So I started going to a singing group on Wednesday nights in the Annex. Not because I have a good voice, or want to perfect my singing technique, but just because I love to sing and I love the feeling of singing with others. The group feels kind of like a campfire every week, just indoors and with no fire. It feels soulful. Here is a video of a song we learned one night:
The group is called Sing for Joy and it is an all-inclusive singing community in Toronto. The instructors, Mila and Steph, teach us local songs and songs from around the world. Most of them (at least the ones I have been exposed to, have a “folky” undertone). We learn the words through listening and then repeating and then, when we all “have it”, we all sing it together. We also learn the harmonies, so we can layer the lyrics and the verses. It sounds awesome and it is so much fun.
Mila and Steph have an awesome “joie de vivre”. Their energy radiates and is contagious. The two of them remind me of hanging with certain girlfriends over the years chilling, connecting and getting excited about life.
The duo get into a “zone” as they sing. It is not uncommon for Mila to start drumming on her bongo, Steph to play her ukulele, or people to get up and start dancing. It feels like we are jamming, but mostly without instruments, just our voices. As I was singing last night, I recall thinking that there wasn’t any other place I would rather be in that moment.
Here is a video of the group singing the “birthday song” (it was someone’s birthday):
And one of us rehearsing for the end of season show:
Anyhow, getting together to sing with these peeps is great. Check it out. Drop ins welcome.
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