Staples Orphenians have shared their music with audiences all over the world. They’ve particiated in global educational events too.
This June, the elite high school choral group heads to the Spain Choral Festival
To ensure that every singer can particiapte, they’re hosting a “Cabaret Olé” fundraiser.
The March 30 event (6 p.m., Christ & Holy Trinity Church) features members of
grammy-nominated VOCES8 and other Broadway stars, along with tapas, other light bites and a silent auction.
Funds raised will also support the VOCES8 Foundation, which is developing an educational music hub in the Westport area.
Click here for tickets, and more information.
Staples Orphenians
=================================================
Speaking of the arts: Less than 2 weeks remain for high school seniors to apply for $5,000 worth of scholarships.
The Drew Friedman Community Arts Center grants go to students with financial need who want to pursue an arts education at any level — university, community college or an arts school. All Westport 12th graders are eligible, no matter where they currently attend school.
The DFCAC is funding the scholarships. It was founded by Friedman — the downtown property owner, restauranteur (Onion Alley, Cobb’s Mill Inn, Stonehenge Inn) and philanthropist whose first wife Bobbie was an accomplished artist.
The Drew Friedman Community Arts Center also sponsors workshops and projects for students. The center is administered by Nick Visconti, Friedman’s longtime business partner.
To apply, students who currently participate in art classes or art activities should send up to 8 digital images (JPEGs) of their work. It can be any medium — photography, painting, sculpture, drawing, digital art, or other.
Applicants should also submit a statement of up to 300 words describing the value of art in their life, and the world at large.
Send images and the statement (or any questions) to info@DrewFriedmanCommunityArtsCenter.org (subject line: “2025 Scholarship”). The deadline is February 28.
2024 Drew Friedman Scholarship winners Chloe Hackett and Mia Vindola (holding checks) with (from left) DFCAC co-directors Miggs Burroughs and Nick Visconti, and First Selectwoman Jen Tooker.
================================================
Speaking still of the arts: The Westport Country Playhouse and Westport Hardware may seem to have little in common.
But they’ve teamed up on a special “buy one, get one free” offer for the upcoming production of “Native Gardens.”
The show’s theme is “good fences make good neighbors (or do they?)” — and of course Westport Hardware sells every type of garden accessory imaginable.
For more information, and tickets, click here, or call the box office (203-227-4177). Use or mention the prmoo code “COMMUNITYBOGO.”
Fences — common to the Westport Country Playhouse and Westport Hardware.
==================================================
Congratulations to John DiBartolomeo!
The 2009 Staples High School basketball star — who went on to earn Division III National Player of the Year honors at the University of Rochester — has had a long professional career in Israel.
On Thursday, his Maccabi Tel Aviv team won the prestigious Israeli Cup.
Click here to read all about his pro career. (Hat tip: Chuck Haberstroh)
John DiBartolomeo
================================================
Speaking of sports: DiBartolomeo’s fellow 2009 Staples graduate Parker Kligerman won his 4th-ever NASCAR Truck Series race this week, an event leading up to the Daytona 500.
But he was disqualified an hour later. His truck failed ride height checks, and was too low in the rear. His team said they’d appeal.
Click here and click here for the full story. (Hat tip: Frank Rosen)
Parker Kligerman
==============================================
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Hernan Diaz’s “In the Distance” is this year’s WestportREADS selection.
This Thursday (February 13, 7 p.m.), he visits the Westport Library for a keynote conversation about the novel. He’ll chat with Catherine Shen, host of Connecticut Public’s morning talk show and podcast, Where We Live.
Though registration is full, there is a waitlist option. The event will be livestreamed; click here to see.
Hernan Diaz
================================================
Yesterday’s “06880” Friday Flashback noted that there are 19 Westports in the United States, and 22 around the world.
Right on cue (and it was actually the next day there), Pippa Bell Ader checked in.
She and her husband David are in New Zealand, visiting her sister. Here’s one of the Aders’ stops, on the west coast of the South Island:
==================================================
Doris Ghitelman captured yesterday’s full “snow moon” yesterday. Her intriguing “Westport … Naturally” image was taken at the Saugatuck train station.
(Photo/Doris Ghitelman)
==================================================
And finally … on this date in 1764, the city of St. Louis was established in Spanish Louisiana (now Missouri).
(If it happens in Westport, Connecticut — or Westport, New Zealand — you’ll read about it on “06880.” If you enjoy our hyper-local coverage, with a global twist, please click here. Thank you!)
Click here to help support “06880” via credit card or PayPal. Any amount is welcome, appreciated — and tax-deductible! Reader contributions keep this blog going. (Alternate methods: Please send a check to “06880”: PO Box 744, Westport, CT 06881. Or use Venmo: @blog06880. Or Zelle: dwoog@optonline.net. Thanks!)
The “06880” app (search for it on the Apple or Android store) is the easiest way to get “06880.” Choose notifications: whenever a new post is published, or once or twice a day. Click here for details.
Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.
Send private email : 06880blog@gmail.com
Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.
Continue reading
