Borscht Belt Entertainment: Comedy and Music of the Mountains with Alex Prizgintas

Join local author and historian Alex Prizgintas for the third installment of his Borscht Belt series. This dynamic program explores the vibrant history of comedians, musicians, and “Tummlers” (entertainment directors)-including Lou Goldstein, whose real-life story inspired the film Dirty Dancing. Enjoy rare audio excerpts, video clips, and oral interviews that bring this legendary era to life.

An advisory board member of the Borscht Belt Museum of Ellenville, Prizgintas did not live during the era of the grand hotels and bungalow colonies, but is nonetheless fascinated by the artifacts that remain. “Beyond their revolutionary architecture and nexus of cultures, I was always drawn to how the Borscht Belt intersected with many of my other historical interests—principally railroads,” says Prizgintas. As a staple of all these lectures, this event will feature displays of historical artifacts related to the entertainment theme of the Borscht Belt, allowing the audience to visibly and tangibly view the region’s past. For more information, visit alexprizgintas.com.