FEATURING
Sommelier Thierry Lesparre
RSO Principal Cellist Amy Butler

Mix and Mingle: 4:00-4:30 PM
Grab a drink or nibble, tour the mansion, chat with friends, and get ready for a fabulous evening.

Introduction: 4:30 PM
Host and sponsor Mike Feeney will start off the evening with a brief welcome.

Wine Lecture & Tasting: 4:30-5:30 PM
Master Sommelier Thierry Lesparre will guide guests thru a selection of French wines while exploring the history, region, grape varieties, and historical influences.

Concert: 6:00-6:30 PM
Cellist Amy Ward Butler performs.

Jazz Interlude : 4:00-4:30 PM, 5:30-6:00 PM, 6:30-9:00 PM
Eric Yves Garcia performs Gershwin, Porter, and other jazz favorites.

Venue Tours: 4:00-9:00 PM
Tour our 28-room, 117-year-old mansion, the childhood home of Mary Nolan. Pick up a map at the entry table and explore the first and second floors. Each room features an information sign highlighting history and architectural facts. More about the mansion >
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Garden Music: 6:30-10:00 PM
​Head outside and enjoy our nine flowering garden areas while listening to the tunes of the After All Band performing favorites from the ‘50s-80s. Grab a hot dog or hamburger and relax or dance in the evening air.

Drinks: 4:00-9:00 PM
Experience 20 premium wines from around the world. Check out the Martini bar and try a Cucumber martini or your own favorite.

Hors d’oeuvre: 4:00-7:00 PM
Enjoy some savory bites artfully prepared by Gracie’s 21st Century Cafe
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Dessert: 4:00-8:00 PM
​Sample six gourmet fudges paired with a selection of wines. Additional desserts are available in our second floor dining room.

Thierry Lesparre is a Michelin-trained Parisian Level 3 Sommelier. Mentored by the legendary sommelier Olivier Poussier, recognized as one of the best sommeliers in the world by the UDSF (Union de la Sommellerie Francais), Thierry trained throughout France at Michelin-starred Le Pavillon Elysée-Lenôtre and Le Drouant before coming to the U.S., where he worked with French-American culinary luminaries such as Jean-Louis Palladin and Georges Perrier. Currently he is Sommelier at Amorette restaurant in Lancaster, PA, which specializes in French-American fine dining with multi-course prix fixe tasting menus, private dining rooms, intimate chef’s table experiences, and an impressive selection of boutique and rare wines. www.amorette.com

Amy Ward Butler is a New Jersey-based cellist and holds two degrees from Eastman School of Music. She has performed with many renown artists including Joel Krosnick of the Juilliard Quartet, Yo-yo Ma, Kurt Masur, Seiji Ozawa and Leonard Bernstein. She has worked with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Choral Arts Society, Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, Baltimore Opera Company, Harrisburg Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra, New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, American Ballet Theatre, Opera Theatre Montclair, Papermill Playhouse, and Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra where she performed for 12 years. In January 2019, she became principal cellist with the Reading Symphony Orchestra. www.amycello.com

Eric Yves Garcia is one of the most coveted pianist/singers on the New York City scene, as well as London and Paris. Eric has appeared at Carnegie Hall, Town Hall, Symphony Space, Birdland, 54 Below as well as multiple runs at Bemelmans Bar. He was the recipient of the Margaret Whiting Award and performed at the Gala Opening Night of the 24th Annual New York Cabaret Convention held in the Rose Theater of Jazz at Lincoln Center. He is the winner of the 2014 Bistro Award for Outstanding Singer/Instrumentalist. He is a graduate of Fordham University at Lincoln Center’s theatre department, an audiobook narrator and provides music for Ronald McDonald House charity events. He specializes in the Great American Songbook and Jazz. www.ericyvesgarcia.com

After All organized in 2009 to bring a broad mix, small-ensemble offering to the Eastern Pennsylvania live music scene. After All’s musicians bring generations of experience. Directed by Angelo DiMaria (guitar) and Jack Abel (keyboards), After All’s two lead vocalists (Joey Borzellino and Brenda Wilson) cover an amazing range of styles. Adding drums and the occasional guest artist, the small ensemble format uses synthesizers to add horns and strings for a rich, orchestral sound. Covering music from James Brown’s “I Feel Good” to Bobby Darrin’s “Beyond the Sea”, and everything in between, After All’s mix of music makes every occasion memorable. After All is available for weddings, parties and other festive occasions. www.facebook.com/afterallband/

Visitors can tour the historic 28-room Feeney Mansion and nine flowering garden areas from 11am-4pm, enjoy free music from 12-3pm, carriage rides from 12-4pm and butterfly release at 2PM. Hamburgers, hot dogs and other treats will be available along with wine and other beverages. Performing in our garden will be the After All Band playing favorites from the 50s-80s with the perfect mix of pop, rock, funk, and swing. There is plenty of room for dancing.

Free event. Families Welcome. Rain or shine. No RSVP needed.

About the Mansion

The Historic Feeney Mansion, which serves as the facility for the John P. Feeney Funeral Home, continues its 9th Annual Music in the Centre Park Mansion Series and celebration of the funeral home's 50th anniversary in its Centre Park location with another free event.

Visitors can tour the historic 28-room Feeney Mansion and nine flowering garden areas from 11am-4pm, enjoy free music from 12-3pm and Butterfly release at 2PM. Light snacks and beverages will be available. Performing in our garden will be the Pete Souders Jazz Trio. Pete Souders is an accomplished saxophonist and renown as the owner of Ortleib's Jazz Haus--one of the Philadelphia's top jazz clubs. Free event. Families Welcome. Rain or shine. No RSVP needed.

About the Feeney Mansion
Built in 1902, the turn-of-the-20th-century Feeney mansion is a fine example of Georgian architecture. Originally the childhood home of Mary Nolan, the eldest daughter of James Nolan, a railroad tycoon, she married Edward Dives, the son of Josiah Dives, one of the founders of the Dives, Pomeroy & Stewart store. Mary lived in the home until her death in 1969, when the mansion was acquired by John P. Feeney. In 1987, the mansion was used as a location for the movie Time of Tears.

Above ground there are 28 rooms and six bathrooms on three floors and more than 9,200 square feet of floor space. The basement has an additional 2,200 square feet of space. Several fixtures, including stain glass widows, fireplaces and leaded cabinets date back to the 17th century. The mansion also holds the first elevator ever installed in a residence in Reading. It is operational and can transport up to four people between the first and second floors. At the rear of the property sits a two-story carriage house, which is more than 100 years old. Over the years, it has been renovated several times and served many purposes, including housing an ambulance service. It now serves as living quarters for our staff.

The garden areas surrounding the property include: Veterans Walkway; the Driveway Garden; the Memorial Garden featuring the statue of Dionysus, the god of wine, theater, and peace; the Carriage House Garden; the rose-lined Reflections Walkway; the Vegetable Garden; Solitude Nook; Neighborly Garden, and the Nursery Garden. During the summer there are more than 3,000 roses in bloom.

The Historic Feeney Mansion, which serves as the facility for the John P. Feeney Funeral Home, continues its 9th Annual Music in the Centre Park Mansion Series and celebration of the funeral home's 50th anniversary in its Centre Park location with another free event.

Visitors can tour the historic 28-room Feeney Mansion and nine flowering garden areas from 11am-4pm and enjoy a free concert from 12-3pm. Light snacks and beverages, including a selection of wine, will be available. Performing inside the mansion will be Maria Damore, singing broadway show tunes, jazz, and soft rock hits from the 70s & 80s. Free event. Families Welcome. Rain or shine. RSVP requested.

About the Feeney Mansion
Built in 1902, the turn-of-the-20th-century Feeney mansion is a fine example of Georgian architecture. Originally the childhood home of Mary Nolan, the eldest daughter of James Nolan, a railroad tycoon, she married Edward Dives, the son of Josiah Dives, one of the founders of the Dives, Pomeroy & Stewart store. Mary lived in the home until her death in 1969, when the mansion was acquired by John P. Feeney. In 1987, the mansion was used as a location for the movie Time of Tears.

Above ground there are 28 rooms and six bathrooms on three floors and more than 9,200 square feet of floor space. The basement has an additional 2,200 square feet of space. Several fixtures, including stain glass widows, fireplaces and leaded cabinets date back to the 17th century. The mansion also holds the first elevator ever installed in a residence in Reading. It is operational and can transport up to four people between the first and second floors. At the rear of the property sits a two-story carriage house, which is more than 100 years old. Over the years, it has been renovated several times and served many purposes, including housing an ambulance service. It now serves as living quarters for our staff.

The garden areas surrounding the property include: Veterans Walkway; the Driveway Garden; the Memorial Garden featuring the statue of Dionysus, the god of wine, theater, and peace; the Carriage House Garden; the rose-lined Reflections Walkway; the Vegetable Garden; Solitude Nook; Neighborly Garden, and the Nursery Garden. During the summer there are more than 3,000 roses in bloom.

Open to the Public.

John P. Feeney Funeral Home is proud to announce its Armed Forces Day Ball, which will take place on Saturday, May 18, 2019 from 7-10pm at the Olympian Ballroom, 603 Penn Ave, West Reading, PA 19611. Let's Dance Big Band will perform music from the "Great American Songbook." General admission tickets are $10 (free for WWII and Korean War Veterans) and available in advance or at the door. Dinner tickets are $25 and must be purchased in advance. Food will be provided by West Reading Tavern. Table seating will be reserved for dinner guests. A cash bar with beer and non-alcoholic beverages will be available. Military dress uniform or proper dress is required. No sneakers are allowed on the dance floor. This event is also supported by the USO and Berks County Office of Veteran Affairs. For tickets and additional information, visit www.johnpfeeney.com

Schedule of events:
6:00pm: Doors open
6:30-7:00pm: Mini dance session by the Olympian Ballroom Dancers
7:00pm: Flag Ceremony and special tribute to Jerry Theodoussiou, British Army WWII Veteran and founder of Fred Astaire Dance Studio, West Reading
7:15-8:15pm Self-serve dinner
7:15-10pm: Music & Dancing

This event is open to the public. You need not be a Veteran or active duty member to attend.

ADVANCED TICKET AND DINNER TICKETS ARE CLOSED.

​GENERAL ADMISSION TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED AT THE DOOR.