The East Valley Harmonizers, singing members of the Barbershop Harmony Society, are casting their annual spring show this month with a nostalgic theme.
Titled “Barbershop, Doo-Wop and Rock-n-Roll, a Bandstand Experience,” the show represents something the group has been building up to, said show chair Terry Morrison.
“We have been gradually building up a repertoire of songs from the ‘50s and 60s,” he said, “and decided to present a show that tributes the original American Bandstand, where these songs and artists of the day were featured.”
The show is 3-4:30 p.m. March 22 at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church Fellowship Hall, 322 N. Horne, Mesa. Seats are limited to 150, so early orders are encouraged. Tickets are $20 at evbarbershop.eventbrite.com or at 480-615-7464.
The staging will include a host reminiscent of Dick Clark, cabaret-style audience seating, and a free refreshment bar of goodies from the era – including Twinkies, Tootsie Rolls and PEZ candy.
“We are encouraging our audience to be a teenager of that day again. We also want this to be good, clean fun for the whole family,” Morrison said. “Dress up if you’d like, and come ready to dance!”
The chorus will perform as the “house band,” known as “The World’s Oldest Teenagers,” singing the top hits of the day, and local quartets will also perform.
A tradition of barbershop harmony shows, the featured guest quartet for this show is PHX, which won the 2024 Sweet Adeline’s International Region 21 quartet championship.
“We are honored that this accomplished quartet has agreed to be our headliner,” Morrison said.
The four singers are members of the Scottsdale Chorus, world-renowned SAI chorus champions.
A highlight of the program will be a special appearance by The Sunshine Acres Children’s Choir.
“An important mission of our chorus is to encourage the youth in our community to pursue musical performance,” Morrison said. “We feel that by inviting them to the show is a chance for us to support this special home.”
