Lisa Denton and Barry Courter
LISA DENTON: Barry, I know you heard all kinds of music at Bonnaroo over the weekend, but I’d bet money there was nothing like what you can hear tonight at Christ United Methodist Church.
Strikepoint, I’m told, is one of the world’s top handbell ensembles. I know what you’re thinking (“world’s tallest midget”), but I’m here to tell you that they don’t simply play dulcet church tones but songs from Bach to The Beach Boys, Glenn Miller to Lady Gaga.
They’ve even been praised for their athleticism and showmanship. Not to brag, but I’ve drawn similar praise for my tambourine prowess.
BARRY COURTER: I do not think I saw any handbell ensembles at Bonnaroo, though I certainly saw just about everything else. That’s an impressively diverse playlist for handbells. I can’t imagine Lady Gaga gets mentioned too often in conversations that also include Glenn Miller.
LISA: Speaking of the big-band musician, the Tivoli stage will be swinging Saturday for Dancing With the Chattanooga Stars, a fundraiser for the Partnership for Families, Children and Adults. Eight Chattanooga movers and shakers – literally! – will be paired with local professional dancers. Special guests are Karina Smirnoff and Louis Van Amstel, two of the whiz-bang dancers from the ABC show “Dancing With the Stars.”