ICE CREAM! ICE CREAM! ICE CREAM!

ICE CREAM! ICE CREAM! ICE CREAM!

“Ladies, from now on you’ll never see one of those men without the other three.” The famous line and four-part chord from the 1962 film adaptation of Meredith Wilson’s The Music Man, rings true. Across the world, singers of all ages and backgrounds meet weekly in the barbershop style. It’s a hobby, fraternity, and for some, an obsession.

Barbershop music has roots into the late 19th century, but became obscure, until a revival in 1940, when the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America, now Barbershop Harmony Society, was formed. Today, there are chapters around the world, with men and women singing and competing with this addictive and uniquely American style of close acapella harmony. The Miamians of South Florida were formed in 1948 and won the international championship in 1965.

For years, The Beetlejuicers, a troupe of Miamians traveled to Key West, dressed in their black and white Tim Burton inspired outfits, to spread cheer and harmony for Fantasy Fest. One year, they ran into local crooner and former Tampa Bay Heralds of Harmony member, Joe Tripp. “I heard the distinctive sound ringing over the crowd and knew I had to sing with them. When I finally caught up, they were surprised when I asked them to sing a tag with me,” he said. They developed a friendship and continue to meet and sing each year. The Miamians’ leadership felt drawn to bring the art to the Keys and insisted on making it a charitable event. They enlisted Tripp, who regularly sings for local causes, to help. In 2018, the Key West Barbershop Music Fest debuted.

On October 1, 2022 at 7 PM, at Key West United Methodist Church 600 Eaton Street, the Miamians barbershop chorus will present the second Key West Barbershop Music Fest, to benefit local charities. Tickets are $30 at the door.

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