Center Stage: Glee Club Spring Break Day 4
The Glee Club started off the day early heading to Punta Gorda, which is just north of Ft. Myers. Bill and Lance caught up on the local news during the bus ride.
After about an hour long drive, the men of PVGC arrived at Benedetto’s Steakhouse for a performance for the Purdue Club of Southwest Florida.
Ted and the band were ready to go as they warmed up for the show.
The Flashbacks warmed up with their newest song “Hip to be Square."
The men of the Glee Club greeted the members of the Purdue Club as they entered for lunch. The men of PVGC thoroughly enjoyed conversation with such wonderful hosts.
Seniors Barry Helfrich and Kyle Sutton posed with their lunch guests. The table included various board members of the PCSF, as well as the grandparents of Purdue Bells member Kirstin Hall, Mr. and Mrs. Hall.
After a delicious meal, the men of the Glee Club charmed the crowd with songs like “Walking My Baby Back Home" and “American River Suite."
Sophomores Peter Carroll and Simon May serenaded PMO Advisory Board members Natalie King and Emilie Crabb during the run-out song at the luncheon.
As a token of our appreciation, Bill presented outgoing President of the Purdue Club of Southwest Florida president, Mr. Hackman, a Glee Club “Home Away from Home” award. Mr. Hackman not only hosted us at the luncheon, but also served as a host family for several Glee Clubbers this week and helped to organize host families for many of the guys.
After lunch, the Glee Club traveled just up the road to Burnt Store Presbyterian Church in Punta Gorda. As you can see, the venue was wonderful!
New man Caleb Larsen fulfilled his duties to help set-up the risers before the show. It looks like he had to fight some bushes to secure the back rails!
Sir of Merchandise, Jacob Ludwig, ensured that everything was in order at the register prior to the show. The new Glee Club polos (pictured to Jacob's right) are available for $25 at each Glee Club show.
Sir and senior Dan Gardiner helped set the sound for the show prior to the group warming up.
Lighthouse warmed up with one of their new songs, “Holy Highway." During the show, the song was an enormous hit with the audience.
The Voiceovers also warmed up for the show with their new song “Fireflies," a popular chart by the group Owl City.
During dinner, Bill Griffel and his wife Natalie dined with many of the board members from the Burnt Store Presbyterian Church that hosted the Glee Club. The food, especially the cake, was delectable!
Lines started forming to get in for the show more than 2 hours before the show was scheduled to begin!
Junior Jimmy O’Connor was visited by his mother, Ann O’Connor, and sang to her during the run-out.
Senior and student manager of the Glee Club, Jim Giberson, decided to lavaliere his girlfriend, the woman he intends to marry, Eliza Warren.
Before departing for the evening after the wonderful show, Bill presented the Burnt Store Presbyterian Church with an autographed photo of the Glee Club. The PVGC hopes to return soon! Until then, thanks to all our friends, new and old, who made our visit such a success!