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22 | SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | FEBRUARY 2015 | SOCIAL CLUBS & GROUPS Yiddish Culture Club "They" say that laughter is the best medicine and a cure for what ails us. With that in mind, last month the members and guests of the Yiddish Culture Club braved the winter weather and were treated to the comedy of actress, writer and stand–up comedian Annie Korzen at their yearly Installation Dinner and, if not totally cured, had their spirits delightfully raised several notches. This month we continue with the same thoughts about laughter but we delve deeper into the who, where, when and why of the 20th century comedians. A 1970s survey found that although Jews represented approximately three percent of the total U.S. population, they accounted for 80 percent of professional comedians. How did a nation that started the 20th century laughing at the folk humor of Will Rogers end the century being captivated by the urbane comedy of "Seinfeld?" Is there a common denominator within this generation of American Jews that produced dozens of comedy legends? Why did this happen? What is their legacy? At 7 pm on Wed., Feb. 11, in the Main Clubhouse Ballroom the Yiddish Culture Club will show the film When Comedy Went To School that answers these questions with an entertaining portrait of our country's greatest generation of comics — the generation that includes the likes of Jerry Lewis, Sid Caesar, Jackie Mason, Mort Sahl, and Jerry Stiller, all of whom make appearances in the film telling jokes and stories. The answer is also found in upstate New York's Catskill Mountains, aka the Borscht Belt, where immigrants transformed lush farmland into the 20th century's largest resort complex. Those hotels and bungalow colonies provided the setting for a remarkable group of young comedians to hone their craft and become worldwide legends. "Thoroughly funny, saucy and spirited, and the history is terrific," reports Joe Neumaier, NY Daily News; "Enchanting," writes Ernest hardy, Village Voice; and "Lighthearted Remembrances," comments Nicole Herrington, New York Times. Refreshments will be served. Guest charge is $3 pp. There is no charge to club members. Info., Diane, 769-0130. Join us for "Take Me Home, The Music of John Denver," featuring Jim Curry, a 90 minute show without intermission. Cost is $20 for members, $25 for non-resident guests. The untimely death of John Denver in 1997 was a tragedy that was felt the world over. Such a void in the musical world left John's ardent fans demanding that his music survive. CBS television responded by producing a made for TV movie, "Take Me Home, the John Denver Story" in which Jim Curry landed an off-camera role singing as John Denver. This experience inspired Jim to produce full- length John Denver Tribute Concerts. He's not your usual Vegas style impersonator. In fact, he is not an impersonator at all. Jim sings, in his own natural voice, a tribute to the music in a way that has to be seen and heard to understand the pure honesty of his amazing performance. His looks and his voice are simply a pleasant coincidence that captures the true essence of John Denver's music. Curry's heartfelt delivery rolls out into the crowd as multi-platinum hits like "Rocky Mountain High," "Annie's Song" and "Calypso" fill the room. John Denver grew rapidly into a mega celebrity when the world was looking for some hope in the late 60s and his lyrics in songs like, "Take Me Home Country Road" gave America a new lift abroad as well as at home. People found pride in the natural wonders of the earth and love for John's message of caring for our planet and each other. Jim delivers these songs in the same spirit, with the same heartfelt care and desire to make a difference. Curry says, "John Denver's music blends the images of our natural earth with a love for each other as people. The care you give to someone you love is the best care. Making that connection to our earth and to each other is the goal." On March 8, you're invited on a musical journey through the 70s featuring the songs of Elton John and Billy Joel, starring Jim Witter. Jim Witter's "Piano Men" is a musical reunion with the things that turned the 70s into the "wonder years." Moments in time that made us laugh and that made us cry it's a musical tapestry featuring the most loved hits of Billy Joel and Elton John celebrating the toys, the television, and the trivia that made us who we are today. Piano Men gives us the rare opportunity to put our cares aside and to view the world once again through the eyes of our youth. Members are $20, non-resident guests are $25. Checks to "Friendship Club." Deposit into box at 5168 Rio Bravo. For cancellations and other info., call Judy at 797-0265. The Friendship Club