Gay Men's Chorus celebrates dual anniversary at star-studded gala
Photo credit: Kismet Magazine
It was truly one historic evening. Stonewall, widely considered to constitute the most important event leading to the gay liberation movement and the modern fight for LGBT rights in the United States, celebrated its 50 anniversary. Its legacy lingered when the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles (GMCLA) toasted to its 40th anniversary season with a gala dinner and concert that paid homage to that pivotal event in the fight for LGBT rights.
The event
There was indeed much to be celebrated in addition to GMC’s own ongoing presence as one of the nation’s longest-running and largest LGBT arts organizations.
“Quiet No More: A Choral Celebration of Stonewall” was the theme for the evening held at Walt Disney Concert Hall. It raised $500,000 from tickets from nearly 300 gala guests selling for $600 and $100 each, and the sold-out concert with seats ranging from $50 to $90. Funds raised from the event directly benefit GMCLA and advance its mission of providing music education programs, which have reached more than 65,000 children and young people throughout Los Angeles.
Photo credit: Kismet Magazine
The scene
Gala guests were treated to a private pre-concert reception at Walt Disney Concert Hall before taking their seats to a performance of “Quiet No More,” which took a strength-in-numbers approach. Under interim artistic director Gavin Thrasher’s direction, GMCLA’s 270 members was joined by 500 singers from the 25 co-commissioning choruses from around the country who performed a diverse program of Broadway, gospel, choral, country and pop music.
In the first part of the concert. special guests Chrissy Metz (star of NBC’s “This is Us”) and Shoshana Bean (star of Broadway’s “Waitress”) performed pop, Broadway and choral canon. Metz performed the Diane Warren-penned “I’m Standing With You” (from the soundtrack to the film “Breakthrough”) and teamed up with soloist Tod Macofsky for “Put on Your Sunday Clothes” from “Hello, Dolly!” where the GMCLA queens, featuring TV personality Eureka O’Hara, paraded across the stage in technicolor gowns, waving feather fans. Bean showed up with some Broadway dazzle, with “She Used to Be Mine,” from Sara Bareillis’ “Waitress” score.
“These two great singers, who are true allies of the LGBTQ community, have been raising their beautiful and powerful voices for important causes for years. They will add immeasurably to our music and our message.”
The program then continued with “Quiet No More,” a six-song cycle, co-commissioned by the Los Angeles and New York choruses, and sung by them and other choruses from around the country, to pay tribute to the Stonewall uprising in 1969 in which patrons and local residents rose up against police after a raid on Greenwich Village’s Stonewall Inn in New York.
After the concert, guests made their way back to pre-concert reception area that was now transformed into a colorful dinner setting where they indulged in a three-course meal that included roasted chicken and decadent desserts. The music continued with saxophonist Dave Koz playing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and Juan Pablo Di Pace of “Fuller House,” singing Warren’s “Because You Loved Me.”
Champions of change
The Chorus present longtime activist and fundraiser David Mixner with the Lifetime Legend Award.
“Honoring David Mixner is so right. He’s a pioneer, hero and legend, in our community and many others.”
“We’ve come a long way. We are a tribe of extraordinary, noble, courageous people that have set the standard for decency for generations to come. We have a tale, yes, filled with tears, but never have I seen such courage.”
GMCLA’s mission is to create musical experiences that strengthen their role as a leader among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and performing arts organizations; enrich their member-artists; support LGBT youth; challenge homophobia; and expose new communities to their message of equality. Their vision is to sing for a future free from homophobia and all other discrimination.