August 10, 2017
Dear Friends and Colleagues, Hello and Welcome to the seventh edition of Jane Network News. This month we celebrate music and we have some exciting news and updates for you. Enjoy this edition and happy reading!
Making Music, Memories & Money is "Easier Said Than Done"
Growing up in the mid-fifties and sixties in our household in Baraboo, Wisconsin we always had music. Our parents owned a hi-fi and it was used often to play 33 RPM albums featuring such notables as Frank Sinatra, Jerry Vale, Tony Bennett, Jane Morgan and Connie Francis. Our father, Tony, worked for the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and as a Christmas gift to customers and dealers they gave away Holiday albums that featured some of the recording stars of the day singing holiday tunes. Our music collections consisted of ballet music, accordion & ukulele and most anything Italian. During our teen years the 45 RPM became popular and EVERYONE had 45’s except US! For some reason our parents thought we had enough music with the dance school and spending $1.00 on a 45 RPM record was a waste of money. A concept that my siblings and I only grew to appreciate as we got older. One year for my birthday a good friend gave me my first 45! “Easier Said Than Done” by The Essex was a beautiful black record and a bright purple label. I had arrived and could not wait to share the news with my peers. As luck would have it, the song became a hit and also was a popular tune to use at the dance school. Away went my 45 and all year long we learned and performed a jazz dance to the music. I remember being sad about my collection of records ending before it started! But at least I got to hear the music. My mother Alberta loved music. She grew up in a dance school environment and her appreciation for music was instilled in all of us. One day she found a record at Woolworths for 29 Cents and it changed our lives! “Early Bird” was a classic children’s song that featured singing and a tap dancing by-product whistling! The lyrics were embraced by all of us and any little one taking dancing at Canepa School of Dance learned the song and with it they could tap dance and learn to whistle. Today we still use “Early Bird” in our shows and our teaching. All of our children and my parents’ Alberta & Tony’s great grandchildren learn the song as a rite of passage. My granddaughter, Hannah (center) visited Bertie’s dance school and here at age 3 she is performing Early Bird.
Carrying on the dance tradition is my talented and wonderful sister Bertie. Born with ballet, tap and jazz talent she is by far THE Dancing Canepa. Bertie Canepa Reifsteck has taught dancing all of her life. Growing up as our mother’s main assistant, she would choreograph routines, teach all of us our family dances and bring new and innovative music to the dance recitals and performances.
As life would be for Bertie, she met her match in the music world when Dennis Reifsteck smiled and played his way into her heart. Dennis grew up on a farm outside of Wisconsin Dells and was part of a family band that played weekends for weddings, gatherings and performed at Camp Wawbeek, the Easter Seals of Wisconsin Camp. His dad, Paul, played guitar, brothers Dave and Doug played the drums and guitar, and sisters Chris and Karen the piano and organ and everyone in the family could sing. Their mother, Orpha, a high school accounting teacher managed the bookings and finances.
In high school, Dennis saw a string bass in the music room. He decided to learn how to play it. Along with that instrument he sings, plays the guitar, trumpet, violin and the saw! In his teens he formed a musical duo called “The Swing Crew” with a high school friend, Dan Soma. The musicians worked as guides for the Wisconsin Dells Boat Tours and during their breaks and between swing shifts, they played music to pass the time and to entertain the tourists.
The Swing Crew continues today under Dennis’ leadership and with assorted band members playing guitar and drums. His son, David Reifsteck is also musical, he joins in playing the violin on occasion and the ukulele.
Dennis plays his father’s National Guitar at a solo gig on Thursday & Saturday evenings from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the revered Mirror Lake Supper Club, Ishnala, in Lake Delton. www.swingcrew.com Together Bertie and Dennis are a music and dance family in Lake Delton, Wisconsin in the summers and Frisco, Colorado in the winters. Dennis plays music and Bertie teaches dancing. The annual Canepa Dance recitals will take place on Tuesday & Wednesday, August 15 & 16 at 6:30 p.m. the historic Al Ringling Theatre on the Square in Baraboo and benefit Easter Seals Wisconsin. Teaching an 8-week summer program fulfills many traditions for families that have danced for generations with Bertie. The Canepa Family held their recitals at the Al Ringling Theatre for many of their 62 years and each show is closed with the family buck & wing tap dance. Dennis sings “Whispering” and any present and former dancers who know the dance are invited on stage to perform. www.canepadance.com For many years, my role as the “Public Relations Canepa” is to run the front of the house and behind the scenes production for the recitals. Bertie handles the dancers, the assistants, costumes, staging, choreography, music, lighting, video and photography and all with the greatest of ease. My Eventors staff, associates and friends have joined me in all aspects of event production. We coordinate advertising, public relations, program book production, posters, flowers, ticket sales, seating, receptions and serve as emcee and charity liaisons. On more than one occasion some have become chauffeurs & limo drivers, program book collators, seamstresses, videographers, photographers, finale coordinators, and may have had to wear a costume or two! All in the life of “Eventor events!”
Gina Gonzalez
Our Columbia College Chicago Jammin with Jane’s always have a music component. Given that one of the core programs at the school is music, live & performing arts in addition to events & promotions, it was only natural to include talent in the events. Several students come to mind when I think about music. In my early days at Columbia a talented young woman named Gina Gonzalez joined the class. Gina graduated from Columbia with a degree in Marketing Communications and Public Relations in 2001. We held an event at Dick’s Last Resort (the original location near Navy Pier) and Gina stepped up to sing the National Anthem and then perform some other songs. The event was an open-mic night and everyone in the room knew they were among a rising star. Discovered by Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band, Gina began touring with the band in 2004. Traveling the world over she performed for some of the highest ranking military personnel to famous actors and respected fellow artists. She has earned awards for recognition including honors from the U.S. Congress and the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation. She launched a new band last year called “Gina Gonzalez and the Wingmen”. They play local shows around the Chicago area and she does solo acoustic shows too. Born into a big family, Gina is the youngest of nine children. As little as 4 years old she was placed on top of the piano at family gathering to perform. Check out www.ginagonzalez.com
Jim Wojdyla
Jim Wojdyla graduated from Columbia College in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Relations, Advertising & Marketing. Through his company Jimpressive Entertainment, Inc. and his Band the Modern Day Romeos, he is a busy musician. The band has been together for fifteen years and play an average of 115 shows a year. The Romeos are Jim on vocals, his brother Justin on acoustic guitar, Steve on electric guitar, Chris on bass guitar, Mike on drums and Justin on keyboards. Jim and his wife Jessica have a little girl named Charlotte and step daughter Tessa (9) who sings with her mom and the band. The Modern Day Romeos have also performed with Gina Gonzalez! Another great reason to have a Jammin With Jane Reunion! In addition to music, Jim is a partner in distribution services for Oculus Health, specializing in Medicare programs like Chronic Care Management. Their band schedule of events is jam packed and catching them at a performance is a must! Visit moderndayromeos.com or contact them by email: booking@moderndayromeos.com
Ella Jenkins
In December 2014 we held a Jammin with Jane for my good friend and legendary children’s singer and musician, Ella Jenkins. Ella turned 93 on Saturday, August 6 and the Old Town School Musicians held a sing along birthday party for her at Navy Pier. Our goal for the event was to help raise funding and awareness for the “Ella Jenkins: We’ll Sing A Song Together” Documentary project. Please support the cause by visiting www.singasongtogether.com
A Happy Birthday song fest will take place on Sunday, August 13 at the Park at Wrigley Field. Facebook Event
Karen Skubish
As August 2017 comes to a close, I remember my best friend the late Karen Skubish, the most beautiful and talented harpist. Karen spotted a harp in the music room in sixth grade at Emerson School in Gary, Indiana. She decided to learn how to play it and play it she did. As the happening harpist her song list ranged from all musicals, to hymns, to classics and many rock and roll tunes. She played for all occasions, including weddings, funerals and even New Year’s Eve in an Aux en Provence nightclub. Her Subaru outback held the harp perfectly and I was always enlisted to be her chauffer. She learned to drive later in life and was not comfortable driving on the interstate and never made left turns! She had a wardrobe of elegant and sophisticated evening gowns and with her blonde tresses she was a harp playing angel on earth!
Social Media Social Hour!
We're socializing and social media'ing at Kiki's Bistro on Monday, August 28 from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm. Bring your smile and business cards for networking. Dinner and drink specials will be offered. RSVP to info@eventors.us or call 312.217.JANE (5263).
Kiki's Bistro 900 N. Franklin Street Chicago, IL 60610 312.335.5454 www.kikisbistro.com
Graduating this year? Planning your next career move? Want to maintain your personal and professional connections? Let Jane help! Email us your story and we'll help connect you to the right person, who can connect you to your future!
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