So when he married Jessica Trainham in Darien a few weeks ago, the music was not your run-of-the-mill — or even a cut above — wedding band.
Seal headlined. (He waived his usual seven-figure fee for private events. And hired another drummer for the night.)
Most weddings do not have a singer named Seal.
The officiant was a boldface nametoo, with Staples ties. Justin Paul — the 2002 grad, and second youngest EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) winner in history (6 months older than his “Dear Evan Hansen,” “La La Land,” “The Greatest Showman” songwriting partner Benj Pasek) — tied the knot.
Drew McKeon and Jessica Trainham, with officiant Justin Paul.
Also in attendance: Alisan Porter. The Class of 1999 alum — who went on to fame in “Footloose” and “A Chorus Line,” then won “The Voice” in 2016 — sang at the “warm-up” event the night before, at Fairfield Theatre Company.
Drew Angus (SHS ’07, “American Idol” contestant) was at Drew’s wedding too. So was Ryan Smith (SHS ’97).
Ryan Smith and Alisan Porter provide entertainment the night before the ceremony.
The nuptials were not, of course, an all-Staples affair.
Thirty members of Bolton’s touring band flew in from across the country. It was their first reunion since the singer’s brain tumor halted his shows. (He’s in “good spirits and good health,” a recent report says.) They added tremendous energy and musical talent to the weekend.
Meanwhile, for the curious: Drew and Jessica met in West Hollywood. She is a model, actress and entrepreneur, running a home organization business. They live near the beach in Marina del Rey.
But for Drew — and his many Staples musical friends — Westport will always be home too.
The dress code was formal. But when 90% of the guests are musicians, that’s a loose definition. Staples Class of 2001 and novelist Ted Thompson (right) sports a more conservative look.
(“06880” is truly where Westport meets the world. If you enjoy stories like this — or anything else on our hyper-local-yet-also-global blog — please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
The smoky odor that pervaded much of Westport was due to a wildfire.
In Great Barrington, Massachusetts.
Smoke from the Berkshires drifted southward, then hung around.
Fire Marshal Terry Dunn says, “Smoke in the air is a stark reminder of how quickly fires can spread under the right conditions. We urge all residents to remain diligent, and respect the outdoor burning ban to keep our community safe.”
As seen from Sherwood Island State Park, smoke from Massachusetts lingers over Cockenoe Island. (Photo/Chris Swan)
They were named Counry Music Association Vocal Group of the Year for the 7th time. That beats Little Big Town’s 6 awards.
Old Dominion’s lead guitarist, Brad Tursi, is a 1997 Staples High School graduate (and former soccer star). Last month, he wowed a sell-out Levitt Pavilion crowd last month, as a solo artist with a different backup band.
Old Dominion, at last night’s Country Music Association awards. Westport native Brad Tursi is at far left. (Hat tip and photo/Tricia Summers)
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The other day, “06880” reported on harsh, homemade and very un-neighborly sign posted by a Fillow Street resident.
She was (rightly) upset by very-unneighborly neighbors who neglected to pick up the dog poop deposited on her lawn.
I think she reads “06880.” It’s been replaced by this much smaller, more reasonable, and decidedly neighborly one:
The largest crowd ever turned out for last night’s Artists Collective of Westport show opening, at the Westport Country Playhouse’s Sheffer Barn.
All works — over 100, in a wide variety of styles, genres and materials — are available for purchase. And all are 12″ x 12″, making them easy to ship.
The show runs through Sunday, November 24 (noon to 4 p.m., Sheffer Barn at Westport Country Playhouse).
Nina Bentley is one of the many artists whose 12×12 work is on display at the Westport Country Playhouse’s Sheffer Barn. (Photo/Lynn Untermeyer Miller)
Alisan Porter (Staples High School Class of 1999) and Drew McKeon (SHS ’00) are hitting the road in New England this week, support Alisan’s new record, “The Ride.”
The longtime friends co-wrote the single “Nothing’s Broken,” which Drew produced in his “tiny Manhattan apartment bedroom,” his parents’ Westport basement, and his friend Tim Walsh’s home studio in Black Rock.
Drew finished with vocal tracking at Charlie Chaplin’s old Hollywood lot.
Drew and Alison perform a set of Alisan’s original music spanning her career — including selections from her winning season on NBC’s “The Voice” — this Saturday (November 23) at the intimate Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center in Old Saybrook. Click here for tickets, and more information.
Other performances include The Cut in Gloucester, Massachusetts (November 30), the Music Hall Lounge in Portsmouth, New Hampshire (December 2), and Boston’s City Winery (December 4).
Alisan Porter and Drew McKeon.
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Speaking of Staples alumni entertainers: “The Good Whale” — a new 6-episode New York Times podcast about “Free Willy” orca star Keiko, once the cameras stopped rolling — includes an original song by Staples High School graduate Justin Paul, and his writing partner Benj Pasek.
They’ve already won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony. Can whatever award is given for podcast music far behind? (Hat tip: Ann Humphrey)
Speaking of music: Weston High School junior Owen Daniel has just released his debut single.
“Fear of Losing You — the first song he ever wrote — was produced at Norwalk’s Factory Underground Studio. It is available on all streaming outlets. Click here to listen and download.
More entertainment news: This Sunday (November 24, 7 p.m., Fairfield Theatre Company), Westporter Hannah Levin (Greens Farms Academy Class of 2015) screens her short film, “Golden Child,” as part of the FTC Short Film Festival.
The plot: a young woman is reunited with her childhood friend at a pool party, and reckons with the fact that he used to pee on her when they were kids.
Former Staples High School football star Willard “Buz” Leavitt — part of the 1964 backfield that included Bill During, John Bolger and Jack Forehand — died on November 13. He was 77, and lived in Blythewood, South Carolina.
Buz moved from Burnt Hills, New York to Westport as a junior. After his stellar Staples seasons, he headed to Wake Forest University. He earned ACC Offensive Player of the Week mention, and graduated in 1970.
He met his wife Anne there. They married in 1969, and were together for 55 years.
Buz spent 32 years with Procter & Gamble in Charlotte, as sales manager and special events director.
For spent decades coaching youth sports, and was admired by players and parents alike.
Buz is survived by his wife Anne; sons Chris (Darla) of Greenville, South Carolina, Charley (Heather) of Charlotte, and Courtney (Shelley) of Blythewood; brother Scott (Bridget), of Charlotte; sister Susan Pittman, of Roswell, Georgia, and grandchildren Riley, Zoe, Lila, Ian, Banks, Ella Chase, Eliza and Olivia.
A service to celebrate his life will be on November 22 (1 p.m.), at the Clubhouse at Cobblestone Park in Blythewood.
In Lieu of flowers, a gift in Buz’s memory can be made to Baby Bundles, a Charlotte nonprofit that provides essential baby items to families in need.
Longtime Westport realtor Margherita (Marj) Basili died last Friday. She was 94, and also lived in Palatka, Florida.
The New Haven native worked her way through New York University, and graduated with a degree in business.
She worked as a management consultant, then worked for the Australian Consolidated Press in New York.
In 1957 Marj moved to Naples, Italy, where she supported the 6th Fleet as a buyer and merchandising manager in the Naval Postal Exchange (PX).
She married in Italy, then and returned to the US in 1960 to start a family. She taugh in Milford and Westport elementary schools.
By 1969, a single mother of 3 young boys, she shifted into commercial and residential real estate
Her family says, “Marj curated a large group of friends, knitted together by her interests in life and her empathetic approach to others. She reveled in helping others. No problem was insurmountable to her.”
She survived by her sons, Giuseppe (Dean) of Norman, Oklahoma, Gianfranco (Allison) of St. Augustine, Florida, and Roberto (Sara) of Bergen, Norway, granddaughters Alexandra Basili Gunther (Ben) and Johanne, and grandsons Benjamin and Filip.
At Marj’s request, no funeral or memorial service will be held.
And finally … in honor (or at least recognition) of yesterday’s visit from Great Barrington:
(Many “06880” readers contacted us yesterday, wondering about the smoky smell. We’re glad the town turns to us. But we rely on your support to keep us going. Please click here to help. Thanks!)
Everyone loves “A Chorus Line.” Especially anyone who’s ever been in it.
That includes Alisan Porter.
The former Staples High School actor/singer (and “Curly Sue” movie star, and “The Voice” winner) played Bebe in the Broadway revival of that epic show.
It closed in 2008. But 44 cast members leaped — literally — at the chance to dance in a video: “A Chorus Line in Quarantine.” From around the world — in living rooms, kitchens, on decks and apartment rooftops and in their yards and streets — they sent clips of themselves reprising the opening number.
The montage is amazing. And there — at the 1:46 mark — is our own Alisan. Enjoy! (Hat tip: Susan Thomsen)
One of the bright spots of the pandemic is the number of young people who are doing great things to help.
Staples High School student Natalie Bandura launched “Masks That Matter.” She and other teenagers sew washable, reusable homemade cotton masks, then distribute them to Westporters and others in need.
Whether you need a mask or want to help make them, click here. The website is clean and easy to navigate.
Natalie hopes to supply everyone in Westport who needs one with with a mask. Together, she says, “we can help flatten the curve here in town.”
Nearly a month ago, in the early days of the pandemic, a group of Westporters started a virtual bingo night. They play every Thursday, from across the country (all have Westport ties). The winner chooses a non-profit to get the buy-in pot.
So far, they’ve given away nearly $500. Last week’s winner picked the Gillespie Center. For more information, email Stan@witkow.com.
A scene from the Virtual Bingo game.
Meanwhile, Molly Alger notes that the Fine Wine Company in Compo Shopping Center offers this good-looking (and tasty) new mask:
Speaking of signs, Darcy Hicks felt compelled to post this in the house she’s self-isolating in with a lot of guys. Okay, they’re her husband and sons, but still…
And finally … we started today’s Roundup with a former Staples Players star. Here’s a song from another.
P!nk offers an inspiring version of “A Million Dreams” from “The Greatest Showman.” Which of course was written by 2003 graduate Justin Paul, and his partner Benj Pasek.
Fairfield County is a microcosm of our country. People of every race, ethnicity and religion — and with every imaginable political view — live within minutes of each other.
But we all live in strictly defined towns and cities. We hardly ever mix — let alone listen to each other.
For over 100 years, the Anti-Defamation League has used its strong voice to build mutual respect among communities.
On Sunday, September 10 — thanks to the leadership of ADL’s Connecticut director Steve Ginsburg, a Westport resident — the organization will use many voices to bring area residents togetherin a celebration of similarities and differences.
“Voices: A Concert for Unity” will inspire its Levitt Pavilion audience through music, dance, video and spoken word. The list of performers is very impressive.
Emcee Paul Shaffer — of David Letterman fame – will introduce the red-hot Plain White T’s, and national artists Suzanne Vega, Garland Jeffreys and Napoleon da Legend.
Plain White T’s
They’ll be joined by Westporters who have earned national notice: Alisan Porter (winner of “The Voice”), “Newsies” star Adam Kaplan, Michael Bolton’s drummer Drew McKeon, and Justin Honigstein (lead singer of Honeystone). The Staples High School 2016-17 Orphenians will sing too.
Also onstage: Bridgeport’s ABCD, Neighborhood Studios and Pivot Ministries Choir; Weston’s Chris Coogan and the Good News Choir, and Fairfield’s Double Up Dance Studio and FRANK (School of Rock).
Westport’s own Alisan Porter. with “The Voice” trophy.
Artistic director Sarah Green is one of the Founders of Kool to be Kind, and the director of the wildly successful Slam Jam held earlier this year at the Westport Country Playhouse.That broad array of talent is matched by a variety of partners. ADL is working with more than 40 non-profits across the area.
They’re reaching out too to religious groups, universities, local and state law enforcement agencies, and government officials across the political spectrum — though this is a non-political event.
The outpouring of support from national and local celebrities, businesses, volunteers and the host town of Westport is greater than for any previous local ADL event, organizers say.
Sponsors are still being sought, to enable community partners to attend free of charge — and help fund ADL’s programs to fight bias, bigotry and bullying of all kinds.
ADL has been a powerful voice in an important fight. They’ve assembled other powerful voices for September 10. Now you can add yours, too.
(For tickets to “Voices: A Concert for Unity,” click here. To learn more about sponsorships click here, or contact Terry Sidera by email [tsidera@adl.org] or phone [203-780-0209]).
The 36th annual “Capit0l Fourth” celebration — a star-studded outdoor concert at the US Capitol, attended by tens of thousands and broadcast nationally by PBS — kicked off tonight with a stirring version of the national anthem.
The star who sang it? Westport’s own Alisan Porter — better known now as the most recent champion on “The Voice.”
She was followed by Smokey Robinson. Then Alisan returned, for a rousing rendition of “America the Beautiful.” She was accompanied by the Ministers of Music, and a gorgeous video tribute to America’s national parks — this year celebrating their 100th anniversary.
Alisan sounded great. Maybe next year she’ll do it again — this time at our Compo Beach fireworks?
Alisan Porter — the former Staples Players star who went on to fame in “Footloose” and “A Chorus Line,” and now has a devoted national following as founder of the very cool Lil’ Mamas website — has reached the finals of “The Voice.”
She joins 3 other contestants — none of whom could possibly be as good — in the 2-part finale. It airs today and tomorrow (May 23 and 24, 8 p.m. EDT) on NBC.
We’re all rooting for our hometown girl. We’ll be tuning in.
But just to make sure she gets her well-deserved win, here’s how you can help:
Posted onMarch 10, 2016|Comments Off on Alisan Porter’s Exclusive “Voice”
Last month, “06880” broke the story about former Staples student Alisan Porter’s upcoming appearance on “The Voice.” Her haunting rendition of “Blue Bayou” earned raves from the notoriously hard-to-please judges.
But it took the enterprising journalists at our local high school to snag an exclusive interview with her.
Students working with instructor Jim Honeycutt on the superb “Good Morning Staples” TV show conducted a bi-coastal interview with the woman who — less than 2 decades ago — was a high school student herself. (Okay, one who had already played “Curly Sue” in the movie of the same name.)
Click below for the segment with interviewer Gavin Berger, broadcast earlier today:
Westporters knew her as the star of Staples Players’ “Cinderella.” Moviegoers remember Curly Sue in the movie of the same name. Broadway fans recall her performances in “Footloose” and “A Chorus Line.” Mothers across the country revere her as a founder of Lil’ Mamas, a no-holds barred, edgy and very insightful look at motherhood today.
Starting Monday — when season 10 of “The Voice” begins on NBC — Westport’s own Alisan Porter will wow a whole new audience of TV viewers.
Porter’s blind audition performance of the Linda Ronstadt hit “Blue Bayou” inspired all four “Voice” coaches — Adam Levine, Pharrell Williams, Christina Aguilera and Blake Shelton — to turn their red seats in her direction, and then get out of those seats for a standing ovation.
Levine called it “the most beautiful, flawless, passionate, pitch-perfect thing I have ever heard in my entire life. I’m astonished by you….You’re going to win ‘The Voice,’ and I believe you can do it on my team.”
Sounds as if they should just cancel the competition, and give Alisan Porter her own title, show and Grammy right now.
Of course, to everyone who knew her growing up in Westport 2 decades ago, all this is old hat.
The 1999 Staples graduate — who also played Curly Sue in the movie of the same name, and performed on Broadway in “Footloose” and “A Chorus Line” — gave birth to her 2nd child, talked openly about her sobriety, and has just released her 1st solo album in 6 years.
After many years recording and performing with her band The Canyons, she felt the need to explore musically on her own. She spent time in Nashville writing, and — with friend and fellow Staples grad Drew McKeon — went into the studio. He co-wrote, co-produced and played on the album, called “Who We Are.”
“We basically sat in her kitchen in California with a guitar and a laptop and started writing a song,” he says, recalling the project’s genesis. “Twenty minutes later we had a demo for a tune.”
They went out and got all-star musicians, veterans of bands for Joni Mitchell, James Taylor and Eric Clapton.
In a People magazine story written by yet another Staples grad — Jennifer Garcia — Porter describes her work as a recording artist, mother of 2 (ages 2 1/2 and 6 months), and blogger (“The Lil’ Mamas” is a no-holds-barred, tell-all, not-your- grandmother’s look at motherhood).
“Motherhood always comes first,” she says. “But I knew I wasn’t going to be a good mother if I didn’t continue to do what I love! Music is a part of me and I had to express myself, especially now that I’m a mom. That inspired a lot of the album. My own growing up and watching my children do the same.”
That’s happening in California now. But you can’t take the Westport out of Curly Sue Alison Porter.
Posted onApril 5, 2013|Comments Off on Ali’s Merry Lil’ Mamas
Ali Porter had plenty of success — in plenty of ways — on both coasts.
Alisan Porter as Curly Sue.
A child actress, she played Curly Sue in the film of the same name. She left Staples in 1998 — after her junior year — to act, work on music and hang with her boyfriend in Malibu.
A year later she was on Broadway, playing Urleen in “Footloose.”
Then it was back to Los Angeles for music and dance; New York, as Bebe in the 2006 revival of “A Chorus Line”; then California again, where she led a band called the Canyons; and marriage.
Last July, her son Mason was born.
Suddenly, Ali was a lot less footloose.
But motherhood didn’t quell her energy, sense of humor or zest for life. Since February, Ali has been the go-to girl behind The Lil’ Mamas, a no-holds-barred, tell-all, 7-mother blog that is not your grandmother’s look at motherhood.
Not even yo momma’s.
With fresh stories every Monday from all 7 contributors — on topics like pregnancy meltdowns, dipshit husbands and that surefire winner, lactation — it’s a must-read for new mothers.
But only those with senses of humor.
Lil’ Mamas began last year, as a private Facebook group for Ali and a few friends who were due around the same time. They compared notes, asked each other questions — “no topic was too personal or crazy,” Ali says — and eventually moved from closed Facebook group to open website.
“When you’re a brand new mom,” she notes, “there’s nothing like having another mom tell you what to do.”
Ali Porter, and Mason.
“Everyone thinks breast feeding is awesome, but it comes with a gaggle of issues,” Ali says.
“There are plenty of experts out there, but when you have engorgement in the middle of the night, and don’t know whether to pump, this is the place to ask.”
And, she adds, “Google scares you. You always find the worst things — ‘one Diet Coke during pregnancy leads to brain damage!’ We’ve got real talk, with real women. They’ll say, ‘Relax. You can have one Diet Coke!'”
One section of Lil’ Mamas is called “We Like This Stuff.” The moms cut through the clutter of a zillion baby carriers, bath toys, bottles, pacifiers and other gear, to suggest what’s best.
Always, there’s humor. “Being a new mom can be so daunting,” Ali says. “You think you’re the only mother whose baby poops during a business meeting. We’re here to tell you it happens to everyone.”
Lauren Manning Price
“We” includes a healthy Westport contingent. Ali’s best friend Lauren Manning Price is one of the 7 bloggers. So is Celia Behar, who was Ali’s babysitter — as in, she babysat Ali — back in the day.
Ro — married to Westporter Alex Freedman — blogs too. And Westport’s Kate Littman Greenberg is the Lil’ Mamas “product guru.”
The local influence was on display a couple of weekends ago. A bunch of “Lil’ Mamas” from this area planned to travel to Hartford, to run in a 5K benefiting Sandy Hook families.
When Lauren heard that at least 45,000 people were expected, and the forecast was for cold and wind, she helped organize a closer benefit run starting and ending at Compo Beach, later in the day.
Lil’ Mamas (and a Big Papa), with their babies at the Compo 5K. From left: Megan Clawson Nathanson, Jaime Patel-Tangredi, Lauren Manning Price, James Fisher, Ann Curry Fisher, Rose Freedman. Rose is married to a Staples grad; all the other women went to Staples together.
“Like most things in motherhood, everyone had to adapt,” Ali says. “It was still cold and windy at Compo, and there were all these crying babies in ‘Lil’ Mamas’ t-shirts.”
But, she notes, “Everyone still laughed. And everyone had a good time.”
Sounds like every day with Ali Porter and her band of fun, funny Lil’ Mamas.
Bonus feature below: Alisan Potter, singing with her band The Canyons. (Click here if your browser does not link directly to YouTube.)
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