Best of 2017 J is for Janet Ayers

To see my way through the brightening January days, I’m reliving my best of 2017: shows, books, music, poetry, drawings and scribblings.

Star of local music, Janet Ayers.

We’ve seen Janet sing this year with the Polite Mechanicals, The Dave Baker Project, solo at Free up Fridays at Aurora Southsea, at Victorious Festival. She and Matt Parons did a memorable turn as the highlight of Matt Wingett’s show, Holmes Fest, in the guise of Hudson and Lestrade, with wonderful renditions of The Ghost of Sherlock Holmes and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

In my Dark Songs event, they brought light and laughter too.

I shall particular remember a rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow at South Coast Emporium.

My wife and I have sung for a year now with Janet’s lovely Southsea Community Choir. Janet’s Natural Voice method is so welcoming, inclusive and encouraging, it has been the most rewarding choir I have ever sung in. Brilliant song choices, an invigorating Tuesday night, and musically exciting.

We’ve performed at St Judes, the Auckland Arms, QA Hospital and at Wickham Festival. And we have made our unlikely orchestral debut with the dubious Southsea Community Orchestra in the Christmas show at Trinity Church.

Thanks to Janet and Matt.

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