In 1984, a talented, young musician died. He was an early and tragic loss of the AIDS pandemic that was only in its infancy. One of his prized possessions was a beautiful ebony grand piano. Normally, especially in those days, things left behind were sold or donated. Thanks to his friends and supporters, not this piano.
When he first discusses what motivated him to book the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus on a tour of five southern states in 2017, Tim Seelig, the group’s creative director, mentions the 2016 election and the widening cultural divide in America. The attitude was not “we’re here, we’re queer, get used to it”; the chorus is a genteel organization that uses music to heal and build bridges. But Seelig is clear about his desire to actively confront states that have enacted strong anti-LGBTQ measures with a strong message of love and tolerance.
A new film about the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus and its tour of the southern United States in 2016, “Gay Chorus Deep South,” chronicles the tour the chorus made in the wake of the divisive national election, and the effect it had on the performers and their listeners. While on the tour, the chorus performed in churches, community centers and concert halls throughout the Deep South. The film screens Oct. 13 at 2 p.m. at the Sebastiani Theatre.
They say music is the only international language, and the American South may as well be another country to many gay people. For years LGBTQ people have fled conservative small towns in search of more accepting pastures, a pattern that has only continued during the recent swell of legislation curtailing civil rights brought on in the Trump era. In “Gay Chorus Deep South,” director David Charles Rodrigues follows the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus throughout an emotional tour of the Southern United States. The film is the first Oscar contender for powerhouse producer and former HBO executive Sheila Nevins in her position as head of MTV Documentary Films, and she is coming out strong with “Gay Chorus Deep South.”
The former HBO exec plans a theatrical release later this year for awards-season consideration.
Sheila Nevins' MTV Documentary Films has picked up Gay Chorus Deep South, the Tribeca Film Festival award-winning film about a gay choir on a red-state tour by director David Charles Rodrigues.
The feature doc recounts members of The San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus touring several Southern states with restrictive anti-gay laws and delivering a message of love and acceptance to those fighting anti-LGBTQ bigotry.
The 42-year history of the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus directly mirrors that of the Gay Movement and makes this very special homage to the queens that moved us forward even more poignant. Walking in the heels of powerful activists, the Chorus provides a musical review of significant events and brave queers who took the stands that provide us the freedoms we often take for granted today. From the mid-60's to the present, Queens lends us the links to the past that must always be remembered lest we lose our collective identity.
Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco, March 22, 2019
For their penultimate performance of their 41st season, the SFGMC salutes the music and culture of our friends across the pond in an evening both stately and dignified, but with the typical clowning and impishness we've come to expect. In the glorious setting of Davies Symphony Hall, a five-piece band accompanied the Chorus and they presented songs from all genres, ranging from classical, folk ballad, pop and rock.
Today, San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus (SFGMC) Artistic Director Dr. Timothy Seelig and Executive Director Chris Verdugo announced Brassy and Sassy-a brand-new show celebrating…
Composer-lyricist Andrew Lippa, who musicalized the life and cultural influence of gay rights activist Harvey Milk, will debut his latest work, Unbreakable, a musical chronology...
Following the international success of I Am Harvey Milk, which played an acclaimed 2014 Lincoln Center concert, composer and lyricist Andrew Lippa will debut a new world premiere titled Unbreakable at San Francisco's Nourse ...
Tickets to our final concert of Season 40 - "Unbreakable" - are ON SALE NOW! Buy yours here: http://www.cityboxoffice.com/sfgmc. “Unbreakable” is composed by and stars Tony Award-nominee Andrew Lippa and the 250+ members of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus. This world premiere musical chronicles the struggles and triumphs of the LGBTQ community over the last 120 years.
Tickets to our one-night-only performance at Davies Symphony Hall on Thursday, March 29 to commemorate the Lavender Pen Tour are ON SALE NOW! Buy yours here: http://bit.ly/sfgmc-bridges
On a sultry October day in Selma, Alabama, about 300 members of the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in identical purple shirts. The iconic bridge where civil rights leaders famously stood against racism has seen a lot in its day. But nothing quite like this.
The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus is going on tour this fall – prepare yourselves for a very gay October.
If you’ve ever watched the group, you know they will brighten up the grayest of days and the dullest of sports games. One of the many prides of San Francisco, SFGMC will continue spreading positivity this fall in a place that may need it most – the South.
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