Big band music to fill Seward armory again

Posted

There was a time when the Seward Armory was the place to be for receptions and dances in the community.

From 6 to 10 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 21, the excitement will return with a big band concert and dance at the Nebraska National Guard Museum.

The event is a chance to raise funds and awareness for the Cornrow to Hedgerow 4D Experience exhibit that is being designed and installed for a July 4, 2019, dedication. The exhibit is the cornerstone of the World War II display about Nebraska’s role in the conflict.

The evening will feature dance music from the 1937 Philco radio on the main floor before and after the Concordia University Jazz Ensemble performs. The band is directed by Dr. Andrew Schultz and they play swing pieces from the 1930s and 1940s.

The night is a free will offering at the door (suggested ticket price is $10 or more per person) with all proceeds going to the display. Bottle Rocket Brewing will host a family friendly cash bar (no alcohol) featuring root beer floats and sodas.

A sneak peak at the mockup of the Cornrow to Hedgerow 4D Experience exhibit will be set up in the room.

The exhibit is based on the Keith Rocco painting of the Nebraskans fighting in the area north of St. Lo, France, in July, 1944. The exhibit will feature the 12 soldiers in positions along a trail with a Jeep.

Patrons will be able to walk along the trail and into the painting. The Nebraska National Guard’s famed 134th Infantry Regiment lost 51 Nebraskans fighting for the liberation of the city. Patrons will experience life in a tactical operation center, where they will be giving an operations order to attack Hill 122 and secure the city.

When they exit the hedgerow and enter the Victory Room, they will see the life-sized painting that they just walked through and the road to the Elbe River wall with towns and gold stars that indicate all those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

The display is being designed and installed by Hartman Historical Services in collaboration with the NENG. The display will be dedicated on July 4, 2019, for the 75th anniversary of the liberation of St. Lo.