the annual George M. Cohan Award to an industry professional with Rhode Island roots at this year’s Festival in August.

Their first collaborative event will take place, appropriately, on Flag Day, Sunday, June 12th. This Salute to George M. Cohan will kick off at 1:00 p.m. at Conley's Wharf, Fabre Line Club, 200 Allens Avenue, Providence. Tickets are $75 and include a light lunch, multi-media presentation, musical entertainment, silent auction and cash bar.

About the statue: The statue is located in the newly named George M. Cohen Square which is located on Wickendon Street in the heart of historic Fox Point. During Cohan's era, the multi-family homes in Fox Point housed Irish immigrants, many of them crammed into cold-water flats. The bronze statue, from waist up, depicts Cohan with a Derby in his raised hand and an expression that looks like he's ready to sing. Renowned sculptor Robert Shure created the likeness that rests on a granite base. Shure also created the Irish Famine Memorial in Providence.

THE SIGNIFCANCE OF GEORGE M. COHAN

George M. Cohan's impact on both the American musical theater and the popular song is immeasurable. He grew up onstage as a part of the popular Irish-American family vaudeville group, the Four Cohans and by 1904, began to take Broadway by storm as the singing and dancing star, as well as principal songwriter and co-producer of numerous innovative hit musicals, beginning with Little Johnny Jones. That show featured both "Give My Regards to Broadway" and the "The Yankee Doodle Boy," which contains the memorable phrase, "a real live nephew of my Uncle Sam's, born on the Fourth of July." Many more hit shows followed, including Forty-five Minutes from Broadway (1905), George Washington, Jr. (1906), The Talk of New York and many more. Among the timeless standards these shows featured were "Harrigan," "You're a Grand Old Flag" and "Mary's a Grand Old Name." His country's involvement in World War I spurred Cohan to write his anthemic patriotic classic, "Over There."

Cohan was one of the most prolific songwriters of his time, penning more than 500 songs — some still popular 55 years after his death — and awarded a special medal by President Franklin Roosevelt for his wartime songs,

"Ladies and gentlemen, my mother thanks you, my father thanks you, my sister thanks you, and I thank you," was George M. Cohan's signature farewell when "The Four Cohans" exited a stage. The early-1900s, Irish-American vaudeville performers lived out of suitcases as they traveled across the country and gained success. George, however, went on to become a renowned entertainer, playwright, composer, lyricist, actor, singer, director and producer. He was heralded as "The Man Who Owns Broadway" and known as the father of the American musical comedy.

This event is under the auspices of The George M. Cohan Committee, FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film Festival, The Providence Department of Art, Culture and Tourism, The Heritage Harbor Museum (RI Heritage Hall of Fame), The RI Publications Society, d.b.a The Fabre Line Club, and Representatives of Rhode Island Irish-American Community Organizations.

All contributions will be used to complete the funding of the George M. Cohan public sculpture on Wickenden & Governor streets in Providence, designed by artist Robert Shure. All contributions are tax deductible as allowed by law.

Silent Auction Items:

• FRAMED PENCIL SKETCH OF GMC BY NYC ARTIST, ED ADLER

• “ALL THAT JAZZ” - COMBO OF DINNER FOR TWO AT ASIAN BISTRO AND SIDEBAR JAZZ CLUB

• SELECTION OF EVENTS, TOURS, CONCERTS FROM RHODE ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY

• SELECTION OF HISTORY BOOKS WRITTEN BY DR. PATRICK CONLEY

• DINNER FOR TWO AT CAV RESTAURANT

• TICKETS FOR TWO FOR A (2011-2012) PERFORMANCE AT THE GAMM THEATRE

• CELEBRITY JEWELRY DESIGNED BY STEVE SASCO

• JEWELRY DESIGNED BY “BUSYBEADER” MARILYN KAGAN.

• GIFT BASKET FROM EASTSIDE MARKET

• PACKAGE FR0M BOSTON SPORTS CLUB

• PERIOD ANTIQUE FROM RHODE ISLAND ANTIQUES MALL

• GIFT CERTIFICATE FOR A YEAR’S WORTH OF COFFEE - COFFEE EXCHANGE

• TWO TICKETS FOR A (2011 - 2012) PERFORMANCE AT TRINITY REPERTORY THEATRE

• COLLECTIBLES FROM “CURIOSITIES”

• GIFT CERTIFICATE FOR “DUCK & BUNNY” RESTAURANT

• Package from RISD Museum

• Al Forno-5 free meals with Mayor Taveras

• Coffee Xchange-large coffee supply.