On a warm Thursday evening, close to 150 of our residents enjoyed a dazzling America Songbook concert. “Summer Sounds”, presented by the Weston Music Society, and featuring the South Florida Symphony Trio and a vocalist, received enthusiastic applause from the crowd.
Toby Feuer, Vice President of Events, said, “Our thanks to Executive Director David Pasternack and his staff at Temple Dor Dorim for providing wonderful accommodations to the Weston Music Society “Summer Sounds” evening. Kudos to the South Florida Symphony vocalist and trio for an enchanting night of music. Our special thanks to all who attended.”
The musicians had stellar bios. Dr. Lisanne Lyons, an award-winning jazz vocalist, is the founder and director of the Florida International University award-winning jazz vocal program. She has performed with national orchestras and big bands across the country. Eero Turunen is a piano and keyboard player who toured with Joss Stone and recorded with Barry Gibb. Alex Hernandez is a Grammy-nominated bassist, composer, band leader and educator who has shared his talents with, among others, Wynton Marsalis and Savion Glover. He has toured the world with international acts. Ludwig Alfonso on the drums has toured with Spyro Gyra and many others and has been a part of many Grammy-nominated recordings.
It was tempting for the audience to sing along to such favorites as “That Old Black Magic”, “Misty”, “All of Me” and “In the Still of the Night”. Their rendition of “Route 66” featured solos by each of the musicians and brought the house down.
A special treat of the evening was the presentation of the Weston Music Society Platinum Circle Award to Dr. Kamala Anandam. It recognizes those who have supported the arts in our community. Many of her colleagues from Weston Friends, Rotary, the Arts Council of Greater Weston, and the Weston Branch of the American Association of University Women WHO ELSE She is a shining example of a dedicated volunteer. She moved to Weston in 1985 and established the Weston Branch of the American Association of University Women. She was inducted into both the Broward County Women’s Hall of Fame and Senior Hall of Fame. She received the Achievement Award from the Florida Commission on the Status of Women. Born in India, throughout her living with her family in the United States, she was active in the colleges where she taught and where she innovated new departments. As one college president said, “If only we could clone Kamala”.
Lou Marett, WMS President, said, “The WMS is thrilled that this concert was so warmly received. Our mission includes bringing professional musicians into the elementary schools, providing scholarships to local graduates who pursue studies in music-related fields as well as providing Weston with fine concerts of all genres.”
