Voices Join Forces for Newton's Fourth Annual Acappelooza

The Newton North Auditorium will be filled with music on Saturday, Feb. 2, but you won't find many guitars, pianos or horns.

That's right, just voices. 

Four local A cappella groups will come together on February 2 for the fourth annual Acappelooza, a family-friendly concert to benefit the Countryside Elementary School PTO.

The event will feature Newton North's Forte, Newton South's Newtones, Berklee College of Music's Pitch Slapped and the Boston professional vocal band Ball in the House. 

"It's a nice way to get the high school, college and professional scene together and enjoy the love of music," says Anne Kalis, who launched the annual concert three years ago.

Kalis and her husband, Ward 8 Alderman-at-Large David Kalis, came up with Acappelooza while brainstorming ideas to benefit their kids' elementary school, Countryside.

Both Anne and David are no strangers to the stage -- the two met doing a community theater show in Chicago and David is former Tufts Beelzebub. So, when it came time to do a fundraiser for their school, the idea of bringing together musical performing groups clicked naturally. 

But what started as just an elementary school fundraiser turned into a sell-out show. The first three years of Acappelooza were a huge success, Anne says, and people from all across the city have packed the Newton South auditorium to not only enjoy the music, but also support the community. 

"What's nice about [Acappelooza] is that everyone from all over the city attends," she says. "It brings people together."

Acappelooza will be held on Saturday, Feb. 2 from 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. in the Newton North High School auditorium. General admission $12, premium seating $20. Tickets are available online. For more information, email annekalis@yahoo.com.