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Page 30 December 2015 The Catoctin Banner Newspaper www.TheCatoctinBanner.com Published by www.EPlusPromotes.com
rts & ntertainment Bring Your Creative Side to Light
Vanessa “The Gal” Niemann Pearl’s Historic Portrait,
Takes Ott House by Storm Morning Star Graceham
Vanessa (Maccabee) Courtesy Photo by Stephen Tagg-Randall Moravian Church, 1892
Niemann, professionally In the light and
known as “Gal Holiday,” fragrance of a trimmed
came to live in the Catoctin beeswax candle, award-
Mountains with her family winning artist Rebecca
when she was eleven, Pearl recently completed
and made many friends a historic portrait of the
throughout the county at Graceham Moravian
church and at school. As fate Church entitled,
would have it, she left here as Morning Star Graceham
soon as she could and began Moravian Church,
a long journey musically 1892.
that finally ended up in New The Graceham
Orleans, where she formed a Moravian Church was
Honky Tonk band called Gal organized in 1758, and
Holiday and the Honky Tonk the current building
Revue. was erected in 1797, a
Armed with powerhouse combination parsonage,
vocals and serious songwriting church, and school; the Local artist Rebecca Pearl recently completed a historic portrait of the
Graceham Moravian Church entitled, Morning Star Graceham Moravian
with bass player and music current sanctuary was Church, 1892.
director, David Brouillette, added in 1822. The
Vanessa and Dave have painting shows the Church in the original red brick, prior to a change to white
made Gal Holiday and the Vanessa Niemann is pictured performing, with her bass stucco in 1942, and several later additions.
Honky Tonk Revue a vehicle player and music director, David Brouillette, behind her. Before beginning Morning Star, Ms. Pearl read a History of Graceham and
to keep country dancehall watched a Moravian Christmas Homecoming video created by the congregation.
culture alive, while paying homage to classic honky tonk greats such as Hank She was intrigued with the beauty and simplicity of Moravian traditions and
Williams, Connie Smith, and Webb Pierce. architecture and, in particular, with the spiritual significance of the joining of
They perform in New Orleans regularly at popular hot spots. In November, home and sanctuary.
she took a long journey back home by van to begin an East Coast tour with Speaking of her experience, Ms. Pearl said, “This was far more than just
her band. She packed the Ott House in Emmitsburg on a normally quiet doing a painting of a building. With the great help, love, and support of
Thursday night with family, old friends, old fans, along with many new ones. Pastor Sue Koenig and the parishioners, this work of art was conceived. The
After playing drums at the Ott House with the band, Ashley Maccabee— collaboration gave me an insight and education of the history of the Moravian
Vanessa’s “little brother” as she affectionately calls him—continued to play people from centuries ago to present time. I had no idea of the gentle simplicity
with them for the rest of the tour. Gal Holiday and the Honkey Tonk Band and deep faith in the “Lamb” of God by these people. I love the magic of the
will tour popular dance venues in Virginia, New York, and New England. Moravian Star and the beautiful symbol it carries.”
To hear the music “The Gal” and her band create is magical. Their energy The painting was unveiled at the formal opening of the new Main Street
and amazing talent, as well as Vanessa’s charisma and good looks, are the Center in Thurmont on Friday, November 13, 2015, the same building that was
perfect formula for a great night, whether one just wants to listen or “dance the Thurmont Moravian Church, built in 1874. It was one of eight churches
baby, dance!” included in a second painting unveiled the same evening by Ms. Pearl, entitled
As her mother, Christine Schoenemann Maccabee, said, “She makes a sad the Spires of Mechanicstown.
song happy.” Ms. Pearl met with members of the congregation in the church’s Heritage
At the Ott House, there were smiles on every face, and the joy was Room, sharing faith beliefs, practices, and traditions of the Moravian Church,
palpable. It was indeed a great night for dancing, whether it was with the one looking at photographs and images of postcards from the late 1800s from the
you came with or with complete strangers. church’s records, and provided by the congregation and the Moravian Archives.
Gal Holiday has shared stages The Joint Board, with input from the congregation, suggested the Christmas
and performed with many other Eve setting. (Portraits of the present-day church in spring were painted by artist
talented musicians, including Willie Rebecca Bennett, daughter of the Rev. Warren and Mrs. Doris Wenger, as a gift
Nelson, Lyle Lovett, Tim McGraw for the congregation’s 250 Anniversary in 2008.)
th
(Jazz Fest), Wayne Hancock, and Ms. Pearl is graciously giving a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the
other notorious crooners. After prints to the Graceham congregation; in turn, the congregation will use the funds
almost a decade, Gal Holiday received to support ministries and services in the community.
continues to evolve through original Ms. Pearl will share her journey of the painting at the 10:30 a.m. worship
compositions, which dominate service at the Graceham Moravian Church on Sunday, November 29. A
their most recent release, “Last to reception for conversation with Ms. Pearl and print signing will follow the
Leave.” This song was featured in a worship. The church is located at 8231-A Rocky Ridge Road in Thurmont.
statewide advertising campaign for Prints of Ms. Pearl’s painting, Morning Star Graceham Moravian Church
Louisiana Propane. 1892 are available in two sizes: (14”x18” and “12x17”) at $95.00 and $55.00.
Gal Holiday and the Honky A few larger prints (22”x30”) are available on request at $175.00. Ms. Pearl
Tonk Band will not be a regular may be contacted at [email protected].
local act, but will likely come back
once or twice a year, we hope. Visit Share Your Creative Side
www.galholiday.com for more
information. Email to: [email protected]
rts & ntertainment Bring Your Creative Side to Light
Vanessa “The Gal” Niemann Pearl’s Historic Portrait,
Takes Ott House by Storm Morning Star Graceham
Vanessa (Maccabee) Courtesy Photo by Stephen Tagg-Randall Moravian Church, 1892
Niemann, professionally In the light and
known as “Gal Holiday,” fragrance of a trimmed
came to live in the Catoctin beeswax candle, award-
Mountains with her family winning artist Rebecca
when she was eleven, Pearl recently completed
and made many friends a historic portrait of the
throughout the county at Graceham Moravian
church and at school. As fate Church entitled,
would have it, she left here as Morning Star Graceham
soon as she could and began Moravian Church,
a long journey musically 1892.
that finally ended up in New The Graceham
Orleans, where she formed a Moravian Church was
Honky Tonk band called Gal organized in 1758, and
Holiday and the Honky Tonk the current building
Revue. was erected in 1797, a
Armed with powerhouse combination parsonage,
vocals and serious songwriting church, and school; the Local artist Rebecca Pearl recently completed a historic portrait of the
Graceham Moravian Church entitled, Morning Star Graceham Moravian
with bass player and music current sanctuary was Church, 1892.
director, David Brouillette, added in 1822. The
Vanessa and Dave have painting shows the Church in the original red brick, prior to a change to white
made Gal Holiday and the Vanessa Niemann is pictured performing, with her bass stucco in 1942, and several later additions.
Honky Tonk Revue a vehicle player and music director, David Brouillette, behind her. Before beginning Morning Star, Ms. Pearl read a History of Graceham and
to keep country dancehall watched a Moravian Christmas Homecoming video created by the congregation.
culture alive, while paying homage to classic honky tonk greats such as Hank She was intrigued with the beauty and simplicity of Moravian traditions and
Williams, Connie Smith, and Webb Pierce. architecture and, in particular, with the spiritual significance of the joining of
They perform in New Orleans regularly at popular hot spots. In November, home and sanctuary.
she took a long journey back home by van to begin an East Coast tour with Speaking of her experience, Ms. Pearl said, “This was far more than just
her band. She packed the Ott House in Emmitsburg on a normally quiet doing a painting of a building. With the great help, love, and support of
Thursday night with family, old friends, old fans, along with many new ones. Pastor Sue Koenig and the parishioners, this work of art was conceived. The
After playing drums at the Ott House with the band, Ashley Maccabee— collaboration gave me an insight and education of the history of the Moravian
Vanessa’s “little brother” as she affectionately calls him—continued to play people from centuries ago to present time. I had no idea of the gentle simplicity
with them for the rest of the tour. Gal Holiday and the Honkey Tonk Band and deep faith in the “Lamb” of God by these people. I love the magic of the
will tour popular dance venues in Virginia, New York, and New England. Moravian Star and the beautiful symbol it carries.”
To hear the music “The Gal” and her band create is magical. Their energy The painting was unveiled at the formal opening of the new Main Street
and amazing talent, as well as Vanessa’s charisma and good looks, are the Center in Thurmont on Friday, November 13, 2015, the same building that was
perfect formula for a great night, whether one just wants to listen or “dance the Thurmont Moravian Church, built in 1874. It was one of eight churches
baby, dance!” included in a second painting unveiled the same evening by Ms. Pearl, entitled
As her mother, Christine Schoenemann Maccabee, said, “She makes a sad the Spires of Mechanicstown.
song happy.” Ms. Pearl met with members of the congregation in the church’s Heritage
At the Ott House, there were smiles on every face, and the joy was Room, sharing faith beliefs, practices, and traditions of the Moravian Church,
palpable. It was indeed a great night for dancing, whether it was with the one looking at photographs and images of postcards from the late 1800s from the
you came with or with complete strangers. church’s records, and provided by the congregation and the Moravian Archives.
Gal Holiday has shared stages The Joint Board, with input from the congregation, suggested the Christmas
and performed with many other Eve setting. (Portraits of the present-day church in spring were painted by artist
talented musicians, including Willie Rebecca Bennett, daughter of the Rev. Warren and Mrs. Doris Wenger, as a gift
Nelson, Lyle Lovett, Tim McGraw for the congregation’s 250 Anniversary in 2008.)
th
(Jazz Fest), Wayne Hancock, and Ms. Pearl is graciously giving a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the
other notorious crooners. After prints to the Graceham congregation; in turn, the congregation will use the funds
almost a decade, Gal Holiday received to support ministries and services in the community.
continues to evolve through original Ms. Pearl will share her journey of the painting at the 10:30 a.m. worship
compositions, which dominate service at the Graceham Moravian Church on Sunday, November 29. A
their most recent release, “Last to reception for conversation with Ms. Pearl and print signing will follow the
Leave.” This song was featured in a worship. The church is located at 8231-A Rocky Ridge Road in Thurmont.
statewide advertising campaign for Prints of Ms. Pearl’s painting, Morning Star Graceham Moravian Church
Louisiana Propane. 1892 are available in two sizes: (14”x18” and “12x17”) at $95.00 and $55.00.
Gal Holiday and the Honky A few larger prints (22”x30”) are available on request at $175.00. Ms. Pearl
Tonk Band will not be a regular may be contacted at [email protected].
local act, but will likely come back
once or twice a year, we hope. Visit Share Your Creative Side
www.galholiday.com for more
information. Email to: [email protected]
