What is Christmas without carol-singing from house to house? As the countdown to D-Day begins, we’ve lined up some of the city’s best groups and places at which to bring in some good old-fashioned Yuletide mirth
Swingin’ Santas at a rehearsal. Pic/Poonam Bathija
Do the Santa Swing
Started eight years ago, The Swingin’ Santas go door to door and sing carols for the young, old, privileged and underprivileged. “We always say, first find Christmas in your heart, and then begin to look under the tree,” shares restaurateur Meldan D’ Souza, a member of the group. “The idea came about when some of us long-time friends were sitting together and talking about carols. We love to sing, so we thought it would be fun to involve others and spread the joy,” he adds. Since many people stop by Carter Road to listen to music, the group chose it to be one of the venues to perform at. “Singing carols from door to door is a tradition. Today, most people don’t have time for it, but we are trying to keep it alive. Some people offer us food and other goodies when we sing for them. That is the spirit of the festival,” says D’Souza.
On: December 23, 8 pm
At: Carter Road, Bandra (W).
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Children singing at an earlier edition of Carols Of course!
A street song
A street party on Bandra’s Convent Street will bring together neighbourhood spirit and also some of Mumbai’s best musicians. Called Carols Of Course!, the event first started in the year 2000 on St Anthony’s Road. The momentum of the festival dropped a couple of years ago owing to construction work in the buildings on that road. This year, the spirit of the show has picked up thanks to the backing of residents of Convent Street, another one of Bandra’s leafy bylanes. The star-studded line-up of musicians this year includes Chelsea Das, Marie Paul, Brian Tellis, Sidd Coutto, Dr Victor, Edward Mendes, Dominique Cerejo, Merlin and Rhys D’Souza and Sharon Prabhakar. The individual performances will culminate in group carol singing. “Bandra has always had a strong music culture. Children in most homes were taught to play the piano, violin or guitar. On most days, you could hear live music playing in people’s homes. All it took to get the artistes to join us, was a phone call,” shares Annabelle Ferrao, one of the organisers.
On: December 20, 6.30 pm
At: Convent Road, Bandra (W).
Christmas in the club
The Willingdon Catholic Gymkhana (WCG) will host a carol night featuring groups like Da Capo, Santa Cruz Ensemble, Sacred Heart Children’s Choir and the Jona Domi Choral Group. Also part of the line up will be choral group Singspirators. Started in 2000, the 35-member group performs with a pianist, recorded music and A Capella also.
On: December 19, 7.30 pm
At: The Willingdon Catholic Gymkhana (WCG), Santacruz (W)
Call: 26497531
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