Joy, Inspiration and another birthday

I've just came home from a very enjoyable evening at the amphitheater behind my local council of Canning. They presented a free evening of choir music featuring one of Australia's most inspiring choirs - The Choir of Hard Knocks - and their supporting acts : "Spooky Men of the West" and "Rossmoyne Community Singers".

The 3 choirs singing together at the end

It was two hours of fun, singing and dancing under the stars with a beautiful balmy night of 29C. 
All we had to do take some chairs and a picnic if we so wished, although there were a few food stalls set up as well.

First sang the all ladies choir of Rossmoyne (a local suburb) that just celebrated their 17th anniversary.

Then came "The Spooky men of the West" a Fremantle men's choir group that not only sang, but acted and made us laugh. They were brilliant!!

Just have a listen to this Youtube rendition of Abba's "Dancing queen" that they also sang tonight. (video below)

Spooky Men of the West singing Abba's Dancing Queen

Next came the "Choir of Hard Knocks" (At one stage called "Choir of Hope and Inspiration" was formed almost 10 years ago in September 2006.

Based on Montreal's homeless choir, the choir came to prominence in an ABC tv documentary presented in 2007. The conductor Jonathan Welch had already formed the "Sydney street choir" in 2001, and established this choir in Melbourne with homeless and disadvantaged people, through word of mouth. The choir has about 50 members.

They perform all over Australia, and have travelled to some overseas countries, although this was their first time in Perth.

They have a few sponsors like "Jetstar" who sponsors their travel, but subsist via sale of concert tickets, CD's, DVD's and other merchandise, as well as donations.

The choir has recently taken part in a film that will be shown around the world about their journey as homeless people to performers and the improvement this choir has made to their lives.

A very uplifting story and I'm so glad there are such amazing people in this world!

Who could imagine music would take people off the street, drugs and alcohol?

One of the members that sang a solo, had even published 3 poetry books!!

Jonathan Welch has other art and cultural projects - the "School of Hard Knocks " that teaches creative writing, drama, keyboard and drumming.

The Hard Knocks singing. Jonathan is the one with his back to the public

To end the evening, Jonathan thanked the audience who had been standing, applauding and dancing the last two songs that were performed with the 3 groups on stage.

We bought a CD before coming home happy and relaxed with the uplifting evening.

The stand selling their merchandise

Hope and Inspiration - The Choir of Hard Knocks (back then known as Choir of Hope and Inspiration)

Before I sign off I must congratulate my Dad on his 83rd birthday today (11th March), another Piscean in our family. 

Happy birthday Papa (daddy in Portuguese), may you have many more healthy and happy years ahead.

And to repeat the choir master's words : Keep calm and carry on singing!

                                                                    December 2015 

Top- with the older grandchildren in 2007, as a young man, recent one of Mom and Dad

                                 Bottom - My sisters and I (2012), Mom and Dad with the younger grandchildren (2012),
                                 Dad loves singing