Portland Sacred Harp invites everyone who loves to sing to add their voices to the 32nd Annual Portland Sacred Harp Convention, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 21 and 22 at The Laurelhurst Club, 3721 S.E. Ankeny St., Portland. This is a free event, open to all ages and no singing experience is required. Attendees may come and go throughout the weekend as they please. Songbooks are available to borrow. To ensure the health of everyone, a negative Covid test is required for entry; tests are provided at the door.
Sacred Harp or shapenote singing is a 200-year-old American folk tradition of a capella, four-part harmony community singing. The Sacred Harp is the name of the songbook which singers use and refers to the human voice as the “sacred harp” (though there are no actual harps involved). As part of the tradition, a free potluck dinner is provided at noon each day. Learn more at www.portlandsacredharp.org/convention.html.