Sax and the City

One hundred and forty saxophonists.

Lining the rooftops and balconies of central Sydney.

Playing toe-tappin’, finger-clickin’ tunes.

Pretty damn good fun.

I took part in the Sax and The City event as part of Sydney Festival’s First Night event, last Saturday night. I’m really a clarinet player, but played sax when I was at school… and anyway, it is not that hard to play the sax (as I like to tell Tony).

The event was directed/composed by Sydney saxophonist Sandy Evans – legend. Tony was invited to be one of the group leaders. I was in his group, and held my own most adequately :-). Look carefully in the group performance shot, taken when we were on the balcony of the Mint Building. You’ll see me there playing the alto sax, looking like a pro.

Last one here shows Tony in walking action, heading up Martin Place.

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A bit of Christmas spirit

About twenty-five friends gathered for my annual carol-singing party. This tradition has been going about ten years now. I invite anyone I know of who likes to sing, I have copies of lots of carols, and the idea is to get together, eat, drink and sing through the repertoire of favourites. Last year we added in a street-sing and doorknocking, and raised money for Oxfam in the process. This year we took that approach again, and so a new tradition begins.

We raised $200 for the Hotham Mission Asylum Seeker Project. It was a hot night which meant we did tire quickly, but we were nourished by all the delicious food that everyone contributed. Here are some photos from the night:

(This babe in arms was only new-born at last year’s party. If she comes along every year we will be able to chart her growth with these posts).