Doo Wop Reigns Again
by Evelyn J. Mocbeichel

The huge Southampton High School auditorium was filled to capacity with virtually each of its 1,000 seats sold out.  Word has spread about the annual Southampton Lion’s Club Doo Wop show and returnees and newcomers flocked to see this outstanding production.

This is the seventh year and each show is more spectacular than the previous one, thanks to hardworking Lion’s Club President, Bob Grisnik and his team members. Putting on a production of this size takes work and coordination to make it fall into place so smoothly. LAR Enterprises, Inc brings “the sounds everyone remembers from the artists that create them” and the line of classic acts is not to be missed. The fun begins even before the show with a lineup of classic cars in the front parking lot. Don’t miss those hanging dice, gigantic fenders and shiny chrome to make any car fancier’s heart flutter!

The Southampton Lions Club Charitable Trust and WLNG radio’s presentation this year featured Johnny Maestro and the Brooklyn Bridge, The Vogues and Kenny Vance and the Planotones.

Something new was added at the start of the show, with black and white videos of the groups back in the 1960’s. Clips from American Bandstand, The Ed Sullivan Show and Hullabaloo, showed the artists at their prime and when they appeared as guests on those hits shows.  Cut away from the video and there they are LIVE on stage at South Hampton High School! It was a fabulous night of music; memories and watching the people in the rows in front of us sway or clap to the beat. On so many songs the audience just couldn’t help either humming or singing along with the groups on stage.  In an especially heartwarming and moving segment was when the Vogues did their rendition of Proud to be an American and audience members spontaneously stood up, eventually bringing everyone in the audience to their feet.  You could not help but get chills up and down your spine seeing the love for our country and the warmth this song spread over the huge hall! It was WONDERFUL!

Be sure to watch the Montauk Sun’s early spring 2010 editions for the date of next year’s Lion’s Club Doo Wop show to order your tickets early.  It is one of the best musical nights out on the East End you will have all summer! For more information about next year’s Lion’s Club Doo Wop show and others in our area and around the country visit LAR Enterprises .