Israel Beilin (later to become Irving Berlin) was born in abject poverty in Russia and didn’t arrive in America until 1893 when he was five years old. By the time he died, at the age of 101, he had written thousands of beautiful, often witty, songs inspiring the much younger George Gershwin to describe him as ‘the greatest songwriter who ever lived’. He wrote White Christmas for the film Holiday Inn, winning the Academy Award for Best Original Song; famously recorded by Bing Crosby, it became one of the most popular and best-selling songs of all time. Accredited Lecturer Pip Burley takes a closer look at the story behind White Christmas.
EXTRA CONTENT - CHRISTMAS QUIZ
We've asked Lizzie Darbyshire, Chair of the North East Area Support Team and recently retired Accredited Lecturer to create a special Christmas Quiz. You can open the Quiz here. For the Answers click here.
Given the lovely comments we've being receiving today, we thought we'd better add that Artvent isn't over yet!
We originally planned 24 items for Artvent but we found we had so much that we wished to share that we've extended it for another 7 days to 31st December.
So watch out for our emails over the coming week!
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Our Societies support hundreds of local arts and heritage projects. Each day we highlight a grant given in 2021.
The Arts Society Midhurst have recently given a grant to Easebourne Primary School, a primary school at the heart of the community, which will fund a whole school art installation project.
All donations from the Artvent Calendar will go towards The Arts Society’s grant giving fund, which awards grants to help preserve our artistic heritage, support the skills of artists and makers, and improve access to the arts for all.
Please click here to support projects like this one by making a Donation.
Comments
Very very interesting background given, I didn't know anything about the man or the song before .
Just caught up with todays Artvent excellent presentation, what an amazing man Irving Berlin was and he lived a very long life. I have enjoyed these daily e-mails and hope everyone has a Good Christmas but it probably wont be white!
These short pieces have been something to look forward every day and, like the others, today’s has been delightful. Thank you.
Thankyou it has been really interesting each day and thoughtfully presented.
We have really enjoyed all these short lectures but this was perfect for Christmas eve. Thank you so much everyone and Happy Christmas
Delighted to hear that there are more Artvent boxes to open - thank you!
I have appreciated each and every Artvent offering day by day----so varied and illuminating. Thank you to all those who have brightened up my days and shared the joy, lifting us out of the darkness.
Judith Hall
Brilliant presentation. Entertaining, smoothly delivered and full of info.
Do hope that you will continue to delight and educate us next Advent and the next and the next ………,
Thank you for the moving and thoughtful tribute to Irving Berlin and the poignant song, White Christmas. A man whose genius brought so much joy and happiness to so many millions. Amazing talent.