Thursday, August 28, 2008

Looking Back on August 26th Dog Days Event

Looking Back on August 26th Sing At Annual Dog Days Event

(This message is prepared for your review if you were there, for your information if you had to miss, and as a historical record of the great things going on each week at an Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter meeting. —Ye Ed.)

Seemed like the electric blue Harmo casual shirts were everywhere at this year’s Dog Days sing. An annual event hosted by the Prince William County Chapter for many years which allows all the chapters around to come out and sing for each other and their families. We appreciate that some of them shift to Tuesday nite so we can get a good crowd of our guys there.

This new location at Sacred Heart Church is great – lots of parking, lots of seating room, and places for the choruses to warm up. And there was a great spread of goodies for all to share in.

Dick Dangel was on hand to warm up the audience as they arrived with some gang singing to his accordion accompaniment.

First chorus up was our neighbors, Mount Vernon Harmony Heritage Singers, who had a large number on the risers in their new teal shirts. Our Bob Watchter is director and our Bill Curtis and Chris Buechler each took a song to direct. An annual favorite was having Bix Doughty, 94-years young, sing “Old Bones” again this year. CLICHÉ sang for us too.

Second chorus was Loudoun County – one lead and six other guys harmonizing with him. They did a great job.

Third was Fairfax who sang a couple songs with the Loudoun guys before they did their own set. They thanked our Director Joe for helping them recently.

A plug here for our riser crew who set up things and to Scott Kahler for all the extra sound work.

Next was Bull Run Troubadours, who were hosts for the nite, and were directed by Glenn Williamson. They had three good quartets sing too.

The Harmonizers wrapped up the evening. We did a great job and put on an outstanding show. CAMERON STATION sang too and did us proud. At the end of our set, we taped “Place on the Risers for You” for Fred King, who is in Hospice care at this time. At the end of the song, the entire audience cheered “We Love You Freddie.”

As is the tradition, all barbershoppers in the house gathered on the risers and Director Joe took us out with KTWWS.

Until next time – editorjack!