By Diane Urbani de la Paz
Peninsula Daily News
PORT ANGELES — Beginning with Bella Voce and salted with sing-alongs, the fifth annual Crabfest Revival will be a free morning of harmony, promises director Michael Rivers.
Bella Voce, the select women’s choir from Port Angeles High School, will start the event at The Gateway pavilion, Front and Lincoln streets, at 9 a.m. Sunday, to begin the final day of the Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival.
Rivers first heard the ensemble, directed by Port Angeles High’s Jolene Dalton Gailey, last spring and “was struck by the gorgeous sound,” he said.
Once Bella Voce warms up the audience, Rivers will bring on the Crabfest Revival Choir, a blend of singers who range from teens to their 70s.
These include Isaac Sussman and MacKenzie Cammack, both 17; Clare Wiswell, 19; Patrick McCarter, 18; and Kare White, 20, plus teachers Dan Cobb and Vicki Helwick, nurse Sarah Almond and retired information technologist Dave Meyer.
Rounding out the 90-minute revival will be the 15-voice Peninsula Men’s Gospel Singers, offering what Rivers believes will be an utterly moving version of “The Prayer.”
Pianist Penny Hall will be there, too, as will Karen Coles, who provides sign-language interpretation at the singers’ concerts through the year.
The founding director of the men’s gospel singers, Rivers also will mix in a handful of well-known gospel numbers, with song sheets available for those who’d like to join in.
The Crabfest Revival is a nondenominational gathering, and “all ages are welcome,” he said, “to come and listen, clap and sing along.”
For information about the choir, see www.PMgospelsingers.com.
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Features Editor Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5062, or at durbani@peninsuladailynews.com.