I’ve got some grave reservations about the current mode of christmas celebrations in the modern era.
But it makes my girlfriend happy.
So if I have to go to a chrimbo thingy, the one I want to go to is the Carols at Lanyon. Not the southernmost suburb, but the historic homestead slightly further south.
There are no D-list celebrities. No Jingle Bell Rock, or Jingle All The Way, in fact no jingling at all.
Just a re-affirmation of songs with real roots in our cultural history, and a smattering of newer Australian carols of such quality that they deserve to stand alongside the ancient.
People make a real effort to get there early. The crowd are positively encouraged to sing along, rather than being passive observers who may as well be sitting at home watching TV, or watching a DVD of an event somewhere and somewhen else entirely.
The music was courtesy of the Tuggeranong Valley Band and the Sing Australia Choir, with an interlude by the Humbugs.
With the Lanyon homestead celebrating its 150th anniversary next year the setting, and the beautiful gardens, reminds the audience of where it is we came from while we consider where we want to go.
Last night rain brought proceedings to a slightly hastened close, but that doesn’t distract from the beauty of the evening.
Watch out for this one next year.
Here’s some YouTube of the singing. More images of the night below in a slideshow.
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