Southern Sound from Fuengirola
Don’t be surprised if you are walking down the street in Benalmadena next weekend – from the 22nd to 25th March 2012 – and come across groups of singers performing a cappella! You’ll have witnessed barbershop singers and enthusiasts showing off their harmony singing talents.
Benalmadena will welcome approximately 600 barbershop singers for the 4th annual convention of the Spanish Association of Barbershop Singers (SABS). Delegates will be flying in from the Americas, the UK and from all over Europe.
Barbershop singing originated in the United States in the early 1900’s and has since gained worldwide popularity with thousands of singers practising and promoting this unique art form of four-part a cappella singing.
This is the first time that SABS holds their convention in Benalmadena and we are delighted to form part of this event, accommodating many of the delegates taking part as well as providing our Moonlight Theatre for some of the planned events.
So what can we expect? Lyn Baines, Marketing Manager for SABS commented… “In addition to our own national chorus and quartet contests, we will be hosting our first international contest, involving some of the best choruses and quartets from Holland,Ireland and England.”
There will be various contests throughout the 4 days as well as two special shows which will be staged at the Torrequebrada Hotel’s Sala Fortuna on the 23rd and 24th March; tickets are selling fast so if you’d like to go along and watch the singers, we recommend you book ASAP! Any remaining tickets will be on sale at the SABS information desk situated at the reception desk (here at Sunset Beach Club).
Although relatively unknown before 2008 (the year that SABS was founded), Barbershop has gained a substantial following; proof of this is the participation of several choruses and quartets arriving from all over Spain andPortugal!
Several local businesses are providing support for the event: Black Tower Finance are the main sponsors with Sunset Beach Club, Torrequebrada Hotel and Dunnes Stores sponsoring all the international and national trophies and medals.
SABS always like to give something to local charities and this year is no exception. There will be a grand draw with some fantastic prizes, including short hotel breaks for 2 people donated by Sunset Beach Club and the Málaga Tourist Board. Tickets for the draw will be on sale at the SABS information desk at Sunset Beach Club and cost just €1.
If you’d like more information about SABS and Barbershop singers, please visit their official website at www.sabs.es .
