The Walk In Art Center wraps up its 2023 Coffee House Cabaret Series on Friday, Dec. with a Christmas celebration like no other.
Premiere vocal ensemble the SchuylGurlz will perform a full concert of more than 30 Christmas tunes in their tight-harmony, a cappella style. If you like the style of “Pentatonix” or the movie “Pitch Perfect,” you’ll enjoy this evening of music sure to get you in the holiday spirit.
The leader of the group is WIAC Executive Director0 Jacqueline Engel. As a musician and artistic director of a theater in her hometown of Williamsport, Engel organized several ensembles, including a popular, all-female group called “Nothing But Treble.”
“My old group was made up of four of my closest friends,” Engel said. “Nothing creates a bond like performing together — as any music or theatre person can attest — and it’s true here as well. I’ve found the other eight ladies in the group through various performing groups and asked them to join me in The SchuylGurlz, and we’ve become a tight group.”
Heather Butler, the WIAC’s rental manager, is also part of the ensemble.
“This music is very challenging, and it’s cool to hear the different harmonies start to gel and blend together,” she says.
The group will sing many Christmas numbers, including cool, jazzy arrangements of “Let it Snow,” “Winter Wonderland,” “Up on the Housetop” and the perennial favorite, “White Christmas.” They will also free-harmonize “Silent Night” at the end and hope the crowd will join them in song.
The ladies will break up the a cappella lineup with a few accompanied solos such as “Breath of Heaven,” Joni Mitchell’s “River,” and “Grown Up Christmas List.”
Lisa Hollenbach has been with the group for more than a year.
“The SchuylGurlz is a small group with a powerful blend of women’s voices,” she says. “I continue to be in awe of the beautiful, full, rich sound we’re able to create. The energy of the group is incredible, and I learn something new about my instrument each time we make music together.”
Other group members are Laura Costa, Ashley Elwood, Jennifer Koch, Lisa Bashore, Blair Boyer, and Ana Reyes.
The music is just part of the festivities that evening. It’s the last First Friday Artist Open House of the year, so WIAC artists will be in the studios to chat and show off their new work. There will be 16 artisan vendors on hand who will preview the items they will have for sale at the WIAC’s Holiday Market the following day. People will be able to shop the evening of the Coffee House as well.
While people are at the center, they can vote for their favorite tree in the WIAC’s Festival of Trees. Several area civic and non-profit groups have decorated trees that fill the gallery and people can support these groups by voting for them at $1 per vote.
Tickets for the music and coffee house are $10 and include unlimited coffee, beverages, desserts and other refreshments. Seating is limited, so people are encouraged to purchase their tickets in advance. Doors open at 6 p.m. for tree voting, shopping and strolls through Studio Row, and seating for the music will occur at 6:40 with the concert starting at 7.
Events at the Walk In Art Center are supported through a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. Find out about the show and other Walk In Art Center guilds, events and expos, art classes, vendor opportunities, and family events by visiting facebook.com/walkinartcenter or at walkinartcenter.org.
Source: Berkshire mont
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