Concert at Fitchburg Historical Society on Thursday, October 26 will Feature Songs from the Gaslight Era

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Looking Back to Popular Music of 100 Years Ago

The Fitchburg Historical Society invites the public to a free concert of “Songs from the Gaslight Era”, presented by professional singer and keyboardist John Root on Thursday, October 26, starting at 6:30 p.m. John Root is based in Amherst and has performed these lyrical and historical songs all over New England. He will be performing for free on October 26th, at the Fitchburg Historical Society, located in the Phoenix Building at 781 Main Street.

One hundred years ago, the first World War was raging, and young people sang along to music with lyrics about “moon, June and spoon.” These popular songs were the basis of the famous musical genre known as the American Songbook. John Root has researched this musical period as part of his career as a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist.

John Root is the Founder and Lead arranger for the Swingtime Quartet, the Pioneer Valley Jazz Society and the Pioneer Valley Jazz Society Big Band, who are known for their jazz and swing concerts across Western Massachusetts. Root is a graduate of Oberlin College and has taught science in addition to teaching piano and woodwinds in Springfield, Northampton and Deerfield. This concert will be appropriate for adults and children 11 years old and up.

The Fitchburg Historical Society has been welcoming the public to learn more about local history for 125 years. The Fitchburg Historical Society is located at 781 Main Street, Fitchburg in the historic Phoenix building. There is abundant on-street parking near the Historical Society and free parking behind the building. The building is handicapped accessible. The concert is free, though donations will be accepted. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Fitchburg Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

For more information on the concert, upcoming Fitchburg history programs or local history research, call 978-345-1157, email welcome (at) fitchburghistoricalsociety.com, visit www.fitchburghistoricalsociety.org or https://www.facebook.com/FitchburgHistoricalSociety.