In 2022, Elisa Gabriele heard about The Gig Center. She’d always sung; the opportunity to join an adult band seemed intriguing.
It took her a year to summon the nerve to email the Post Road East business, which in addition to forming groups also offered lessons and instrument rentals.
Summoning the courage, Elisa took voice with Steve Sasloe. She joined a Tuesday night classic rock band, and a weekend country-ish one.
Today, she owns the place.
Literally.
This summer Gabriele — a Westporter since 2005 — bought The Gig Center. Renamed The Music Collective, it’s keeping alive the chance for kids and adults to play and sing with bands.
And it keeps the laid-back vibe that attracts musicians — experienced and aspiring — of all ages.
Gabriele had no experience running a business. A Vanderbilt University business school graduate who worked in marketing for L’Oréal, she had stepped away to raise her daughters.
She was very involved with their PTAs, and ran the Westport Softball program. But when her oldest headed off to college, Gabriele had a bit of time for herself.
The Gig Center looked intriguing. Still, taking the step from voice lessons to the stage was daunting.
Once she began singing though, Gabriele realized: “People like me!”
She was hooked.
Elise Gabriele with her Tuesday night band. From left: Rick Solazzo, Chris Cass, Seamus Monschein, Barry Urich, Steve Sasloe.
Fronting a band “is nothing like the other parts of my life,” she notes. “I’m not doing laundry or cooking. This is completely for me.”
That appeals to many adult performers. Some are retired. Others have young kids. One is a massage therapist. All are looking for a creative outlet.
So when the Gig Center’s owners were ready to move on, Gabriele was determined not to let it close.
Ready to rock.
She knew nothing about taking over a business. But she found a lawyer, Doug LoMonte at Berchem Moses. He recommended a CPA.
She ran the numbers. They worked. She was on her way.
Gabriele changed the name to The Music Collective, to better reflect that there’s more there than just playing, like instrumentrentals and repairs.
Sasloe — who had created The Gig Center out of the Westport Music Center, a longtime hub for lessons, rentals and repairs, musical books and accessories — and fellow instructors Chris Cass, Josh Auchterlonie, Mike Gurge, Glenn Mariconda and Drew Willmott are still there.
Steve Sasloe (left) and Josh Auchterlonie.
July was a good time to take over. Summer is the slow season. She spruced up the space — the former Kidville store, opposite the new Delamar Westport hotel — and eased into ownership.
An open house earlier this month introduced The Music Collective to youngsters ages 6 to 18 (and their parents).
Gabriele looks forward to reinvigorating the youth program — and perhaps offering something for the under-6 crowd too.
Steve Sasloe teaches piano.
The Music Collective is similar to School of Rock, but with a different model.
“They’re all about performance,” Gabriele explains. “We offer lessons, and you don’t have to be in a band. But if you are in one, you decide here what the music will be. It’s a very social experience.”
With lessons on everything from piano, guitar and drums to brass, banjo and voice — and no experience needed, “just desire” — The Music Collective rocks.
(“06880” regularly covers businesses — new and old — in Westport. If you enjoy learning about them — or anything else going on in town — please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Our “Historic Homes of 06880” tour returns for a third great year!
Save the date: Sunday, November 2 (1 to 4 p.m.).
Once again, we’ll open 4 beautiful — and very different — homes to the public. You’ll see loving restorations, creative touches, and some very cool surprises.
Once again, we’re working with KMS Team at Compass to present this fun (and very popular) event.
The 4 homes will be revealed soon. See you November 2!
This Cross Highway barn was part of our 2023 “Historic Homes of 06880” tour. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Want to help shape the future of Westport’s parks?
As part of the Parks Master Plan process, the Parks & Recreation Department hosts a public workshop on September 30 (6 p.m., Westport Library). All community members are invited. It will be run by the town’s consultants, BL Companies.
The Town’s consultant, BL Companies, will provide residents with the opportunity to engage directly with the consultants, share feedback, and learn more about the planning process.
If you’re between the ages of 6 and 18, and you play music — or want to — or you’re the parent of someone who does, check out the Music Collective’s open house this weekend (September 20-21, 3 to 6 p.m.; 1572 Post Road East).
The Collective (formerly the Gig Center) looks forward to showing off its space. Instructors will be there, attendees can try out some instruments. Or sing into a mic.
Jim Savage plays boogie-woogie piano on Saturday (September 20, 6-9 p.m.).
And a Veterans Benefits Luncheon is set for September 25 (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.). It’s open to all veterans as part of an ongoing effort to check in on all veterans’ welfare, and connect them with the benefits and support they earned.
Representatives will answer questions, and provide information on services and assistance available to veterans.
RSVPs are encouraged (but not required). Email vfw399ct@gmail.com, and include the number of attendees, or call (203) 227-6796.
PS: If you’re not a veteran, but know one: Please pass the word!
Mark Shanahan has earned standing ovations as the Westport Country Playhouse artistic director.
But he works his magic away from the local stage too.
Shanahan is the writer and director of the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp’s annual Fandango Benefit Gala. It’s this Saturday night, at the Ashford camp in northeastern Connecticut. Shanahan took over the role from the Playhouse’s Anne Keefe, several years ago.
The Playhouse is a strong supporter of the event.
The camp — which creates joy and community for seriously ill children and their families — shares a long bond with the WCP.
Westporters Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward supported both institutions generously. Many Playhouse staff members volunteer at Hole in the Wall throughout the year.
The Playhouse also raises funds for the Camp every December, through audience donations at “A Sherlock Carol.”
Club203 kicked off the 2025-26 year in style Tuesday, at Weston’s Lachat Farm.
Members of Westport’s social club for adults with disabilities kicked up their heels, danced with Marca, and enjoyed great food catered by Carmine Cenatiempo of Calise’s Deli.
MOCA offered art projects, Skip’s Good Humor ice cream added dessert, and the volunteers helped everyone make the most of the great Lachat setting.
Art by MoCA, at Club203. (Photo/Stacie Curran)
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Heating season (and heating bills) are near.
Fortunately, beginning October 1 income-eligible Westport residents can apply for the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program.
Those who previously qualified for assistance through Westport’s Department of Human Services will receive application instructions in the mail. Residents wishing to apply for the first time should call 203-341-1050 or email humansrv@westportct.gov.
To qualify, household income must be at or below 60% of the state median income. The maximum income for households is:
Households of one (1) $47,764
Households of two (2) $62,460
Households of three (3) $77,157
Households of four (4) $91,854
Households of Five (5) $106,550.
Applicants must have recent copies of heating, electric, water, lease or mortgage statements, and other proof of income documents.
On Saturday, 1,500 guests will enjoy lobster, steak, veggie burgers, all the trimmings, beer and wine and other beverages — plus music, kids’ activities and much more — at the Westport Rotary Club’s annual LobsterFest.
At Tuesday’s weekly meeting, longtime member and LobsterFest maestro Rick Benson updated members on logistics. All hands will be on deck, raising $400,000 for charitable organizations in Fairfield County and abroad.
Rick Benson, and his map.
Rotarians also heard from Wendy Petty. The Senior Center director said that 25% of Fairfield County residents are over the age of 65. The Center has seen a commensurate increase in membership over the past few years.
The Senior Center hosts over 100 classes each week, along with a tech hub, nutrition program, and a quarterly veterans’ coffee.
Wendy Petty (Photos/Dave Matlow)
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Westport’s other Rotary Club — Sunrise — celebrates International Day of Peace this Sunday (September 21, 2 p.m.), by sharing peace through music and humor.
The event — “Songs and Reflections on Peace, Kindness and Fun” features performances by the Whirled Peas Band, with members from area Rotary clubs and special guests David Friedman, Shawn Moninger, Eric Šebek and Samantha Talora.
There is a great back story to today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo.
But first, marvel at this creature:
(Photo/Seth Schachter)
Seth Schachter encountered this massive reptile yesterday on Maple Lane, near Burying Hill Beach.
A neighbor helped him get it to safety. Otherwise, Seth is sure it would have been struck by a car.
Turtles can live well beyond 100 years. This guy might have been roaming Greens Farms at the dawn of the automobile age.
Seth and his neighbor used a broom and a large blue recycling bin — something that was definitely not around when the turtle was born — to move it along.
And finally … sure, we honored this group just the other day, when Mark Volman died.
But thanks to the item above, they’re worth revisiting, with a different song:
(If you enjoy “06880,” we hope you’ll be part of our November 2 “Historic Homes” tour. We also hope you will click here, to make a tax-deductible contribution supporting our work. Thank you!)
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