During lockdown I met lovely local Michelle McManus for the first time. On a weekend. On the corner. She admired our new pergola and we chatted about how people were really using the tables and chairs … and then she mentioned that she (and her band mate Johnny) would love to do some band practise on a weekend under our pergola when things opened up a bit … to casually share their music with the neighbourhood folk who are so often hanging out having coffees and chats in that area.

And I thought it sounded like a lovely neighbourhoodly idea. Even before I read their bio (below) and realised that their music would be just my cup of tea (I DO love Cowboy Junkies and missing their scheduled Melbourne concert this year due to the world pandemic and all was quite a letdown).

Anyway, with restrictions easing I contacted her again this week to discuss logistics.

So … if you are craving a coffee from the Alphington Foodstore or heading out to buy the paper from the Alphington Milkbar mid morning Saturday, you might like to keep an ear out for them! Or pause on our corner.

Here’s the bio …

Mich is a singer songwriter who honed her craft as a regular at the Troubadour in London (made infamous by the likes of Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan etc.). Her passionate vocals and eclectic folk songs have touched the hearts of audiences around the globe, and now with her new partner Johnny D, they have created a UNIQUE SWAMPY SOUL sound. Mich McManus’ voice gives a unique honesty and vulnerability to her songs, and Johnny D’s harmonica grind brings their music to life. Influences: Melanie, Joni Mitchell, Sandy Denny, Janis, Eva Cassidy, Mazzy Star and Cowboy Junkies.

Even though some things are opening, many of us are being cautious right? Personally I am seeing my sister and her family, and have been back at work a bit, talking to people mainly outside … but that’s the extent of my socialising. I’m taking it slow, and still looking for ways to connect that aren’t all in person.

So I am keen to share these ideas. About singing and ukulele online. Because I suspect some things may take quite a while to come back as face to face options. And some things are actually working really well online.

Thanks Kathy, for taking the time to share your story and for putting this list together for us!

Kathy says,

The Northcote based choir that I usually sing with is meeting via Zoom and this works well for us because we are an established group.

Other options are many and varied for anyone that just wants to join in a singalong.

• I’m currently enjoying a Toronto based duo called Choir! Choir! Choir! who host Choir!ntine singalongs (today's was 80's dance hits) They run at 10am Mondays (8pm Sunday night Toronto time).

• An Australian based singing opportunity is The Massive Singlet. Stephen Taberner has run choirs in Melbourne for many years and is now offering this range of singing experiences (some for kids as well as adults and some including ukelele). You need to register ahead of time for each one and some sell out quickly.

• If you'd like to add some ukelele to your singing experience, a couple that runs many choirs and ukelele orchestras from Newcastle NSW is now using Zoom to connect with both current and new members. they are called The Sum of The Parts (Music). I can highly recommend their teaching style, having joined with them in the good old days of physical get togethers. They are Jane and Mark. This link is to their home page that has a great video overview of what they do. This second link takes you straight to their Zoom tutorials.

So, enjoy an endorphin rush without needing to  leave home - or get some friends together now that we can gather in small indoor groups and have a group experience with music.