More than 200 people have signed up to spend their Saturday morning turning into a choir of strangers in Carmel, all for the chance to learn and perform the Grammy-winning K-pop hit “Golden.” The free event, called “Gonna Be Golden! A Community K-Pop Sing,” runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Atrium of Carmel, with no singing experience, no music-reading skills, and no advance registration required to walk through the door.
According to WISH-TV, the event is designed to bring together strangers to form a choir for an afternoon of music and connection, with more than 200 people already registered through event information cited by the station. The gathering is a partnership between The Garden Community Church, The Atrium of Carmel, SongSquad Indianapolis and KPAC Indiana, according to the official Event Guide for the program. The Atrium of Carmel sits at 10330 N. Meridian St., per WISH-TV.
Pam Blevins-Hinkle, co-founder of SongSquad Indianapolis, is serving as the event's conductor and discussed the sing-along on Daybreak Saturday morning, the station reports. “It's not about judgment or perfection. It's about joy and connection,” she said, according to WISH-TV. The station also reports that Blevins-Hinkle described singing practice as a way to build listening skills and make room for other voices — skills she frames as civic as well as musical.
Korean Culture Comes Before the Singing Starts
Before anyone opens their mouth to sing, families will have a chance to explore Korean culture through hands-on activities. The event's description notes that participants can try traditional Korean instruments, visit a HUNTR/X photo booth and sample Korean snacks, according to Indy's Child. Check-in, food sampling and instrument demonstrations begin at 11 a.m., with the singing portion kicking off at 11:30 a.m., per WISH-TV's reporting.
KPAC Indiana is set to perform “Soda Pop” on traditional Korean instruments as part of the festivities, the same outlet notes. The lineup also includes photo opportunities with HUNTR/X, the fictional girl group from the film “K-Pop Demon Hunters,” and temporary tattoos featuring patterns from the movie, according to WISH-TV. Organizers plan to teach “Golden” in chunks, and the event provides lyric sheets for those who don't read music alongside scores for more experienced singers, the station reports.
Children under 14 must attend with a parent or guardian, Indy's Child reports, and the station notes the session is expected to wrap up with the group recording a keepsake video of the experience. Breaks built into the singing will give participants time to discuss the song's themes of authenticity and connection, according to WISH-TV. Free registration remains open through Eventbrite, though walk-ins are welcome, per the event guide.
Part of a Citywide Festival on Connection
The sing-along is one piece of the 2026 Spirit & Place Festival, a community initiative of Indiana University housed at IU Indy, according to WISH-TV. This year's festival celebrates the theme of Connections and runs through Nov. 15, featuring roughly 35 events spanning arts, humanities and religion — including theatrical performances, ballet, a comedy show, panel discussions, art exhibits and a spiritual walk, the station reports. Another festival event, “Artists Building Community,” is scheduled for Nov. 14 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1000 Words Gallery, per WISH-TV.
