Ladies First takes over Buskirk

Every year, "Ladies First", IU's female a cappella group, puts on a winter show at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, 114 E. Kirkwood Ave. The ladies are now making their final preparations for their concert, and couldn't be more excited about the show. Member Liz Buchanan, a junior, said this year's show has some changes.\n"This year is more of a production and theatrical," Buchanan said. \nAs a business major, she said the change not only applies to the performance by Ladies First, but also their opening act, "IU Essence." The ladies hope this addition adds a new beat to the show.\nLadies First will sing about 18 songs, a mix of holiday-themed tunes and others. The eleven-member group said they pick songs that cover a variety of styles and sounds that provide a night of entertainment, and also highlight the ladies' abilities.\nJunior Joanna Jacobs, who has been in Ladies First for two years, said the group is very flexible with its music. The ladies don't just sing, they also imitate instruments, contributing to a unique stage presence.\n"We're probably the most ready I've felt in a long time," Jacobs said. The ladies have been practicing continuously throughout the semester for this performance, she said, and they're all very excited.\nWhen people come to the show, Ladies First hopes all of the audience members feel connected and involved. \n"We want a concert that encompasses the holidays and entertainment." Jacobs said. "We're bringing in the performance aspect to get the audience involved, too. We'd like to have it be more entertaining."\nThe ladies said they want to remove the border between the stage and audience, and hope the audience knows that they're as much a part of the night as the singers themselves.\nProceeds from this concert will be used to fund future performances, such as the highly anticipated spring reunion concert for male a cappella group Straight No Chaser. This spring marks the 10th anniversary for the group, and Ladies First will celebrate its seventh year at IU. Alumni from both groups will come back for an "a cappella-filled weekend" in April of 2006. The groups are entirely student-run and receive some funding from the Alumni Association. The performances are important to the groups so they can continue to perform.\nLadies First holds auditions every semester, and hopes those interested can get a feel for what the group is all about. They said they are a group of dedicated women who love singing and being expressive; they bond over their experiences and create life long friendships.\nThe ladies nearly filled the 600-seat Buskirk-Chumley last year, and they hope to do it again Thursday. The performance starts at 8 p.m., but they advise to get there a few minutes early to buy tickets at the box office. Tickets are $8 each, or two for $12 for IUB students. The price is $10 for non-IUB students. For more information, audition inquiries, or comments, you can e-mail the group at iuladies@indiana.edu.