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Hagerstown, Maryland from 10/16/2010 to 10/16/2010
Evi Kelly-Lentz to headline 65th Annual Emmett Kelly Tent Banquet
Evi Kelly-Lentz will be the featured guest and speaker at the Emmett Kelly Tent No. 41 Banquet, Saturday, October 16, 2010, at the Plaza Hotel, Hagerstown, MD.
The evening will begin with a social hour at 6 p.m., followed by a group photo of attendees and dinner at 7 p.m. All CFA members and guests are invited to attend.
With a distinguished career in show business, Evi was formerly a member of the acrobatic troupe "The Two Grigorys," named for the talent agency which promoted them. They played nightclubs and theaters in Europe.
In 1953, while appearing in Copenhagen, their group, now enlarged and known as "The Four Whirlwinds," performed for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey president and producer John Ringling North. He engaged the act to appear with the circus beginning with the 1954 season.
It was during her employment with "The Greatest Show on Earth" that Evi met and married famed tramp clown Emmett Kelly, whose tattered character "Weary Willie" was beloved by circus goers everywhere. Their wedding was followed by a gala celebration in the Big Show's center ring.
They had two daughters, Stasia who performed with the Sarasota Sailor Circus and became a freelance writer, producer, and voice artist, and Monika, an actress.
Evi helped to care for Emmett's famous costume and to stage his spotlight-sweeping routine. She became a U.S. citizen in 1961, one of her proudest achievements. Emmett died in 1979, and Evi later married John "Jack" Lentz.
The cost of this year's banquet is $28 per person, with a dinner choice of Crab Imperial or Prime Rib of Beef au Jus. The meal will come with house salad, rolls, baby parsley potatoes, and steamed broccoli. Chocolate Mousse will be for dessert.
For more information or reservations, contact Andy Bakner, 717-762-8236 or email him at 2bakners@innernet.net.
The number for the Plaza Hotel is 800-732-0906.
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