“The ongoing academic and popular fascination with the 1920s is reflected in the myriad nicknames that the decade has collected. Besides Fitzgerald's famous moniker "The Jazz Age," the 1920s are also remembered as "The Roaring Twenties," "The Age of the Flapper," "The Dollar Decade," "The New Era," "The Lawless Decade," "The Dry Decade," "The Age of Ballyhoo," "The Era of Wonderful Nonsense"—and the list goes on. Yet these clever descriptions often distort our understanding of the complexities and tensions that marked this tumultuous era. The Jazz Age, according to popular conceptions, ranks as one of the most glamorous and exciting decades of the American 20th century, an era of flamboyance and prosperity best symbolized by flappers, Model T Fords, jazz bands, and bathtub gin."

Kathleen Drowne and Patrick Huber, The 1920s. (Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2004), xiii-xvii

The American Corner attempts to give back the feeling of this glamorous era and also to look behind the scenes to understand and explain the significance of the 1920s by presenting several events:

A Clean, Well-Lighted Place
A Reading
April 20, 6 pm

One of Ernest Hemingway's best known short stories from the 1920s will be read out by Péter Szurdoki, founding father of Confuse-A-Cat Ltd. theatre company.

After the reading we invite everyone to stay for a short discussion with Dr. Gabriella Varró (University of Debrecen).

Free admission.
Please sign up for the event in advance.

Meeting The Great Gatsby
Understanding the Jazz Age through F. Scott Fitzgerald's masterpiece
A Workshop by Veronika Rybova (Czech Republic)

April 27, 6pm
 

The aim of the workshop - being one of the events of The Roaring Twenties - Ain't We Got Fun?! series in AC - is to present the F. Scott Fitzgerald's book The Great Gatsby and show you what life was like in the US in the 1920s.

Who is this workshop for? Anyone who is interested in the culture of the 1920s.
You say you haven't read the book? No worries, you might like to read it after this event.
You say you have read the book? That's fine! And are you sure you understood its message?
You say you have no idea what the Jazz Age is? So come and you will see!

The workshop is especially for non-native speakers of English and those who would like to get an insight into the so-called Jazz Age. You don't need to have any knowledge about the topic, but we need you to participate actively :)

Participation is free of charge.
Please RSVP or sign up via e-mail (debrecen@americancorner.hu)

1. Glenn Miller-Jerry Gray: American Patrol (Külvárosi Őrjárat)
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Duke Ellington, Johnny Merker and Billy Strayhorn, arr. Jerry Novak: Satin Doll
3. By Dorothy Fields and Jimmy McHugh, arr. Sammy Nestico: I can’t give you anything but love
4. Dorothy Fields, music by Jimmy McHugh, arr. Sammy Nestico: On the Sunny Side of the Street
5. Music by Henry Mancini, arr. by Mike Lewis: The Pink Panther
6. Carl Sigman, Jerry Gray by Jeff Hest: Pennsylvania 6-5000
7. Fred Ebb, music John Kander. arr FrankD.Cofield: Theme for New York, New York
8. Arr. Roder Holmes: Just a gigolo/I Ain’t Got Nobody (And Nobody Cares For Me)
9. Words by Ira Gershwin, music by George Gershwin, arr. by David Wolpe: ‘S wonderful
10. Music by Walter Donalds, Lyrics by Gus Cahr, arr. by David Wolpe: Makin’ Whopee
11. Words by Lorenz Hart, music by Richard Rogers, arr. by David Wolpe: The Lady is a tramp
12. Duke Ellington, arr. Reg Owen: Caravan
13. By Sammy Nestico: Sam’ Boogie
14. Bruce Sussman and Barry Manilow, music C. Albertine, arr. Jerry Novak: Banstand Boogie
15. By Chuck Rio, arr. Michael Sweeney: Tequila

Enjoy the concert live!!!