9/13 — Tribute to “The Kate Smith Hour”

Kate Smith popularized “God Bless America” (and sang a little ditty called “That’s Why Darkies Were Born“), became a lucky charm for the Philadelphia Flyers, and hosted immensely popular radio and television variety shows from the 1930s to the ’60s. The Chicago Cultural Center‘s Tribute Series will pay homage to her TV show, The Kate Smith Hour, Saturday 9/13 at the Claudia Cassidy Theater (77 E. Randolph) with two free performances at 1 and 3 PM. Opera and cabaret singer Jeanne Scherkenbach will play Smith, while Chicago cabaret artists will portray Doris Day, Marlene Dietrich, and Dean Martin, among others. Space is limited; RSVP at 312-742-8497.