Passport to Manchester: Manchester's Village Green and 19th Century History

215 West Main Street,Manchester MI 48158

10 July, 2021

Description

Manchester's Village Green and 19th Century History Manchester founder John Gilbert had a vision for a green at the center of the village that would serve as a center for communal activities and celebrations. This four hour event will include presentations on Gilbert’s vision and how the village green was preserved, followed by a walking tour around the green with discussion on the importance and significance of the surrounding churches and historic homes to the history of Manchester. This event will also feature a Gazebo Concert with historic music from the 19th Century-inspired Dodworth Saxhorn Band. This event is sponsored in part by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, the Michigan Humanities Council, the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, the Arts Midwest US Resiliency Fund and Creative Washtenaw. The Dodworth Saxhorn Band (DSB), headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, is America's Premier 19th Century Brass Band. Presenting performances in the context of the social and political issues of the time, the DSB recreates the music and atmosphere of a 19th Century community brass band. In keeping with its living history origins, the DSB uses only brass and percussion instruments that were built in the 1800s. The antique horns are conical-bore instruments commonly called “saxhorns”. These handmade saxhorns are pitched higher than modern 21st Century brass instruments and produce a uniquely mellow tone. This class of brass instruments was invented in the early 1800s by Belgian instrument maker, Adolph Sax. The band performs 19th century music including compositions and arrangements from the Smithsonian Institute, the Library of Congress, private collections and university libraries as well as a few new arrangements by musicologists who are experts in 19th Century brass band style and instrumentation. Our library contains over 420 arrangements. The Dodworth Saxhorn Band appears by arrangement with Great Lakes Performing Artist Associates. greatlakespaa.org Riverfolk's mission is to engage the community in music and arts experiences, which nurture creativity and promote cultural diversity.  The Riverfolk Music & Arts Organization exempt from Federal income tax under section 501c(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.