MONROE - To commemorate Turner Hall's 150th anniversary, a special Anniversary Banquet is taking place at 5 p.m. April 28, with an all-night cash bar and dinner beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets are now available, and although it's not required, attendance in historical costume is encouraged. For reservations, call 214-3570.
As part of the festivities, Turner Hall will join with The Monroe Theatre Guild to present "The Forever Bridge," a six-course gala dinner and celebration of its illustrious 150-year story told through a variety of theatrical vignettes, songs, music, movement and photos.
Founded in 1868, Turner Hall is believed to be the only still-standing, still-operating Swiss Turner Hall remaining in the entire United States. From the day it opened its doors, Turner Hall has served as a "bridge" to the Swiss and German homelands and culture that many immigrants had to leave behind. Over the years, this important "bridge" has continued to connect different cultures.
Local organizations such as gymnasts, the Swiss Singers, cheese makers, teachers, firemen and civic groups made Turner Hall their regular meeting place decade after decade. In addition, it has played host to renowned guest speakers, educators, politicians, entertainers, gymnastic festivals, athletes and other celebrities from around the country. Turner Hall was especially busy as a major venue along the vaudeville circuit from the 1880s to the 1930s, and then as a gig for the best big bands of the 1940s through the 1960s.
The preparations for this one-time-only tribute have been going on for more than a year, involving historical research, scouring old documents, finding and examining old photographs, closely examining the current Turner Hall building, gathering local memories of Turner Hall experiences and interviewing many people involved with Turner Hall's history.
For this special occasion, actors, singers, gymnasts, yodelers, accordion players, and musical directors from around the county are joining their creative forces to bring to life historical characters, celebrities, famous entertainers and prominent local figures from Monroe's history.
As part of the festivities, Turner Hall will join with The Monroe Theatre Guild to present "The Forever Bridge," a six-course gala dinner and celebration of its illustrious 150-year story told through a variety of theatrical vignettes, songs, music, movement and photos.
Founded in 1868, Turner Hall is believed to be the only still-standing, still-operating Swiss Turner Hall remaining in the entire United States. From the day it opened its doors, Turner Hall has served as a "bridge" to the Swiss and German homelands and culture that many immigrants had to leave behind. Over the years, this important "bridge" has continued to connect different cultures.
Local organizations such as gymnasts, the Swiss Singers, cheese makers, teachers, firemen and civic groups made Turner Hall their regular meeting place decade after decade. In addition, it has played host to renowned guest speakers, educators, politicians, entertainers, gymnastic festivals, athletes and other celebrities from around the country. Turner Hall was especially busy as a major venue along the vaudeville circuit from the 1880s to the 1930s, and then as a gig for the best big bands of the 1940s through the 1960s.
The preparations for this one-time-only tribute have been going on for more than a year, involving historical research, scouring old documents, finding and examining old photographs, closely examining the current Turner Hall building, gathering local memories of Turner Hall experiences and interviewing many people involved with Turner Hall's history.
For this special occasion, actors, singers, gymnasts, yodelers, accordion players, and musical directors from around the county are joining their creative forces to bring to life historical characters, celebrities, famous entertainers and prominent local figures from Monroe's history.
