Singing Boston Strong: Spotlight Bostonality

Our fifth fabulous a cappella group performing at Singing Boston Strong: An Evening of A Cappella to Benefit Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital is Bostonality.

When I put out the call to Boston area semi professional a cappella groups to round out our program, I was overwhelmed by the groups that responded. Bostonality was the first to respond. We are thrilled that they are donating their time and talent to our event.

Bostonality is a pretty rad co-ed grown up a cappella group based in Somerville, MA. Our members come from a wide variety of musical backgrounds, but we all share a genuine passion for performing music and having a blast while doing so. We've performed our eclectic set all over the greater Boston area. We enjoy jamming, karaoke, texting while singing, and the Sing-Off.



Their song set for the evening is:

I'm a Believer by The Monkees
Don't You Worry Child by Swedish House Mafia
Happy by Pharrell Williams
Lady by Stix

Here they are rocking out I'm A Believer at Landsdowne Pub:



I'm in love and I'm a believer that we are going to sell out Sleeper Auditorium with all proceeds to benefit Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital.




Donate to Greg's fund raising page and in the comments section write how many tickets you would like set aside. We will have them ready for you at the will call table. Minimum suggested donation/ticket is $10 to reserve your spot for one of the hottest a cappella shows Spring.

See you on Friday!

Singing Boston Strong: Spotlight on Tufts Jackson Jills

When I reached out to Boston area collegiate a cappella groups for Music for Miracles back in 2011, Tufts Jackson Jills jumped right on board. They rocked Morse Auditorium and helped us raise a lot of money for Childrens Hospital Boston and my husband's 2011 Boston Marathon run.

When I got the idea to do another a cappella concert, Singing Boston Strong: An Evening of A Cappella to Benefit Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and contacted the Jills, they immediately said yes to donating their time and talent to the event.

Founded in 1963, the Jackson Jills is Tufts’ oldest all-female a cappella group. We are a non-profit group, and we frequently sing at charity events, fundraisers, nursing homes, schools, and private parties, sharing our love of music with our audiences. Our vocal styles range from standards like The Beatles and Pat Benatar to modern stars like Rihanna, Bruno Mars, and Beyonce. Our recordings have received numerous Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards, been featured by Rolling Stone, and our tracks have appeared on Best of College A Cappella (BOCA) albums and CAMO best-of a cappella albums. We just released our 50th anniversary album, Moonlighting, in Spring 2013.

Their appearance on Fox25 news went viral last year after the Red Sox made it into the World Series:



Welcome the Jills back to Boston University with a sell out crowd all to benefit Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. Let's hit a home run after we celebrate Opening Day here in Boston.

Donate to Greg's fund raising page and in the comments section write how many tickets you would like set aside. We will have them ready for you at the will call table. Minimum suggested donation/ticket is $10 to reserve your spot for one of the hottest a cappella shows this Spring.

See you on Friday!

Singing Boston Strong: Spotlight on In Achord

When I reached out to Boston University's In Achord to invite them to lend their voices to Singing Boston Strong: An Evening of A Cappella to Benefit Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, they said that they remembered our 2011 a cappella concert Music for Miracles and would be delighted to donate their time and talent to the event.

From their website:

Who is In Achord?
Original Co-Ed A Cappella at Boston University Since 1990

Founded in 1990, In Achord is Boston University’s oldest co-ed a cappella group. The group is an annual host and competitor in the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella. In recent years, In Achord has received distinct awards for its arrangements, soloists, vocal percussion and choreography. The group is also hosts the Beanpot of A Cappella, an annual fundraiser that brings together college a cappella groups from all over Boston to raise money for for the Franciscan Hospital for Children.

In Achord was proud to celebrate its 20th anniversary in Spring 2011. When not singing, In Achord enjoys singing recreationally, listening to songs and talking about how we could be singing them and watching YouTube videos of people singing OH and harmonizing (we just can’t get enough). In Achord’s other interests include Thanksgiving dinner, Space Jam, cats, writing inappropriate website bios for new freshmen, and last but not least, bacon.

And on 3/2, they posted:

In case you have not already heard, In Achord won third place in what was referred to as the most competitive International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA) Quarterfinal in the entire country at the Berklee College of Music on February 16, 2014.

Talented groups from all over the Northeast were scheduled to compete in the ICCA Quarterfinal at Berklee on Saturday, February 15, but due to extreme weather conditions the event was rescheduled for the following evening. Although the date change originally had us worried that family, friends, and fans who had been planning to attend the show on Saturday would not be able to make it on Sunday, everything worked out and we had a full crowd cheering us on.

In Achord’s impressive three-song set consisted of Downfall by Matchbox 20, Choices by Bernhoft, and Gypsy by Lady Gaga. We blew the audience and judges away with our outstanding soloists, complex arrangements, and fun choreography.

And on 4/6th you can find them singing the National Anthem at Fenway Park!

Here they are performing What Dreams Are Made Of:



Patients at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital have their dreams of finding their strength again and with your support, these dreams can come true!

Donate to Greg's fund raising page and in the comments section write how many tickets you would like set aside. We will have them ready for you at the will call table. Minimum suggested donation/ticket is $10.

See you on Friday!

Singing Boston Strong: Spotlight on The Dear Abbeys

Back in 2011, I had this vision for an a cappella concert to benefit my husband's Boston Marathon run for Childrens Hospital. We called it Music for Miracles. When I put out the call to BU a cappella groups to help create this event, the Dear Abbeys were first in line to help.




In February of 1992, three gentlemen gathered to change the course of aca-history. Their goal: to create an all-male a cappella group at Boston University. After several attempts—and a few close calls—the Dear Abbeys of Boston University were born.

The idea was simple: assemble a small group of men who enjoy music, camaraderie and “no show-tunes”, arrange popular songs for voice, and sing.

Now—over 20 years later—the Abbeys have gained a reputation in the a cappella community for musical precision, complex and unique arrangements and an energetic style of live performance that’s difficult to match.

After winning the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA’s) in 2005, the Abbeys have performed in stadiums, on street corners and everywhere in between. Their unique style is frequently heard at weddings, corporate events, charity functions, high schools, and the greater Boston community.

Most recently, the group has focused on sharing their talents with students around the country. The Abbeys aim to inspire, inform and entertain—introducing young thinkers to the arts with the hope of initiating positive change.

Since 2005, the group has toured the U.S. and beyond, traveling to New Orleans and New Mexico, Alaska and Colombia. In the past they have been so lucky as to team up with musical heavyweights like Steven Tyler, Ben Folds, NOTA, Pentatonix and Ball in the House.

To date, the Abbeys have produced eight studio albums, four of which can be purchased on iTunes.

And when I put out the call for Singing Boston Strong: An Evening of A Cappella to Benefit Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital



The Abbeys said yes!!!



Here's their fun music video with a smash up of Toxic and Hold It Against Me



Donate to Greg's fund raising page and in the comments section write how many tickets you would like set aside. We will have them ready for you at the will call table. Minimum suggested donation/ticket is $10.

See you on Friday!

Singing Boston Strong: Spotlight on Terpsichore

One week from tonight we will be raising our voices and a lot of money as 5 premier Boston area a cappella groups Sing Boston Strong to Benefit Spaulding Rehab Hospital.



Between now and next Friday, I will feature each of the 5 groups who have generously agreed to donate their time and talent to our event.

First up is Boston University's Premimer All Female A Cappella group and our host for the evening Terpsichore



Just this week they dropped their album, "25" on iTunes.

From their home page:
Terpsichore (terp-sik-oh-ree) is Boston University's premier all-female a cappella group, established in 1989. Affectionately known as "Terps," these girls are the finest group of windpipes you'll ever meet. From Maroon 5 to Kimbra, Terpsichore's repertoire is full of favorites. Visit their facebook page for up-to-date information on where to catch them performing!

Follow us on Instagram and Twitter @BUterpsichore

OUR 25TH ANNIVERSARY SPRING CONCERT:
Friday April 25th, 7:30pm 725 Commonwealth Ave

Terpsichore provided front of the house support when we had our Music for Miracles concert at Boston University in 2011. They said that if ever I did another a cappella benefit concert, they would like to perform.

When I contacted them last Fall to propose Greg's Boston Marathon Fundraiser, they were totally on board and offered to host the event. There is a lot more that goes into hosting besides just showing up on the night of the event and welcoming everyone. There is paperwork and coordination and wading through the wonderful BU bureaucracy. Terps brought it in every way for Spaulding Rehab.

We are so blessed that they are lending their voices to Singing Boston Strong next Friday.

Here they are performing Landslide:



Donate to Greg's fund raising page and in the comments section write how many tickets you would like set aside. We will have them ready for you at the will call table. Minimum suggested donation/ticket is $10.

See you on Friday!

All We Have is Today - All We Need is Love

As I was driving down Beacon Street on my way to Spaulding Rehab's Aquatics Therapy Class last night, I noticed that the mile markers have been repainted in anticipation of the running of the 118th Boston Marathon. As I drove through Kenmore Square, I saw the freshly painted "One Mile to go" marker. I got on Storrow Drive and I could not process what I saw in the distance; thick smoke coming from a building.

Oh maybe it's just the smoke from a fireplace in the brownstones being carried by the wind gusts.

We had an amazing Aquatics Therapy Class. I could feel my legs building strength as I did laps with the kick board. Because we had a small class, we received even more individual attention than usual. We could make use of the entire pool since there were no patients and a small class. I was able to experiment with challenging myself using deeper or shallow waters and then talking with Karis, our therapist, about my experience. We did planks using a noodle and I could feel my core strength. I was "deep" into my mind/body connection. I had the equivalent of a runner's high after the class and felt the best I have felt in a long time. The aches and pains that linger with our never ending winter had melted away. They were replaced by soreness and a sense of strength and a renewed sense of healing on a deeper level.

As we drove down Charles Street the #weruntogether banners were flapping in the wind:



Traffic was backed up on Storrow Drive and the Copley Square exit was blocked off by State Police cars. A heaviness hung in the air although it was yet unnamed. Cars were uncharacteristically polite allowing for lane changes. There was an eerie silence as we drove by the fire scene with ambulances and fire trucks and a building that had been gutted. It was another moment frozen in time in less than 12 months in Boston.

When we returned home and went through my Facebook feed, we learned the tragic news that two of Boston's heroes had fallen and 18 were injured and taken to local hospitals. One of the firefighters, Michael Kennedy, had been a first responder at last year's Boston Marathon bombings and was training to run this year's marathon.

Hearts are broken once again in our beautiful city and once again we come together as a community to grieve, honor lives that were lost and see beyond the tragedy to strength, heroism and sharing love and caring. There is an outpouring of love at the Fire Station for those who were lost as flowers and food are being delivered to support Engine 33 and Ladder 15.


I am once again reminded that all we have is today; a lesson I started to learn at the age of 5 when I contracted paralytic polio and my life was changed forever and a lesson I learn over and over and over again. But along with the fragility of life, and knowing all we have is today, I am also reminded that all we need is love to get us through whatever tragedy and trauma life throws our way. While we cannot change tragic events, we can help each other heal through the power of loving and caring for and about each other.

My heart goes out in love and prayers to the brotherhood of firefighters who lost two of their beloveds and their families, those injured in the blaze and those who lost all of their possessions and to all who are moved by yesterday's tragic events.


Out of our deepest wounds we find our greatest strength, our most beautiful treasures and the knowledge that love is far greater and more powerful than any experience we endure.~Mary McManus

Two Weeks From Today ---

Show of hands -- who knows what is happening in Boston two weeks from today?

Here is a clue:



We are going to be raising our voices and raising a whole lot of money for Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital where I took the first steps on my healing journey with post polio syndrome over 7 years ago and where so many, including the survivors of the Boston Marathon bombings have found and continue to find their strength!

Here is Karis' story from her fund raising page:

On April 21, 2014, I will be participating in an event that I never thought I could: The Boston Marathon. The tragic events of last year’s race combined with witnessing first-hand the determination that the survivors displayed, has lead me to sign on as a member of Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital’s Race for Rehab Boston Marathon Team.

Many of you know that I was volunteering at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel last year for Spaulding’s Marathon viewing reception, when the bombs went off. Words cannot describe the scene nor the emotions I felt when I saw the second bomb explode. I wanted to run to the streets and help those who had been injured, but I was quickly evacuated and began the unknown journey through the streets of Boston. I was scared, but blessed to be in the company of wonderful friends. The streets were chaotic, no one knew where to go or what to do. As I ran down Huntington Avenue, it began to sink in: Lives have been changed forever.

As a massage therapist at Spaulding, I have had the great privilege of working with individuals who despite their life altering illness and/or injury, are determined to get back to their everyday lives. Those who know me personally know I am not a runner! I have never enjoyed running, but it is the strength and determination of my patients that has inspired me to run the Boston Marathon. The mental, physical, and emotional training that it will take to run this race is only a fraction of what those who I treat experience during rehab and for the rest of their lives. Each and every day I am strengthened by their strength.

Please consider making a donation to support my fundraising efforts as I work to raise $5,000 to benefit Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. Every dollar counts and will directly benefit the facility that gave 33 bombing survivors, and many others, their lives back. I am running the Boston Marathon to honor those survivors and memorialize those who lost their lives last April.

As Boston and the world count down the days until the start of the 2014 Boston Marathon, I am honored and proud to co host Karis' phenomenal fun(d) raising event Karis' Karaoke for a Kause happening on 2/20/14 from 8:00-10:00 pm at the Limelight Stage and Studios at 204 Tremont Street Boston.

Suggested minimum donation is $20 and you receive a Take a Chance ticket to be entered to win an autographed Tom Brady Jersey. And don't worry if you're too shy to step up to the mic, we'll have plenty of people singing strong. Write "karaoke" in the comments section when you make your donation. Cash bar and appetizers. Silent Auction Items include autographed books by Bob and Lee Woodruff, A Cape Getaway Weekend, Celtics and Red Sox Tickets, Gift certificates to Stapleton Floral Design and Marathon Sports.

So join us as we raise our voices and a whole lot of money to show that we ARE Boston Strong!