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who we are
The Spectacles are a Seattle-based trio singing a cappella eclectic miscellanea — songs from the tight vocal harmony traditions of the Boswell and Andrews Sisters to the Roches and beyond. Three friends formed the group in 2017 and the Specs have been performing their original arrangements around the Pacific Northwest since then — always looking for material off the beaten track, often reworking lyrics to suit the times, and never afraid to turn to the kazoo when the music requires it.
She's the cat's meow!
She can sing some very low notes.
She's dotty!
She arranges many of our songs.
She's the tops!
She makes high notes seem effortless.
songs we sing
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- Gold Mine in the Sky
by Charles Kenny & Nick Kenny, 1938
Joey MacKenzie arrangement for the Quebe Sisters - Housewife's Lament
Eliza Sproat Turner poem, 1872
Anne Hills & Cindy Mangsen arrangement - I'll See You in C U B A
by Irving Berlin, 1920
Hila Lenz arrangement after the Any Old Time String Band - If I Were (Kermit's Minstrel Song)
by Stephen Lawrence & David Axlerod, 1982
Hila Lenz & Jenny Sapora arrangement - Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
by Harold Arlen & Ted Koehler, 1932
Jenny Sapora arrangement after the Boswell Sisters - ING
by the Roches, 1992
Jenny Sapora arrangement and alternate lyrics - Tonight You Belong to Me
by Billy Rose & Lee David, 1926
Jenny Sapora arrangement after Patience & Prudence - Rice Krispies
by Alan Kent & Austen Herbert Croom-Johnson, 1950s
Jenny Sapora arrangement - Hold Tight
by Leonard Ware, Willie Spottswood, George Robinson, 1938
Jenny Sapora arrangement after the Andrews Sisters - O Vreneli
summer camp favorite from 1950s
Jenny Sapora arrangement & new lyrics - Sing All Ye Joyful
JRR Tolkien poem, 1937, Kirke Mechem music
Jenny Sapora arrangement - Nevertheless
by Bert Kalmar & Harry Ruby, 1931
Hila Lenz arrangement after the Andrews Sisters - Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy
by Don Raye & Hughie Prince, 1941
Jenny Sapora arrangement after the Andrews Sisters - Our Father
by Susan Werner, 2007
Jenny Sapora arrangement - It's a Sin to Tell a Lie
by Billy Mayhew, 1936
Jenny Sapora arrangement & alternate lyrics - Where Oh Where Are You Tonight?
by Marian B Yearneall & Bix Reichner, 1953
Jenny Sapora arrangement after Hee Haw - Are You Lonesome Tonight?
by Roy Turk & Lou Handman, 1926
Jenny Sapora arrangement - Career Counseling 101 (Don't)
by Susan Werner, 2014
Jenny Sapora arrangement - And Your Bird Can Sing
by John Lennon & Paul McCartney, 1966
Hila Lenz arrangement - Detour
by Paul Westmoreland, 1945
Hila Lenz arrangement - The Wax Museum
Kathleen Turner words, music credit unknown, 1984
Jenny Sapora arrangement & alternate lyrics - La Vie en Rose
words by Édith Piaf, music by Louiguy, 1945
Jenny Sapora arrangement - Rufus Xavier Sassparilla
words by Kathy Mandary, music by Bob Dorough, 1976
Jenny Sapora arrangement - Destination Moon
by Marvin Fisher & Roy Alfred, 1951
Hila Lenz arrangement - Hungarian Dance 19
by Johannes Brahms, 1873
Jenny Sapora arrangement - Brylcreem
by Hanley Norins, 1950s
Jenny Sapora arrangement - Dr. Specs
words by Jenny Sapora, music by Paul Westmoreland, 2019
Hila Lenz arrangement - Happy Birthday, Iván Fischer
by Iván Fischer, 2016
Jenny Sapora arrangement - Great & Groovy
by Jenny Sapora, 1996
Jenny Sapora arrangement - Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
by Wallace Willis, 1840
Louise Marshall arrangement - Sweet Irene the Disco Queen
by Christine Lavin, 1985
Jenny Sapora arrangement - Bread & Roses
words by James Oppenheim, 1911, music by Caroline Kohlsaat/Mimi Fariña
Brivele arrangement - I Will
by John Lennon & Paul McCartney, 1968
Robert Isaacs & Jenny Sapora arrangement - Nathan's Song
words by Nathan, age 3, music by Hila Lenz, 2020
Hila Lenz arrangement - To Be There
by Susan Werner, 2020
Jenny Sapora arrangement - Široko Levonte
traditional Croatian
Joško Ćaleta arrangement - I Got it from Agnes
by Tom Lehrer, 1953
Jenny Sapora arrangement & alternate lyrics - Summer of Roses
by Willie Nelson, 1983
Jenny Sapora arrangement - House at the Top of a Tree
by They Might Be Giants, 2002
Jenny Sapora arrangement - My Sandwich
words & arrangement by Jenny Sapora, 2022
composer unknown - Goofy People
words by Edgar Leslie, 1932, music by James Monaco
Jenny Sapora arrangement after the Boswell Sisters - The Elements
words by Tom Lehrer, 1959, music by Arthur Sullivan, 1879
Jenny Sapora arrangement - Double Yodel
words by Peter Berryman, music by Lou Berryman, 1995
Jenny Sapora arrangement - Hummin'
words by the Spectacles, additional words & music by Jenny Sapora, 2022
Jenny Sapora arrangement - Your State's Name Here
words by Peter Berryman, music by Lou Berryman, 2004
Jenny Sapora arrangement
upcoming events
Northwest Folklife Festival, Saturday 27 May 2023, 11-11:30 am, The Welcome Stage
past events
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- Specs on Deck (livestream 'I Can See My Breath!')
YouTube, via Seattle WA
Saturday 26 November 2022 - Summer Street Concert
Phinney Ridge, Seattle, WA
Saturday 23 July 2022 - Northwest Folklife Festival, The Welcome Stage
Seattle Center, WA
Saturday 28 May 2022 - Specs on Deck (livestream 'Groceries in March')
YouTube, via Seattle, WA
Saturday 19 March 2022 - Specs on Deck (livestream 'Windy February')
YouTube, via Seattle, WA
Saturday 19 February 2022 - Specs on Deck (livestream 'November's Gray')
YouTube, via Seattle, WA
Saturday 13 November 2021 - Specs on Deck (livestream 'Running Into Fall')
YouTube, via Seattle, WA
Saturday 9 October 2021 - Specs on Deck (livestream 'First-Ever online mini concert')
YouTube, via Seattle, WA
Saturday 4 September 2021 - Giant Leap (leap year concert)
U District, Seattle, WA
Sunday 1 March 2020 - House Concert (HL)
West Seattle, WA
Friday 7 February 2020 - House Concert for AM & RI
Phinney Ridge, Seattle, WA
Friday 10 January 2020 - G & R's wedding (private party)
Mercer Island, WA
Saturday 19 October 2019 - Muhabbet (alongside Josh Lanza & House of Tarab)
Café Paloma, Downtown Seattle, WA
Saturday 12 October 2019 - An Evening of Three Part Harmony with Brivele
Ballard, Seattle, WA
Monday 12 August 2019 - The Spectacles on Tour / Heat Wave Concert
Boise, Idaho
Sunday 14 July 2019 - The Spectacles at Copious
Ballard, Seattle, WA
Sunday 7 July 2019 - Northwest Folklife Festival, Seattle Center Theater
Mind-Blowing Harmonies Showcase
Monday 27 May 2019 - Love Life / Copious Love Productions
Ballard, Seattle, WA
Tuesday 12 March 2019 - Copious Art Open Mic
Ballard, Seattle, WA
Sunday 3 February 2019 - C & P Coffee House Open Mic
West Seattle, WA
Thursday 13 September 2018 - Narrows Glen
Tacoma, WA
Friday 18 May 2018 - House Concert (HL)
West Seattle, WA
Wednesday 9 May 2018 - House Concert (JS)
West Seattle, WA
Wednesday 11 April 2018 - House Concert (JM)
Phinney Ridge, Seattle, WA
Wednesday April 2018
contact us
You're welcome to send us an email. Ask about hiring us to perform, request to be added to our email list, or just drop us a line about any old thing. Please note that if you request to be added to our mailing list, we will only use your email address to very occasionally notify you of upcoming events.