SF Gay Men's Chorus Press Release

I love this press release from the SF Gay Men's Chorus. The concert sounds FANTASTIC. And they mention me! (The bold part is done by me).

Media Statement 04.29.08
For Immediate Release

Making Our Dreams Come True
- Spring Concert A Vibrant Mix Of Classic, Campy, And Contemporary

When the curtain goes up at Davies Symphony Hall on May 16, San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus will be singing an iconic piece of Americana, the theme song from Laverne and Shirley!

"We're following in the footsteps of Wayne's World, Friends, and Saturday Night Live, and to quote Laverne and Shirley, `we'll do it our way,' with a campy twist or two," chuckles Artistic Director and Conductor, Dr. Kathleen McGuire.

The lighthearted opening to the concert, which continues the 30th anniversary season of the chorus, sets an upbeat tone for a concert of exceptional variety. "We've got it all," continues McGuire, "everything from the poignant idealism of The Testament of Freedom, set to the stirring words of Thomas Jefferson, to West Side Story, to Mozart, to a foot-stomping finale written by Steve Schalchlin; My Rising Up."

The vibrant mix of genres is carefully crafted into the two-act concert honoring a pioneering vision in act one and premiering stunning new works by the gay composers of today in act two.

The concert marks the historic premiere of Safeer el-Layl (translation: Ambassador of the Night) written by gay Lebanese composer, Ilyas Iliya. The haunting piece is a message of hope to those seeking freedom and according to Iliya, is, "the first time that gay Arabs will hear a song about themselves in their own language."

As the second act continues, comedy and the greatest hits of classical music collide in a hilarious new work from gay composer, Eric Lane Barnes, Gay Vs. Straight, featuring the music of Wagner, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Mozart, Copland, Sousa, Saint-Saëns, and Chopin.

The program also includes an uplifting new work by David Conte, with lyrics by Philip Littell. "There is nothing we won't try," quips McGuire, adding, "it's all done, of course, with impeccable style and taste."

San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus presents Making Our Dreams Come True at Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall for one night only, Friday May 16, at 8 p.m. For tickets call the box office at (415) 865-ARTS (2787) or go to www.sfgmc.org.