Barbershop Harmony Comes to the Prestigious Washington, D.C., Corcoran Gallery of Art

Dec. 13, 2011 - PRLog -- Epic, the Washington, D.C., region’s freshest acapella female quartet, has announced it will perform Sunday, December 18, at the Corcoran Gallery of Art’s café—Todd Gray’s Muse—taking the rich styling of barbershop harmony to the most prestigious art gallery in Washington, D.C.

Epic will perform during the Muse’s Sunday brunch, a twice-a-month culinary event featuring seasonal options with a focus on sustainable and local ingredients and a number of vegetarian and vegan options—many sourced from nearby FreshFarm Market, by the White House. Created exclusively for the Corcoran by celebrated chef Todd Gray, the menu celebrates the culinary arts and the local community.

Epic, a female acapella quartet specializing in barbershop harmony, will present its diverse and harmonic styling 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, December 18th. The brunch is hosted the first and third Sunday of every month.

“The fantastic thing about acapella harmony is that it complements and reflects so many diverse styles of music,” said Anne Albright, lead singer for Epic. “Whether recreating pop tunes on televised competition reality shows or taking barbershop harmony to one of the most prominent art galleries in the nation, acapella harmony is flexible enough to fit any occasion.”

“We’re thrilled to be a part of this event with celebrated chef Tood Gray,” Albright added. “The combination of local food and local entertainment is likely to create a lasting impression with the audience, especially if they’ve never experienced barbershop harmony. It will be a memorable meal worth attending, for sure.”

Epic is a vibrant quartet filled with an impressive blend musical and life experiences. Its members are Kristina Adams (baritone), Anne Albright (lead), Shana Oshiro (bass), and Christina Lewellen (tenor).

Epic formed when two barbershop acapella harmony singers, a jazz singer and an opera singer found they discovered a common love of ringing chords, fun rehearsals and fantastic shoes. The foursome hails from Virginia and Maryland and is proudly affiliated with Harmony, Inc., a premier international organization of women barbershop harmony singers.

Since opening their first restaurant in Washington, D.C., the highly acclaimed Equinox, more than a decade ago, Todd Gray and Ellen Kassoff Gray have risen to the top of the city’s vibrant culinary scene. In addition to developing a reputation as one of the area’s most passionate and formidable hospitality and philanthropic duo, Todd and Ellen’s shared passion for inventive interpretations of American cuisine, sophisticated style, and standards of excellence have garnered them wide recognition and success. Harvest Moon Hospitality Group, their growing hospitality portfolio, includes three restaurants, two catering companies, and partnerships with leading brands and institutions. Todd has been Culinary Director for Sheila Johnson’s Salamander Hotels & Resorts since 2000, and earlier this year opened Todd Gray’s Watershed Restaurant.

Those who attend the brunch are eligible to gain admission to the gallery for just $5. Collections currently on display include 30 Americans, Claire Healy and Sean Cordeiro: Are We There Yet?, Hank Willis Thomas: Strange Fruit, and Gordon Parks: Photographs from the Collection. For more information about Sunday brunch at the Corcoran Gallery, visit www.toddgraysmuse.com.

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Epic formed when two barbershop acapella harmony singers, a jazz singer and an opera singer found they discovered a common love of ringing chords, fun rehearsals and fantastic shoes. The foursome hails from Virginia and Maryland and is proudly affiliated with the Harmony, Inc., a premier international organization of women barbershop harmony singers. Epic is a vibrant quartet filled with an impressive blend musical and life experiences. Its members are Kristina Adams (baritone), Anne Albright (lead), Shana Oshiro (bass), and Christina Lewellen (tenor). Visit EpicQuartet.com to learn how the quartet aims to fill its days with Epic laughter, Epic music, and Epic shoes!