LOCAL

An evening with Johnny Mercer

Contributed article
The Lower Cape Fear Historical Society presents a multimedia presentation featuring the life and music of Johnny Mercer on Jan. 27 at a home on Masonboro Sound. Learn more at www.latimerhouse.org. [CONTRIBUTED]

WILMINGTON -- At 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, the Lower Cape Fear Historical Society is offering a unique opportunity to enjoy an evening filled with food, drink and live music in a lovely private home. The centerpiece will be a multimedia presentation featuring the life and music of Johnny Mercer, who grew up in our fellow coastal city, Savannah, Georgia. He is known for the lyrics of many hits such as “Moon River," "Autumn Leaves," "Fools Rush In," "Hooray for Hollywood," "Too Marvelous for Words," Come Rain or Come Shine” and many, many more.

The presentation is led by Phil Furia, professor of creative writing at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, drawing from his book "Skylark: The Life and Times of Johnny Mercer." Furia is the author of eight books on the lyricists of Ten Pan Alley and is featured nightly on WHQR’s “The Great American Song Book.”

His wife, Laurie Patterson, an associate professor of computer science at UNCW, accompanies him with a PowerPoint presentation of pictures from Johnny Mercer’s life. Interspersed will be some of Mercer’s hits performed by vocalist Phil Bruschi, accompanied by Jack Krupicka on the piano. The setting is the beautiful and spacious home of Richard and Carol Johnson on Masonboro Sound.

The event is catered by Milner’s and will include hors d’oeuvres with wine, beer and cocktails before the presentation and a buffet between Parts I and II. There will be silent auction items including paintings by local artists Betty Brown and Mark Gansor. Attire is Business Dress.

Tickets are $100 and can be purchased online at www.latimerhouse.org or by calling the Latimer House at 910-762-0492. Proceeds will go to the LCFHS’s education programs including The Victorian Children’s Program for local school classes at the Latimer House.

The StarNews welcomes and will consider publishing Your Voice articles contributed by readers, nonprofits and clubs. Community Page submissions should be 300 words and accompanied by a good-quality photograph. Contact Community News Editor Si Cantwell at 343-2364 or si.cantwell@starnewsonline.com.