AcaVids: SingStrong Chicago
Hey everyone! In grand ‘Tara’ tradition, this post is late. (I’m quite possibly THE WORST procrastinator EVER…in fact, what I *should* be doing is writing report cards, but shhhh, no one needs to know that!) Anyway, back to the real reason you’re here…
On March 15th, I went to see Ball in the House and posted a video of Nels singing ‘Ain’t No Sunshine’ in the aca room on facebook. (Little did I know that that simple post would lead me to SingStrong Chicago!) Some girl named ‘Amy’ (who is AWESOME, btw) commented, asking if I was ‘close to Chicago, I should come see them.’ I live in New Jersey-not close to Chicago at all, which I promptly explained. However, she seemed adamant and told me that she was going to send me a private message. I was intrigued. She explained that she knows what an a cappella fan I am and that she really thought I should attend. After a few days and a few back and forth messages, it was all worked out and I was on my way to Chicago. 
(…and my ‘I travel for a cappella’ mantra continued…)
SingStrong is similar in structure to the CASA festivals that I have attended, so although it started on Friday, I would not be arriving until Saturday morning. Classes were scheduled throughout the day, with a matinee showcase and two evening showcases. Check out two of the three beatboxers featured, MC Beats of Stiletta and Kurt Zimmerman of Street Corner Symphony.
I was excited to see Traces, winners of the 2012 New York Harmony Sweepstakes, take the stage as well. Their track ‘Mas Que Nada’ was recently released on iTunes. (The rest of their set is available on my youtube channel. )
Nota, winners of Season 1 of The Sing-Off, was set to perform on both Saturday and Sunday evening. After loving them on TSO, I could not wait to see them perform live.
The highlight of the weekend was seeing The Swingle Singers again. I.LOVE.THEM. In my opinion, what they do vocally is in a completely different category of a cappella. I have been lucky to see them a few times and always enjoy their performance of songs like ‘Libertango’, but their take on Alanis Morisette’s, ‘You Oughta Know’ was such a surprise! (I’m convinced I could NEVER see The Swingles enough! More, more, more please!)
In addition, they performed one of their latest originals, ‘Piper’, led by the lovely and uber talented, Clare!
My String Strong Chicago playlist is still not complete though! Stay tuned for additional videos from The Swingle Singers, and also from Blue Jupiter and THUMMp. Overall, it was a FANTASTIC a cappella-filled weekend that I am SO thankful to have attended. Now it’s off to BOSS!!!
Much #acalove,
Tara
@OooImSoExcited
(***Dave, please feel free to lie to me about when my next AcaVids post is due…perhaps then it will be on time!)
[Ed.- Tara, your next post is due on April 29. Now everyone knows! ;-0]