Catting around a cappella in Mariners Park

Young Chang

The fact that the Alley Cats would be stand-up comedians if they

weren’t doo-wop sensations is a sign of guaranteed summer fun.

With their retro performance launching the Newport Beach Concerts in

the Parks series on Sunday, the mood will likely involve oldies that many

agree are goodies, a whole lot of laughing (bandmates are said to be

really funny) and, of course, quality time outdoors under the summer sun

with people you love, or at least like.

The Yorba Linda-based Alley Cats will sing, in their a cappella style,

a signature repertoire of ‘50s and ‘60s hits, including “Earth Angel,”

“Blue Moon” and “At the Hop” at Mariners Park.

“It’s a very popular era of music, and everywhere we go people are

familiar with the tunes that we sing,” member John O’Campo said. “The

great thing is, it allows us to have a great time with the crowd, and it

really suits the personalities of the guys in my group.”

The guys are Sean Devine, Royce Reynolds, Mando Fonseco and O’Campo.

They formed during their days at Fullerton College, where a Disneyland

executive heard them sing a concert in the late ‘80s and asked them to

learn 40 more songs and perform a “Blast to the Past” show at the theme

park.

The group has since toured through California, the country and even

played the White House. Thursday, they performed at the Orange County

Performing Arts Center during a morning educational program. On Memorial

Day weekend, they will sing a USO show for troops returning from

Afghanistan aboard the aircraft carrier John C. Stenis while it’s some

hundred miles from its destination coast of San Diego.

Band members render each song contemporary and new because they always

sing a cappella, but their goal isn’t to “reinvent the wheel.”

“We try to stay true to the spirit of the song,” O’Campo said. “But

we’re not a ‘50s novelty group. . . . We’re younger. We weren’t even

around in the ‘50s and ‘60s.”

The performer added that their songs are enjoyed by both parents who

remember the hits from their youth and by kids who know the tunes because

they’ve become classics.

“We’re hoping that the audience will be families and people in the

neighborhood that will come out together and listen to music for an hour

and a half,” said Jana Barbier, cultural arts and grants coordinator for

Newport Beach.

Other bands to perform in the series include White Room at Mariners

Park on July 28, Brasil Brazil at Buffalo Hills Park on Aug. 25 and the

Jumpin Joz Band on Sept. 22.

The city held its first series of concerts in the park last year.

A subcommittee of the Newport Beach Arts Commission chose the

performing acts, prizing variety and local appeal, as well as talent.

When it comes to the Alley Cats’ shows, humor is as much an ingredient

as the harmony.

“It’s a lot of interaction with the audience,” O’Campo said. “I think

sometimes what you get is four stand-up comedians who sing doo-wop music.

. . . I think that’s one of the charms of the group. We don’t have a

scripted show.”

FYI

* WHAT: The Alley Cats perform as part of Newport Beach Concerts in

the Parks

* WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Sunday

* WHERE: Mariners Park, on Dover Drive and Irvine Avenue in Newport

Beach

* COST: Free

* CALL: (949) 717-3870