Published: November 05, 2009 10:08 pm      

Andrews Sisters tribute tonight, with Mountain Ridge jazz group as opening act

CUMBERLAND — In the darkest hours of World War II, there were two forms of entertainment that kept the country’s spirits up — music and comedy. As part of Cumberland Goes To War, today through Nov. 15, both are represented.

No one musical group epitomized the music of the period as well as the Andrews Sisters. During World War II, they entertained the Allied forces extensively in America, Africa and Italy, visiting Army, Navy, Marine and Coast Guard bases, war zones, hospitals and munitions factories. They encouraged U.S. citizens to purchase war bonds with their rendition of Irving Berlin’s song “Any Bonds Today?”

Cumberland Goes to War will recognize their contribution to the war effort today with the Andrews Sisters Tribute Show in the ballroom of the Holiday Inn. Opening for the Andrews Sisters tribute will be the award-winning Mountain Ridge High School Jazz Orchestra, followed by the renowned TreVoche, Andrews Sisters impersonators. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and the music will start at 7 p.m.

Big Band music took off in the mid-1930s and lasted throughout World War II. The music usually featured a large dance orchestra of 15 to 20 musicians who were pop-oriented and lead by a band leader.

On Saturday, residents can “jive” to the Big Band sounds of the Potomac Highlands Dance Band at the USO Tribute and Dance at Windsor Hall at Town Centre. Lead by Fred Kesner, the Potomac Highlands Dance Band will be bringing back the sounds of the 1940s. Doors will open at 7:30 p.m. and the music will start at 8:30 p.m.

Abbott & Costello was one of the greatest comedy teams in the history of show business. They mastered the straightman/clown relationship, creating a magical chemistry that would take them from the burlesque stage to radio, to Broadway, to film ... and finally, to television. Bud Abbott and Lou Costello’s style and brand of comedy helped lift the morale of the American public during World War II. Eager to lend their time to the war effort, the boys funded (out of pocket) a cross-country tour to help raise much-needed funds on behalf of the War Bond Drive.

Everywhere they appeared there were sellout audiences. On Nov. 13, Cumberland Goes to War will present the Ultimate Abbott & Costello Show at the Holiday Inn. Bill Riley and Joe Ziegler transform themselves into the comedians through vintage dress and an authentic recreation of the team’s mannerisms and vocal styles. They perform with pinpoint accuracy many of the vaudeville and burlesque routines made famous by Bud and Lou, including the classic baseball, “Who’s on First?’” They will be joined by Scoops Fields — Ace Press Agent (Jason Crutchley.) Doors will open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m.

Tickets for any of the three shows are available at The Book Center, 15 N. Centre St., or by calling (301) 724-2453.

For more information on Cumberland Goes to War, visit www.cumberlandgoestowar.com.