Drummer Viola Smith Celebrates Her 101st Birthday

Viola Smith Celebrates Her 101st Birthday

November 29th, 2013, was a very special day at Piecemakers as we celebrated the 101st birthday of Marie's cousin, Viola Smith. Vi hails from Wisconsin just like Marie but has spent the majority of her adult life living in New York City where she was a top tier drummer in well known big bands and orchestras as well as part of the Kit Kat Band in the original Broadway production of "Cabaret". For the last two years she has called Costa Mesa home and it is a delight to have her as part of our family here at Piecemakers! (Click on any picture to enlarge.)

Everything is prepared for the celebration.

Viola makes her entrance!	Ready for lunch and music	Viola enjoying a song dedicated to her.

Piecemakers Band playing big band songs.	Piecemakers chorus sings for Vi.	A tiny dancer - Vi's youngest relative, Oliver, 100 years younger than her.

Here comes the cake!	The cake - with a photo of young Vi, left, a drum in the center and Vi at 100 on the right.	Viola with her nephew, Dennis Bartash.

Opening gifts.	A big birthday card.	3 generations - Viola, Shastin (Marie's granddaughter), and Oliver, Shastin's son.