When it comes to a cappella singing groups, there's something for everyone. The art form originated in ancient times as an answer to religious oppression: With the Judeo-Christian and Islamic traditions originally forbidding musical instruments in worship, the human voice was harnessed to uplift the spirit, with such gorgeous vehicles as Gregorian chant and sacred polyphony; the Jewish a cappella Sabbath songs known as zemirot; and the Muslim a cappella worship songs called nasheed. But a cappella singing is also the medium of less sanctified musical genres, such as the barbershop quartet, the college glee club and those great doo-wop groups of the '50s. “Fowler Out Loud: A Cappella Night” presents the cream of UCLA's a cappella crop when four diverse and talented singing groups join up for a special showcase performance. How cool to get the combined forces of Medleys, featured in Huffington Post's roundup of “The Best of College A Cappella”; Road to Damascus, UCLA&'s sole Christian a cappella ensemble; Signature A Cappella, an award-winning group of women who consider themselves soulmates rather than a mere musical ensemble; and Cadenza A Cappella, the university's newest and definitely most wild and crazy all-female a cappella ensemble. Join them in the courtyard for some soaring harmony and sing-along fun. UCLA, Fowler Museum, Wstwd.; Thurs., May 17, 6 p.m.; free. fowler.ucla.edu/calendar.

Thu., May 17, 6 p.m., 2012

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.