A vibrant chorus of hundreds filled the air in Newcastle's city centre this week, as the community came together for a beloved festive singing event.
Modern Pop Meets 80s Classic in Festive Mash-Up
The event, known as One Song Sing, saw a large crowd gather at Wheeler Place next to the Civic Theatre on the evening of Monday, December 22. From 5.30pm, participants of all ages and backgrounds, many wearing Santa hats and festive accessories, raised their voices in unison.
Led by the local community group The Sum of Parts, this year's unique performance featured a creative mash-up of two very different songs: Billie Eilish's recent hit 'Birds of a Feather' and the perennial 1980s holiday classic 'Last Christmas' by Wham!
A Growing Newcastle Tradition
This marked the third consecutive year for the popular pop-up choir event. In previous years, the community has sung renditions of Paul Kelly's Australian Christmas staple, 'How to Make Gravy'. The initiative has quickly cemented itself as a calendar highlight.
Participants were given just one hour to learn the special festive arrangement before coming together for the single, public performance. The relaxed and inclusive atmosphere is a key part of its appeal.
Celebrating Community and Support
Civic Theatre executive manager Leonie Wallace explained the event's purpose. "One Song Sing is our way of saying thank you to the community for their support of the theatre during the past year," Ms Wallace said. She described it as a direct way to celebrate the Christmas season alongside Novocastrians.
The event's popularity is undeniable. City of Newcastle's community and culture strategic advisory committee chair, Councillor Jenny Barrie, revealed that the event has attracted approximately 3000 registrations across its first two years.
"It has become a festive favourite, uniting locals in a relaxed, joyful singing experience that connects and celebrates community spirit," Cr Barrie said.
The successful evening demonstrated once again the power of shared music and community connection in fostering the festive spirit in the heart of Newcastle.
