YOUNG@HEART will be performing its only Maine concert of the year at Merrill Auditorium on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. The group features more than two dozen vocalists ages 73 to 90.
Just back from a tour in Japan, the Young@Heart Chorus returns to Merrill Auditorium with their new live show “Young@Heart Chorus Now” This is their only live concert in Maine and Coastal New Hampshire this year.
The show is co-sponsored by Volunteers of America Northern New England, headquartered at Fort Andross in Brunswick and Northeast Hearing & Speech in Portland.
Glenn Michaels, director of marketing, communications and community engagement for VOA Northern New England spoke with The Times Record while working from home during an unexpected snow storm Tuesday.
“A couple of things really stand out for me about this show: First, Maine is the oldest state in the country. Young@Heart could really be the poster child for Maine. Through Volunteers of America, we do a lot of work with seniors and senior housing. We work with the (U.S.) Department of Housing and Urban Development; for example Westrum House is one of our projects. So for us, sponsoring the show is a no brainer.”
Young@Heart Chorus is composed of more than two dozen vocalists ages 73 to 90.
“Seniors can do a lot more than we give them credit for. I look at them and think, I’m 60 and I can’t join them for 13 years,” Michaels said.
Based in Northampton, Mass., Young@Heart performs throughout the United States and around the world.
“They just got back from Japan. When they performed in Maine two years ago, they had just gotten back from Australia. They travel all over the world. It’s a complicated show to put on given their ages. We put them up and take them on tours while they’re here. I can’t imagine what that’s like half way around the world,” Michaels said.
The chorus’ repertoire contrasts with music from their own era, as they exclusively perform rock and pop songs from the late 20th century and new millennium.
“They do songs that poke fun at being older like, ‘Stayin Alive,’ and the Rolling Stones (can’t get no) ‘Satisfaction,” Michaels said.
The show features songs from Young@Heart’s new CD by the same name. Their first appearance in Portland sold out in 2011 and remains the chorus’ largest performance in the United States to date.
According to Michaels, “It’s a very unique kind of entertainment. I think they demonstrate to all of us that regardless of age, you can have fun and be creative. They’re just a really great group.”
Tickets are on sale now at PortTIX at www.PortTIX.com, by phone at 842-0800 or at the PortTIX box office in Merrill Auditorium. Senior citizen and group discounts are available. Tickets prices are $30 and $40.
For more information visit www.YoungAtHeartMaine.org.
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
