The Super-anos

Well, I was working late on Tuesday, but instead of my usual commute home followed by crashing out on the sofa, I decided to test my brain cell a little by going to the Pinkies quiz night at the Black Cap. It was expertly organized by the sopranos, and MCed expertly by Emelda, who mixed her dry wit with some of the fairly ludicrous questions to great acclaim.

Of course I arrived late, but by the time I got there it was already fairly busy. I was roped into Mel's team with Sally Ann, Liang, Philip R and a bunch of Mel's friends. They were actaully rather good, and despite my tardiness I think I acquitted my self nicely with my encyclopaedic knowledge of Star Wars, Star Trek and Nintendo video games. Er... perhaps I shouldn't be too proud of that! In the end my team actually won, oh novelty! Of course Gill P's team of just three people were neck and neck with us all the way, and probably should have won if it weren't for the fact that my team was nearly three times their numbers!

It was also great to see most of the Pink Singers out on a school night. I am presuming that most people either have a relaxed dress policy at work, or they had a chance to go home to get changed, because there were quite a number of people dressed in nothing but T-shirts and shorts in the hot weather. I love the summer, people look so much sexier and our choir is blessed with quite a few photogenic members. I'll name names if pressed!

The quiz itself was followed by the mandatory karaoke session. I love singing, and I love karaoke, but when it comes to performing on a stage in front of people I just chicken out. Thankfully there were people like the amazing Keri who took up the challenge. I already know Keri has an amazing voice - at least year's choir weekend away she dazzled us all with her range and repertoire - but it didn't stop me being impressed hearing her sing Bjork's It's So Quiet. Liang ang a song just before I left, but the sweetest moment of the night must have been when the Pink Singers got up behind Gwen, a more mature regular at the karaoke night, to sing Somewhere Over The Rainbow.

Fun was had by all - I can't wait until the altos' event!

We Came, We Sang, We Were Deafened!

This is my first late night post, but I thought I'd strike while the iron is still hot! I have just got back from Camden where the Pinkies were performing choral backup to Anthony's song Look Up At The Stars. The song itself is very touching and the choral arrangement, by Zara Nunn, really is beautiful. We have been rehearsing it for the last few weeks, but it is quite different when there is a band involved. First of all, I doubt any of us were aware of just how loudly Paleday were going to be amped. I could barely hear myself sing, and to be honest, if we missed a cue here and there no one could have noticed. That said, we weren't centre stage this time; singing backup, and a pop backup at that, was a challenging experience for me at least.

We were supposed to be playing incognito, then spin around at the last minute to surprise the audience. I was slightly worried about how we were to make our way to the stage, but to be honest, we had already staked our places at the front and were boogie-ing away like crazy.

I don't think anyone was surprised when we came in, but I totally enjoyed it, and so too did the audience. At the end when we raised our right arm on the last word "Shine!" I swear one of the guys who was dancing quite vigorously in front of us very nearly hugged Mel. Moving stuff.

I asked Debs along to the show, and she really loved the song, although I think she actually preferred all the disco stuff a lot more - this coming from a woman who lives and breathes U2. We snuck off after the performance for a bit of sushi back near Leicester Square, but in the end had Thai instead.