In the nation's ‘loneliest city,' a sing-along brings strangers together
Dozens of people crammed into the living room, crowded on couches and chairs for a gathering unlike many in D.C. There would be no talk of politics, day jobs or even pets. There would be little talk at all.
These strangers had come together for a sing-along.
Leader Josh Korr started things off with the classics: 'Stand by Me,' 'Jolene,' and a kazoo-heavy rendition of 'Take on Me.'
Then, he decided to try something new — a medley of mid-aughts club hits.
'This takes inspiration from my college a cappella,' he said before launching into a detailed explanation of how the transition from OutKast's 'Hey Ya!' to 'I Gotta Feeling' by the Black Eyed Peas would work. A few nervous peels of laughter rang out.
'It's gonna be great and not a disaster,' Korr, 45, assured the group.
Soon, this ragtag choir was belting out, 'Tonight's gonna be a good night.' By the time they finished the final 'yeah, yeah, yeah' from Usher, smiles filled the room.
In a place labeled the 'loneliest city in America,' Korr's sing-alongs have been regularly drawing people together. The city earned that title because nearly half of all residents live alone. About a third of adults in D.C. have also reported feeling anxious or depressed, emotions that for some have been heightened by President Donald Trump's string of firings and funding threats. (One sign of the times: Local dentists report an influx of teeth grinding since the inauguration.)
For many residents, the sing-alongs have become a balm — an opportunity to connect, unwind and get a little silly.
'There is something beautiful and communal about singing with other people,' Korr said. 'This group of people who are all letting their emotions emerge and mix with yours … it is magical.'
Researchers back that up, finding that group singing can help us make friends and leave us happier.
Kevin Cole has attended nearly every sing-along, accompanying the music on flute. He's attracted, he said, to the pleasures of communal performance: 'I don't like to solo. I like performing with other people.'
Korr grew up attending folk sing-alongs with his parents. In 2012, he started bringing friends together to improvise. By 2020, he was inviting strangers to join his D.C. Sing-Along events. The group went on hiatus due to covid, but started back up in earnest in 2023.
The gatherings initially drew 10 to 20 attendees. Now, 50 people regularly show up and his mailing list includes more than 450 names.
There are no prerequisites for joining one of the meetups, listed on D.C. Sing-Along's website. The sing-alongs are held at rotating locations in the District and Takoma Park.
On that recent Saturday, each attendee was given a kazoo and a handmade songbook that lists Disney songs alongside Robyn's 'Dancing on My Own' and 'Wonderwall' by Oasis.
For each gathering, Korr curates a set list from the songbook. He also serves as the guitar accompanist and emcee, amping up the crowd.
'That invisible structure is key to turning this from an informal loosey-goosey jam where things fizzle out to an actual event,' he said.
On Saturday, Korr asked how everyone was doing and said he knows many Washingtonians feel stressed and worried right now. He didn't push when no one replied.
'It feels,' he told the crowd, 'like you just want to sing.'
In the past, he's woven in a few songs that meet the moment, such as 'Bad Moon Rising' or 'Eye of the Tiger.' This time, he offered up 'This Land Is Your Land,' by Woody Guthrie.
After about an hour, Korr opened the floor to requests. Nikki Goldstone suggested Billy Joel's 'Piano Man.' She'd been practicing the song's harmonica solo for weeks and wanted to try it out for the crowd on this, her birthday weekend.
Goldstone moved to D.C. a few years ago and tried out a few groups before becoming a regular at this one.
'I like that it doesn't feel like people are performing,' she said afterward. 'It feels like we're all singing together.'
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