John Dean

By Abby Lattes
Historic Houses

The comedy of Buster Keaton, an original film score performed live by Baltimore's Boister and the songs of Cole Porter played amid the splendor of Evergreen House will be combined on Friday, Aug. 5, for "Buster, Boister and 'Anything Goes.' "

That evening, Evergreen House and the Creative Alliance will host a screening of Keaton's film Our Hospitality in Evergreen's upper garden (rain location: the Carriage House) with live musical accompaniment by Anne Watts and Boister, a Maryland-based band known internationally for its silent film scores. Before the film begins, guests may tour Evergreen; hear vocalist John Dean and pianist Phil Heiliger perform Cole Porter songs in the drawing room, where Porter performed when he was the Garretts' guest in the 1920s; and enjoy a picnic on the lawn.

"The Garretts, Evergreen's former owners, were terrific hosts," Evergreen curator Jackie O'Regan says. "Their home was always filled with art and open to musicians, artists and friends. This evening is a particularly fitting way to honor their legacy."

Boister, which specializes in the films of Buster Keaton, has been commissioned by Evergreen House to compose the score for Our Hospitality. The band's silent film scores have won the praise of Roger Ebert and been performed to sold-out houses at the Kennedy Center, the Smithsonian, the Creative Alliance, the Charles Theatre and the Virginia Film Festival. Boister will premiere the score at Evergreen, performing live on the patio as the film is projected in the garden.

The gates and main house open at 7 p.m. and the film begins at 9. Admission is $12; $6, children 12 and under; free, babes in arms. Tickets are available online at www.missiontix.com or call Evergreen House at 410-516-0341 for reservations and information.

GO TO JULY 25, 2005 TABLE OF CONTENTS.
GO TO THE GAZETTE FRONT PAGE.