The green beer and shamrocks have vanished for the year, but the spirit of St. Patrick's Day will continue this weekend. The Fifth Annual Shamrockappella is a harmonious presentation of pop and rock favorites from the '60s to the present.

The event, featuring the vocal stylings of six collegiate a cappella acts, will kick off at 8 p.m. tomorrow in 105 Forum. Proceeds will benefit the Centre County Women's Resource Center, 140 W. Nittany Ave., which provides shelter and counsel for women in various crises.

But Shamrockappella hasn't always been a benefit concert.

"It's only been a benefit show for two years now," said Liane Tripp (junior-telecommunications), music director for Penn State's Pennharmonics, "but since then it has really given the singers something more to work for, which is nice since the whole group really gets into it."

Tripp also said she thinks the performance has become more diverse with the newer guest groups that perform.

"Most of the groups focus on modern contemporary music because that's what people are going to come to the show to see," she said. "We focus mostly on alternative pop, '80s songs and even go back as far as the '60s if it's a song we really like or one that has become mainstream again."

Pearce, who helped organize the benefit show, said the Women's Resource Center was chosen as the beneficiary after the Pennharmonics saw a newspaper article discussing the center's plans to expand its building.

Penn State's Pennharmonics will get things going with a short set before yielding the stage to the five featured groups.

Tickets will be available at the door. They will cost $3 for students with a Penn State ID and $6 for non-students.

-- Scott Swindells