

Chorus to spread 'A Cappella Fever'
Piney Hills Harmony will join with Bayou Blend quartet from Monroe and River Cities Jubilee men's chorus of Shreveport to present "A Cappella Fever" at 7 p.m. Nov. 5 in the historic Dixie Center for the Arts in downtown Ruston.
"This will be a special evening of music and laughter," said Sheila Nugent, Piney Hills Harmony director. "As far as I know, this is the first time a cappella barbershop groups from across the entire span of North Louisiana have performed in the same show."
Piney Hills Harmony is a women's chapter of Sweet Adelines International; River Cities Jubilee and Bayou Blend are both associated with the Barbershop Harmony Society. The quartet Rhapsody from Piney Hills Harmony will also sing.
An assortment of songs is on tap, with contemporary, golden oldie and gospel selections ranging from "Life Is a Highway," "The Longest Time" and "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing" to "You Raise Me Up" and "The Lord Bless You and Keep You." Emcees will be Joel Sharpton, of Ruston's KPCH radio, and Kelly Aaen, English/communication teacher from Monroe's Ouachita Christian School.
Both Piney Hills Harmony and River Cities Jubilee have offered their musical talents to area residents for decades. The women's chorus was formed in the '80s, and the men's was chartered in 1948, making it one of the oldest continually operating performing arts organizations in Shreveport-Bossier.
Piney Hills Harmony has won first, second and third places in its regional Sweet Adeline competition over the years. Twenty-eight members travel from seven different parishes to be part of the group.
Sponsored by the Duck Commander Company, "A Cappella Fever" will benefit MedCamps of Louisiana. Since 1987, MedCamps has offered one-week, fun-filled camps free of charge for more than 5,000 special-needs children and teens facing physical and mental challenges.
Tickets are available from the Dixie Center weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the door or from chorus members. Cost is $15 for adults; $12 for seniors and children 12 and under; and free for children under 3 if in parents' lap.
More information is available at www.pineyhillsharmony.org or on Facebook at Piney Hills Harmony Chorus / Sweet Adelines.