A CHOIR for homeless and marginalised people is set to return this Christmas for its first live performance in 18 months.

The Choir with No Name Brighton, involves people who have experienced homelessness and marginalisation, are returning to Brighton Dome on December 9 with their take on Christmas classics.

This will be their first live performance since before the pandemic, and they will be accompanied by singer and pianist Joe Stilgoe and the Stomp-style body percussionist, Olly Tunmer from Beat Goes On.

Marie Benton, CEO of the Choir with No Name said: “We are thrilled to be back at Brighton Dome - our home from home.

"It’s been a long two-year break from live performance, so being back with our Big Christmas Gathering is more important than ever.

"Our choir members bring so much energy and life affirming joy to their live performances, and we can’t wait to give the Brighton crowd a festive night to remember.”

The Choir with No Name’s Christmas concert at the Dome is an annual event in the Brighton Christmas calendar, with audience members coming back year after year to enjoy festive favourites, from All I Want for Christmas is You to Last Christmas.

The choir first opened in August 2018 and is run in partnership with Brighton Housing Trust (BHT) Sussex.

It rehearses every Monday at St Paul’s church in the city centre, and each rehearsal is followed by a hot meal together cooked by a team of volunteers.

Members, who are largely from the homeless and recovery community in Brighton, have the opportunity to make friends, learn new skills and grow in confidence, all through singing together as part of a supportive choir community.

Throughout the pandemic, the choir continued to sing online and outdoors, and were recently able to sing together indoors again.

Andy Winter, chief executive of BHT Sussex said: “The Christmas concert at the Dome is truly one of the highlights of the Festive Season.

"The past 20 months have been tough for many people with not that much to sing about. But that is all set to change on December 9th.

"It is time to sing your hearts out, to get into the swing of Christmas, and to have a really great time.

"To paraphrase Mariah Carey, ‘All I want for Christmas is the Big Christmas Gathering’ with the Choir with No Name! At the same time as having a cracking evening, you will be supporting our work with homeless people.”

Tickets cost £12 (£8 concessions) and are available via the Brighton Dome website or from their Box Office:

Brighton Dome Ticket Office

Church Street

Brighton BN1 1UE

01273 709709

Proceeds and donations from the night will support The Choir with No Name Brighton.

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