In The Mood

 

"Breath of Fresh (Val) Air!" was the headline of one of the first things I read online this morning. And even though I doubt I will ever see the inside of the 84-year old building again, it is still music to my ears. After years of neglect and the possibility of it being torn down, the new owner has announced a fifteen million dollar complete renovation of the famous ballroom. As the article stated: "Like many Iowans, he feels a connection here."

Naturally, I began remembering my own connections to the Val Air and while time has dimmed my memory of some of those, a few stand out, like dancing to In The Mood, one of my all time favorites of the Glen Miller Orchestra. I don't remember the name of the touring Big Band, but I enjoyed dancing to that Glen Miller favorite and all the songs they played that night.

Some of the times when I went there with friends to listen to music and dance, the tables and dance floor would be full. And other times there were few patrons there and the Val Air had all the signs of being left in the past. 

My clearest memories of are going there to see and hear the The Wolfe Tones, "an Irish rebel music band that incorporate Irish traditional music in their songs". The group's appearances were sponsored by, if I remember correctly, the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick of Central Iowa. I know I went two different years which may be the only times they came to Des Moines.

But I've listened to this cassette tape, which I bought at the Irish Shoppe in downtown Valley Junction (West Des Moines), many times. 

I have two more Wolfe Tones cassettes which someone made for me labeled simply "Cassette 1 and Cassette 2". I say 'someone' because I don't think it is my handwriting - possibly my youngest son's? 

These tapes contain the songs which are more Irish Rebel. They really stir my Irish roots and have the power to make me mad, sad, glad and nostalgic for a homeland I never knew.

The Wolfe Tones took their name from Theobald Wolfe Tone, one of the leaders of the Irish Rebellion of 1798. Many of their songs relate to the Easter Rising of 1916 and the people who fought and died for Ireland's independence. 

According to the article "if all goes well, the Val Air should be ready to rock by spring next year".  I may never go there in person again, but, with luck, I will see photos of the renovations.