Does acapella mean "not capella"?

Last night we went to the annual Best of the Midwest concert. Some things have changed since we were last here concerning this concert. I remember that Asterik hosted it, now it is hosted by Purple Haze. As it turned out, Purple Haze is quite a bit better than I remembered it being. Regardless of being on their home turf, they had several characteristics that set it apart from the other groups:

1. It was the largest group, numbers wise
2. It was the largest group, weight wise (deduced from #1)
3. It was the whitest group (I felt the urge to slice some cheese)
4. It had the largest number of tall, lanky dudes
5. It had its very own 5-foot-tall 15 year old (complete with plastic wristwatch)
6. It had the best vocal range and harmony of any group*
7. It had the most hot chicks
   

* This comment is based on untrained ears that do not have the general ability to differentiate between a b flat and a c sharp. Also, I can't sing.

My favorite person in the acapella group is always the vocal percussionist. This is because I think he has the hardest job. I say "he" because I've never seen or heard of a female doing this. He's like the drummer for a rock band. He has to keep the rythm, the tempo, the pace even. And it's not easy to make all those instrument-like noises with just flesh and bone. If I had any singing talent, I would have run away and joined an acapella group as a vocal percussionist as a kid.

What really surprised me last night was the vocal percussionist from the U of M group Amazin' Blue (their songs were as modest as their name). Anyway, the percussionist's cheeks actually had muscle definition. When he clenched to make a sound, you could see his cheek muscles. It was both impressive and creepy at the same time.

Going back to Porple Haze - they went on last, of course. Their second song featured a freshman who seemed to be personal best friends with half the audience (75% of those under 25). The three girls sitting immediately behind us all wanted to mother his baby - simultaneously. So, this guy sings a good song. Then, they introduce the next song and who is the lead? The same freshman? NO, it's the 15 year old! When he stepped up, some people actually chuckled. He was shorter than all the girls. Well, the 15 yr old showed the chucklers. He sang a very impressive rendition of "Desperado" that brought the house down. It was followed by an on-stage kiss from one of the girls in the group (on the cheek). That little guy's stock skyrocketed last night. It's nice to see the pimple-faced kids come out on top once in a while.

I have to say that my favorite song last night was Purple Haze's rendition of Robbie William's "Rock DJ". It had choreography and everything. It was the last song of the night, and it made me leave Cahn in a pretty good mood.

Well worth the $10 for an evening of entertainment.