Port Alberni's Urbanstreet Choir will be taking a trip back in time with its annual spring concert.
The concert, called "Feelin' Groovy," will take audiences through some some of the top hits of the 1950s to the 1980s, including tracks by Queen, Led Zeppelin, The Tragically Hip, Simon and Garfunkel and The Eagles.
"We'll be working our way through the decades," explained choir director Janet Schlackl. "These are songs that people will recognize. There were some really interesting musical compositions that happened during that time."
Two years ago, Urbanstreet Choir held a "rock 'n roll" themed concert that was fairly popular, said Schlackl, so the choir decided to revisit a concert made up of "non-traditional" choral music.
"We had a sell-out crowd," Schlackl said. "It seemed to be something the community enjoyed."
The choir currently has 32 members, and two of these are Deb and Jeff Hallworth. Deb joined Urbanstreet Choir back when it was known as the "Sea Notes" choir in 2014, but it took a little while for her to convince Jeff to join. Although Jeff is a musician, he wasn't sure about choral music.
"I thought it would be a way to enhance my vocals and learn some things," he said. "Then I stayed because I thought it was pretty fun. I enjoy the challenge of singing the right note at the right time, with the right dynamic."
"And the right words," Schlackl added.
Deb calls Urbanstreet a "learning" choir. It's very accepting, she said, for anyone new to choral music.
"I still learn something almost every rehearsal," she said. "And it's fun. It's a good group of people."
The choir has been working hard over the past few weeks to prepare for this show. The choir's practice and performance venue, Alberni Valley United Church, is an "intimate" location that lends itself well to the music, said Schlackl.
"The venue allows us to see the audience," she explained. "It becomes almost an interactive experience. It's an environment most of us haven't had before."
Schlackl and the Hallworths are encouraging the community of Port Alberni to come out and take a chance on the show.
"I think they'll be surprised at the content," said Schlackl.
"And it's a chance to support local music," Deb added.
Feelin' Groovy will take place Saturday, May 3 at Alberni Valley United Church (3747 Church Street) at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at Walk the Coast, from choir members and a "limited number" will be available at the door.
"Try to get advance tickets," Schlackl warned. "We expect it to sell out."
