Chorus returns to 1970s

The first Columbia County performance of the Harmony River Chorus of Sweet Adelines International promises to be a psychedelic blast to the past.

On Saturday, the chorus presents two performances of the 1970s-theme concert Feelin' Groovy at the Jabez Sanford Hardin Performing Arts Center in the Columbia County Library. A matinee begins at 4 p.m. and the evening show at 8.

Judy Tobin, the public relations chairwoman for Harmony River, said the 43-member women's chorus will perform familiar soul and disco songs from the '70s, such as Gloria Gaynor's I Will Survive, The Village People's YMCA and Age of Aquarius from Hair!

The concert is based in part on Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, with members of the group portraying popular characters from the late 1960s and early '70s NBC television sketch comedy program.

It's something different for the group, which sings a cappella in the style of a barbershop quartet, Tobin said.

"People who come to our concerts will hear a lot of new things," she said. "It will have comedy, it will have skits, (but) mostly singing."

Tobin said Harmony River will be joined for some numbers by two quartets from Lakeside High School and actors who will play out scenes from Barry Manilow's song Copacabana.

"This is our first concert in Columbia County, and we are very excited," Tobin said.

The following Saturday, Aug. 26, the group will perform at 8 p.m. at the Etherredge Center on the campus of the University of South Carolina at Aiken.

Tickets to Feelin' Groovy are $15 for adults, $10 each for senior citizens and groups of 10 or more, and $5 for under age 12. To purchase tickets or get more information about the Columbia County shows, contact Paula Shuff at (706) 650-8701. For the Aug. 26 performance in Aiken, call Nancy Phillips at (803) 648-6162.