As the nights draw in, let's sing around the fire to warm our bodies and our souls. Winter is coming, a time for some festive cheer and singing together to keep warm in the long nights.
Following on from the Minories Festive Market, we will be starting out in the Minories garden with a brightly burning firepit (weather permitting), where we'll welcome all sorts of festive tunes. As the dark closes in, we'll move into The Commons to warm up with some hot drinks and share our usual wide range of Singaround songs.
We're continuing to raise funds for the East Anglian Folklore Centre to help keep them open and able to continue the beautiful community space they have created over the past year. Please do let us know you're coming and, if you can, include a donation; any amount is greatly appreciated!
Find out more about the East Anglian Folklore Centre and why they need to fundraise here: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/east-anglian-folklore-centre
There will be drinks available to purchase from The Commons Cafe and some of the books from the East Anglian Folklore Centre's extensive library will be available to peruse.
Never been to a Singaround before? Find out what to expect:
What is a Singaround? A Singaround is an event where folks get together to sing!
Usually one person will lead a song and those who know it will join in particularly during choruses. Often the songs are from the "folk tradition", but we welcome any songs people may want to share.
Do I have to sing? No! No one will be obliged to sing but we will make sure that everyone who wants to is given the space to.
You also don't need to be a "good" singer to join in or even lead a song.
You are still welcome to join even if you don't want to sing and just enjoy the uplifting atmosphere and refreshments from The Commons.
What if I don't know any folk songs? There will be a song book with popular Singaround folk songs for those who don't know the songs or might want a reminder of some classics. You will also likely find you will pick up the chorus or hook of a song after hearing it once or twice and we able to join in.
And we aren't strict on what a folk song is or isn't! You are welcome to share any song you think people may enjoy singing together.
If you are singing an original song or one most people may not be familiar with, we would encourage you to perhaps share the chorus with everyone first so they can join in.
Please be conscious of remaining inclusive to everyone and avoid songs with offensive language.
Do I have to stay the whole time? We hope you can! But if you need to leave early or come late that's not a problem. If you come late it might be good to check the song you want to sing hasn't already been done.