After finding success on "The Sing-Off" last fall, the Dartmouth Aires have been reaping the benefits ever since, and next on their agenda is the fundraiser and a cappella showcase "A Cappella Palooza." Taking place on April 29 at Boston University's Agganis Arena, the event will be hosted by Ben Folds and feature groups from "The Sing-Off," with all proceeds going to Massachusetts General Hospital's Cancer Center.
The Pentatonix, who won the 2011 season of the show, the all-girl group Delilah and the Massachusetts-based group North Shore will perform at the event with the Aires. Also appearing as a special guest will be Boston University's all-male a cappella group, the Dear Abbeys. The concert will feature music from the show, and the show's host Ben Folds will also be performing.
"The idea was that it was going to be a Sing-Off' reunion in support of the hospital," Aires member Danny Freeman '13 said.
Last December, the Aires were contacted by "Sing-Off" executive producer Sam Weisman, who is also producing "A Cappella Palooza," about the event.
"This is something we've been just casually speaking about for the last several months, and we're happy to see it materializing into what is going to be a really cool event," Aires member Ethan Weinberg '12 said.
And despite the numerous invitations that the Aires have received since appearing on "The Sing-Off," including private birthday parties and a polo championship in Palm Beach, Fla., the Aires found this event particularly special, according to Freeman.
Aires member Michael Odokara-Okigbo '12 said that the decision to participate was unanimous among the Aires' members.
"It was an opportunity we just couldn't turn down," Odokara-Okigbo said. "Not only are we singing with a lot of great groups, but we are also singing for a great cause."
The Aires became close with other groups on "The Sing-Off" and are excited to have the opportunity to perform with them again, Freeman said.
"They were the ones who very much shared this journey with us that was so different and so unlike anything that any of us had ever experienced," he said. "We are really looking forward to seeing these guys and performing with them on stage, because we never necessarily thought that we would be able to see our Sing-Off' family again."
In preparation for their "Sing-Off" reunion, the Aires have been hard at work practicing their musical numbers from the NBC show.
"We are in the process of learning the choreography from The Sing-Off' all over again," Odokara-Okigbo said. "It's really funny trying to remember how things were done on the show. We've had to go back to YouTube and watch things that we did."
The Aires will be singing a variety of selections from the show, including their fan-favorite medley of Queen's "Killer Queen," "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Somebody to Love." In addition to singing with Folds, the Aires will also sing The Who's "Pinball Wizard," Neon Trees' "Animal" and Flo Rida's "Club Can't Handle Me."
In addition to relearning the choreography, the freshman members of the Aires' had to learn all of the "Sing-Off" material from scratch, according to Weinberg.
"I think they are taking the responsibility really to heart," he said. "They've done a great job with jumping in and picking everything up. Obviously they don't have the show experience, but it's really nice because now they have an opportunity to be a part of that original experience."
The Aires are also facing the challenge of integrating all 20 members that will be performing, according to Weinberg.
"It's been especially difficult because we're having some of the guys on the show, who are alumni, coming to join us in Boston," he said.
Despite their neverending stream of exciting opportunities, the Aires are always enthusiastic about every new chance to perform.
"It's very cool because we've been reliving our Sing-Off' experience all over again," Odokara-Okigbo said. "I'm actually legitimately pumped to do the show. I've been looking forward to the show for a long time."
General admission tickets are now available through Ticketmaster.
