On the fourth Friday of every month, the ambience at Laurel Manor Regional Recreation Complex is filled with Musk lovers dancing down the hallway and members of Forever Young singing with full enthusiasm.
The vocal doo-wop group’s monthly open rehearsals, which take place at Laurel Manor from 1 to 3:30 p.m. every fourth Friday, have restarted.
“We like to entertain — that’s the main thing. Plus, we have a great fanbase that has been very faithful to us over the years. So we said, ‘We’ve got to get going (again.)’ We just love it so much,” Tim Francis, the group’s first or second tenor, said.
And it shows in the turnout, which reached over 200 at a recent practice.
In the previous year, the group has seen anything from 10 to 30 people during informal practice while warming up their voices in preparation for forthcoming concerts.
In June, 225 people attended the last open rehearsal, which starred Jim McGreevey.
“We had some new faces — it seems every month we have five to 20 new people, so that’s a nice thing,” Francis said.
At open rehearsals, guest singers are common, complementing Forever Young’s collection of songs from the 1950s and 1960s, with a few from the 1970s tossed in for good measure. Audience members are encouraged to join in the dancing and have a fun time. Forever Young is also having a fantastic time.
For the past six years, Glorianne Lowe (first tenor), “Buddah” (bass), Barry Fry (barritone), and Tim Francis (first or second tenor) have been singing together.
The ensemble performed at more than ten driveway parties, mostly during the pandemic, and members kept their vocals warm at Laurel Manor’s informal practice.
“It’s great coming back to singing together, and the camaraderie we have is what keeps us going,” Francis said. “We get along so well and we care for one another.”
They’re also excited about resuming performances for local resident lifestyle clubs and assisted living institutions.
Email quiver35@comcast.net to be added to the Forever Young email list and be notified about forthcoming rehearsals.
There is no need to secure a reservation to attend.
“If (you) like doo-wop and music of our ages, and like to dance and be with likeminded people, come in,” Francis said.