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(Posted
3:30 p.m., Feb. 8)
'ABBA-cadabra' concert pure barber shop magic
By Fred Sherwin
Orléans Online
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 Naomi
Pelz leads the Bytown Beat Chorus during their
performance of 'ABBA-cadabra' at Orleans United
Church on Saturday. Fred Sherwin/Photo
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When
you think of ABBA you don't necessarily think of barber
shop harmonies and vice versa, but the 70s super group
and the unique genre of vocal harmony were uniquely combined
by the Bytown Beat Chorus on Saturday in their concert
production "ABBA-cadabra".
It's
been more than two years since the Bytown Beat last appeared
in concert on an Orléans stage. The all-female
chorus has 37 members who all share a love of barber shop
harmony. That love was evident for all to see and hear
on Saturday as the chorus, minus three members on leave,
celebrated the music of ABBA with the help of special
guest member Naomi Pelz who took the audience down memory
lane as Lauralee.
The
first half of the concert featured such well known ABBA
classics as "Take A Chance On Me" and "Dancing
Queen" reaarranged by Bytown Beat director Chris
MacMartin.
Some
of the highlights included "Does Your Mother Know",
"Super Trouper" and "Mama Mia" which
brought the first half to a close.
After
a 15-minute intermission, the audience was treated to
a special guest performance by awarded-winning Sweet Adeline
quartet "Spritzer" who wowed the crowd with
five songs, each of which was a shinning example of the
genre.
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Special
guests Spritzer perform during the Bytown
Beat presentation of 'ABBA-cadabra' at Orleans
United Church on Saturday. Fred Sherwin/Photo
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The
four women who make up "Spritzer" live in three
different cities; London, Milton and Buffalo, N.Y. which
made their unbelievable performance that much more unbelievable.
After
the magical, musical interlude is was back to ABBA but
not before Bytown Beat delivered a spell-binding barber
shop version of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah"
that Mr. Cohen himself would be proud of.
The
rest of the concert was like a cherry on very delicious
sundae. "S.O.S.", "Knowing Me, Knowing
You", and "I Have The Dream" set the table
for the perfect closing song "Thanks For The Music"
followed by a reprise of the opening song "Dancing
Queen".
The
Bytown Beat Chorus is based in Orléans and practices
every Monday evening at 7 p.m. at Orleans United Church.
Prospective members must first audition, but no formal
music training is required, just a love of music and especially
barber shop harmony. To schedule an audition call Chris
MacMartin at 613-837-6978.
(This
story was made possible thanks to the generous support
of our local business partners.)
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