CONCERT
fEATURING THE SAN FRANCISCO gAY MEN’S CHORUS & OAKLAND INTERFAITH GOSPEL CHOIR
JUNE 17, 2025 @ 7:30PM
The Chan National Queer Arts Center is located at 170 Valencia Street - SF, CA - 94103
pride, protest & praise
In honor of Pride Month and Juneteenth, members of the SFGMC welcome members of the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir to share the stage at the Chan with classic songs of the civil rights movement and other inspiring anthems of equality. The two organizations toured the American deep south together for 2017’s Lavender Pen Freedom Tour, and audiences can expect the same enthusiastic spirit of love and light in mutual support of our communities, backed by a fabulous house gospel band. Attendees will be invited to raise their voices in song and solidarity with the singers on stage for an inspiring reminder that we are stronger when we stand together.
Additional performance on June 14th at Freight & Salvage in Berkeley, CA. To get tickets, click here.
WHY SEE THIS AT THE CHAN?
If you love the power of SFGMC performing in larger venues, this is your chance to be mere feet from the sound. In addition, if you’ve ever wanted to add your voice to the glorious sound, you will be invited to join in on a few selections.
IMPORTANT TICKET AND VENUE INFO
Tickets for this event are $60 for Premium Seating (Reserved Closest to the Stage) and $35 for Standard Seating (General Admission).
The event will be presented in a proscenium format with rows of seating facing the stage.
Pansy’s at The Chan (our bar and lounge) will be open one hour prior to showtime and during intermission.
Bios
About OAKLAND INTERFAITH GOSPEL CHOIR
The Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir is an audition-only, semi-professional Black gospel music choir that performs 25-30 times per year. It includes the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Ensemble made up of 9 to 15 singers who are tasked with performing an additional 10-20 times per year. The most intensive of the choirs, OIGC rehearses weekly and an 80% performance attendance is required.
Performance highlights include the CA Governor’s Tree Lighting Ceremony, Super Bowl 50, Chase Center’s opening ceremony, and the launch of the National LGBTQ Center for the Arts in San Francisco.
OIGC has also toured the world, including Canada, Israel, Australia, the Lavender Pen Tour in October 2017 (5-state tour with the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus) and the European Tour in 2015.
Auditions to join the Gospel Choir are generally held in February/March of each year. To be notified of future audition opportunities, be sure to follow OIGC on Facebook, Insta, or Twitter, and join their email list!
To learn more about their non-audition Community Choir that rehearses generally once a month, and performs 4 to 5 times a year, visit: www.oigc.org/oicc.
ABOUT SAN FRANCISCO GAY MEN’S CHORUS
Founded in 1978, SFGMC sparked a nationwide LGBTQ choral movement after its first public performance at a vigil on the steps of City Hall following the assassinations of Supervisor Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone. Since then, SFGMC has been embedded in the fabric of San Francisco. It has soothed souls in pain, lifted spirits in triumph, and has remained a steadfast beacon of hope.
Under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Chris Verdugo and Artistic Director Jacob Stensberg, SFGMC has established a heightened level of performance standards bringing renewed audience and choral industry acclaim. Recent tours, recordings, and outreach programs have broadened its impact and reputation in the community while maintaining its signature blend of humor, personality, and groundbreaking performances. In 2023, SFGMC renovated a historic facility that has become its permanent home for rehearsals, offices, and intimate performances. The building also serves as The Chan National Queer Arts Center, the first-ever community space for LGBTQ artists and arts organizations.
FEATURED ARTISTS
San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus - Jacob Stensberg, Artistic Director
Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir - Terrance Kelly, Founding Artistic Director
MEDIA
THE LAVENDER PEN TOUR
