Tickets are selling quickly for Staples Orphenians’ “Cabaret Olé” fundraiser.
The March 30 event (6 p.m., Christ & Holy Trinity Church) is a fundraiser for the elite high school choral group’s upcoming trip to the Spain Choral Festival.
In addition to hearing the talented teenagers sing, Westporters are happy to help the group raise money to ensure that every member can make the trip.
But there’s another, longer-lasting reason to support Cabaret Olé.
Some of the funds will help establish an educational music hub here.
That’s the goal of the VOCES8 Foundation. The non-profit uses workshops, concerts and more to educate and uplift students and communities — including providing opportunities for singers after high school and college.
And they’ve chosen Westport as one of their centers for that work.
VOCES8 musicians have worked with Orphenians in the past, including at the Westport Library.
VOCES8 high school workshop, at the Westport Library.
It’s no surprise that VOCES8 will take part in the March 30 cabaret.
But — surprise! — they and Orphenians will be joined by Broadway stars, including Mary Kate Morrissey (lead in Broadway’s “Wicked”) and Dan Micciche, the show’s music director and conductor.
Morrissey spent a decade touring 92 cities with “Wicked,” “Mean Girls” and “Hair,” before making her Broadway debut in “Wicked” in 2023. Micciche has been with the show for over a decade, including national and international tours.He will coach the Orphenians on their song with Morrissey.
One more surprise: former Orphenian Jamie Mann will perform too. The 2021 Staples grad — currently a senior at the University of Michigan — will be just days away from his Broadway debut in “Stranger Things: The First Shadow.”
Jamie Mann
Orphenians’ set will include part of their repertoire for Spain. They’ll join VOCES8 for at least one number. Exceptionally talented pianist Andrew Maskoff — a Staples senior — will accompany the singers.
“Everyone in Orphenians is helping with fundraising, and performing” says Staples choral director Lauren Pine. “This is a great team-building experience.”
The trip to Spain involves more than just singing in centuries-old cathedrals. Orphenians will also work with guest artists, and learn from some of the world’s top educators.
The young musicians “definitely understand and appreciate where we’re going and what we’re doing,” Pine says.
Cabaret Olé includes tapas and other light bites, and a silent auction.
And of course, plenty of music. The Christ & Holy Trinity sanctuary has wonderful acoustics — perfect for Orphenians, VOCES8, and Broadway stars.
Standing room only crowds got up-close (and very personal) insights into the music world of the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s yesterday, at the Westport Library.
The 4th day of Verso Fest featured conversations with record producer Tony Visconti, and Doors drummer John Densmore.
Chatting with WFUV’s Paul Cavalconte, Visconti offered behind-the-scenes insights into his Grammy Award-winning work with David Bowie, Marc Bolan, Paul McCartney and many more.
Tony Visconti (left) and Paul Cavalconte, on the Library stage.
Topics of Densmore’s conversation with CNN’s Alisyn Camarota included “Light My Fire,” Jim Morrison’s brilliance and self-destructiveness, and the rift among the surviving members over licensing music rights to advertisers (the drummer was opposed).
He also noted how difficult it was to explain “The End” to his parents.
Densmore — who accompanied himself on an African drum and other percussion instruments — spoke fondly of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band, and gave a shout-out to the ’60s.
John Densmore and Alisyn Camerota.
The decade, he said, “planted the seeds for so much good, like civil rights and women’s rights. But seeds can take 100 years to grow. Stop dissing the ’60s — and get out your watering can.”
Among other events yesterday: an all-day record fair.
“Record riot” sales at VersoFest. (All photos/Dan Woog)
Vinyl and CD sales continue today — the finale of VersoFest ’24.
On the schedule:
Connecticut, WPLR, and the Birth of Buckingham/Nicks Era Fleetwood Mac (11 a.m.)
Mind Your Business: Legal Workshop with Marcus Thomas (Sunday, April 7, 11 a.m.)
Video Game Composing with Tom Salta (Sunday, April 7, 12:30 p.m.)
Glam to Punk — A Fashion Roundtable: Alice Cooper, Bowie, Blondie and Beyond, with Cindy Dunaway and Tish & Snooky (Manic Panic); special guest Dennis Dunaway, moderated by Christine Ohlman (1 p.m.)
Unlock the Secrets of Radio Airplay for Emerging Artists with Peter Gray (Sunday, April 7, 2 p.m.)
51 Years of “Wild Style,” the 1st Hip Hop Motion Picture (3 p.m.)
Exhibit: Thinking Inside the Box, multi-media art installation (all day)
Diamond Dogs at 50, David Bowie Exhibit by Paul Brenton with designer Mark Ravitz (all day)
The first quarter of 2024 is in the real estate books.
As shared by our friends at KMS Team at Compass, the number of Westport sales (46) is down 13%, compared to the same quarter in 2023.
However, the total volume of single family home sales — $113,835,000 — is down only 1% over the first quarter last year.
The median sales price, meanwhile — $1,850,00 is up 14% year over year.
Inventory remains scarce, contributing to the reduced number of sales.
Homes for sale over $3 million have been on the market considerably longer (52 days) than those in the $1.4 to $2 million range (18 days).
Right now, 35 homes for sale are listed for $3 million or more. Eight homes are in the $2 to $2.99 million range; 8 are between $1,4 and $1.99 million. Just 4 are listed for under $1.4 million.
The lowest priced home for sale is at 18 Roseville Road ($660,000). The most expensive home is 50 Compo Mill Cove. The asking price $13,500,000.
The Compo Beach Playground Renovation Committee presents their proposed plan to the Parks & Recreation Commission this Thursday (April 11, 7:30 p.m., Town Hall auditorium).
The meeting will be livestreamed on www.westportct.gov, and broadcast on Optimum Channel 79.
Click on or hover over the image below, to see the latest plan.
Westporter Randy Herbertson sits on the advisory board for Voces8 Foundation, a UK-based global chamber music organization. Their 2 ensembles, Voces8 and Apollo5, had over 50 million views on YouTube alonelast year.
Their US-based all-women’s group, Lyyra, is currently touring.
Voces 8’s mission is to use music to support STEAM learning, to students worldwide. They’ve set up “music hubs” in select American cities. They visit several times a year for workshops with students, culminating in performances with the students and ensemble. They always include underserved schools, and those with well-developed programs.
The goal is to establish a music hub in Fairfield County, based at the Westport Library. Donors will underwrite it.
Herbertson is helping plan a program with Staples, Greenwich and Wilton High Schools.
With a combined choir of over 80 young singers, Voces8 and Lyyra did an initial workshop last month at the Library.
Next up: a full performance (April 23, 7 p.m., Trefz Forum). Click here for tickets.
Herbertson is hosting a reception at his 56 Church Lane studio on Saturday, April 20 (5:30 p.m.). Anyone interested in attending to meet founder Paul Smith and Lyyra should email randy@thevisualbrand.com.
The next day (April 21, 5 p.m.) Lyyra performs at Christ & Holy Trinity Church. Click here for tickets.
We’re not sure of the connection between tomorrow’s eclipse, and the importance of buying art.
But this intriguing sign can be seen outside Westport River Gallery, on Riverside Avenue at Post Road West:
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Ellen Wentworth snapped today’s “Westport … Naturally” shot in her Highland Road yard.
In the words of the old song, he was only passin’ through.
(Photo/Ellen Wentworth)
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And finally … John Densmore’s conversation yesterday at VersoFest ranged from the monster success of “Light My Fire” …
… and the jazz influences of “Touch Me” …
… to the awkward moment when he had to explain “The End” to his parents.
Densmore also said he really liked José Feliciano’s completely different version of “Light My Fire” — probably without knowing that the international superstar lives just a couple of miles away, in Weston.
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