‘The Fifties in Focus’ Chautauqua set for McCook July 28-30

Friday, May 6, 2022

McCOOK, Neb. — “The Fifties in Focus” Nebraska Chautauqua will come to McCook July 28-30. Presented by Humanities Nebraska (HN), this festival will include family-friendly events, opportunities to learn more about America’s most iconic decade, and Chautauqua-style presentations that allow audience members to interact with historic figures. All events are free and open to the public.

This is the third time a Nebraska community has hosted “The Fifties in Focus.” After

Kearney in 2019 and Ashland in 2022, this will be the final year for this particular theme. Many special events are planned for people of all ages.

Highlights include: Jimmy D will perform in concert on Thursday evening, thanks to the support of event sponsor MNB Bank. Friday evening’s schedule includes a 1950s fashion show hosted by Sue McLain with local models at the Fox Theatre. Keynote remarks by Jim Newton, author of “Eisenhower: The White House Years,” will follow. A Cruise Night and sock hop are planned to wrap up the evening.

During the day on Saturday, participants can return to downtown McCook for a series of breakout sessions on numerous topics ranging from rock & roll and pop culture, to 50s politics, the Red Scare and the Cold War, to other important topics of the era.

On Saturday evening at the Fox Theatre, audiences will be treated to Chautauqua-style presentations of two important historic figures from the era: Civil Rights leaders Rosa Parks (portrayed by scholar Becky Stone) and Thurgood Marshall (portrayed by Dr. Lenneal Henderson).

A complete schedule of all speakers and community events at the 2022 Nebraska Chautauqua will be posted online at www.NebraskaChautauqua.org.

“The Fifties in Focus” is presented by Humanities Nebraska with support from the

National Endowment for the Humanities initiative “A More Perfect Union,” the Johnny Carson Fund at the Nebraska Cultural Endowment and the State of Nebraska. Local support is provided by other businesses, organizations and volunteers.

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