Singer’s gig an open MIQ night
Guests at a managed isolation facility in Christchurch have been able to escape the confinement of their hotel rooms through the sweet notes of live music from a bar next door.
Live music from popular Christchurch bar O.G.B fills Cathedral Square most nights, and recently has helped entertain people going through managed isolation at the neighbouring Distinction Hotel.
O.G.B owner Nick Inkster said singer Lee Martin’s voice in particular had attracted a lot of attention. Martin had been interacting with the hotel guests for a few months.
People sat with their windows open and enjoyed the music, he said. ‘‘It’s awesome and pretty emotional.’’
People in the courtyard also got involved, calling out to the hotel guests to listen from their windows.
Martin, who has been singing at the bar for about two years, said she enjoyed being part of the hotel guests’ interactions with the outside world.
Several people had contacted her through socialmedia to ask for song requests and tell her she had made their day, she said.
‘‘All their messages have been really lovely and I love being able to brighten up people’s day.’’
New Zealand resident Lindsay Harn, who had just returned from the United States, was one guest who contacted Martin.
Harn requested several songs, which were sung directly to her on her last night in isolation.
‘‘I loved her music ... It was uplifting and it gave me something to look forward to.’’
Harn said themusic made her feel less isolated. ‘‘She was the silver lining tomy quarantine.’’
Other guests who messaged Martin included families who sat at their windows, clapping and singing along to her music.