They say that in space no-one can hear you scream – and listening to the Rainbow Chorus’ Christmas offering, it was also true I could sing as loud as I liked and no—one could hear.
Stocking Up For Christmas (Just In Case) is an engaging mixture of old and new material under the direction of the inimitable Aneesa Chaudhry. Chorus members gathered at a social distance and with masks in their Brighton church home and also via Zoom in their individual living rooms to provide a lively programme , which you can stream.
Opening the concert the Rainbow co-chair Bev Morgan emphasised how difficult a year it has been – and her co-chair Lindsey Stevenson highlighted the mental health issues many have experienced in isolation.
There was a rousing opener with the African Shosholoza, with its accompanying drummers providing a good dance beat to kick us off. Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah showed the group at their uplifting and inclusive best , and their diction was all the more remarkable as the church-based singers all wore matching rainbow masks.
A brief sortie in Queen’s Park produced the Elvis evergreen Can’t Help Falling In Love With You, overcoming technical difficulties and producing pleasing harmonies.
May It Be Now and Africa both showed great energy , and the usual enthusiasm of this choir still shines through when they’re not in the room with you.
Some old choir favourites were served up – Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody and the musical theatre hit Rhythm of Life but there were also some emotional highs as in Somewhere Only We Know , This Is Me and One Day Like This.
White Christmas and Santa Claus Is Coming To Town sent us out into the night – figuratively speaking – and it made me think how great it will be when all our LGBTQ+ singing groups can bring us real-life joy again . Great accompaniment was provided throughout by the high-octane playing of Mojca Monte Amali.
There is still opportunity to take part in the famous RC festive hamper raffle, with tickets on sale until 00:01 on Saturday 19th December 2020. With a chance to win one of their lusciously stuffed festive hampers. Full details or to buy raffle tickets here.
The concert is available on on Rainbow Chorus YouTube page, buy a £5 ticket to watch here – please donate if you can to help Brighton and Hove’s LGBTQ+ community. The Rainbow Chorus support Lunch Positive.
BBC Radio Sussex and Surrey will be playing the Rainbow Chorus recording of Wanna Be Calypso on Christmas Day (25th Dec) at @10.50am. You can hear BBC Radio Sussex on 104.5, 95.3FM and DAB and BBC Radio Surrey on 104.0, 104.6FM and DAB.
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