This weekend we checked out another kind of sing along – instead of being hosted in a private home, these sing alongs are held in Ashuré’s restaurant in Guelph. Sam Turton and Jane Lewis use their voices, a guitar and some occasional accordion to lead audience members in song. Participation is encouraged by songbooks placed at tables along with slips of paper to make requests. The songbooks cover a wide range of singable songs, from John Prine to the Beatles to U2. Last night we had the pleasure of singing one of Sam’s originals and a “cameo” appearance of Trish Brubacher singing a Patsy Cline number. With patrons scattered around the room, and Jane & Sam miked, there is less a feeling of singing as a group than singing along with Sam and Jane (which is, to be fair, the name of the event). One solution: bring a group to share a table and some harmonies.
The Guelph sing along has been going for three years and was a response people saying they wish they had a place to sing (other than the shower). A year ago Jane & Sam started another sing along event in St. Catharines.
Sam & Jane’s website, All Together Now: Music for Everyone, has detailed information and resources on how good singing is for you. To allow more people to reap the benefits of music, Jane & Sam host sing alongs in a variety of settings and promote workshops that help develop your inner musician (harmony singing, chord progressions, and a women’s choir are among the offerings).
[Ashuré’s has closed. Sing Along with Sam & Jane, Ashuré’s Restaurant, 259 Grange Road, Guelph, last Saturday of most months, 8-10 pm, no cover, tips welcomed]
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