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Causes of the American Revolutionary War | This Man’s A Spy!

September 28, 2022 by Admin Leave a Comment

Ever wonder about the causes of the American Revolutionary War? The topic of this week’s The History Twins podcast is “The Revolution So Far/West Point”, and we talk about the events that led up to the American War of Independence. 

We discuss The Stamp Act of 1765 in which Britain taxed American colonists on virtually every piece of printed paper they used, as well as The Townshend Act of 1767 which went a step further, taxing essentials such as paint, paper, glass, lead and tea. 

Soon after the American colonists retaliated with The Boston Tea Party which was the first major act of defiance to British rule over the colonists, and it rallied American patriots across the 13 colonies to fight for independence. 

This unrest led to shots being fired between the British and Colonists in Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts in 1775. These were the “shots heard around the world”, which was one of the causes of the American Revolutionary War.

These conditions led to American General Benedict Arnold making a deal to hand over the plans for New York’s West Point to British Major John Andre. 

Carla and Keyes also discuss the creative process behind the song, “The Revolution So Far/West Point”, which appears in This Man’s A Spy, their musical retelling of the treasonous plot between American General Benedict Arnold and British Major John Andre during the American Revolutionary War.

The History Twins podcast teaches that history is more than just dates and dead people. It’s for people interested in history, and the creative process involved in bringing history to life through performance. 

You can find The History Twins podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Apple and Amazon podcasts, as well as your favorite podcast catchers.

Links:

Stamp Act of 1765
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stamp_Act_1765

The Townshend Acts of 1767
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Townshend_Acts

Boston Tea Party
https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/boston-tea-party

Battles of Lexington and Concord
https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/battles-of-lexington-and-concord

Fort Clinton:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Clinton_(West_Point)

Arnold’s Bounty
https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/from-hero-to-traitor-benedict-arnolds-day-of-infamy

West Point/Fort Arnold
https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/10-facts-united-states-military-academy-west-point

Minutemen:
https://www.ushistory.org/people/minutemen.htm

History Twins Video Podcast on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2E8y3Wj_W_Q7BSlhA9TaCg

HistoryTwins Audio Podcast on Anchor.fm
https://anchor.fm/the-history-twins

Carla and Keyes Blog:
https://CarlaandKeyes.com

Join the Carla and Keyes Mailing List:
https://CarlaandKeyes.com/join

Filed Under: Uncategorized

The Story of Benedict Arnold | This Man’s A Spy!

September 20, 2022 by Admin Leave a Comment

In this episode the focus is on General Benedict Arnold, American Commander of West Point, as well as his wife Peggy Shippen, whose family was loyal to the Crown. Together they conspired with Major Andre to betray the American side. Before his defection, General Benedict Arnold was said to be one of the best, if not the best, battlefield commanders in the America’s Continental Army during the early years of the Revolutionary War.

Finally! The Story of Benedict Arnold!

The History Twins podcast is currently covering “This Man’s A Spy!,” Carla and Keyes’ musical retelling of the treasonous plot between American General Benedict Arnold and British Major John Andre during the American Revolutionary War.

In this episode the focus is on General Benedict Arnold, American Commander of West Point, as well as his wife Peggy Shippen, whose family was loyal to the Crown. Together they conspired with Major Andre to betray the American side.

Before his defection, General Benedict Arnold was said to be one of the best, if not the best, battlefield commanders in the America’s Continental Army during the early years of the Revolutionary War.

On multiple occasions, Arnold sustained several battle wounds, and one leg was slightly longer than another. He had a limp and walked with a cane. He led The Battle of Saratoga, which persuaded the French to join the American Revolution, and received little to no recognition for his heroism and exploits.

As Arnold healed from The Battle of Saratoga, Washington appointed him as Military Governor of Philadelphia after the British evacuated the city. 

He met and courted the beautiful Peggy Shippen, a socialite from a Loyalist family. Some believe that she had been courted by British Major John Andre when the British had occupied Philadelphia.

After overcoming Peggy Shippen’s father’s resistance to the match, Benedict and Peggy married. As Arnold healed, he lobbied with George Washington to place him in charge of West Point. 

On September 20, 1780, Benedict Arnold met British Major John Andre in Haverstraw, NY to hand over the plans to West Point, and their lives were forever changed. 

Only in the 1930’s was it discovered that Peggy Shippen passed encrypted notes between Benedict Arnold and John Andre.

The History Twins podcast teaches that history is more than just dates and dead people. It’s for people interested in history, and the creative process involved in bringing history to life through performance. 

You can find The History Twins podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Apple and Amazon podcasts, as well as your favorite podcast catchers.

Links:

10 Facts About Benedict Arnold and Peggy Shippen
https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/10-facts-benedict-arnold-and-peggy-shippen

Major John Andre designing costume for Peggy Shippen:
https://silkandsass1776.wordpress.com/2019/02/06/operation-meschianza-pt-2-the-dress-deets/

General Benedict Arnold Bio
https://www.mountvernon.org/george-washington/the-revolutionary-war/george-washington-benedict-arnold/benedict-arnold/

Benedict Arnold Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benedict_Arnold

Peggy Shippen Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peggy_Shippen

Peggy Shippen Involvement – Women History Blog
https://www.womenhistoryblog.com/2011/04/peggy-shippen-arnold.html

History Twins Video Podcast on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2E8y3Wj_W_Q7BSlhA9TaCg

HistoryTwins Audio Podcast on Anchor.fm
https://anchor.fm/the-history-twins

Carla and Keyes Blog:
https://CarlaandKeyes.com

Join the Carla and Keyes Mailing List:
https://CarlaandKeyes.com/join

Filed Under: History Twins Podcast

Major John Andre and The Revolutionary War | This Man’s A Spy!

September 13, 2022 by Admin Leave a Comment

John Andre was a merchant’s son, not born into wealth. Yet, he entered the British military with nothing, and rose in rank to become the Head of British Intelligence during the American Revolutionary War.

Charismatic and charming, Andre was admired by both British comrades and American foes.

On September 20, 1780, he met with American General Benedict Arnold in Haverstraw, NY to receive the plans for West Point.

Some believe that Major Andre had even courted Benedict Arnold’s wife, while she was still a young coquette.

After his death, his body was buried in the Poet’s Corner of England’s Westminster Abbey, alongside monuments of Shakespeare, Tennyson, Chaucer, Dryden, and Spenser.

But who was British Major John Andre, really?

Major John Andre biography
https://www.ushistory.org/march/bio/andre.htm

Arnold and Andre Overview:
https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/john-andre/

Westminster Abbey
https://www.westminster-abbey.org/abbey-commemorations/commemorations/john-andre

John Andre’s buried in Westminter Abbey’s “Poet’s Corner”
https://britishheritage.com/art-culture/john-andre-westminsters-unknown-poet

“Smooth Operator” by Sade:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TYv2PhG89A

History Twins Podcast
https://CarlaandKeyes.com/thehistorytwins

Carla and Keyes Blog
https://CarlaandKeyes.com

Join the Carla and Keyes mailing list
https://carlaandkeyes.com/join

Filed Under: History Twins Podcast

Benedict Arnold and John Andre | This Man’s A Spy

September 6, 2022 by Admin Leave a Comment

This Man's A Spy is our musical retelling of the Benedict Arnold and John Andre traitorous plot during the American Revolutionary War

Welcome to our brand-new podcast, The History Twins – where history is more than just dates and dead people. In each episode we explore the past through music and story.

For our first episode, we’re talking about “This Man’s A Spy!”, our musical retelling of the story of American general Benedict Arnold and British Major John Andre.

We first heard about John Andre from Hudson Valley, NY storyteller Jonathan Kruk. In Jonathan’s telling of Washington Irving’s Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Major Andre is actually mentioned. In the classic tale of the Headless Horseman it’s said that Andre’s ghost haunts Sleepy Hollow in the place where he was caught, which is now Patriot’s Park in Tarrytown, NY.

Most people have heard the story of American General Benedict Arnold who gave up the plans for West Point. John Andre is the British officer who received the plans, but who was also caught and sentenced to death. Ironically, Benedict Arnold got away.

One reason that this story is remembered to this day was that, had this traitorous plot succeeded, Britain may have won the war.

Over the course of our podcast episodes, we will tell the stories behind the songs that we wrote and performed for “This Man’s A Spy!”, as well as other historical programs that we’ve created.

We want to give a shout out to Revolutionary Westchester 250 (rw250.org), under the leadership of President Constance Kehoe, was created in support of the United States Semiquincentennial Commission Act of 2016. New York State officially joined the national commemoration of the American Revolution in February 2022 with the passage of the New York State 250th Commemoration Act. Revolutionary Westchester 250 works to build awareness and appreciation of Westchester County’s critical role in the American Revolution.

RW250 launched this aptly named initiative—This Man’s a Spy!—co-chaired by Lynn Briggs and Bob Fetonti. This effort creates community awareness, understanding, and enthusiasm for the historical significance of this critical event in U.S. history. The Yorktown Heritage Preservation Commission /Yorktown 250, in conjunction with This Man’s a Spy! and RW250, is delivering a number of related activities in Yorktown this year, the location of several key Revolutionary War events. Local partners include the Town of Yorktown, Yorktown Small Business Association, Yorktown Historical Society, and the Yorktown Arts + Culture Committee. While admission is free, donations are welcomed.

In July 2016, Congress passed the “United States Semiquincentennial Act” in order to provide for the observance of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, which is in 2026. Local, state, national and international activities are being planned, encouraged and developed to celebrate this birthday. Westchester County, and in particular, Yorktown, played a pivotal role in both the American Revolution and the founding of the United States, and passed a local resolution to honor the occasion. The Yorktown Heritage Preservation Commission is pleased to partner with Revolutionary Westchester 250 (RW250) in presenting special events relating to the nation’s birth.
Join the conversation and listen now on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Anchor.fm, Breaker, Overcast, Pocket Cast, and other podcast catchers.

Listen now by clicking the link in the bio, our IG Stories, or visiting CarlaandKeyes.com/historytwins

Links:
Arnold and Andre Overview:
https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/john-andre/

History Twins Podcast
https://CarlaandKeyes.com/thehistorytwins

Carla and Keyes Blog
https://CarlaandKeyes.com

Join the Carla and Keyes mailing list
https://carlaandkeyes.com/join

Yorktown 250
https://www.yorktownny.org/hpc

Revolutionary Westchester 250
https://rw250.org/

America 250
https://www.america250.org/

First Presbyterian Church of Yorktown
https://fpcyorktown.org/

United States Semiquincentennial Commission Act
https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/3989/text

Filed Under: History Twins Podcast

Turn To The Light

April 12, 2020 by Admin Leave a Comment

We began writing songs together not long after we met. Here’s our most recent song, “Turn To The Light”. We hope it brings you small comfort during these difficult times.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Happy!

April 12, 2020 by Admin Leave a Comment

Unity Center Of NYC asked us to provide music and videos for their Easter Service 2020 and we were happy to oblige.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Flamingo Prom 2018

August 7, 2018 by Admin Leave a Comment

The summer of 2018 may best be remembered as the summer of our Flamingo Prom, which was 100% inspired by Jim’s Flamingo Suit.

The day after losing his wallet, Jim went to Kohl’s to get a new one. Of course, I should have known that my favorite hunter/gatherer would find something else while shopping, but I didn’t expect to receive a text including this pic:

flamingo-prom-1

Let’s just forget for a second why the buyers at Kohl’s actually thought there was a market for these suits in Putnam County, NY. But Jim was quite taken with this “Flaminguy” suit from Opposuits for future kids’ performances.

Now Jim will be the first to tell you, “6 year olds are my people!”, so his buying this flamingo suit isn’t as crazy as bringing home magic beans. I know he’d wear it. But the craziest thing about this suit is that it actually fit him really well. For a big guy that’s 6’3, finding any suit that fits is not an easy feat. So it was hard to ignore that a little destiny thing might be going on.

So he texts the above pic of him in the suit, totally expecting me to tell him that he lost his mind. But the craziest thing happened instead. I texted back: “Wow! I kinda want a matching prom dress!”

Perhaps I was the one who was losing my mind…

Admittedly, even the staff at Kohl’s were confused as to why anyone would buy the suit, and I imagine, almost tried to talk him out of it (“Are you really going to wear this suit??”).

Obviously, they don’t know Jim.

While the salesman searched for the matching tie (yes, there is a matching tie!) that was missing, Jim then posted his dressing room pic on Facebook, and the comments were fast and furious. He hadn’t even left the store, and the suit was a hit.

Jim promptly purchased the flamingo suit without the missing tie, and the next day, even did a Facebook Live playing Jackson Brown’s “Somebody’s Baby” on guitar. His livestream video got lots of views, and I know that we’re on to something. The video was later removed by Facebook, but here’s a screenshot of the moment!

flamingo-prom-2

So back to my prom dress wish. Jim, my favorite online hunter/gatherer, texts me a pic of a flamingo dress from Lindy Bop in the UK. Similar to Jim’s suit the top of the dress is blue like the sky. The skirt has lots of hot pink flamingos, and some garden gnomes too!

flamingo-prom-3

OMG, it was perfect. On dress description page, there was also a hot pink petticoat featured, and my imagination really went wild. Next thing you know, I purchased the flamingo dress and  petticoat, and it was on its way to me!

I thought about the hot pink accessories that we both already had on hand: Jim’s top hat, my Daisy Rock electric guitar, a hairflower and high heels, which can only mean one thing: PHOTO SHOOT TIME! Jim ordered Converse hot pink high tops, and by the time my dress arrived we had just about everything. One trip to Claire’s for matching costume jewelry, and we were off to the races.

So last weekend, we ignored the heat advisory and took pics in our backyard. We even declined a spontaneous invite for a pool party to have our photo shoot. After working up a sweat in the first 10 minutes, I found myself asking aloud,“Whose idea was this???”, knowing darn well it was mine.  

PRO BLOGGER TIP: We used a digital video camera on a tripod to record us posing in front of the camera. We laid a blanket on the grass for our props, accessories, and guitars, and just moved quickly to switch between poses and props quickly. When Jim uploaded the video to Final Cut Pro, he was able to get high resolution screenshots that we could use as pics. As it was just the two of us, getting pics via video screenshots was efficient – and they came out great!

Fortunately, the heat made us work quickly, and we were able to accept the pool party invite after all. Here are some of our early fave pics. Our Flamingo Prom photo shoot was a success!

flamingo-prom-4 flamingo-prom-5 flamingo-prom-6 flamingo-prom-7 flamingo-prom-8

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Fun at Home!

May 6, 2018 by Admin Leave a Comment

Jim and I have been working on a super fun musical project, and we can’t wait to share – stay tuned!

carla and keyes

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Days Are Never Long Enough – Steve Earle Cover Performed by Carla & Keyes

January 1, 2018 by Admin Leave a Comment

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM CARLA & KEYES!

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Spying on Santa by Jim Keyes – Performed by Carla & Keyes

December 29, 2017 by Admin Leave a Comment

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