Bumbershoot karaoke dodgeball raises laughter and funds for Outreach

5 Finalists: Kim Williamson, Monty Etzcorn, Paul Crandall, Erin Clifton and Jeff Trapp. Photo by Suzi Greenway.

by Jo Mayer

The reigning Karaoke Dodgeball Champion, Nancy Taylor, was taken out of the running with a dodgeball hit to the head, thrown by her daughter, Erin Clifton. Stockbridge Community Outreach’s third contest in five years took place to a raucous crowd of more than 100 at Heritage School on Saturday, April 20.

Bumbershoot Karaoke Dodgeball, a fund- and fun-raising event for Stockbridge Community Outreach, was not to be missed.

“There are little kids and old people, and everybody can participate.” Attendee Molly Howlett grinned. “It is crazy and funny and everybody had a good time.”

Elvis Presley (John Torres) interviews this writer, Jo Mayer. “Don’t be cruel,” Torres said. But it was “Too much” for him because he was “All Shook Up” due to mistakenly thinking he was at “Heartbreak Hotel” doing the “Jailhouse Rock.”

“We hope to showcase hidden talents, have fun, recognize what a great community we live in, and raise some much needed cash,” explained Jo Mayer, event organizer and Outreach Board Chair. “We originally called the event Bumbershoot because Outreach serves as a kind of umbrella, helping community members through the storms of life with emergency assistance such as food, clothing, household items, utility subsidies and more.”

The event started as a variety show in 2013 and has evolved into a karaoke-dodgeball competition. This year, 17 local residents participated in the contest including SHS Principal Jeff Trapp and outgoing CADL Head Librarian, Paul Crandall, who invented the game.

“It doesn’t matter how well you sing. It matters how long you can sing with people throwing dodgeballs at you,” the 2014 inaugural champ Paul Crandall explained, while wearing a Viking hat, golden locks and luau grass skirt.

Crandall managed to make it the whole allotted 2 minutes this year, but was edged out by Monty Etzcorn, the newest recipient of the Karaoke Cup, representing CG Lantis & Daughters.

The event raised over $2000 for Outreach, and contestants and attendees are already asking about the next one.

Paul Crandall, Head Librarian for Stockbridge library, emerges as a viking luau rocker, just as he lets down his golden locks and heads into retirement. Photo by Suzi Greenway.

Elvis, AKA Police Chief John Torres, rocks the house. Photo by Suzi Greenway.

photo by Jo Mayer