If you’re in a downtown restaurant this weekend and diners at the table next to you suddenly burst into song, you’re not being taped for an episode of “Punk’d.” It just means the Sweet Adelines are in town.
Hundreds of barbershop harmony singers are in the city for their Region 23 conference and competitions today and Saturday.
“We love coming here every year,” said Natalie Allen, Region 23 events coordinator. “Chattanooga is a friendly city with great facilities.”
According to Candace I. Davis, marketing and public relations manager for the Chattanooga Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, 700 women are expected to participate in the conference. By the time they leave the Scenic City, they are expected to have made an economic impact of $283,500.
The region conference kicked off last night at the Marriott with the Rising Star quartet competition.
The women are holding a mass singing today at noon in the Marriott lobby to start the professional level of competition off on the right note. The public is welcome to come hear them.
At 4 o’clock this afternoon, 10 quartets will compete in Memorial Auditorium. According to Kathy Yonka, Sweet Adelines marketing manager, the regional quartet winner earns the right to compete in the international contest in Seattle.
Sixteen choruses will hit the auditorium stage with four-part, a cappella harmony at 12:30 p.m. Saturday. The winning chorus will advance to the 2011 Sweet Adelines international contest in Houston.
“First-time visitors are often amazed at the variety of songs that are performed in the barbershop style,” said Allen. “The women work all year for this opportunity, and, I have to say, we put on a great show.”
Competing choruses
Azalea City Harmony, Mobile, Ala.
Center Stage Show Chorus, Jackson, Miss.
Harmony Hills, Birmingham, Ala.
Harmony River, North Augusta, S.C.
Harmony Shores, Panama City, Fla.
Memphis City Sound
Metro Nashville Chorus
Pensacola Sound, Pensacola, Fla.
Scenic City, Chattanooga
Smoky Mountain Harmony, Knoxville
Smokie Mountain Melodies, Blairsville, Ga.
Song of Atlanta
Sound of the Bay, Mobile, Ala.
Southern Accent, Montgomery, Ala.
Sweet Georgia Sound, Warner Robbins, Ga.
TuneTown Show Chorus, Nashville
If You Go
* What: Sweet Adelines Region 23 competition.
* When: 4 p.m. today quartets, 12:30 p.m. Saturday choruses.
* Where: Memorial Auditorium, 399 McCallie Ave.
* Admission: $20.
* Phone: 642-TIXS.