Sing Out for Shelter Performer Highlights
Your host, and organizer for the past 32 years, The Augmented Eight is a men’s a cappella group that has entertained Washington audiences for over 65 years with a blend of old standards, modern pop, jazz, show tunes, and the occasional surprise.
Since 1942, the Colgate 13 has taken pride in itself for talent and passion for performance. The group is named for the 13 men who founded Colgate University in 1819, each offering $13 and 13 prayers. 70+ Years Later, the Colgate Thirteen still delights audiences with fun, surprises, and a unique blend of over 50 songs from old classics to new favorites. Our group has reached the corners of the Radio City Music Hall, Super Bowl XIII, the Olympics, along with numerous local venues across the nation every January.
Supreme Chord is a dynamic all-voice a cappella group that has delighted audiences across Washington, DC with engaging performances for nearly two decades. The group has featured widely at venues across the area such as the Kennedy Center, the National Zoo and the Birchmere. We perform an eclectic repertoire that includes contemporary pop, rock and everything in between, inspiring audience members of all ages to dance in the aisles.
The Wootton Acatonics are the premier all-gender a cappella group from Thomas S. Wootton High School in Rockville, MD. The Acatonics have been fortunate to attend and place at national competitions including the International Championship of High School A Cappella Competition and the High School Competition at SingStrong New York. This past fall they also released an EP titled “Don’t You Understand” on all streaming platforms and had the honor of one of their songs being selected to be on the Best of High School A cappella (BOHSA) Album for 2025. Aside from competitions, The Acatonics perform at many events around the Wootton HS community, representing Montgomery County Public Schools, and at events around the greater Washington DC area. In addition to performing together, the Acatonics love being around each other and take any chance to celebrate the community this group gives them at school. They are directed by Wootton High School Choral Director, Keith Schwartz.
The Augmented 8 is pleased to have Ed Spitzberg as our Emcee/Person of Ceremonies. Ed is a proud Augmented 8 alumnus, having cut his a cappella teeth years (decades) earlier in the Yale Alley Cats and Whiffenpoofs. That training led, as such training often does, to lounge singing. Ed wrote and performed multiple versions of The Eddie Lounge Show, the last of which won the “Best of the Fringe” award at the 2015 Capital Fringe Festival and went on to play AMP by Strathmore.
Professionally, Ed is a leader in the nonprofit community. He is the founder and principal of Spitzberg Advisors, a strategic advisory firm serving nonprofit organizations and leaders, providing leadership advisory and coaching, board development, transition planning, fundraising planning, retreat facilitation, interim leadership, and strategic planning, with a particular expertise in youth development and the arts. Among other nonprofit executive positions, Ed has direct experience as executive director of nonprofit organizations like those championed at Sing Out for Shelter, including the multidisciplinary arts education program Sitar Arts Center, serving young people from low-income families. He also currently serves on the board of the Yale Alumni Nonprofit Alliance and teaches at Indiana University’s Lilly School of Philanthropy’s “The Fundraising School.”
Concert Beneficiaries:
Christ House is a 24-hour medical respite facility for men experiencing homelessness in Washington, D.C. For nearly 40 years, Christ House has provided comprehensive and compassionate care for patients who arrive from hospitals, shelters, clinics, and medical outreach initiatives with acute and complex medical needs. Last year, we welcomed over 200 patient admissions and 100% of patients had 3 or more health challenges. In addition to medical care, our patients receive shelter, nutritious meals, case management, substance use counseling, and opportunities to participate in patient activities. Our goal is that patients will leave Christ House with their medical needs stabilized and with the education or tools needed to manage their health conditions. The further goal is that the physical, mental, and emotional improvements experienced at Christ House will allow our patients to break the cycle of homelessness. For additional information, please visit our website at www.christhouse.org
Friendship Place is a leading housing service provider for people experiencing homelessness in the DC region. Our innovative, customized, person-focused programs empower participants to rebuild their lives, find homes, get jobs and reconnect with friends, family and the community, permanently.
Friendship Place’s mission is to empower people experiencing or at risk of homelessness to attain stable housing and rebuild their lives. Our vision is a DC region and a nation in which every person has a place to call “home.”
Programs include street outreach, medical services, job placement, case management, transitional shelter, permanent supportive housing, and specialized services for Veterans and their families.
Last year, nearly 5,000 of our neighbors—families, LGBTQ+ youth, seniors, and veterans—overcame homelessness or remained safely housed with the help of you and Friendship Place.
Friendship Place provides essential services that help people rebuild their lives. Through education and advocacy, we also engage with the root causes of homelessness, including racism, in order to end homelessness for good.
For further information: Please call 202-957-7834; or visit www.friendshipplace.org
In addition to offering hot meals to thousands of people around the DMV through the “Campus Kitchen,” funds raised through “Sing Out For Shelter” will support the Food Recovery Ministry that is part of St. Luke’s Mission Center and provides meals to Friendship Place programs, homeless living on the street, and other feeding centers throughout the city. For more information, visit www.NationalChurch.org.
All of the beneficiaries of SOS are 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations, and each will receive one-third (1/3) of the value of each ticket or donation. Your contribution above the amount of any value you receive will be exempt from federal income taxation.
© 2024
The Washington Society for Close Harmony Singing, Inc.
T/A The Augmented 8
A 501(c)(3) charitable organization chartered in Washington, DC.