Noteworthy Spring Concert

The Noteworthy women’s barbershop chorus will join two special guest ensembles, the Kivajat Finnish Folk Dancers and the Yooper-leles, for two performances of its annual spring concert. The events are set for 7 p.m. Thursday, May 16, and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 19, both at the Finnish American Heritage Center, 435 Quincy St., Hancock. This concert celebrates dance and includes plenty of familiar, singable melodies: Anne Murray’s 1980 hit “Could I Have this Dance”; Garth Brooks’s signature song “The Dance”; and “I Hope You Dance,” which reflects parents’ dreams for their children. Also on the song list are “Roll Out the Barrel” and the Village People’s megahit “YMCA.” In addition, Noteworthy will accompany the Kivajat Dancers while they perform “Rockin’ Robin” and the traditional Finnish folk dance “Kaakkuri.” The Kivajat Dancers were founded 15 years ago by director Kay Seppala to introduce youth to the area’s rich Finnish dance heritage. Its membership includes four fiddlers and 40 dancers, and the entire group has been invited to perform in June at the Children’s International Folk Dance Festival, in Finland. To support their “Footwork and Fiddles to Finland” fundraiser, a free-will offering will be taken at the concert. “We’re so excited that our local kids have the opportunity to travel abroad and perform,” said Noteworthy director Joan Petrelius. “Noteworthy always asks for donations to benefit good causes, and this is a perfect fit for us: it’s all about the music, the arts and kids in our own community.” Rounding out the concert will be the Yooper-leles. Founded by local musicians Mark Plichta and Mark Wilcox, this community group of ukulele enthusiasts will perform a variety of popular songs.