There was a moment of pure joy last night, as I found myself singing along to Miley Cyrus’s “Flowers” alongside my dear friend Michaela and a crowd of two hundred enthusiastic participants at a collective singing event.
We were gathered at the “Great Club” in Marrickville, formerly a Greek restaurant, now transformed into a hub for community gatherings. The occasion? An evening with The “Wellcome Choir,” promising a transformative journey through music and voice.
This wasn’t Michaela’s first rodeo; she’s attended a couple of these events before, where scores of people come together in harmony. Perhaps you’ve heard of Pub Choir, renowned for filling iconic venues like The Enmore Theatre.
The “Great Club” was packed to the brim, though not without its quirks—namely, the absence of food. We learned from the bartender that they usually have food trucks on standby, but luck wasn’t on our side. Our dinner consisted of sharing a packet of chicken chips, but luckily, a nearby Chinese restaurant saved the day for our post-event meal, leaving me with delicious leftovers for today.
The event spanned 90 to 120 minutes, beginning with the group divided into three vocal sections: tops, bottoms, and those of us in the middle holding the melody. Being one of the few men in attendance, my voice naturally gravitated towards the lower register. Admittedly, I’m not exactly a singing virtuoso, but in that moment, it didn’t matter; the evening was about collective experience rather than individual skill.
We rehearsed the song line by line until we had it down pat, then took a well-deserved break before returning to perform the song three times, including a live stream on Facebook. The woman leading the choir, Bec Jenson was fantastic. As well as having a good voice, she seemed to love playing with the crowd, making for an enjoyable evening.
It was an unforgettable event, filled with camaraderie and shared passion for music.
As for the song itself, “Flowers,” it held a special place in my heart. During my lengthy stay in the hospital last year, its lyrics brought me solace and joy. Despite its theme of heartbreak, the essence of self-love and empowerment resonated deeply.
I can buy myself flowers
Flowrs by Miley Cyrus
Write my name in the sand
Talk to myself for hours
Say things you don’t understand
I can take myself dancing
And I can hold my own hand
Yeah, I can love me better than you can
And there it was, the line that struck a chord with me the most: “I can take myself dancing…”
Maybe next time?
So, off to the Hung Cheung (corner Marrickville and Petersham Rds) afterwards? Still going strong despite the “Current Affair” food safety “exposé” in 2016.
Premises of Great Club were previously the Greek Macedonian Club Alexander the Great.
Yes that’s the Chinese restaurant. Whoops ACA. I had left overs tonight and I’m still alive.