A barbershop quartet performs on Middle Bass Island in 2023. (Submitted photo)

On Aug. 9 and 10, barbershop quartets again will be heard performing on Middle Bass & South Bass Islands. Middle Bass Barbershop Harmony quartets have been performing for over 75 years, and the rich tradition continues.

The unique four-part, close-harmony male acapella singing began on Middle Bass Island in 1948 under the stewardship and support of brothers Frank and Lee Evans. Those fine men have long since passed away, but their friends and families continue to promote this wonderful weekend of song and camaraderie.

On Friday, Aug. 9, at 7p.m., multiple quartets will perform in Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church on South Bass Island. The evening will conclude around 8:30 p.m., with all the quartet members singing familiar barbershop harmony songs together in chorus fashion. The Catholic Church is conveniently located within walking distance on Catawba Ave., southwest of downtown Put-in-Bay village. This year at Mother of Sorrows Church, the group will be fundraising for Lake Erie Islands Conservancy and the Island Wildlife Museum.

Visitors will also find various quartets mingling around South Bass Island on Friday afternoon and evening. Barbershoppers will be found in quieter places around South Bass Island, where visitors can hear them practicing & performing.

Most of the barbershoppers will be overnighting on Friday and Saturday nights on Middle Bass Island. There is a longstanding tradition of quartets staying in local islanders’ homes and performing for their families and friends. Many of those close relationships continue today.

The second performance will be held on Saturday, Aug. 10. Barbershoppers will perform at 1:30 p.m. in the historic Lonz Winery wine cellar. About eight quartets will perform from 1:30-2:30 p.m. This is a great opportunity for day-tripper tourists to experience the Island Barbershop Harmony.

The grand finale is the rich 75-year tradition of quartet singing in the historic Middle Bass Town Hall starting at 7 p.m. on Saturday evening. The barbershoppers are again anticipating a full house of local islanders.

Special thanks to Deacon Jim O’Donnell and his wife, Cristy, and the members at Mother of Sorrows Church for the use of their beautiful sanctuary. Also, thanks to Jane Wolnik of The Island Grind Coffee Shop & Wine Bar for facilitating the use of the Historic Wine Cellar at Lonz Winery Historic site.