Prohibition has ended, and it’s cause for celebration.                  

The UK School of Music will host “Speakeasy” from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, April 15, to benefit the Friends of Music, a volunteer organization which advocates for and funds travel and research for music students and faculty.

“This source of support is crucial to enable and enrich students and faculty members to engage in professional endeavors they otherwise would not be able to do,” said Cecilia Wang, Professor Emeritus and former music faculty member. “The fund supports activities such as traveling to compete in music competitions or perform and read research papers at national and international conferences.”

Friends of Music hosts three to four events throughout the year, and the committee begins planning a year in advance. Past themes include Ethereal Brewing, Valentine Salon, Music of Coal, Slavonic Piano Music and Gospel Singing.

Each theme is chosen to “showcase the talented students and faculty in the School of Music, and sometimes alumni… the music is always excellent, the food delicious and the people friendly. It is a good place to make new musical friends,” Wang said.

“Speakeasy” will feature the music of the 1920s and 1930s performed by Dick Domek, Professor Emeritus of Music Theory and Composition at the UK School of Music. Domek is a pianist and music director for the Walnut Street Ramblers.

“His compositions and musical arrangements of traditional ‘dixie’ and jazz music have been recorded, broadcast, and performed worldwide by such groups as the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, the Chicago Jazz Ensemble, the United States Marine Band and the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force Orchestras,” according to the Walnut Street Ramblers website.

Wang said she will be hosting the event because she “can provide a cozy place, a grand piano and a good view by the lake.” Although speakeasies provided illicit alcohol during the Prohibition era, Wang said the drinks at “Speakeasy” will be “legit.”

President of Friends of Music and Assistant Professor of Music Education Martina Vasil shared the drink menu– wine and Gin Rickey’s– and the catering menu by Season’s Catering–deviled eggs, tea cakes, Benedictine canape, puff pastry cocktail franks, spinach dip with toasted sliced baguettes and pineapple upside-down cake. Each guest is encouraged to dress in period attire.

The event will be held at 527 Laketower Drive #102, 40502. Tickets cost $40 per person, and $20 of each ticket is tax-deductible. Tickets are limited. RSVPs should be made to Director of UK’s Piano Preparatory Program Vicki McVay at 859-257-2863 or [email protected]. Checks must be made out to UK School of Music and should mailed or delivered to:

Dr. Vicki McVay

UK School of Music

105 Fine Arts Building

Lexington, KY 40506