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"Norwegians left their Viking habits way back in the centuries and we are pretty shy these days. We do not go to karaoke places alone - and we do NOT sing alone. However, with several beers "inside the shirt" we do get a bit braver and sometimes we even approach the microphone."

And the Moose Said Cuckcoo: The first, and for some time only, karaoke establishment in Oslo was a public bath. This was in the mid 80's. They had covered the swimming pool and served beers by the gallon. Nothing about the place looked remotely like there ever had been any sports activities taking place.

Karaoke in China!: Chinese karaoke clubs are definitely different from clubs anywhere else...though "Karaoke Club" is not the right word for it. Actually Chinese karaoke is mostly connected with restaurants. What happens is, you is go out to have dinner and then grab the microphone in between the many courses of the Chinese meal.

My Pub is My Castle: Where else would you expect to find karaoke in Britain than in the local pubs? Well, there are karaoke clubs, although more scarce now.

Music in Montreal: We lingered over apple pie and ice cream, reluctant to face the cold. I felt slightly dubious about the karaoke bar my friend Marianne wanted to go to but she promised that it would be the best part of the evening, and she was right.


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 About Britt McCary  
Send e-mail After living 5 years in St. Augustine, FL, Britt says that the Norwegian and American cultures are amazingly similar. She was born and raised in Oslo, Norway, has Masters in journalism and history. Although writing and public relations were the main sources of income, music has always played a large part of her life.

She played classical guitar for 5 years, and started singing in the school choir as an 8 year old. In her teens it was the "Peter, Paul and Mary style" that caught her attention; she toured with her group several places in Norway.

Working two jobs and raising five children, the music had to wait for some years, but when the kids were old enough to look after themselves she picked up singing again and joined a semi-pro choir.

"The choir tradition over here is very different," she maintains. "I haven't found anything similar to what I was used to. I'm still on the lookout for a choir, and who knows, I might get lucky and find one some day".

Reach her via e-mail.