UNIVERSITY NEWS - JANUARY 2004

MEDIA CONTACT: Gene Starn
561-637-7755, genes17@earthlink.net or
Kristine M. McGrath
561-297-1168, kmcgrath@fau.edu

FAU Plans Benefit Performance: "Sophie Tucker Review"

BOCA RATON, FL (January 22, 2004) - When she dons her wig and makeup and belts out one of Sophie's famous songs, Charen De Koven recreates the late Sophie Tucker, "the last of the red hot mamas." De Koven took up the Tucker mantle this year after studying the unique antics and sudden rise to fame of the songstress. Tucker was idolized both on stage and in the movies. Her repertoire ran the gamut from the soulful "My Yiddishe Mamme" to the risqué "Mr. Siegel, You Better Make It Legal." Tucker's rendition of "One of These Days" was the number one hit of its time and it became Tucker's signature song.

Florida Atlantic University's Fraiberg Judaica Collections will be bringing De Koven to the Friedberg Lifelong Learning Center Auditorium for two benefit performances, Saturday, March 20 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, March 21 at 2 p.m.

The benefit will assist the Judaica Music Rescue Project, which has assembled one of the largest collections of Jewish music ever gathered in one place, including over 2,500 individual 78-rpm records (almost 5,000 song titles), 45's, LP record albums, cassette tapes and sheet music. The ultimate goal is to eventually make the songs from the 78-rpm records available on the project's internet website www.fau.edu/jewishmusic for all those interested to hear.

Tickets are priced at $15 and $20 each for both performances. Special sponsor and patron tickets are also available, which include a tax-deductible donation to FAU's Judaica Music Rescue Project. For further information, please call 561-297-2207.
- FAU -