This month, Victorian-era singers take on contemporary crooners, vying for Hogtown’s top carollers. Who’s got the chops for the season’s most festive tunes? You choose.
Baker Street Victorian Carolers |
vs. |
Candy Cane Carolers |
| Richard Crossman (far right), 2005 | Leader and year formed: |
Meagan Tuck (front right), 2010 |
| We took a well-known Victorian address, 221B Baker Street [the address of Sherlock Holmes and Watson]. | Name behind the group? | Founder Meagan wanted something cute and catchy. And it has alliteration — who doesn’t love a little alliteration?! |
| We have a number, including “Joy to the World,” “Deck the Halls”… | What's your go-to song? | “Rudolph,” hands down. Ourarrangement is original to this group. |
| Their is a celebrity who seems to follow us to many of our events: the jolly old elf himself — Santa! | Any celeb spottings? | Our most exciting encounter was going onstage following Steven Page. We even got to share a dressing room with him! |
| The costumes are all custom-made by our director, Richard. He has chosen the 1870 to 1885 period, as the skirts and dresses are less bulky and therefore easier to manoeuvre in. | Where do you get your outfits from? | Our carolling cloaks were made for the Toronto Christmas Market. Last year we added feathers around the girls’ hoods, and it makes us feel so Mariah! |
| We did about 40 performances last year. | Number of performances per holiday season? | I More than 50! |
| We do a lot of strolling carolling on the streets for local BIAs. Our favourites include Unionville. We also do the Markham Home for the Holidays show yearly. | Where can we find you? | We sing daily in the Distillery District. Last year, likely almost every person heard us sing at one point or another. |
| We wear shoes or boots — no running shoes! | Footwear donned to stave off the cold? | We put those shaky heat packs in our shoes and in our gloves to keep all of our fingers and toes warm. |
| The Christmas music is packed away and many of us go back to opera, musical theatre and other performances. | What happens when carolling season is over? |
We all work year round as performers. Sometimes we get lucky and get to sing at a Christmas in July event! |
