Flash mob at the Farmers Market!

You’ve seen ’em on YouTube (they go viral!) and this one kinda did too….Angel Michaels leads a bunch of her barbershop friends in song at last Saturday’s Market, in this fun (and on Facebook, much commented on) video by Mike Martin:

+++
A multi-awarding winning Canadian “Sweet Adelines” chorus, a Seattle champion quartet and three of San Juan Island’s own ensembles bring the art of barbershop singing to the Whittier stage this Sunday, June 3 at 2:00 p.m.

Barbershop Bonanza, hosted by San Juan’s mixed barbershop chorus, Island Chordsmen Plus, celebrates its 14th year in Friday Harbor. It has grown into a popular Sunday afternoon medley of contemporary and old-time favorites honoring this uniquely American music with its a cappella four-part harmonies.

This will be West Coast Harmony Chorus’s first visit to the Bonanza. Based in Vancouver, B.C., the a cappella group of more than 40 women is a seven-time Gold Medal Western Canadian Champion and was recently silver medalist in the International Harmony Classic.

Also joining the Bonanza this year is Evergreen District Champions, Cheers, a Seattle-based quartet. Quartet member Wes Sorstokke, who has appeared in the Bonanza in the past with other award-winning groups and has been singing for more than 40 years, recently held a coaching session in Friday Harbor for members of Island Chordsmen Plus. He says the key to a good barbershop performance is a quality combination of good vocals and good expressions and movement. “I want them to move me. If the song is funny, they better make me laugh. If it’s sad, I want to cry.”

In addition to the mainland visitors and Chordsmen, the island’s own women’s a cappella ensemble, Sound Vibrations, and San Juan’s male quartet, Lane 4 will participate in the Bonanza.

Bonanza director Angel Michaelswill lead the audience in a rousing community sing, and everyone in the audience is invited to attend the complimentary afterglow reception in the Gubelman Theatre following the show.

This weekend!

You can support the San Juan Update by doing business with our loyal advertisers, and by making a one-time contribution or a recurring donation.