July 1, 2021
By: Dwayne Page
Due to weather the Jamboree Preview featuring the Community Chorus and local cloggers and square dancers has been moved from the previously announced location of the stage at Evins Park Amphitheater across from the Smithville Post Office to the Smithville Cumberland Presbyterian Church auditorium on College Street starting at 5 p.m.
“We are calling it a Jamboree Warm-Up or Jamboree Preview and we are hoping this will get everyone in the spirit for the Jamboree on Friday,” said longtime Community Chorus member Tecia Puckett Pryor.
“This will be a chance for us to come out in our costumes and have sort of a dress rehearsal/performance and let you see what some DeKalb County kids can do around here,” said Mary Ann Puckett, leader of the “DeKalb Dancin’ Delights” and “Smithville Select”.
Beginning at 5:00 p.m., the “DeKalb Dancin’ Delights” will clog and square dance followed by their sister dance team “Smithville Select.” Around 5:30 p.m., the audience will have an opportunity to learn simple square dance moves with members of the dance teams. Dancers on the DeKalb Dancin’ Delights are: Camille Barton, Charlotte Cripps, Olivia George, Alyssa Hendrix, Kaylee Kent (caller), Averly Moss, Declan Moss, and Carleigh West. Smithville Selects dancers are: Tess Barton, Izayah Dowell, Sylvia Evans, Katherine Gassaway, Kathryn Hale, Madelyn Johnson, Darrah Ramsey (caller), and Lillie Grace Young. The Delights and Select are led by Mary Ann Puckett and will be competing in the Youth Square Dance category on Friday afternoon of the Jamboree.
At 6:30 p.m., the Smithville Community Chorus will preview its tribute to the 50th Annual Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree with its stirring patriotic review featuring a number of traditional American favorites and a tribute to the military as well as a gospel ensemble singing “Where the Soul Never Dies,” solos by Jackie Smith and Dessa Ray as well as a Shirley Tubbs Rutland solo of “I Believe in Music” . Cloggers will accompany the chorus as they close the program with Rocky Top. The Community Chorus will present its feature performance at the Official Opening Ceremonies of the Jamboree at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, July 1st.
Following the Chorus, the “Smithville Select” Square Dance Team will take the stage again for an encore performance of clogging and square dancing. Don’t miss this opportunity to get into the Jamboree spirit the night before the 50th Annual Jamboree kicks off!