FESTIVAL OF CHORAL MAGIC ✨️💖

 

(A FB Memory from this day, two years ago, on 12th December '2022.)

😊 Alfred D'Souza's glorious and melodious journey began in Chennai 50 years ago.

😊The Festival of Festival Music at the NCPA, began 39 years ago.

😊My journey of enjoying these beautiful Christmas concerts year after year, is probably 24 or 25 years long too; because this is one concert that I try not to miss every year.

Some beautiful moments that I remember from last night's show at the NCPA.

- The children of the 'Stop-Gaps Junior Choral Ensemble' singing 'Away from the Mistletoe'. Such a cute, cute song and the children's expressions were priceless.😂 

- Karen Vaswani's choir singing 'WFH (Work From Home) Santa'. I think that song got the most laughs from everyone in the auditorium. Every line was so hilarious. I loved it and I enjoyed the Konkani carol that 'The Victory Chorus Line' sang as well. With all the colourful props, that was a lot of fun too.👏👏👏

- Hearing the 62 year old Paranjoti Choir singing at the Festival for the very first time was awesome. I have friends in this choir. So, I have heard them at their own concerts on many occasions; but it was lovely to hear them sing at this Festival. Coomi Wadia is a legend; and the way they sing all their songs Acapella, with so much perfection, is just so admirable.

- The Stop-Gaps imitating Alfred in one of their songs was hilariously funny.😊 I think those who've been going for the concerts for years and who've heard stories of Alfred at their choir practices, laughed the loudest at that one.😂

- Avinash Grubb playing the Festival Overture to open the concert.

- One of the oldest members of 'In His Service' from Chennai, travelling all the way, despite having a physical difficulty in doing so, simply because his voice is still 'as strong as ever'. 

- The dazzling smile of Bosco Rodrigues (Faith and Harmony is always a Special Choir to listen to, more because Kevin and Bosco are a part of it).🤗💖

- Watching Dylan D'Souza, the Conductor of 'The Salvation Singers', being felicitated for his contribution to Music.👏👏👏

- Having so many dear friends and family, both in the audience as well as on stage.

- The various beautiful songs, picked by the different choirs and sung so harmoniously.

- So many wonderfully talented Musicians accompanying every choir😊🎶💕

...This post would get really long, if I went on, because there is always so much to love about every Stop-Gaps Christmas Concert.😊

Thank You for the Music, Alfred and the 'Stop-Gaps'. This is always 'The Most Special Christmas Concert' in Mumbai.✨️❤️

LAUGHING IN HARMONY 🎶😄

 

I'm sure anyone who has ever sung in a choir will identify with this one. Really funny!😂😂😂

This picture made everyone laugh, the first time that someone posted it on a group, a few years ago. Since then, whenever this memory comes up once a year, it still makes us smile.😄

STRANGERS WHO BECAME FAMILY ✨️❤️

 

(A post that I wrote, 3 years ago, on this day, 10th December '2021. These 'Happy FB Memories' always make me 'Smile'.)😊

2020-2021 has brought many new 'Special Friends' into my world, many of whom, have filled so many of our lives with Music.🎶💕

 I love this pic, from last night's show in Candolim, Goa, because of the wonderful people who are in it.😊

The 'Soul Fry Community' page was the first place, where I started listening to online music last year in 2020, during the lockdown. Thanks to Meldan D'Cunha and Glynis, I've heard and connected with so many, many talented singers, musicians and music lovers.😊 People that I knew of and had watched on stage before; but who I hadn't actually interacted with, have all become friends now, thanks to them.💕

Carlton Braganza, of course.😊 (Although, with that new look, I'm not a 100% convinced that the person in this pic is really him.)😂 I'm strangely glad the pandemic happened; because it made 'Jukebox Jammies' happen. I would never be able to really explain to anyone or to express sufficient 'Gratitude', for what that show has meant to me. Carlton and every Friend I made in the JJ Family, is just 'Super-Special'.💖 

Tammy and Roy D'Sa, who I've enjoyed listening to, so much as well, all through the last year.😊 I admire all the trouble they take, to prepare for every show, to constantly keep learning new songs, and to make people 'Happy' through music. Their popularity speaks volumes, about how much they are Loved, by people everywhere.😊💞

It was great, to see so many people who have made those difficult times in 2020 - 2021, 'Moments to Cherish and Remember', together in one place, last night. Thank you for the Music and for the countless 'Friends like Family', that you have brought into our lives. Lots of Love to all of you Always.✨️❤

A NIGHT ON BROADWAY 😊🎶

 

(This is a 5 year old post, that came up as a FB Memory today. Originally written on this day, 5 years ago, 8th December '2019.

I used to go for a lot of VAIPA (Vishaal Asrani Institute of Performing Arts) shows, back then. Vishaal Asrani and Jiji Subi stage lots of wonderful Productions, mostly at the Royal Opera House, both for kids and for everyone else too. I went for many of them, when my friends Delraaz and Zervaan Bunshah, used to be a part of their Productions. Happy Memories!)😊💕

The season finale of 'A Night on Broadway' by VAIPA, was so wonderful last night. Glad I finally made it for this one, after many months of wanting to watch the show.😊

A great selection of songs from Broadway, sung really, really well by all the performers. They picked so many, many songs to sing in one night, that you really leave the show happy and content, after getting a chance to listen to, so many different songs, from a variety of Broadway shows and Musicals.🎶

Sarosh Nanavaty is such an awesome singer. Vishaal Asrani was really amazing too; and my lovely friend Delraaz Bunshah, also sang her songs so beautifully.🤗 

The unexpected 'Finale' of a few songs by ABBA, was loved by everyone in the audience.💕 I have watched the ABBA tribute show, by this same group of singers as well. They are very good. 

If you enjoy 'Musical Theatre', watch our for the future events by VAIPA. I'm sure you will enjoy their shows.😊

HOW I WONDER!🤔

 

(A four line FB Memory, from 2 years ago, on this day. I wrote this on 7th December '2022, probably on a day when I was missing 'My Family', a little too much.😢)

Eyes that look up at the starry sky, 

Shimmering and Twinkling all night;✨️

Eyes that look down, on You and I,

Watching over, Glistening with delight.✍️

NOT QUITE CHRISTMAS CAROLS🎄😊🎶

 

There are quite a few songs, that actually have absolutely nothing to do with the real 'Message of Christmas'; and yet, many of them are played year after year everywhere, right through the Christmas Season. I guess, they've just got associated with this time of the year, because they have Christmas somewhere in the lyrics, and because they were probably released around this time, and are somewhat Christmassy.😊🎶

Thought of four of my favourite 'Not Quite Christmas Carols', which I like. The first two are extremely popular; and the next two, I'm just sharing again, because I love both the songs.✨️❤️

LAST CHRISTMAS 🎄🎶

- Music Travel Love with Jada Facer and Jonah Baker

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS 🎄🎶

- Mariah Carey

CHRISTMAS VALENTINE 🎄🎶

- Ingrid Michaelson and Jason Mraz

SECOND CHANCES 🎄🎶

- Jana Kramer

(From the Movie 'The Holiday Fix-Up')

(Videos shared from various YT pages.)

THAT CHRISTMAS SPIRIT AND MORE 🌟🎄🎅❄️☃️🎸🎷🎶✨️❤️

 

(A post from last year, written on this day, 6th December '2023.)

Darren Das and Niloufer Rohira are amazing when it comes to putting together, a really enjoyable, well-planned and wonderfully packaged evening of Music.💕 

'Three Cheers for show number Three', to everyone in the Team, who has made even the smallest contribution to this event. 

'That Christmas Spirit and So Much More 2.0, which happened on Sunday, 3rd December '2023, at St.Andrew's Auditorium in Bandra, was a lot of fun.👏👏👏

The highlight of their show is always the  'Live Band', together with some very gifted singers. 

In each of the three events, that they've done so far, they've showcased the talents of 'Different Artists'; and they really do pick some fantastic voices, every single time. 

I think, that is one of the many things, that  makes their show unique, along with the great 'Presentation'.🎶

Of course, this journey began during the pandemic (with so many of us, who were in the audience), listening to 'Online Music Shows'. Darren Das, was one of those many wonderful singers, who sang for us during those days, with Wilburn D'Costa accompanying him on the guitar often also.🎤🎸 

Over the last three and a half years and more, those names and profile pics (that we used to see everyday, from a distance), have become real people. Those Friendships have grown and become 'Special', and we've all gradually evolved, into a very large 'Music Loving Family'.😊 

Back in those days, we all listened to the music together (but virtually, from afar). Now, half the joy of going for these events, comes from meeting everyone again and enjoying the music together, in the same auditorium.❤️

The Magic of Music.✨️

ANGEL SONGS ✨️💖❄️🎄☃️🌟🎁🎶💞

 

ANGELS AMONG US ✨️💞❄️☃️🎶

- The Tabernacle Choir with Kristen Chenoweth

ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH 🌟🎄🎁🎶

- Pentatonix

SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME ✨️💖🎶

- Willie Nelson

(Videos shared from various pages on YT.)

YOU, ME AND A CHRISTMAS TREE 🎄🌟🎅🎁❄️☃️✨️💖

 

Back in 2022, Darren Das and Niloufer Rohira started doing these music events, to bring together a wonderful 'Music Loving Community of Friends', (which had developed during those lockdown days). Since the time they started this 'Musical Adventure', they've had two shows every year; and on the 1st of December, they staged their 5th show at the St.Andrew's Auditorium in Bandra.😊

What I love about their shows, is how they pick the evergreen songs from the yesteryears, across different genres and eras. They also showcase the Talents of wonderful Artists and Performers, in every show, most of whom are extremely well-known and admired, in the Music World. 

The Musicians are always 'Fantastic' and I'm quite amazed at the large number of songs that they play, at each concert.👏👏👏

The minute and careful 'Planning', over many weeks and months, is clearly visible in almost every aspect of each show. When those elements all come together, on the day of the performance, the 'Experience' is always one to remember.🎶

Thank You Niloufer, Darren, Leisha and the Musicians and Singers, for making the world a 'Happier Place', one show at a time.😊 May you always be blessed abundantly, for all the 'Joy' you share, each time you put together events like these.🤗❤️

FOREVER GRATEFUL ✨️💖

 

(Another FB Memory, from two years ago, on this day, 3rd December '2022. Written the day after the Remo Concert here...but it's about something completely different, which happened during that event.)

Yes, the concert in IC last night was great, and I wrote a long post about it.

...but for me, there was something else that made my day yesterday...and this time, it wasn't the Music.😊

As I kept moving around the grounds during the show, DB kids, their parents and ex-students too, kept spotting me from everywhere and came up to say Hi. I met so many, many DB kids yesterday, and each one kept saying the same things:

'We miss you.'

'Please come back.'

'It's not the same without you.'😢

Even parents of the children I've taught, coming up to me and saying;

'The children miss you'.💞

I took the longest time to make this decision. Pondered over it for three long years...and it definitely broke my heart to leave.💔

...But each time, I hear words like these, I'm just completely overwhelmed.😢 

Remo was singing happy songs in the background; and I almost had tears of joy in my eyes. It's difficult to explain the feeling.

...To just know what a difference you've made, and how much you mean to so many.😊

'Forever Grateful that I was Chosen to be a Teacher'.✨️

What a Memorable Journey!💖

GOA TO BOMBAY 🌴🌊

 

(A FB post from two years ago, on this day, 3rd December '2022.)

The 3rd of December always reminds me of Xavier's. Being the Feast of St.Francis Xavier, it was celebrated as our 'College Day', which always brings back happy memories.❤️

It's also a big Feast Day in Goa, because St.Francis Xavier, who is known as 'Goencho Saib', is almost like the patron saint of Goa.

I thought of this because for us in IC, we have two awesome sets of performers from Goa performing at 'Ray - Asha ki Kiran, 2022' this week, which is a fund-raising event, for the Multi-purpose Community Care Centre (MCCC), that the Parish hopes to build in the near future. 

While I'm really looking forward to the  performance by the awesome Band from Goa - 'A26' on Sunday, the 4th; we had one of Goa's legends on stage, right here in IC, last night. Judging by the huge crowd that turned up for the show and that sang and danced along to every song, you could tell that almost everyone was thrilled to have Remo Fernandes, together with his band, 'The Microwave Papadums' playing in IC, for the very first time.😊🎶

I haven't really followed Remo's musical journey or his songs too much over the years, because his style of music is different from the music I generally listen to; but when a performer who makes Goa so proud, literally comes and does a show at your doorstep, how could anyone not be there for the event.😊

...and there are some of his songs that you just cannot miss hearing, because they are so popular, like Maria Pitache, Kaho na Pyaar hain, O Meri Munni and so many more. He sang all of them last night; and the Konkani songs in his set, were very enjoyable too.

At the end of the performance, Remo mentioned that he is 69 years old, and going to be 70 in six months. He definitely looked way younger, when he was performing.😊 

Many of the songs they played in their first session were really long, and I guess because of that, they fell short of time to play all their songs in the second set. That of course, had the audience crying out for 'one more' at the end, which the 10pm sound deadline didn't permit.

Was also awesome to have the amazing Dwayne Das at the sound desk last night.😊💕 For an event like this, only Roger Drego could do such a fabulous job with the sound.

I also have to mention the acapella group that performed before Remo last night, 'The Afla-Tunes'. I love acapella, but I've heard this group for the first time. They do some unexpected combinations of Hindi and English songs and they're a really talented bunch of young performers. Was nice to hear them yesterday.😊🎶👍 

Great job as the host too Zubin Fernandes.💕

Most of all, I have to compliment the team that has worked really hard, to make this event a reality. Our parishioners and friends, that we all know so well, who have come together to make this mega-event a reality. 

The huge set-up, the organisation, the arrangements, even damage control and everything really, are so, so Professional and extremely 'Impressive'. Definitely the 'biggest' event IC has ever seen and you all deserve high praise for making something like this happen here, with every detail taken care of, so well.👏👏👏 Thank You for all the hard work, countless meetings, many hours of planning and mostly your 'Time', that you have all put into this event. I was really proud of all of you last night.🤗❤️

THAT CHRISTMAS SPIRIT 🎄🌟❄️☃️🎅🎁

 

(A two year old post, written on FB, on the 2nd of December '2022.)

In one word, 'That Christmas Spirit and More', Curated and Produced by Darren Das and Niloufer Rohira, at the St.Andrew's Auditorium in Bandra last night, was absolutely 'Spectacular'.👏👏👏

Anyone who knows me well, knows I love music and knows, that music has been an integral part of my life, for as long as I can remember. Right through school and college events, church choirs, and even as a teacher at DB, just everywhere, it has been the one 'constant' factor. In fact, I think almost 90 percent or more of the closest friends I have, are musically inclined in some way or the other.😊

So it just happened, that during the years of the pandemic, I automatically gravitated towards some more music-lovers (virtually) from all over the place, thanks to many different performers who sang online, on FB. It was so great to meet so many of those friends on one evening, at a concert last night. Many, I have now met a few times, and some, I was meeting for the first time; but almost everywhere I turned, there was a familiar face, and the most special thing is that, 'Music' is what brought us all together.✨️❤️

😊 Darren Das, Siddharth Meghani and Karen Vaswani are performers I have watched on stage for years; but thanks to their online music, we connected.

😊 Sonia Saigal and Giselle Pinto, I discoved during the lockdowns; and it was so great to finally hear them 'Live' yesterday. 

😊 Gary Lawyer, Vivienne Pocha and Shazneen Arethna are just awesome; and I always enjoy listening to them on stage. 

To hear them ALL, singing so many songs each, in one show, was a real treat for anyone who loves music.❤️ 

With a fabulous 'Band of Musicians', (Shyam Raj, Ashley Quiney, Cassy Lobo, Arthur Lobo and Russell Fernandes) great backing vocalists Chelsea Das and Zoe Siddharth), spectacular lights (including that dazzling Disco Ball) and really awesome LED graphics; the show was just so well-packaged and quite 'Outstanding'. The evening had so many 'Wow' moments in it, that after a point I couldn't keep track of the number of things I loved about the show.😊🎶💕 

The entire team led by Darren and Niloufer, deserve a really loud round of applause, for planning and executing such a beautiful evening of Music, that everyone in the audience loved. The way everybody was singing along, was proof of how enjoyable the show was. 'Thank You for the Music'.❤️

GRATEFUL FOR THE MUSIC, ALWAYS 😊🎶

 

Everywhere Tammy and Roy, our two wonderful Musician friends from Goa go, they are 'Loved'.💞 People just turn up in really huge numbers, wherever they are singing, simply because of that; and Mumbai was no exception, two days ago. The DPRC, Bandra was completely packed.😊

According to me, it is the 'Magic' of the old songs, that they sing and play, so beautifully, together with the 'Nostalgia' that those songs continue to create, in so many hearts and minds, which draws people to their Music.🎶 

Of course, the fact that they are always so 'Enthusiastic and Full of Life' when they perform, and that they constantly have 'Warm, Welcoming and Friendly Smiles, Waves and Hugs for Everyone, who is at their shows', is why people love them so much.❤️ They take the time to acknowledge, each and every person, who makes the effort to come and listen to them, irrespective of how exhausted and over-worked they may be. I think, that is also a big reason, for their immense popularity.✨️🎶

Most of the people you find at any Tammy and Roy show, (whether it is in Goa, Mumbai or in any part of the world, where they sing), are 'Listeners' who have been following them online, for over four years now, since those days of the pandemic. Even over four years later, people continue to 'Listen to them Regularly', just because they keep making so many people 'Happy', every time they sing. That really is 'Something Special'.💖 

Yes, the Music and the great songs they sing, are what keeps everyone coming back, again and again😊🎶...But more than that, it is because of the way they 'Interact and Connect' with just about everyone, who has been listening to them, for the last four years.💕

Thanks dearest Tammy and Roy, for being the very Warm and Friendly people you are. We love and enjoy the Music, and are 'So Grateful' for both of you, Always.🤗❤️

IT'S DECEMBER!🌟🎄❄️☃️🎁🎅🎶✨️❤️

 

SNOWMAN 🎶

- Gabriella Quevedo (Guitar Instrumental)

Gabriella Quevedo is one of my favourite Guitar players, that I have been listening to often, for a few years. She shared this new song, a couple of days ago.😊💕

Sharing her version and the original song by Sia too. We don't have snow and snowmen in our part of the world, but the cold season is one of my favourite seasons of the year. I love the cooler temperature and the pleasant weather, that December always brings.❄️☃️

SNOWMAN 🎶

- Sia