In a rendition of “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” during The Event In A Tent on June 30, Samirah Evans will be supported by “The S’mirettes.” They are (from left to right) Omei Marshall, Lindsey Burnell, Christol Long, Mugdha Gurram, Samantha Hammond, Helen Lindsey and Iresha Fisher.

Saturday’s Event in a Tent will feature many “firsts” – heck, the whole event is an outside-the-box, never-been-done-before happening.

One of the “firsts” will be the debut of The S’mirettes, a group of seven local young women in middle school and high school, who can sing like angels.

Comprised of vocal students of Samirah Evans and some close friends who love to sing, these seven young women are poised to charm audiences on “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” arranged by Maestro Hugh Keelan.

Saturday marks the debut of this group put together for The Event in a Tent. At a rehearsal earlier this week, Keelan billed them “a new generation of stars” and urged the young ladies to “give something big to everyone who is there.”

“The main thing is to have fun,” agreed Samirah Evans.

The seven girls are Lindsey Burnell, Iresha Fisher, Mugdha Gurram, Samantha Hammond, Helen Lindsey, Christol Long and Omei Marshall, and they all project great confidence and happiness at the thought singing for you all under the tent on Saturday.

“We all really love singing. It’s really fun for us to do this,” said Christol Long, whose warm smile seldom disappears. “I hope it’s going to be huge.”

Although their personal tastes in music may run to more contemporary styles, the girls really put their hearts into the old spiritual “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.”

“It’s a freedom song. … It’s peaceful, too,” said Long.

Her friend and musical mate Mugdha Gurram added, “It reminds you you’re not alone.”

A perfect sentiment heading into this very community-minded event.