Who Needs a Band?
My morning photo shoot got rescheduled because of the rain, so I am having a really lovely day at home (activities have included going back to sleep, watching Oprah on DVR, and making myself the best omelet with sharp cheddar cheese and apples). Because of my surprise free time, I also have time to tell you about one of my favorite low-cost DC activities...
Georgetown University's Cherry Tree Massacre!
I wrote about my love of the Cherry Tree Massacre (the event used to be a competition but is now more of a gathering of a cappella groups from up and down the East Coast all performing in one of Georgetown's beautiful and very ornate buildings that make you feel like you're very far from the Dean & De Luca only a few blocks away) in my 100th Willard Scott themed post... and recently made the trip up M street to attend the event once again.
During the concert, I learned one significant thing about myself: I have no ability to distinguish between people who are able to sing and people who aren't.
So, when I used to watch American Idol (in the days of Paula) and she would tell contestants they sounded "pitchy" I had no idea what she was talking about. Or when I would attend my high school's annual Blast from the Past theater production, and a friend would whisper about how great someone's voice was, I would pretend to agree but actually had no idea what they were talking about. (Side note: I just googled "Blast from the Past" and my high school's name and came up with so many fabulous YouTube results that I have been watching for the last hour. Not only do I love Saturday, but I love that my suburban high school had professional videographers documenting our theater productions which have somehow been uploaded to YouTube so nostalgic bloggers, like me, can spend a Saturday afternoon remembering what 11th grade was like as an audience member).
Okay, back to my love of a cappella and the Cherry Tree Massacre. This inability to distinguish talented performers from those who sounded pitchy came in handy because I thought every group that performed was EXCELLENT (you would too if they all sounded like professional singers to you). The friends I was with (who were born with the ability to hear when people are off key) had mixed reviews (the general consensus was that the show was just too long).
My favorite group was obviously the Tuft's University Beelzbubs. Who doesn't love the 'Bubs? They were so New England and preppy looking in their khaki pants and navy blazers. And they are so great that they were even featured on NBC's Sing Off! I loved their selection which included a medley of songs by The Who which I promptly downloaded as soon as I returned home.
We also loved the NYU group, Mass Transit. Where as the 'Bubs looked very New England, Mass Transit was costumed in all black and exuded a much more New York (read: Jewish) look but were equally as entertaining when compared to their their a cappella neighbors to the north. Several members of the group weren't able to make the trip to DC for the Cherry Tree Massacre because they were back in New York doing New York things (performing in Broadway shows)... I guess they didn't know I was in the audience and the fame that would ensure after a review of the show ends up on W&CP.
I also enjoyed the Georgetown Saxatones. They may sound just like another a cappella group (especially to me), but they are actually Georgetown's "only community service a cappella group." We're unsure if this means that they sing a cappella then do community service, or if they only perform in a community service/fundraising capacity. Either way, I loved their very millennial generation approach to singing college a cappella then helping to repair the world.
The other groups who performed were also fabulous (as we've discussed, I think all a cappella is fabulous) including UPenn Off the Beat, the UVA Belles, and the Georgetown Chimes. I can't wait to go back next year!
P.S. While "researching" this post, I discovered that there is a DOCUMENTARY being created about college a cappella. Basically, a combination of two of my favorite things. The kicker is that it is only being shown on New England cable stations, or something. So, I promise to reward you with the best blog post shout out ever if you can help me get my hands on a copy of Who Needs a Band. Because, although I don't need a band, I need a copy of this documentary.
Georgetown University's Cherry Tree Massacre!
I wrote about my love of the Cherry Tree Massacre (the event used to be a competition but is now more of a gathering of a cappella groups from up and down the East Coast all performing in one of Georgetown's beautiful and very ornate buildings that make you feel like you're very far from the Dean & De Luca only a few blocks away) in my 100th Willard Scott themed post... and recently made the trip up M street to attend the event once again.During the concert, I learned one significant thing about myself: I have no ability to distinguish between people who are able to sing and people who aren't.
So, when I used to watch American Idol (in the days of Paula) and she would tell contestants they sounded "pitchy" I had no idea what she was talking about. Or when I would attend my high school's annual Blast from the Past theater production, and a friend would whisper about how great someone's voice was, I would pretend to agree but actually had no idea what they were talking about. (Side note: I just googled "Blast from the Past" and my high school's name and came up with so many fabulous YouTube results that I have been watching for the last hour. Not only do I love Saturday, but I love that my suburban high school had professional videographers documenting our theater productions which have somehow been uploaded to YouTube so nostalgic bloggers, like me, can spend a Saturday afternoon remembering what 11th grade was like as an audience member).
Okay, back to my love of a cappella and the Cherry Tree Massacre. This inability to distinguish talented performers from those who sounded pitchy came in handy because I thought every group that performed was EXCELLENT (you would too if they all sounded like professional singers to you). The friends I was with (who were born with the ability to hear when people are off key) had mixed reviews (the general consensus was that the show was just too long).My favorite group was obviously the Tuft's University Beelzbubs. Who doesn't love the 'Bubs? They were so New England and preppy looking in their khaki pants and navy blazers. And they are so great that they were even featured on NBC's Sing Off! I loved their selection which included a medley of songs by The Who which I promptly downloaded as soon as I returned home.We also loved the NYU group, Mass Transit. Where as the 'Bubs looked very New England, Mass Transit was costumed in all black and exuded a much more New York (read: Jewish) look but were equally as entertaining when compared to their their a cappella neighbors to the north. Several members of the group weren't able to make the trip to DC for the Cherry Tree Massacre because they were back in New York doing New York things (performing in Broadway shows)... I guess they didn't know I was in the audience and the fame that would ensure after a review of the show ends up on W&CP.I also enjoyed the Georgetown Saxatones. They may sound just like another a cappella group (especially to me), but they are actually Georgetown's "only community service a cappella group." We're unsure if this means that they sing a cappella then do community service, or if they only perform in a community service/fundraising capacity. Either way, I loved their very millennial generation approach to singing college a cappella then helping to repair the world.
The other groups who performed were also fabulous (as we've discussed, I think all a cappella is fabulous) including UPenn Off the Beat, the UVA Belles, and the Georgetown Chimes. I can't wait to go back next year!
P.S. While "researching" this post, I discovered that there is a DOCUMENTARY being created about college a cappella. Basically, a combination of two of my favorite things. The kicker is that it is only being shown on New England cable stations, or something. So, I promise to reward you with the best blog post shout out ever if you can help me get my hands on a copy of Who Needs a Band. Because, although I don't need a band, I need a copy of this documentary.
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