Zoom singalong for fun

Anika Helene prepares for Bellbrae Singing for Fun's online singalong tonight. (Rebecca Hosking) 213765_03

Group singing over Zoom might be challenging but that’s not stopping a small community dedicated to belting out tunes just for fun.

Long-time Bellbrae Singing for Fun member Anika Helene will join the group for a 90-minute singalong featuring a Blues Brothers classic at 6pm tonight.

“If it’s not as good a singing experience as what we’re used to, that’s OK, it’s the connection that counts,” the teacher and mother-of-three said.

“Maybe what is really important about our Zoom sessions is people actually seeing each other’s faces.”

The singalong will be the group’s second online since COVID-19 put a temporary halt on their monthly sessions in Bellbrae Hall.

“The whole singing thing on Zoom is hard but we had fun doing it,” Anika said.

“By the end of the two hours we feel rejuvenated again.”

For 18 years the group of 130 Geelong and Surf Coast locals has met at the hall, with 20 to 25 people per session and larger crowds for special events.

Call and response songs like Cab Calloway’s 1931 classic Minnie the Moocher, which featured in The Blues Brothers, would help make the most of the online session, Anika said.

“It has that echo that is really easy for people to hook into.”

Details: search Bellbrae Singing for Fun on Facebook