Friday night, LEAP sponsored "Sing for Swings", an a cappella benefit concert for the Rainbow Child Development Center. The RCDC is a licensed, non-profit child care center in Worcester, and is raising money to build a new playground.
The tour-de-force of six collegiate and professional a cappella groups started twenty minutes late as technical difficulties in the sound system were experienced. The show eventually opened with Simple Harmonic Motion, exhibiting five songs previously enjoyed at Interstate 8's Road Trip concert. Favorites included Ethan Deneault wishing "If I Only Had a Brain", sans Wizard of Oz skit; and "Run Around Sue", with both soloist Jay Ingalsbe and new choreography.
Another twenty-minute delay ensued as the wall of microphone towers, seemingly separating the singers from the audience, were removed, to be replaced by six wireless handhelds.
The audience was next introduced to House Blend, a professional all-female group, save for one confused gentleman. The six singers produced a contemporary, folky pop sound, with songs such as "Stay", "Shambala", "Sunny Come Home", and Natalie Imbruglia's "Torn".
Another six-member group followed, starting with a loud rock-pop sound favored by the professional group Ball in the House. The volume was pumped up for an excellent rendition of Bryan Adams' hit from the Eighties, "Summer of '69", and stayed up as the audience clapped along with "Gravity Buster". Never heard before was "Giving You Me", an original by one of the group members.
After a brief intermission, the second act was followed by the Clark Bars of nearby Clark University. The coed group, numbering more than a dozen, performed their final concert with some of their members, while welcoming back new ones. Sting's "Shape of My Heart", Bare Naked Ladies' "One Week", and "Torn" (again!) partly comprised their routine.
WPI's own no fella a cappella group, Interstate 8, was the fifth group to perform, again serving up hits from their last concert. Heather McCusker stood in for Jen Waite, forming a duet with B.J. Boettcher for "Sweet Dreams", and "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun", according to soloist Julie Roberts. "Dreams" and "If I Ever Fall In Love" rounded off their repertoire. 0
The final performance of the night was given by After 8, a Boston-based professional group. A bass boasted of his... extraordinary talents in "Sixty Minute Man", followed by a tune familiar to SHM fans, "Crazy Little Thing Called Love". After 8 exhibited some promising skills as a dance troupe in "Deo (The Banana Boat Song)", as they performed a wide variety of imitations, including people, actions, and tools. The audience was encouraged to participate, though chances of it appearing on a live album recording seems unlikely.
The evening ended with voices and spirits high, everyone having had a good time and having benefitted a charitable society. The performers were skilled and song variety wide. Be sure to attend WPI's fifth annual A Cappella Fest, April 10th, as various groups from far and wide yet again entertain WPI for an evening.