April 11th is National Barbershop Quartet Day. This is a day that marks the 1938 founding of the Barbershop Harmony Society, along with the tradition of four-part harmony singing. For many, the introduction to the barbershop quartet style of music comes when visiting Disneyland or Walt Disney World and experiencing the Dapper Dans. This quartet can be heard up and down Main Street, USA, in both Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom on most days.

A barbershop quartet first appeared at Disneyland in 1959. This was two years after Four Guys and a Girl debuted at Disneyland with their own barbershop music… which isn’t a quartet if you do the math. In 1959, these four singers came from a pre-existing group called Fred Waring and his Pennsylvanians. In 1960, four college boys were hired to carry on that tradition and bring to life that small-town/old-time feel on Main Street, USA. This tradition carries on today.

Through the years, Daps Magic has had the opportunity to film the Dapper Dans on many occasions. Some of these have been special dates (one time it was on National Barbershop Quartet Day!), and others have just been a lovely day in the park. Below are some highlights of videos Daps Magic has taken through the years! We hope you enjoy!

It’s hard to forget that time when the Dapper Dans celebrated being the original boy band. This was an impressive, humorous, and entertaining performance from the guys in 2013:

For many years, the Dapper Dans would join the Disneyland Ragtime Piano Player at Refreshment Corner (Coke Corner). Here is one of their sets before this was discontinued:

Do you remember when the Dapper Dans would perform with/for Cruella de Vil? We do! You can too with this video:

Halloween Time is always a great time to see the Dapper Dans! Here is one of their Halloween sets, complete with spooky tunes:

Holiday Time at the Disneyland Resort is always a special time to catch a performance of the Dapper Dans too:

Another magical experience is getting to see the lads perform aboard the Main Street Horse-Drawn Trolley:

There also was a time they rode aboard a bicycle built for four:

It is always magical getting to see them perform with the Disneyland Band, Mickey Mouse, and friends during the Main Street March-Along:

While there are many other special moments, we would be remiss if we didn’t share the Dapper Dans participating in the Patriotic Flag Retreat in Town Square:

National Barbershop Quartet Day may be one of those holidays that come and go without guests really realizing it is there. However, it is a fun one to look back on each year. Through the years, this day has been recognized by Disney, as has National Barbershop Music Appreciation Day on July 13th. What do you think of the Dapper Dans performances through the years? Do you have a favorite? Do you have a favorite song they perform? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!