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Dooperfest band members play for scholarships and greater causes
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The Sarfs satisfy at Dooperfest 2009 held October 9
Normally relegated to the field house during their high school heydays, a panoply of Oak Park River Forest High School legacy bands - The Sarf's, Jade '50's, and Pezband/Off Broadway took to the stage in the high school's main auditorium Friday night, Oct. 9. Members of The Sarfs attended school there before the state of the art facility and student center existed, since they graduated in '66. And some 30 or so players comprised Jade '50's, at times known as Jade, over the years, but they began with the 1973 grads. The band literally came about because then-teachers Tom Graziano, who introduced them at this concert, and Jim Locke, suggested they form for a purpose during a '50's Day at the high school. That was the group's first paid performance. Off Broadway grew out of Pezband and they went on to cut an album and still perform at Fitzgeralds. Their latest CD was on sale at the concert.
Doopers rocked in their seats and danced down the aisles to favorites like "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction," "Runaround Sue," "Gloria," and "Stay in Time." Joe Cantafio's 101st Rock Division Band belted out "Born to Run," "Carry That Weight." and more with a trio of dancers and band members used to performing for the troops overseas. All donated their performances for Dooperfest as well. The groups climaxed with renditions from the Beatles' Abbey Road, and the Lord of the Rings Trilogy including the OPRFHS Choirs and Orchestra led by OPRFHS Orchestra Director Patrick Pearson. Chicago Blues great and 101st Rock Division drummer Tim Scruggs' crescendos highlighted.
The OPRFHS Alumni Association, the Gary Olson Scholarship Fund named for a former football coach, and Huskie Booster Fund are the beneficiaries from the sea of Doopers (Dear Old Oak Parkers) that nearly filled the room. Cantafio, originally with Jade '50's and now the 101st Rock Division, and the other band members, mostly all alumni of the school, out-played "bigger" name bands seen today at local neighborhood festivals by far with their professional musical renditions and strong voices from that vintage era and on up the decades to today.
Fellow OPRFHS alumni; composer and music producer Paul Broucek, who played with this concert's co-announcer Bill Kavanagh in the band "Spirit of '69" during their dooper years couldn't make it, but event lighting director Mike Reed, who started with Jade '60's and went on to lighting gigs with Kiss, McCartney and the Jacksons lit up the house. Learn more about the history of these bands on Joe Cantafio's blog. Each band's history includes numerous brushes with the famous. Cantafio has a special place in his heart, and he and his band play for the American troops fighting overseas, in the name of the firefighters who gave their lives on 911, and on behalf of veterans. Cantafio performed the "Let Freedom Ring" tour with New York Fire Department Engine Company 55 and formed the organization USA Forgotten Heroes.
It is hoped that DOOPERfest benefit concert extravaganza will become an annual event.
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