Cole Porter’s urbane, big-city persona seems to be at odds with his roots, which is small-town Indiana.
The iconic Broadway composer was born and spent childhood years, in Peru, Ind., a community with a circus history that rests roughly midway between South Bend and Indianapolis.
The annual Cole Porter Festival runs Thursday to June 12 in his hometown, which is about 70 miles north of Indianapolis. The fest serves up a bit of everything, including wine tasting, art contest, bus tours and an ice cream social.
A formal dinner and a big band tribute to Peru’s favorite son also are in the mix.
Born June 9, 1891, Porter created a wealth of suave, romantic pop standards, including “Night and Day,” “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” and “You Do Something to Me.”
The creator of the Great White Way musicals “Kiss Me, Kate” and “Can-Can” was born in a house at 19 S. Huntington St., which is the home of Peru’s Cole Porter Inn.
“I think Cole’s music is timeless,” said John Kirk, operator of the inn that boasts the “Anything Goes” suite, which bears the name of a classic Porter show and song.
A formidable artistic force from the 1920s through 1940s, Porter had the distinction of molding works that featured both his melodies and his lyrics.
“He was one of the few composers from that era who wrote the words and the actual music,” Kirk said.
The fest that salutes Porter has drawn about 2,000 people in previous years — a figure that 2016 fest organizers are eyeing.
“That would be our dream number,” said Vicki Draper, a marketing and public relations volunteer for the celebration.
“We’ve got lots of new things,” Draper said of this year’s edition. “On Friday night we’re going to be doing a black-tie dinner.”
Set for Maconaquah Park, Porter in the Park provides a gourmet feast in a decorated tent, with filet mignon and salmon among the menu offerings.
Also new this year is the Ice Cream Social set for 1 p.m. Sunday. Scheduled to take place at the Miami County Courthouse square, the nostalgia-laced diversion will roll out the Dixieland jazz of the Swampwater Stompers.
“I love them. The musicianship is incredible,” Draper said.
Likewise part of the afternoon is some youth-targeted fun. “We’ll be having period children’s games,” Draper said.
The same young audience is the focal point of the Cole Porter Youth Art Competition, open to Miami County young people ages 8 to 17. The theme of the weekend event is “Remembering Cole” through paintings, drawings, photos and other art.
The general public can take guided tours at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. Sunday of the Miami County Museum, 51 N. Broadway; 765-473-9183. The museum houses a substantial amount of Cole Porter memorabilia and possessions, including his 1955 Cadillac Fleetwood.
In the past, the Cole Porter Festival has attracted international visitors from Sweden, Belgium and Holland.
Porter died on Oct. 15, 1964, at age 73. He is buried in Mount Hope Cemetery in Peru.
The 2016 Cole Porter Festival in Peru includes the following:
Thursday
Wine tasting event at the Cole Porter Inn, 19 S. Huntington St., $15. Includes four wines and a charcuterie platter. Hours are 7 to 9 p.m. local time, according to a release from marketing personnel for the festival. Reservations required; 765-473-9183.
June 10
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Free showings of the 1953 film “Kiss Me Kate” at 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. in the Roxy 5 movie theater. Porter’s music is showcased in this cinematic adaptation of his stage musical.
*The Progressive Porter Dinner enlists several area restaurants. The 6 p.m. kickoff is at the Voodoo Public House with a C’est Magnifique salad, named after a Porter tune. Each participating restaurant serves a part of the dinner. According to the festival’s website, the offerings are meant to mimic the dinners Porter hosted at New York City’s swank Waldorf Astoria hotel. This is a pay-as-you-go event. For reservations, call 765-472-7655.
*Porter in the Park at 6:30 p.m. features high fashion by attendees, dinner and musical entertainment. The festive evening features performances by Troy Miller, Ellen Mock and others. This is a fundraiser for the Miami County Museum. Tickets are $75; reservations required. Call 765-473-9183.
June 11
Bus tours begin at 10 a.m., taking visitors to Porter historic sites, which include the house where he was born and his burial site. The cost is $7.
*Activities for school-age children and younger preschoolers are set for the courthouse square from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., and will include singing, dancing and playing instruments.
*”Porter vs. Sondheim,” presented by Charles Troy is at 11 a.m. at the museum annex across Broadway from the Miami County Museum. Troy will follow up his 45-minute multimedia presentation with another program titled “A Cole Porter Musical Comedy Tour of Paris,” set for 1 p.m. in the same venue.
*A 6 p.m. big band tribute to the composer which features Tuxedo Junction is set for Peru High School, 401 N. Broadway. Tickets can be bought in advance for $10 at the Miami County Museum; $15 at the door.
June 12
Champagne Brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Cole Porter Inn. There will be crepe and omelet stations, carved ham, pastries, fruit, salad and drinks. Cost is $49. Call 765-473-9183.
Bob Kostanczuk is a freelance writer.
Cole Porter Festival
When: Thursday to 12
Where: Peru, Ind.
Tickets: Vary by event
Information: 765-472-7655 or 765-473-9183 or go to coleporterfestival.org