Tag Archives: Old School Revue

Roundup: Parkinson’s Programs, Levitt Pavilion, Old School Revue …

Posted on July 5, 2025 | 3 comments

The Westport Center for Senior Activities offers a number of wellness programs.

Three are dedicated specifically to support people living with Parkinson’s. They include:

  • Boxing: A high-energy class to improve balance and coordination, taught by fitness instructor and boxer Dan Lewis. Thursdays, 2-3 p.m.; July 10-September 25. $60.
  • Fitness: A movement-based fitness program to enhance strength, flexibility and mobility, taught by fitness instructor Beth Dalen. First 3 Wednesdays of each month, 10:15-11 a.m.; July 9-September 24.
  • Support Group: Guided discussions offering emotional support, shared experiences and practical strategies for living with Parkinson’s. Guest speakers address specific topics. The group is facilitated by nurse Diane Bosch. 10:15-11 a.m.; July 23, August 27, September 24.

To learn more, call assistant director Holly Betts (203-341-5096) or program specialist Joe Anastasi (203-341-1066).

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Free entertainment is on tap this weekend, at the Levitt Pavilion.

Early Clover — the former Coasters’ lead singer and Apollo favorite pays tribute to Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, Nat King Cole, Otis Redding and more tonight (Saturday, 7:30 p.m.).

Tomorrow it’s Jake Swamp & the Pine, with Kali Stoddard-Imari (Sunday, 6:30 p.m.). Songs range from acoustic anthems to hoedowns to waltzes, drawing on influences from folk, bluegrass and pop.

Free ticket information, details, and upcoming show information is available here.

The holiday weekend kicked off last night with Desert Highway, an Eagles tribute band.

Desert Highway with Freda Welsh and Carleigh Welsh (center) on the Levitt Pavilion stage. (Photo/Sean Bemand)

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Speaking of shows: The Old School Revue All-Stars have a great reputation. So does the Weston History & Culture Center’s “Music at the Barn” outdoor summer concert series.

So the band’s appearance on Sunday, July 13 (5:30 p.m.) should be an extra-special evening. They’ll play classic R&B, rock, soul, jazz and swing tunes.

Current and former members have toured and/or recorded with Steely Dan, the Average White Band, Joe Cocker, Bob Dylan, Jose Feliciano, Tower of Power, Hall & Oates, the Blues Brothers, Rolling Stones and Aretha Franklin.

Bring a lawn chair, and a picnic (no food truck). Tickets are $15 for members, $20 for non-members; purchase here or at the show.

Old School Revue All-Stars

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Marina Drasnin — the photographer and artist who left Los Angeles for Westport after the wildfires, and was featured recently in “06880” — is this month’s guest exhibitor at the Westport Book Shop.

She’ll show her very personal and evocative collection, “ad-DRESSING-life,” featuring her hand-beaded and story-imbued miniature dresses. Each one represents a meditation on love, loss and memory, created during her husband’s 5-year battle with illness.

Marina studied at the Sorbonne. Her work has been exhibited in galleries in Boston, Los Angeles and Paris.

A reception is set for July 16 (6 to 7:30 p.m.).

Meanwhile, the Book Shop’s Short Story Book Club meets July 24 (6 p.m.) to discuss “A Cup fo Cold Water” by Edith Wharton (1895) and “Paul’s Case” by Willa Cather (1905).

Registration is required. Call 203-349-5141, or email RSVP@westportbooksaleventures.org.

Marina Drasnin, at the Westport Book Shop.

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Red, white and blue is everywhere.

Including — on the steeple, and a flag — Assumption Church.

Work has been going on there for a while. But this weekend, it really catches your eye.

(Photo/Janine Scotti)

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Thursday’s wind storm was brief, but powerful.

Especially at Robin Frank’s house. Two umbrellas on metal poles nearly crashed through the kitchen window while she was making dinner.

This one — reaching the second floor — was especially scary:

(Photo/Robin Frank)

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Leslie Byelas — a noted lawyer, and former assistant US Attorney in Connecticut — died Wednesday in hospice care, at his Fairfield home. He was 88.

The Bridgeport native received an undergraduate degree in 1958 and a law degree in 1961, both from Boston University. He served in Connecticut’s Office of the Judge Advocate, and the US Army Reserve.

Les had a longtime legal practice in Westport.  He retired in 2020, after 59 years in the profession.

In addition to his wife Ellen Lubell, Les is survived by his sons Michael and Jonathan, stepdaughter Karina Lubell, sister Ruth Byelas, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Amy Bloom and Bill Mainor, grandchildren Tristan Mareuil and Axel Mareuil,  and several nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, the Connecticut Food Bank, and Connecticut Humane Society.

Les Byelas

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We get lots of sunset photos at “06880.”

But Cabry Lueker’s image of Burying Hill Beach is particularly compelling, for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature.

(Photo/Cabry Lueker)

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And finally … although he’s performed it before, I don’t know if Early Clover will include this song tonight at the Levitt Pavilion (story above).

Still, as long as I’ve got a chance to post a video of this beautiful classic, I’ll take it.

(“06880” always stands by you. And we hope you’ll stand by your hyper-local blog. Just click here to support our work. Thank you!)

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Posted in Arts, Entertainment, Local business, Obituaries, religion, Weather

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Roundup: Betty Lou Cummings’ 90th, 5 M’s Music, Big Y …

Posted on August 9, 2024 | Comments Off on Roundup: Betty Lou Cummings’ 90th, 5 M’s Music, Big Y …

Happy 90th birthday, Betty Lou!

Betty Lou Cummings — former 2nd selectwoman, founder of the long-running Apple Festival, organizer of fundraisers like the Riverwalk and Westport Library River of Names, Senior Center advocate and much, much more — had a landmark birthday last week.

This Sunday, her extended family celebrates the big event.

Here’s to 90 more!

Betty Lou Cummings, and her husband Tom.

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There’s always something cool going on at the Westport Library.

Here are 2 of the coolest: Weston resident Richard Wiese — president emeritus of New York’s historic Explorers Club, and host of Emmy-winning TV show “Born to Explore,” hosts “A Night at the Explorers Club” (Thursday, August 15, 7 p.m.).

Wiese will be joined by a great lineup of explorers, including Lhakpa Sherpa (record holder for the most Mt. Everest summits by a woman), Dr. Nina Lanza (principal investigator on the Mars Rover’s ChemCam), and astronaut Richard Garriott (Explorers Club president, and a pioneer in private space exploration).

Also appearing: Morad Tahbaz, co-founder of the Persian Wildlife Heritage Foundation; documentary filmmaker Brendan Hall; Rebecca Hui, entrepreneur and founder of cultural preservation company Roots Studio, and artist/writer James Prosek. Click here for more information.

Explorers galore at the Westport Library.

A musical excursion to the 5 M’s — Memphis, Macon, Muscle Shoals, Motown and Miami — that influenced so much of our musical history is set for Sunday, August 18 (2 to 5 p.m.).

Part of Roger Kaufman’s “Speaking of Music” series, it includes the vocal talents of Dennis Collins (Roberta Flack/Donny Hathaway), backed by Sharon Collins, Billy Genuario, Stephanie Harrison and T’Zelle Wilson.

Also on stage: the Old School All-Stars band (Bob Cooper, Tim DeHuff, Dave Edwards and Tyger MacNeal), and the Saugatuck Horns (Bob Carlson, Fred Scerbo, and former Rolling Stones sideman Crispin Cioe).

Special guest — local author, bassist and musicologist Brian Torff — will tell stories of his journeys to the 5 M’s. Click here for more information.

Both events are free.

Crispin Cioe

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When will Big Y open?

We’re not sure. Progress has been slow, since the supermarket chain took over vacant space from the abortive Amazon Fresh property (which had been planned to replace the old Barnes & Noble, on Post Road East).

But they’re finally ready to hire. This sign now appears:

(Photo/Bob Weingarten)

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Also opening: Henry Lehr.

Or, we should say, re-opening. Or even, re-re-opening.

A pop-up shop appeared for a couple of weeks. Around Labor Day, a regular store will take over that 66 Post Road East location, next to the (current) Barnes & Nobel, and LoveSac.

It’s a return, of sorts. Henry Lehr was a successful business for many years, on Main Street.

They closed in 2014. There are now several successful stores in the Hamptons.

And — soon — they’ll be back to their Westport roots.

The shuttered Henry Lehr on Main Street. (Photo/Dave Matlow for WestportNow)

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Retail changes are in the works in Weston too.

According to Weston Today, Josh and Jessica Tolk — owners of Lunch Box, the diner-style restaurant in Weston Center — hope to rebrand it, into a bar and grill.

The 47-year-old spot will continue lunch and dinner service, with expanded days and hours of operation. They also may return to breakfast service in a modified format, and continue takeout and delivery service.

The Tolks also seek approval of a new entrance, facing Weston Road. Click here for the full story.

New Lunch Box: artist’s rendering (Courtesy of Weston Today)

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“Remi’s Run for Parker’s Cure” is a colorful community event, for a great cause.

The morning of fun, fitness and philanthropy is set for Sunday, August 25 (10 a.m. to noon, PJ Romano Field track).

The color run is part of Remi Rutstein’s bat mitzvah project. It’s dedicated to her cousin Parker, who is battling a rare genetic brain disorder known as HIST1H1E.

Participants — grouped by age — will run or walk around the track, while being splashed with colorful, non-toxic powders. By the end of the run, everyone is a living rainbow.

The fun also includes breakfast from Lyfe Café, a candy truck, sports and games, tattoos, a DJ, and plenty of surprises.

Remi says the event is a way for Westporters to come together and celebrate Parker, raise awareness, and contribute to the search for a cure.

The event is free, but donations are welcome.  Click here to register, and for more information and contributions.

PS: Volunteers are welcome (and needed!). To help, email megan@westportmoms.com.

Remi Rutstein (right) and Parker.

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Turnout in early voting for this year’s Republican primary is low.

Very low.

Through the first 5 days, only 20 electors cast ballots. Throughout Connecticut, the numbers are equally low.

There are 2 contests here: United States senator (Gerry Smith vs. Matthew M. Corey), and congressman (Bob MacGuffie vs. Michael Goldstein).

Voting hours are today (Friday), tomorrow and Sunday (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.), at Town Hall only.

On Tuesday (August 13), Republican voters should go to their regular polling places.

For more information, call 203-341-1115.

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Long-time Westport resident — and 1950s country & western artist — Mimi Roman (Mimi Roth) performs this Sunday (August 11, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., 148 East Avenue, Norwalk), at the 6th annual Italian American Police Society Vincent Penna Jr. Car Show. Click here for car show details.

She’ll be joined by Clue & The Honeytones.

The car show raises funds for the Vincent Penna Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund. It awards money to the education of local children.

Penna died suddenly in December 2020 at age 51, leaving behind his wife and teenage sons, plus countless family members, friends, colleagues and fellow officers who admired his passion for his family and community.

Penna was an officer with Westport for 26 years, becoming deputy chief before retiring in 2017.

The event will have hundreds of classic and exotic cars, and thousands of automotive enthusiasts. There is a $20 fee to enter a car; spectators are free.

Besides music, there are raffle prizes, food trucks, trophies and more — including over $40,000 in prizes.

Click here for a video of Mimi singing on the Orleans Hotel & Casino main stage in April — the day after her 90th birthday.

Click below for a great documentary on her:

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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo is great.

A great blue heron, that is.

Johanna Keyser Rossi spotted this handsome bird by the Library Riverwalk.

(Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)

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And finally … that 5 M’s Westport Library program, with music from Memphis, Macon, Muscle Shoals, Motown and Miami (story above), seems very cool.

There are squintillions of songs I could pick from those legendary towns. Here’s one, with ties to two.

Otis Redding grew up in Macon, Georgia, and lived there for much of his too-short life.

Wikipedia says: “You Left the Water Running” is a soul music song written by Dan Penn, Rick Hall and Oscar Franks. It has been recorded by Wilson Pickett, Maurice and Mac and most notably by Otis Redding….

In 1966, Redding was visiting FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama when studio owner Rick Hall requested Redding help them with an upcoming session. Wilson Pickett was to record “You Left the Water Running,” and Hall wished for Redding to record a demo to assist with the production. A simple recording was made and Redding made some overdub additions, and Pickett made his recording similar to Redding’s version.

Ten years later, (music journalist Dave) Marsh was mailed a promo copy of “You Left the Water Running” by Otis Redding on Stone Records….

Marsh was fascinated by the song, and mentioned the new single to several friends, including his attorney, who also happened to represent the Otis Redding estate. He soon found out that Stone Records had not obtained the Redding family’s permission to release the long lost demo recording, and demanded the single be pulled from circulation.

When Marsh asked the label’s distributor what was to become of the single, he was informed that they were to be destroyed. Instead, Marsh purchased the copies that remained, and gave them out as gifts, with the attorney’s permission. As a result,the single (Stone 209) is now highly valuable.

(Westport connection: 1961 Staples High School graduate Charlie Taylor — a talented singer/songwriter, and frequent “06880” commenter — is a longtime friend of Dan Penn.)

(Don’t leave the water running! And don’t forget to support “06880,” your hyper-local blog. Just click here. Thank you!)

Comments Off on Roundup: Betty Lou Cummings’ 90th, 5 M’s Music, Big Y …

Posted in Entertainment, Library, Local business, Local politics, Politics, Weston

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Roundup: Slice Canceled; Live Music Returns; More

Posted on July 22, 2020 | 3 comments

 

The latest victim of the coronavirus: Slice of Saugatuck.

The Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce has canceled the annual event, planned for September 12. The food tasting and retail experience draws thousands of people to Saugatuck each fall. There’s music and kids’ activities too.

The announcement is a disappointment to festival-goers, restaurants and shops — and Homes with Hope, which benefits each year from the proceeds.

Hungry for live music? Hungry period?

Head to the Milestone in Georgetown this Saturday (July 25, 7:30 p.m.). There’s an “old school music variety show,” featuring Aztec Two-Step and the Old School Revue with the Saugatuck Horns, plus surprise guest artists.

The large patio offers plenty of space for social distancing. But — as it always does — great music draws everyone together.

There’s not even a cover charge!

Westport was well represented in this year’s Connecticut Entrepreneur Awards.

Sarah Deren of Experience Camps took home first place in the “Entrepreneur of the Year: Scaling Company” category, while Mark Mathias won in the “Community Favorite — Entrepreneur — Social Good” division for his work with Remarkable STEAM.

Mathias also earned honorable mention in the “Judged — Entrepreneur — Social Good” category.

Remarkable STEAM received honorable mention in the “Community Favorites – Event” category, for producing Maker Faire Westport.

Traffic has picked up lately — though it’s still lighter than pre-COVID levels.

Nevertheless, this sight on Morningside Drive South is one you don’t see too often here. The riders are Greens Farms residents.

(Photo/David Squires)

A group of friends gathered at the Longshore golf course 10th tee last week, to unveil a bench and plaque honoring Greg Tapfar. He died in December, of complications from ALS.

And finally … the Summer Olympics were set to begin in Tokyo this Friday. The pandemic has pushed the quadrennial event back to 2021. So it will be another year before we hear:

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Posted in Entertainment, Organizations, Restaurants, Saugatuck

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By The Time We Get To Westonstock

Posted on August 31, 2018 | 3 comments

“By the time we got to Woodstock we were half a million strong …” Joni Mitchell sang.

Not quite. But a ton of people were at Yasgur’s farm, 49 years ago this month.

There won’t be quite as many at Weston’s Coley Homestead (104 Weston Road) on Saturday, September 15 (2 to 8 p.m.). They won’t get naked, sleep in the mud, and hear Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Country Joe rock America.

Hey, this is 2018, not 1969. But it will still be very, very cool.

The festival is the finale of the Weston Historical Society’s summer-long retrospective of ’60s music. Exhibits, concerts and forums have explored the impact of rock, psychedelia, folk, Motown, soul and more on our country — and our little slice of Fairfield County.

Like Woodstock though, Westonstock is about more than just music. There’s a ’60s car show, and kids’ activities too. (Those kids are of course the grandchildren of people who were stardust, golden children of God, back in the day.)

But music is key. Westonstock features Old School Revue — the popular local band fronted by 1966 Staples High School graduate Roger Kaufman. The Saugatuck Horns — a 6-piece R&B band — will be decked out in vintage ’60s attire.

Other performers include local favorites (and talented neighbors) Chance Browne, Rob Carlson, Crispin Cioe, Chris Coogan, Tim DeHuff, Charlie Karp, Jeff Southworth and David Weber.

All have long and storied musical pedigrees. They’ve played with the Rolling Stones, Buddy Miles, Jimi Hendrix (though not at Woodstock) and many more.

Roger Kaufman (center, with hat) and his Old School Revue.

The cars, meanwhile, will take you back to the days of listening to great music while cruising (or “watching the submarine races”). Many are on loan from Dragone Classic Motors.

There are also ’60s music trivia contests, and ’60s dance demonstrations.

Jr’s Hot Doggin’ Food Truck and Olive & Julep Craft Cocktails head the list of food and beverage suppliers.

Whether you recall the ’60s, can’t remember them (“if you do, you weren’t there,” Grace Slick or Timothy Leary or Robin Williams supposedly said), or were not yet born, Westonstock is for you.

All you need is a blanket, a lawn chair and some patchouli.

(Click here for tickets and more information. They’re also available the day of the event. Proceeds help renovation projects at Coley Barn and Coley Farmhouse.) 

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Posted in Entertainment, Looking back, Organizations, People

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Roger Kaufman: Memphis (Rhythm ‘n’) Blues Again

Posted on April 22, 2016 | 5 comments

Roger Kaufman is old school.

While his peers listened to the Doors and Janis Joplin, the 1966 Staples High School graduate sang doo wop.

His band — Four on the Floor — moved on to jazz, R&B and folk tunes.

Roger Kaufman

Roger Kaufman

Music changed, but Kaufman didn’t. He formed a group called the Old School Revue. Decades later, they still play all around the area. (Old School Music is also the name of Kaufman’s music event production company.)

His old-school roots extend back to ragtime. Back in the day, Mel Kaufman — Roger’s grandfather — was one of America’s premier ragtime songwriters.

Through that ragtime connection, Roger met John Hasse. He’s curator of American music, at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

Hasse needed help filling a hole in the renowned museum’s collection. He asked Kaufman to find people who’d been involved in the 1960s Memphis rhythm ‘n’ blues scene.

Green OnionsThe Stax label — named for its founders, record store owners Jim STeward and Estelle AXton — was a creative, fertile and constantly evolving home for talented musicians. Black and white, they played together — at a time when the country was convulsed by civil rights conflicts, and integrated music sessions were almost unheard of.

Kaufman — who calls Hasse a “brilliant and wonderful ethnomusicologist” — was happy to help.

For the past 2 years, Kaufman traveled in search of Memphis musicians. He found one who now lives in Nashville. His name: Steve Cropper.

No history of Memphis R&B is complete without Steve Cropper. As guitarist for Booker T. & the MGs — Stax’s house band — he backed artists like Otis Redding, Sam & Dave and Carla Thomas. He also produced many of their records.

Later, he earned fame as a Blues Brothers founder. Rolling Stone ranked him 39th on its list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time.

Steve Cropper and Roger Kaufman

Steve Cropper and Roger Kaufman.

The Smithsonian needs artifacts — letters, photos, Grammy Awards — from the Stax days. Cropper has them.

Now — with Kaufman’s help — he’s donating them to the museum.

At his Nashville home, Cropper showed 3 guitars to Kaufman. One was used on Otis Redding’s “Dock of the Bay” sessions. The others backed Rod Stewart and Tower of Power.

The guitar Steve Cropper played on "Dock of the Bay" is headed to the Smithsonian -- thanks to Roger Kaufman.

The guitar Steve Cropper played on “Dock of the Bay” is headed to the Smithsonian — thanks in part to Roger Kaufman.

Then he pulled out an amp. It was used to record “Green Onions” — the signature song Cropper, just 21 years old, wrote with Booker T.

As they chatted, Cropper talked about his career. He told Kaufman and Hasse how he’d written legendary songs like “Knock on Wood,” “Midnight Hour” and “Dock of the Bay.”

Cropper paved the way for more visits. Soon, Kaufman heads to Macon, Georgia to visit Otis Redding’s widow Zelma. He’ll also talk with Sam Moore, of Sam & Dave.

Kaufman has already met Vaneese Thomas, whose father Rufus wrote and sang “Walking the Dog.” The other day, they had lunch at Longshore.

Roger Kaufman, John Hasse and Steve Cropper form a formidable team. Together, they help — as Kaufman says, quoting Aretha Franklin — Memphis musicians finally get their Smithsonian “propers.”

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Posted in Entertainment, History, People, Staples HS

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