Chappaqua Singer, Rotary Collaborate on Holiday Concert to Help SPCA
For so many over the past nine months, it’s been Zoom meeting after Zoom meeting and other virtual get-togethers, whether it’s for work or to see family and friends.
On Wednesday evening at 7:30 p.m., a virtual concert by singer and Chappaqua resident Frank Shiner will try to bring some holiday spirit and enjoyment to a local audience while also helping the SPCA of Westchester.
The Chappaqua Rotary Club has organized the virtual holiday event where the public can go to the organization’s Facebook, Twitter or Instagram accounts to get the link to watch the free concert and also make a donation to the organization if they wish, said the club’s President Eileen Gallagher.
Gallagher, who volunteers at the SPCA, which is in temporary quarters in Cortlandt while renovations are being done at its Briarcliff Manor location, said that Rotary has been unable to hold any of its fundraisers since March. Shiner, also an animal lover, offered to perform a holiday concert from his home to benefit the SPCA, Gallagher said.
“We said ‘Okay, let’s do it,’ because this way any donations that we get are going to go directly to them and it’s a way of supporting what they do and having people kind of get into a holiday spirit, even though some people may be a little weary from Zooming meetings and concerts and everything,” Gallagher said. “But it’s a lovely way to hear his music and to actually see you are supporting the SPCA and everything they do.”
Shiner, an actor and singer in the 1980s before he opened his own business, returned to singing about 10 years ago. He and his wife happened to be dining at a restaurant during an open mic night, so he took to the stage and performed. That evening spawned a rebirth of his singing career with the release of his debut album, “The Real Me” in 2014. Three years later Shiner followed up with his second LP.
But opportunities to perform have evaporated since the onset of the pandemic.
“I just said being locked down, not being able to perform and doing something good with it, I said yes,” Shiner said of Wednesday’s concert. “We’ve had a ball working on this. It’s really been fun. It’s such a great cause to help these creatures that can’t help themselves and can’t even tell us if they’re having a problem.”
Much of what is expected to be an hour-long set will feature traditional Christmas songs, he said. Shiner will also add two secular songs that he thought would be appropriate for the event. The program will be interspersed with stories and anecdotes.
In his home, Shiner has a lighting and sound system, he can create reverb and pipe it directly through Zoom.
“I think it’s just time to get back to who we are again and back to tradition,” Shiner said. “I wanted to make it nostalgic, I wanted to make it about good times again because they’re coming, they’re coming back.”
Gallagher said the evening will also enable local residents who donate to the SPCA to buy dinner on Wednesday from selected Chappaqua restaurants at a discount. Anyone who makes a donation of at least $100 would be entitled to a 10 percent discount. Participating establishments are Bobo’s, Craft Pizza & Beer, Ibiza, Le Jardin du Roi, Pizza Station, Susan Lawrence Gourmet and Taco Street.
The goal was to support local restaurants who have been supportive of Rotary’s causes and to hopefully drive some business their way, she said.
“It became a kind of a dinner and a show thing,” Gallagher said. “They can go pick up their food, and then they’re supporting these restaurants by taking out, and the restaurants are helping out by giving a discount to entice donations of $100 or more. It’s basically part of our goal to support local organizations and to give back.”
Martin has more than 30 years experience covering local news in Westchester and Putnam counties, including a frequent focus on zoning and planning issues. He has been editor-in-chief of The Examiner since its inception in 2007. Read more from Martin’s editor-author bio here. Read Martin’s archived work here: https://www.theexaminernews.com/author/martin-wilbur2007/
