Westport Sunrise Rotary Presents a Feel-Good Peace Event: Songs and Reflections on Peace, Kindness, and Fun

Event Details

Celebrate International Day of Peace with the Westport Sunrise Rotary and The Westport Library by sharing peace through music and humor. This feel-good peace event will feature performances by the Whirled Peas Band, with members from area Rotary clubs and special guests David Friedman, Shawn Moninger, Eric Šebek, and Samantha Talora.

About the Performers

David Friedman has made a mark in all areas of show business and the human potential movement. David has written songs for everyone from Disney to Diana Ross; conducted and vocal arranged six musicals on Broadway and numerous Disney animated films (including Beauty & The Beast, Aladdin, Pocahontas and The Hunchback of Notre Dame); wrote songs for The Lizzie McGuire Movie, Aladdin and the King of Thieves, Bambi II and Trick; and produced all of the late/great Nancy LaMott’s CD’s and wrote many of her best-known songs. David won the 2018 Drama Desk, Outer Critics’ Circle, and Off-Broadway League awards for his hit New York musical, Desperate Measures, which can now be seen in productions all over the nation. His Off-Broadway revue, Listen To My Heart – The Songs of David Friedman, has played to audiences all over America, and in Europe and Australia.

Rev. Shawn Moninger is a 20-year humorist and metaphysical teacher/practitioner. His work is founded upon the principle that “Everything starts in the mind.”  Shawn offers effective thought practices for healing the body, mind and spirit. He is a gifted speaker and performer who approaches his work with a light, humorous, playful touch.

Eric Šebek has always been surrounded by the performing arts with a family of opera singers and Broadway performers. He is proud to be a part of The Šebek Tenors, composed of his brother Zach and his father Christian. Eric had his breakout role playing Patrick professionally in the The Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring the Rockettes during their 2016-2017 and 2019-2020 seasons. He attended Montclair State University, where he played Musidorus in Head Over Heels and Cat in the Hat in Seussical. Eric played the roles of Tamino in Magic Flute and Gastone in La Traviata at the Quisisana Resort as well as Alfred in Die Fledermaus the following summer.

Samantha Talora is a concert and cabaret artist living in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts. Samantha has been selected by film and theater composer and songwriter David Friedman as a principal singer and interpreter of his vast songbook. In December 2024, she made her New York City solo show debut at Don’t Tell Mama, with Trust the Wind: The Music of David Friedman, with an encore performance in May 2024 and repeat encore scheduled for December 6. She's been a featured artist with the Savannah (GA) Voice Festival as well as the Voices that Heal series, bringing music to hospice patients and caregivers. In the Berkshires, Samantha curates concert performances with collaborator Ron Ramsay at various venues including Whitney Center for the Arts and Studio9. Since 2014, the pair has delivered countless concerts including A Night at the Oscars, A Sondheim Trilogy and Mistletoe & Music Cabaret Trains with Berkshire Scenic Railway.

About Westport Sunrise Rotary

Westport Sunrise Rotary is a service organization for the purpose of advancing understanding, goodwill and peace in the world, in our communities, and in ourselves.

The goal is where every person can live in safety, dignity and well-being. For more information, visit westportsunriserotary.org.