2024 Spaghetti Supper, Saturday, April 13

It was Saturday, March 25, 2023. I was in the church standing atop the stairs looking down over the lower hall. I was taking in the view of the neatly set up tables, pristine white tablecloths covering them, and cutlery placed at each seat. And as I watched the members and friends of the chorus who were preparing the spaghetti, salad plates, and rolls, as well as those helping to distribute the bowls of chips efficiently and neatly on each table, I recognized that this event was part of a long tradition. I felt a sense of gratitude, pride, and humility of being part of a classy organization.

According to Alan Briand, our Musical Director, the tradition began "as a means to help our members with contest expenses. Being a small chorus, we did not want anyone to miss the experience because of money.” (For those of you who are  interested in or thinking of joining us, every year in the spring, we travel down to Lake George, New York, to compete at the Western Regional Convention and Contests of the Northeastern District of the Barbershop Harmony Society. This year it will take place from May 3 to May 5.) A noble purpose, indeed, which I think is why it has become such a cherished tradition.

I joined the chorus in the fall of 2021. The annual Spaghetti Supper, however, had been on hold since the onset of the pandemic in March of 2020. At the time, our activities were largely restricted to rehearsals, often with masks. I heard much about the event over 2022; yet it did not materialize and the imagery grew in my mind. When Spaghetti Supper finally became a reality in early 2023, it was the first time in more than 3 years. But despite the expectations that had ballooned in my head, what I experienced that day did not disappoint. Far from it (except for the spaghetti squash I had prepared as a gluten-free option)!

When you arrive, we will greet you at the entrance desk and ask you for your ticket. You can then opt to participate in 50/50, a raffle in which the holder of the ticket (1$ each, as many as you’d like to buy) that is called out at the end of the evening will take home the bounty (or donate to the chorus, if you are generous). We will also have a wine raffle, as well as a bar with beverages of your choice, including coffee, soft drinks, wine, and beer (again, donations are greatly welcomed).

At around 6, we will begin serving supper, which will include a fresh salad as an appetizer, followed by generous helpings of pasta (with a vegetarian option of spaghetti squash) and your choice of pasta sauce, either with meat or not (we will call people up by table). And after you get to sample a wide variety of sweets, we will treat you to a sampling of our favourite songs from past seasons, along with performances from up to 3 of our quartets.

All this for only 20$!

Our chorus was inaugurated in 1960, so 2025 will be our 65th Anniversary. I do not know exactly when the tradition began. But I can tell you that it will continue to do so for many years to come, as it embodies everything we strive for: strengthening bonds with others by bringing them joy through our love of singing.

Hope to see you on April 13!

For more information on this event, see the recent companion post, en français, by our esteemed and indefatigable immediate past President, Guy Filion! https://southshoresaints.blogspot.com/2024/03/soiree-repas-levee-de-fonds-et.html