IN CELEBRATION OF PRIDE MONTH, QUEENS COMMEMORATES THE PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF THE LGBTQ RIGHTS MOVEMENT
THREE PERFORMANCES ONLY
JUNE 21–22, 2019
THE SYDNEY GOLDSTEIN THEATER
SAN FRANCISCO (April 19, 2019) – The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus (SFGMC)—under the leadership of Dr. Timothy Seelig, Artistic Director and Christopher Verdugo, Executive Director—concludes Season 41 with QUEENS, a concert commemorating the past, present, and future of the LGBTQ rights movement in celebration of Pride Month. QUEENS will take place for three performances only at The Sydney Goldstein Theater (formerly Nourse Theater, 275 Hayes Street, San Francisco). The performance schedule is as follows: Friday, June 21 at 8 p.m., and Saturday, June 22 at 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets range in price from $25–$99 and are available now by visiting www.sfgmc.org or by calling City Box Office at 415-392-4400.
Marking the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, which began on June 28, 1969, and commemorating San Francisco’s own Compton Cafeteria Riot which occurred in 1966, SFGMC will honor those who helped catapult the gay rights movement into the public forum coast to coast.
The concert will feature beloved gay anthems, as well as songs that pay tribute to the themes of strength, perseverance, and acceptance. Works include “Rise Up” by Andra Day, Paul Simon’s “The Sound of Silence,” “You Will Be Found” from Dear Evan Hansen, Sylvester’s “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real),” and “Sticks and Stones” from Andrew Lippa’s oratorio, I Am Harvey Milk, originally recorded by SFGMC.
QUEENS will feature special guest appearances from San Francisco’s celebrity drag queens, including Donna Sachet, Sister Roma and Sister Phyllis of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Heklina, Kylie Minono, and SFGMC’s very own Drag All-Stars.
“QUEENS is our way to honor and say ‘thank you’ to the courageous people living on the fringe of 1960’s society who had simply had enough,” says Seelig. “From acts of defiance such as a cup of coffee thrown by a trans woman resisting arrest and a drag queen hitting a police man with a purse during a raid—to high heels and rocks thrown at police by drag queens, trans women, transvestites and lesbians during riots at the Compton Cafeteria in San Francisco and the Stonewall Inn in New York City, the pent up injustices exploded across the world. Their actions of resistance sparked pivotal moments in LGBTQ history from which we all have benefited.”
Adds Verdugo: "We are proud to honor the legacy of drag queens who have been our teachers, our leaders, and our heroines, from José Sarria—who founded the Imperial Court and broke barriers as the first openly gay political candidate—to RuPaul, who introduced drag to a world far beyond gay clubs. QUEENS takes us on a musical journey from the 1960s to the present showcasing newly commissioned works and classic anthems. From the passion of heartfelt ballads reflecting past struggles to triumphant songs of hope and joy—it will be a reflection of the journey we are all on together.”
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ABOUT THE SAN FRANCISCO GAY MEN’S CHORUS
For more than 40 years, the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus has courageously served as the international standard bearer for a powerful and accomplished mix of performances, human rights and community activism, empowerment and inclusiveness, establishing it as an icon among LGBTQ organizations. Founded in 1978, it was the first organization of its kind and is credited with starting the LGBTQ choral movement, galvanizing and changing the course of LGBTQ history. It continues to rally and inspire other arts-based community organizations around the world. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Dr. Timothy Seelig, SFGMC has established a heightened level of performance standards bringing renewed audience and choral industry acclaim. Recent touring schedules, recordings, and outreach programs have broadened its impact and reputation in the community while maintaining its signature blend of humor, personality and ground-breaking performances. In 2019, SFGMC acquired a new facility that will act as both its permanent home for rehearsals and offices. The building will also serve as the first-ever National LGBTQ Center for the Arts and a community space for San Francisco LGBTQ artists.