Singing Valentines return to the Gainesville area
Press release from the Barbergators Chorus
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Barbergators Chorus is bringing four-part harmony back to the streets of Gainesville and the surrounding area both Friday and Saturday on Valentine’s Day weekend. Well-dressed quartets will deliver “Singing Valentines” to unsuspecting sweethearts at homes, offices, and restaurants. For over 16 years, the local chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society has offered these musical packages — which include two love songs, a long-stemmed rose, and a personalized card — as a unique local alternative to traditional holiday gifts.
“Why give your sweetheart flowers when you can give them a Valentine’s experience… one they’ll remember for a lifetime?” said Dave Jacobs, President of the Barbergators.
The Barbergators Chorus will be delivering Singing Valentines on both Friday, February 13th, and Saturday, February 14th.
“About half of our deliveries are to offices and businesses during the workday. Since Valentine’s Day is on Saturday this year, we’re expanding our delivery schedule to two days this year. That way, we can do the deliveries at work on Friday, and of course on Valentine’s Day Saturday,” said Jacobs.
The Barbergators get requests to deliver Valentines to wives and husbands, parents, girlfriends, sweethearts, and even office staff throughout the day. Getting to surprise unsuspecting Valentines when they least expect it is as much fun as delivering the message itself.
The singers visit offices, schools, homes, senior residences, and even restaurants, in their red vests and surprise recipients with their talent and showmanship. They love to surprise recipients at work and have occasionally been an integral part of a romantic dinner, and even a few marriage proposals!
Delivering Singing Valentines is fun for the singers, too. Many of them take the day off work so they can sing from morning to night. Almost universally, singers say the best part about Singing Valentines is the reactions they get from each audience, be it a large group or an audience of one.
“Singing barbershop is fun to begin with,” said Dave Jacobs, president of the chorus, “but to do it on Valentine’s Day, in such intimate performances, is even better. An audience of one is right in front of you, and you get to deliver a message of love. It’s incredible.”
“One of my most memorable deliveries was to a teacher in the lunchroom in front of the entire 5th grade,” said Mike Roth, Singing Valentines coordinator. “The room went from chaos to silence while we sang!”
“We surprised the wife of one of my colleagues at work one year. She couldn’t believe that he’d hired us to sing for her! And then, when he stepped around the corner while we were singing, you should have seen the expression on her face”, said Bill Slayton, bass.
To get a prime reservation, they suggest you order early. Deliveries start at $60 within a two-hour window and increase to $75 for a time-specific delivery.
The Barbergators take reservations up until February 13th. But for special deliveries, make your reservation a week or two in advance.
To reserve a quartet, call (352) 358-1131 or visit the Barbergators Chorus website: Barbergators.com/Valentines.
The Barbergators Chorus is a chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society and has been part of the Gainesville community since 1973. The chorus rehearses Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. at Grace Presbyterian Church, 3146 NW 13th St, Gainesville, FL. Singers are always welcome.
Singers of all ages who would like to sing 4-part harmony are invited to visit and join.