BY BERNADETTE LAURITZEN
Have you ever had a day when you just needed to see or do something that makes your heart sing? If so, then do we have a program or two for you.
The annual Lasses and Lads of Enchantment Barbershop Chorus is in swing this year after three years of being sidelined in the pandemic. The LALOE will join the Santa Fe Harmonizers in a Barbershop Extravaganza on Friday, Oct 20, in Los Alamos at the United Church of Los Alamos and Saturday, Oct. 21, at the United Methodist Church in Santa Fe. The choruses hope to share songs that elevate your spirit along with a few snacks during intermission
The shows will feature two hours of music that cross the spectrum of time and genre from Broadway to spiritual. What’s the favorite of John Baillie, Board President of the Lasses and Lads of Enchantment?
“I have had several favorite songs over the years but the one song I love to sing with the Lasses and Lads of Enchantment is ‘Ride the Chariot’, especially when the tenors go into the higher key.
Anne Urbanski, found her first new friends while singing with the Santa Fe Harmonizers Fe after moving from Wisconsin in 2018.
“I love the camaraderie and the mutual love of singing for the joy of it. Barbershop singing hits all those notes for me, pun intended,” said Urbanski. “It’s a great way to make friends doing something you love.”
‘I Believe in Music’ is the theme for 2023 and the shows will feature the combined choruses and four additional quartets. Three quartets from both communities will participate along with a special guest quartet. Sound Check, is a Salt Lake City based 2018 Rocky Mountain District Champion silver medalist for barbershop quartets.
Tickets are $15 for adults, $5 for students and children under 14 are free. Tickets include light refreshments to sweeten your time with the choruses as they rehydrate for the second half of the show. Why should people come to see these great groups gather for the first time in three years?
“Because they will spend approximately two hours absorbed by the various songs that we will be singing and they will leave the show emotionally charged,” said Baillie.
If barbershop fills your very soul, a special event for an additional small donation takes place after the first show. The “Afterglow” includes an additional array of refreshments and hosts another level of barbershop n a foot loose and fancy-free atmosphere.
Tickets can be purchased at the door, on-line, from chorus members or by calling 505-660-0484. You can also visit their website at www.laloe.org.