Catch-22, Sandra And The Pinkies

Every year, for the last four years, the Pink Singers have been performing a gig in aid of Positive Rainbow, a local charity which provides support for people with AIDS in Haringey and beyond. Every year, the experience is slightly different. A couple of years ago we were in the public library, last year it was in a pub in Tottenham Hale which I hear is now closed down, and this time it was at Catch-22 at Turnpike Lane. Most AIDS charities are having problems with funding, and Positive Rainbow is no exception, so the fact that they are still in existence is a real testament to the people who work in it, providing outreach services and social events to the community.

This gig, which was arranged in conjunction with the upcoming World AIDS Day, was a chance for us to lend our support. Sure, it isn’t the most well organized, the show ran late by about an hour, and at one point last night we were standing in a cold corridor for about half of that, but that really wasn’t the point. We had a really good mix of mostly old Pinkies, together with a very enthusiastic newbie, Chris, who had learned all the words and music to the songs, and several newbies like Gareth and Naomi who came along for the support. In fact, the choir formed at least half the audience in the pub.

After the obligatory one minute’s silence, Sandra, the drag queen and hostess extraordinaire, opened the show with her usual banter, and a wonderful version of I Will Survive. Then it was our turn to go on. Performing in pubs is quite different from performing in, say, a hall or function room. Because of the more informal setup people are under no obligation to pay attention, and there is usually chatter going on in the background. This was certainly the case at last years’ gig. This time round, however, I was really pleased to notice that when we started singing the audience really shut up, and people even stopped ordering drinks at the bar so the bar staff could watch us in action.

We sang well, if a bit too loudly and uncontrolled for my taste, but what impressed me the most was when the music stopped suddenly in the middle of Forever Motown. For a moment there was slight panic, but then Sally Ann kept on clapping the rhythm, and the Pinkies, much to my amazement picked up the song a capella. Eventually the synthesizer was fixed and Michael came back in, but I was so proud of what consummate professionals we are.