Mary Wilson of the Supremes headlining 2011 Under the Stars Summer Arts Festival at Misericordia University
‘The Mary Wilson Supremes’ Collection’ exhibit in Friedman Art Gallery and lecture in Lemmond Theater to complement the Starlight Concert
DALLAS, Pa. — Mary Wilson, one of the original founding members of the Supremes, is headlining the annual Misericordia University Under the Stars Summer Arts Festival at the Wachovia Amphitheater on Saturday, July 23, and the accompanying gown exhibit, “The Mary Wilson Supremes’ Collection,’’ in the Pauly Friedman Art Gallery. The festival also includes the Jazz in July concert July 18.
Ms. Wilson is best known as a founding member of the world’s most famous female trio. With Diana Ross, Florence Ballard and Ms. Wilson, the Supremes recorded 12 No. 1 hits from 1964 to 1969, including “Baby Love,’’ “Stop in the Name of Love,’’ and “Back in My Arms Again.’’ The Supremes is also the only group to record five consecutive No. 1 hits.
The Starlight Concert starring Mary Wilson of the Supremes is July 23 at 8 p.m. Festival tables that seat six are $270, amphitheater tickets are $30 and lawn seats are $20. The Jazz in July concert, “Old Time is Still a-Flying: The New Torch Bearers of Classic Jazz,’’ with Dan Levinson and his New Millennium All Stars is Monday, July 18 at 8 p.m. Festival tables that seat six are $120, amphitheater tickets are $15 and lawn seats are $8. Tickets for both shows go on sale May 3 through the Misericordia University Box Office at (570) 674-6719.
The Pauly Friedman Art Gallery is hosting the “Mary Wilson Supremes’ Collection” in the art gallery on campus from July 23 to Oct. 17. An opening reception for the exhibition of gowns and additional items is Friday, July 22 from 5-8 p.m. and features Ms. Wilson speaking and answering questions about the trio’s musical legacy at 8 p.m. in Lemmond Theater in Walsh Hall. The exhibit features more than 50 distinctive gowns the Motown hitmakers wore during their climb to the top and rare memorabilia that spans their colorful career. The collection was last displayed in Royal Albert Hall in London, England.
Limited tickets are available for the opening reception. Tickets are $40 per person. Fans can also indulge in the “Supreme Experience’’ for $360, which includes the opening reception for six, plus festival-table seating for six at the Starlight Concert. Tickets can be ordered by calling (570) 674-6719. The exhibit is open free to the public beginning July 23.
The formation of the Supremes began more than 50 years ago when Ms. Wilson started singing as a teenager while living in Detroit’s Brewster-Douglass Projects. She performed at an elementary school talent showcase and befriended Ms. Ballard. The friends made a pledge to remember each other if they joined a singing group. In 1959, they joined the Primettes, which also included Ms. Ross.
Motown President Berry Gordy, Jr., signed the Primettes to his recording label and had them change their name to the Supremes on Jan. 15, 1961. Two years later, their string of hit songs began when “When the Lovelight Starts Shining Through His Eyes’’ reached No. 23 on the Billboard pop chart.
In 1967, Mr. Gordy renamed the trio, Diana Ross and the Supremes. Shortly thereafter Ms. Ballard left the group and was replaced by Cindy Birdsong. Ms. Ross left the Supremes in January 1970 to pursue a solo career, but the trio continued as the New Supremes with Ms. Wilson and Ms. Birdsong being joined by Jean Terrell.
The New Supremes scored a series of hits, including “Up the Ladder,’’ “Stoned Love,’’ and “Nathan Jones,’’ which reached No. 10, No. 7 and No. 16 respectively on the charts in the states. The New Supremes had their last Top 40 hit single, “I’m Gonna Let My Heart Do the Walking,’’ in 1976. In 1975, they were the first to reach No. 1 on the newly formed national Disco Music Chart with, “He’s My Man,’’ with Ms. Wilson on lead vocals.
In 1977, Ms. Wilson embarked on her solo career and toured Europe and Asia while also raising her three children. She has recorded two solo albums, including her self-titled debut in 1979 with the single, “Red Hot,’’ and her 1990 release, “Walk the Line.’’ Ms. Wilson is currently recording another album.
Ms. Wilson, though, is more than a successful singer-songwriter. She is an author, cultural ambassador and humanitarian. Her “Dare to Dream’’ lecture, which she delivers to young people, emphasizes the need for personal perseverance to achieve their goals despite obstacles and adversities in their lives. The topic is the foundation for her best-selling autobiography, “Dreamgirl — My Life as a Supreme.’’ Ms. Wilson later authored its sequel, “Supreme Faith — Someday We’ll be Together.’’ In 2000, these two books, along with updated chapters, were combined to complete her third book. She is working currently on a fourth book, which will be a coffee table hardcover featuring the gowns, history and legacy of the Supremes.
Over the years, Ms. Wilson has also been recognized as a humanitarian. She continues to devote her time and talent to assisting a diverse group of nonprofit organizations, including the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, the American Cancer Society and St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital. As a mother and a grandmother, Ms. Wilson’s personal desire is to be involved in worthy causes around the world that improve the lives of all humanity. Her experience as a Supreme and cultural ambassador broadened her horizons and afforded her the opportunity to be an advocate for social and economic challenges in the United States and abroad.
In 2011, Ms. Wilson’s 31-show world tour is taking her to Ohio, Russia, the Ukraine, the United Kingdom and to Misericordia University.
Young and vibrant swing dancers and 1920s and 1930s jazz aficionados will be in the zone for the annual Jazz in July Concert featuring Levinson and six spectacular musicians. Experience their sound and energy that fans in the East Village do when musicians — Bria Skonberg, trumpet; Matt Musselman, trombone; Gordon Webster, piano; Molly Ryan, guitar and vocals; Cassidy Holden, bass; Kevin Dorn, drums; and Levinson on clarinet and sax — create jazz much as it was in the old days at Nick’s and Eddie Condon’s in the Village.
Skonberg, a 27-year-old native of British Columbia, Canada, is a singer, entertainer, educator and trumpet player who has performed all over the world since 2006. Musselman, a graduate of the renowned Manhattan Institute for Jazz Musicology, is founder of the band Grandpa Musselman & His Syncopators, which specializes in performing masterpieces from the first generation of jazz. Webster is one of the most sought after musicians in the lindy hop world, while Ryan’s silvery voice and lush, elegant vocal style evoke memories of the big band singers of the 1930s. Holden performs and teaches upright and electric bass around New York City. For Dorn, hot music is a living thing and he sustains its exultant risk-taking friskiness.
Levinson, known as the “in-demand reedman,’’ is a specialist in traditional jazz and swing. The bandleader is equally at home as both a leader and sideman. During his career, he has appeared alongside such prominent artists as Dick Hyman, Mel Tormé, Wynton Marsalis, Ed Polcer, Howard Alden, Joe Ascione, Dan Barrett, Jon-Erik Kellso, Randy Reinhart, Mark Shane, Kevin Dorn, Dick Sudhalter, Frank Vignola, Randy Sandke, John Cocuzzi and Vince Giordano. Levinson has performed on more than 75 CDs, including seven under his own name. He can also be heard on soundtracks to films, “Ghost World,’’ “The Cat’s Meow,’’ and Martin Scorsese’s “The Aviator.’’
The Under the Stars Summer Arts Festival events are held in the beautiful Wachovia Amphitheater on Misericordia University’s more than 124-acre campus in Dallas, Pa. The outdoor venue is the site of many campus events. Call the Misericordia University Box Office at (570) 674-6719 or reference The Arts & More section of the Web site at www.misericordia.edu/theartsandmore for more information.
For more information about Misericordia University, please log on to www.misericordia.edu or call (570) 674-6400. Founded and Sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy in 1924, Misericordia University is Luzerne County’s first four-year college and offers 32 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs in three colleges in full- and part-time formats.