Staples Alum Sam Laskin Returns To Westport Again Leading The Dartmouth Brovertones
On Monday, Staples class of 2020’s Sam Laskin once again brought the a cappella group to Westport, performing at Saugatuck Congregational Church before a packed audience which gave the highly talented group a standing ovation.
Photos And Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Their website said, “ Originally named Final Cut, the group was traditionally known for singing popular songs from the 80s and 90s. Over the years, they have become one of the premier a cappella groups on campus. The group sings a large variety of songs, ranging from chart-topping hits to Dartmouth traditionals. They arrange all of their own music and each Bro has a say in which songs are performed and have released five albums. The latest, titled "Bro Ties," was released in January of 2019. Every December they embark on our Winter Tour, performing at numerous colleges, alumni clubs, and other venues along the east coast. They hold auditions every fall in conjunction with the other campus a cappella groups.”
The group brings a high-energy spin to their performances with some great moves not normally seen in a cappella shows. They perhaps surprised the audience members who had not previously seen this group by opening with the Backstreet Boy’s “I Want It That Way” which blended into NSYNC’s hit, “Bye Bye Bye” with several Bros singing leads with the rest singing back up harmonies. A Dartmouth traditional song, “Hanover Winter”. Next, they did some surfing to a medley of Beach Boys tunes. Their clever arrangement of 12 Days Of Christmas in which they re-ordered the days and added ab libs, bringing laughter and applause from the audience. They brought a country flair, performing Wagon Wheel written by Bob Dylan and Ketch Secor, recently popularized by Darius Rucker’s cover.
Photos And Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
If you missed this stellar performance it can be Viewed On YouTube.
Staples Orphenians Take The Stage On Monday Following The Brovertones At Saugatuck Congregational
Always a thrill to hear, Staples High School Orphenians was led by the schools, new choral director, Lauren Pine. Pine bright her 40 Orphenians to the stage following the Dartmouth Brovertones at Saugatuck Congregational, in a wonderfully performed selection of holiday favorites. Selections included “The Winter’s Night”, “Caroling, Caroling”, showing the perfect harmonies this a cappella group is noted for. They next turned to the classic ballet from the Nutcracker with their “Dance Of The Sugar-Plum Fairy and closed with a spirited “Jingle Bells” which brought the crowd to their feet.
Photos And Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
About The Orphenians:
Founded by Dr. George Weigle in 1958, the Orphenians have been the premiere vocal ensemble in Westport for more than six decades. Over those many years, the Orphenians have performed across the globe; including nearly every country in Europe, the United State's West Coast, Australia and most recently Hawaii (summer of 2023).
Under the direction of Lauren Pine, this year's ensemble consists of 40 auditioned students ranging from 9th to 12th grade. Known for their many holiday performances throughout the town of Westport, they have become an integral part of the local community during the holiday season and year round. In fact, after this performance, the group went home to change into their formal wear to join the Dartmouth Brovertones, led by Sam Laskin, Staples 2020 graduate and a President of the Staples Players in a special holiday concert at Saugatuck Congregational Church.
If you missed this stellar performance it can be Viewed On YouTube.
Photos And Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Twinkling Lights And The Sounds Of The Season Begin The Holidays At Westport Town Hall
The Westport community gathered at Town Hall as they have for many years to enjoy the well-loved annual tradition of lighting the Westport Town Hall Christmas tree last night. A large crowd of 150 or more Westporters and area residents joined for the festivities.
Photos And Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
First Selectwoman Jen Tooker gave remarks on the spirit of the season in this welcoming community which values inclusion and acceptance of all it’s residents and visitors. She also noted the efforts of the Westport DPW in getting the tree ready for the big moment, which takes the entire day to accomplish. The nearly 50 foot tree is out of reach for the town bucket truck so the town has contracted with The Davey Tree Expert Company for the last several years which brings a pair of very tall bucket trucks enabling them to wrap the approximately 3500 LED lights around the tree, in the day-long project.
When the big moment arrived Ms. Tooker invited children, parents and grandparents (above, center) from the crowd to help with the countdown.
Photos And Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
As always, Staples High School’s legendary Ophenians provided the entertainment and began the event by performing several holiday favorites.
The Staples Orphenians gather for a Photo Op before they kicked off the night’s festivities.
The acclaimed forty-member strong a cappella group this year was led by Staples High School’s new choral director, Lauren Pine. They opened with Deck The Halls, followed by Joy Shall Be Yours In The Morning, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, closing with everyone’s favorite, Jingle Bells.
Photos And Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
About The Staples Orphenians:
Founded by Dr. George Weigle in 1958, the Orphenians have been the premiere vocal ensemble in Westport for more than six decades. Over those many years, the Orphenians have performed across the globe; including nearly every country in Europe, the United State's West Coast, Australia and most recently Hawaii (summer of 2023). Under the direction of Lauren Pine, this year's ensemble consists of 40 auditioned students ranging from 9th to 12th grade. Known for their many holiday performances throughout the town of Westport, they have become an integral part of the local community during the holiday season and year round. In fact, after this performance, the group went home to change into their formal wear to join the Dartmouth Brovertones, led by Sam Laskin, Staples 2020 graduate and a President of the Staples Players in a special holiday concert at Saugatuck Congregational Church.
First Selectwoman Jen Tooker, nicely decorated with her Christmas lights necklace was joined by Selectwoman Candace Savin (L), second selectwoman Andrea Moore, and former First Selectman Jim Marpe who had hosted this cherished event for years.
Photos And Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The glowing lighted tree delighted the children and was a perfect backdrop for family photos.
After the twinkling tree lights were glowing against the night sky, the Westport Museum For History And Culture across the street invited the audience to their ornament making event (see article below) and for hot chocolate to warm up their guests.
Photos And Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Westport Museum's Festive Kickoff: Hot Cocoa, Ornament Making, and Community Spirit
Above, Kami Naraghi Director of Marketing & Development and Nicole Carpenter Director of Program & Collections welcomed families to the museum after the Town Hall Christmas Tree lighting for the festivities. Parents and grandparents helped children prepare new ornaments to be hung from the family Christmas tree.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The Westport Museum for History & Culture recently ushered in the holiday season with a heartwarming event that brought the community together in a spirit of joy and creativity. Following the town's dazzling tree lighting ceremony, the museum welcomed locals to join in the festive merriment with a delightful combination of hot cocoa and ornament-making.
As the aroma of cocoa filled the air and cheerful carols echoed through the newly renovated barn, attendees of all ages gathered to craft one-of-a-kind ornaments, each infused with the magic of the season. The event not only offered a space for creative expression but also served as a heartening reminder of the community's shared traditions.
What makes this celebration even more special is that it goes beyond spreading holiday cheer. The Westport Museum for History & Culture operates as an independent nonprofit, relying on the support of the community to fund its award-winning exhibits and educational programs. Events like the hot cocoa and ornament-making soirée play a crucial role in sustaining the museum's mission.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Above: The museum is beautifully decked out for the holiday season and has a fine selection of ornaments, greeting and postcards and many other unique and creative gift offerings.
By participating in events like these, community members not only partake in the festive celebrations but also actively contribute to the preservation and promotion of their local history. It's a symbiotic relationship where the spirit of the holidays merges seamlessly with the museum's dedication to fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of Westport's heritage.
Moreover, attendees had the opportunity to explore the holiday shop, brimming with unique gifts perfect for the season. Museum members, who play a vital role in sustaining the institution, enjoyed exclusive discounts, making their contributions even more impactful.
Funds raised from this event contribute to maintaining the museum's commitment to preserving and showcasing the rich history and culture of Westport. Whether it's captivating exhibits, educational initiatives, or engaging programs, the museum's efforts are driven by the collective support of the community.The $5 entry fee for the event covered not only the cost of materials for ornament. As an independent funded Institution events like these help support their programs.