The Great American Vaudeville Revue is shaping up to be an evening packed with fun, music and good food.

Next Friday evening, July 25, the Helen E. Parrish Activity Center at Clanton First United Methodist Church will be the scene of a variety show featuring the talents of the Chilton Civic Chorale and Pops in an array of formats including some show tunes, some ballads, some variety numbers as well as some novelties and comedy sketches.

Some tunes will be sung by the entire Chorale, some by ensembles and some by soloists, and the Pops will be playing several pieces as well.

There will definitely be something there for everyone in the community to come out and enjoy.

Robert Simpson, interim Chorale director, is working with the vocalists to produce a high-quality sound that will carry on the tradition of the group.

Simpson, an instructor of music at Birmingham-Southern College, received his bachelor’s degree in music composition from BSC and is a master’s candidate at the University of Miami (Fla.), where he has served as a graduate teaching assistant.

He is a choral section leader in the choir at Highlands United Methodist Church in Birmingham and also teaches preparation for a variety of standardized tests required for college acceptance.

He assumed the temporary directorship of the Chorale when former vocal conductor Tommy Fike received the opportunity to complete a seminary degree and also take on a more active role in the ministry.

The Chilton Civic Chorale is a community vocal performance group founded in 1993, and the Chilton Pops (originally called the Chilton Civic Orchestra) was added in 2002.

The organization works hard to provide family-friendly entertainment at every show and give back to the community in service (and sometimes funding) whenever possible.

The Chilton Civic Chorale Scholarship is just one of the organization’s activities that provides a return on the community’s investment.

Each year the Chorale provides a $1,000 scholarship to a senior graduating from a high school in Chilton County who plans to major or minor in music in college.

Tickets for The Great American Vaudeville Revue are $12 each and are on sale at the Whistle Stop Coffee and News on Hwy. 31 in downtown Clanton.

Tickets can also be bought from any member of the Chorale or Pops group in Clanton.

A barbecue buffet is included in the ticket price.

For more information, call Mike Curry at the Whistle Stop, 755-8700.

– from staff reports