Straight No Chaser to perform at Victoria Theatre
By: Allison Kurtz – Staff Writer
Straight No Chaser sounds like a typical Friday night, right?
Wrong. Straight No Chaser, a male a cappella group best known for their Christmas songs and covers of popular music, will perform in Dayton Friday.
According to Straight No Chaser’s website, the group formed in 1996 at Indiana University. After a short hiatus including graduation and professionalism, they got back together and released two holiday albums in 2008 and 2009. Now, they are back again with their fourth album, “Under the Influence,” according to the Victoria Theatre Association.
Straight No Chaser has been featured on Billboard’s top charts including Top 200 and Top Holiday Albums. That’s not the only attention they’ve received; popular singer and “Jack and Diane” songwriter John Mellencamp invited the a cappella group to his home for a special performance.
Active Dayton says they are known for their “captivating sound of 10 unadulterated human voices coming together to make extraordinary music that is moving people in a fundamental sense… and with a sense of humor.” At the end of their 2010 tour, they played 160 shows, selling over 225,000 tickets with most of the shows selling out in advance. They then continued to tour across the country.
Though the original line up has changed some since their days at IU, the integrity of the group remains the same. Active Dayton shares that four of the original members remain while they carefully choose new members based on their talent vocally along with personality. Many say SNC has an unbeatable stage presence, always having fun and entertaining.
“They have such a cool sound and I love rocking out to their Christmas album,” senior middle education major and SNC fan Lauren Hanzel said. “My sister and I can recite the entire [song] ‘Christmas Can-Can’ and play it on repeat around Christmas time.” Straight No Chaser is a group that is easily relatable for people of all ages.
Their current tour, Happy Hour Tour 2014, has shows across the country, including Dayton. SNC will perform Friday, November 7 at 8 p.m. at the Schuster Performing Arts Center, part of the Victoria Theatre Association. According to Maeda Thompson, ticket center stage assistant manager at the Schuster Center in Dayton, SNC played last year at the center to a sold out theater. The Schuster Center is excited to have them back again this year.
“They sold out [last year] and will sell out again this year,” Thompson said. “It’s an excellent show; these young men sing a cappella and it’s just amazing.” Straight No Chaser seems to get rave reviews from everyone, fans, fellow musicians and venues.
Thompson said tickets can be purchased at the box office for $25, $35, $45, $50 or $62. If purchased over the phone or online, the tickets will be an additional $5. However, Thompson was clear that only the upper balcony, last row tickets are available at this point, because they’re already close to achieving their goal of another sold out show.
For more information on purchasing tickets call 937-228-3630 or visit the Victoria Theater Association website.