Local Vocals for Shelter

 

Three area a cappella groups will perform a benefit concert, “Gimme Shelter,” for Groundworks Collaborative on Saturday, April 16 at 7:30 at the Hooker Dunham Theatre, Main Street, Brattleboro. Groundworks is the recent merger of Brattleboro Area Drop In Center and Morningside Shelter. They offer the second largest food shelf in Vermont and a 30-bed shelter, as well as a seasonal shelter from November through April, a day shelter, and a youth shelter in Bellows Falls. 

 

The three vocal groups, who vary in their musical styles, are House Blend Big Woods Voices, and Singcrony Trio. House Blend, formed in 2006, is an assembly of 20 veteran singers from Vermont and New Hampshire, devoted to the collective exploration of the many styles of a cappella songs from around the world as well as through-out musical history. Their first CD appeared in 2008 followed by a tour in the Loire Valley region of France with Chorale Cantoria. Their second CD, “Percolatin’,” came out in 2011. House Blend returned to France in 2013 and came back with new songs to share.

 

Big Woods Voices is the union of four experienced singers celebrating their common passion for a cappella harmony -- Amanda Witman, Becky Graber, Will Danforth, and Alan Blood. Their music is largely Danforth’s lyrical settings of poetry by David Whyte, Mary Oliver, W.B Yeats; his arrangements of American roots music; and his original compositions; and also includes pieces by musicians such as Pete Sutherland, The Finest Kind, and Lambert, Hendricks and Ross.

 

Singcrony Trio (Singcrony Quartet, minus one temporarily) is an a cappella ensemble of three women singers – Beth Kiendl, Andrea Matthews, and Carrie Walker. Their favorite music is swing jazz, jazz standards, and classic pop from the era of the 20s through the 60s. Quirky tunes by talented local arranger Anna Patton are always in their repertoire along with music in the style of the Andrews Sisters, the Boswell Sisters, and other close-harmony groups.

 

Singcrony Quartet produced the first Gimme Shelter concert last year, which benefited the Baptist Church’s efforts with the Overflow Shelter. That concert was unfortunately on the day of an ice storm, and the hope is that April behaves itself. 

 

Tickets are only at the door, with a $10-$20 and up donation suggested. All proceeds will go to Groundworks programs to provide food and shelter to families and individuals who are facing insecurities in the greater Brattleboro area.