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North Van neighbours entertain entire complex with patio songs (VIDEO)

Normally people don’t ask their neighbours to turn the racket up, but of course, these are anything but normal times.
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Normally people don’t ask their neighbours to turn the racket up, but of course, these are anything but normal times.

One of Carey Feehan’s neighbours contacted him on their housing complex’s group message chat recently and asked him for a noisy, melodic favour.

“He lives in the unit just on the other side of me and he messaged me last Saturday and said, ‘Hey Carey, how about a song on the patio tonight just to lift spirits?’ He was kind of joking,” says Feehan, who lives near Chesterfield Avenue and 14th Street in North Vancouver.

In a bid to spark some happiness amid the tense situation brought on by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic which has in large measure relegated people to their homes, Feehan grabbed his guitar and his songbook.

His piano-playing neighbour in the adjacent unit, Melissa Fernandes, was also summoned to help perform.

“I kind of latched onto the idea,” says Feehan.

Last Saturday, Feehan and Fernandes performed Elton John’s rollicking “Crocodile Rock” followed days later by Jason Mraz’s “I’m Yours.”

They performed the tunes from the comfort of their respective unit’s patios and upwards of 20 residents in the complex came to their own patios to listen in.

“We sort of attempted an on-the-spot version of ‘Imagine’ by John Lennon,” adds Feehan. “Tomorrow night me and my neighbour are already co-ordinating to do ‘Don’t Stop Believin’' by Journey.”

Feehan has seen his work as an actor dry up recently as the ongoing novel coronavirus crisis has upended many industries. He’s currently at home with his two kids, ages two and four, while his wife works from home as well.

He says he and his neighbour’s performance was meant to brighten people’s day during these trying times.

He notes he was particularly inspired by the hilarious and heart-warming stories of a DJ in coronavirus lockdown in Spain performing a set on his rooftop as well as a tenor in Italy belting Bocelli from his balcony.

“My entire point of wanting to do this and going through with the idea is just to bring some smiles to people's faces and some levity during these tough times,” he says.