Bring your vocal chords and picnic basket to Long Beach’s Bandshell in Recreation Park May 30 – and get ready for a joyous and fun time.
This will be the second annual Sing-a-Long Beach event created by Stan DeWitt, executive director of the Long Beach Youth Chorus, and Mary Barton, a community leader and singer.
Last year’s inaugural event was a hit with the audience who enthusiastically sang along – as intended – with all the music played. And this time, there will be an extra added attraction for you.
Long Beach Councilmember Kristina Duggan presents a certificate to Mary Barton and Stan DeWitt, organizers of the inaugural Sing-a-Long Beach, on Saturday, May 31. (Photo by Rich Archbold, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Organizers of the inaugural Sing-a-Long Beach, Mary Barton and Stan DeWitt, perform on stage on Saturday, May 31. (Photo by Rich Archbold, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
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Long Beach Councilmember Kristina Duggan presents a certificate to Mary Barton and Stan DeWitt, organizers of the inaugural Sing-a-Long Beach, on Saturday, May 31. (Photo by Rich Archbold, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
The Long Beach Family Arts Festival will be held at the Bandshell, at Seventh Street and Park Avenue, from 3-5 p.m. The Sing-A-Long will follow from 5-7 p.m.
And here is more great news: It’s free to attend.
For the festival, there will be groups and soloists performing at the Bandshell throughout, including the Jazz Angels, Jewel Box Children’s Theater Co., Alma Latina Ballet Folklorico and the Children’s Theater Co. of Long Beach. The soloists will be members of the Long Beach Youth Chorus.
The festival will also have kid-friendly art activities, food trucks/vendors, the Long Beach Symphony Instrument Petting Zoo, and booths and tables for other organizations that work with youth.
For the Sing-A-Long, there are four themes this year:
– Songs about dancing: “Dancing in the Street,” “You Should be Dancing,” “Dancing Queen,” “Achy, Breaky Heart,” etc..
– Elvis songs: “Hound Dog,” “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Heartbreak Hotel,” “It’s Now or Never,” etc.
– Motown songs: “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” “Baby Love,” “My Girl,” etc.
– Songs with names: “Hey Judge,” “Sweet Caroline,” “Proud Mary” “Me and Bobby McGee,” etc.
Song leaders this year include the Jazz Angels, Marcelle Epley, Mary Barton, Marc and Pattie Davidson, Golden Sands Chorus of Long Beach, the Camerata Singers and the staff and singers of the Long Beach Youth Chorus.
The band will be comprised of DeWitt on guitar and vocals, Matt Wilson on drums, James Dodd on bass and Curtis Heard on piano. Curtis is the choir director at Wilson High School and at First Congregational Church.
“We want to share our love of singing with everyone, and do it in a way that is fun and builds a sense of community.” Barton, who grew up singing with parents who played the piano, said that singing in a group has always been a cheerful activity for her. “Today, I believe we long for more activities that will bring us all together,” she said. “How better to do that than by singing together?”
While admission is free, attendees will be asked to pass the hat, with proceeds to be used for Youth Chorus operations, and particularly, to fund their touring budget, DeWitt said.
The Youth Chorus will be going to New York June 13-16 and will include a performance in Carnegie Hall.
I also will be at the sing-along as honorary chair of this festive event. I do my best singing in the shower, but I will join in with the group for these great songs.
So come and be prepared to have an enjoyable and fun time – and sing your heart out.