IF YOU GOWhat: Sweet Adelines' Region 23 convention.When: Today and Saturday.Where: Chattanooga Marriott, 2 Carter Plaza; and Chattanooga Convention Center, 1 Carter Plaza.Admission: $20 for competitions and Show of Champions, free for mass sing.Website: www.sceniccitychorus.com.SCHEDULEToday• Noon. Mass sing, Marriott Hotel lobby, free• 4 p.m. Quartet competition, Chattanooga Convention Center, $20Saturday• 12:30 p.m. Chorus competition, Chattanooga Convention Center, $20• 8 p.m. Show of Champions, Chattanooga Convention Center, $20
More than 700 Sweet Adelines will converge on the Marriott this weekend for their regional competition and convention.
Adelines are female singers dedicated to the preservation of barbershop harmony. Scenic City Chorus, the Chattanooga affiliate of Sweet Adelines, is hosting the Region 23 convention. Singers from 16 choruses in Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, the Florida Panhandle and Tennessee will compete for top honors.
The fun gets under way today at noon when all the Adelines will gather in the lobby of the Marriott for a mass sing.
"This is our third mass sing," said Natalie Allen, Region 23 events coordinator, in a news release. "Last year we had a great time sharing our sound. It's free, and we hope to have an even bigger crowd this year."
Competition begins at 4 p.m. this afternoon when the quartets display their sounds in the Convention Center. Two Chattanooga quartets will sing: Ringtones and Sky Hopes, said Kathy Yonka, contest media manager.
The four-part harmony resumes Saturday at 12:30 p.m. when the choruses take the stage in the Convention Center.
"First-time audience members are often amazed at the variety of songs that are performed in the barbershop style. These women put on a great show," said Allen.
Yonka said last year's champion, Song of Atlanta, will sing in the competition, but only for evaluation. As the reigning champ, Song of Atlanta is preparing to compete in the Adelines' international competition.
Medalists from the quartet and chorus competitions will put on the annual Show of Champions on Saturday night. Tickets to this and both competitions are $20 and may be purchased at the door of the Convention Center ballroom.