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Katonah, NY ~ April 18, 2005
Katonah, NY - Caramoor's House Museum celebrates its upcoming special exhibition If These Walls Could Talk: 17th, 18th and 19th Century Wall Decorations at Caramoor with a swinging preview party on Friday, May 13, 2005 from 7:30 to 11:30 pm.
An Evening of Swing features Ed Polcer, one of the most sought-after musicians in jazz, recreating "The Magic of Swing Street," the jammin' jazz sounds of New York's 52nd Street and the legendary clubs that played host to Count Basie, Louis Prima, Dizzy Gillespie and so many others.
In addition to toe-tapping music the evening includes hors d'oeuvres, dinner, dancing, a silent as well as a live auction offering such items as a week in a flat in Central London, a skiing weekend in Vermont, beautiful jewelry, great restaurants and much more. Michael Barrett, Caramoor's Chief Executive and General Director will be the Master of Ceremonies.
An Evening of Swing will honor long-time Caramoor Board of Trustees member Betsy Atkins, of Bedford, NY, who began her association with Caramoor many years ago as a docent at the House Museum. Mrs. Atkins is also founder and chairperson of Caramoor's Garden Guild, a group dedicated to restoring, beautifying, and maintaining the 100 acres of gardens and grounds at Caramoor.
Proceeds from An Evening of Swing will benefit the House Museum. Tickets are priced at $135.
Opening to the public on Saturday, May 14 and continuing through Saturday, December 17, 2005, the special exhibition If These Walls Could Talk: 17th, 18th and 19th Century Wall Decorations at Caramoor focuses on extraordinary wall coverings in the House Museum's collection.
Some of the highlights of If These Walls Could Talk include the Monkey Bedroom, which is covered by 18th century silk whimsically painted with monkeys; the Burgundian Library with its 17th century panels painted on wood from a French chateau and illustrated with stories from the Old Testament; the Reception Room, the walls of which are covered by elegant wallpaper painted in 18th century China; and in the formal Dining Room, the stunning blue ground wallpaper from a villa near Turin, Italy, also 18th century Chinese, and made for the export market.
According to guest curator Florence de Dampierre, "Wall decoration always seems to have great effect on the human psyche, rarely leaving anyone indifferent. Wherever paint appears on canvases, on murals, paper, linen, wood, frescos or even stones, it brightens every day life. We are lucky to have at Caramoor, thanks to the discerning eye of Mr. and Mrs. Rosen, a wide diversity of beautiful wall coverings."
The House Museum, the former home of Caramoor's founders, Lucie and Walter Rosen, opens for the season on Sunday, May 1 and remains open through Sunday, October 16. This astonishing Mediterranean-style villa is filled with the Rosen's vast collection of European and Asian art and artifacts that span the centuries, including paintings, sculpture, furniture, textiles, stained glass, tapestries and a major jade collection. This remarkable museum is one of only five famous mansions in the United States that incorporates entire rooms from European villas and palaces.
Twenty rooms of the mansion are open to the public. Well-trained docents offer guided tours through these stunning rooms describing the background of the treasures they contain and the unique history of the Rosen family. Tours are Wednesday through Sunday, 1:00 to 4:00 pm with the last tour at 3:00 pm. Saturday hours, 1:00 to 5:00 pm with the last tour at 4:00 pm, are added during the summer Caramoor International Music Festival beginning Saturday, June 25 and continuing through Saturday, August 13.
Admission to Caramoor's House Museum is $9. Children 16 and under are admitted free.
Start celebrating Mother's Day early by bringing Mom to a Mothers & Others Tea Musicale in the House Museum on Saturday, May 7, from 1:00 to 4:15 pm. Included in the afternoon is a tour of the mansion and a concert with selections of songs for mothers in the majestic Music Room, featuring soprano Irina Mozyleva and pianist Svetlana Gorokhovich. A delicious tea completes the afternoon. Tickets are $40 for adults and $30 for children ages 10 and under.
And what about Dads? A Daddies & Daughters Picnic & Treasure Hunt will be held on Saturday, May 21 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. This fun-filled afternoon for fathers and daughters will be spent amidst the many creatures found throughout the House Museum: monkeys, wolves, birds, lions and even some mythical creatures. Guests will enjoy a picnic, treasure hunt, tall tales from storyteller Lorraine Hartin-Giallardi, and kids will take home souvenirs. Tickets are $20 for adults and $17 for children ages 10 and under.
Tickets, which must be purchased in advance for the Mothers & Others Tea Musicale and Daddies & Daughters Picnic & Treasure Hunt, are available online at www.caramoor.org or by calling the Caramoor Box Office Monday through Friday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at 914-232-1252.
Tickets for An Evening of Swing can be purchased by calling 914-232-5035 ext. 221.
Advance tickets and reservations for House Museum tours are only required for groups of seven or more and can be made by sending an email to museum@caramoor.org or calling 914-232-5035 ext. 221.
Further information about all activities of the House Museum, on-going Spring concerts and family programs, as well as the upcoming International Music Festival beginning Saturday, June 25, can be found online at www.caramoor.org.
is located at 149 Girdle Ridge Road, Katonah, New York.
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