This year I attended the Festival of Voices corporate choir performances for the first time.

The night was a joyful, generous celebration of song and spirit at the Odeon Theatre in Hobart.

The venue isn’t large, which gave the night an intimacy — it brought the crowd closer to the performers.

Each choir brought their own unique energy. Some wore matching costumes, others leaned into playful themes connected to their workplace.

There were mash-ups and pop songs. Plus plenty of local references that made the audience laugh knowingly including a cameo from Neil the Seal!

One group held up signs to get the crowd singing “ba bah baaah!” during Sweet Caroline and I joined in, happily. There was something freeing about just giving it a go, being part of it.

One thing I’ve learned from my solo outings is you stand out more if you don’t join in.

The performers had eight weeks to practice together. You could really feel the connection that had been built in that short time. There were groups who were returning for the fifth time and some who were venturing onstage for the first time.

You could see how much effort had gone in to each performance, how proud people were to be on stage, and the level of support they had in the crowd.

There was no divide between the crowd and those on stage — we were all in it together. Friends and families waved, clapped, and called out their support.

I knew a few people in the lineup too and was all smiles watching them sing their hearts out to cheers of support from the crowd.

I’m so glad I went. For a while, going to events like this alone felt a bit forced but it’s become more natural now.

Nights like this remind me that I belong wherever I choose to show up. Not in a loud or showy way — just in the sense that I can take part.

If you’ve been wondering whether to go to something on your own, maybe this is your cue. It might feel unusual at first. But the more you do it, the less weird it feels!