AN ORAL HISTORY SERIES ABOUT THE WORLD’S PREMIER QUEER CHORUS, THEIR ACTIVISM AND THEIR ENDURING MESSAGE OF LOVE AND COMMUNITY
THURSDAY, MAY 16 AT 7 PM AT THE CHAN NATIONAL QUEER ARTS CENTER
FEATURING JACOB STENSBERG, ROBERT RUFO, JAY DAVIDSON,
THOMAS KENNARD AND SURPRISE GUESTS
(SAN FRANCISCO, CA, May 1, 2024)—The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, the world’s premier queer chorus, continues their exploration into local queer history with “The History of SFGMC”, the final program of the Memory Keepers Initiative. Hosted by SFGMC’s Artistic Director Jacob Stensberg and featuring Robert Rufo, Jay Davidson, Thomas Kennard and surprise guests, the final Memory Keepers Initiative of the season will be presented at SFGMC’s home, The Chan National Queer Arts Center (170 Valencia Street) on Thursday, May 16 at 7 PM. In an effort to make this event accessible to all, the Memory Keepers Initiative is a “Pay What You Can” event. Tickets are available at sfgmc.org.
The Memory Keepers Initiative is an oral history project that uplifts and preserves the stories of our community’s visionary LGBTQ+ elders in order to foster intergenerational connection among LGBTQ+ communities and allies, as well as inspire a bigger, brighter future by learning and understanding of our collective history.
The evening will be moderated by SFGMC’s Artistic Director Jacob Stensberg and will include Robert Rufo, one of the original Chorus members who continues to sing with the group, Jay Davidson, another original member who also served as the Business Manager in the early days, and Thomas Kennard, a long-standing member who joined shortly after his transition more than 25 years ago. The Chorus, whose roster of active singers is nearly 300 people has a storied history, dating back to their first performance, only a month after their formation, at the candlelight march following the assassinations of Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk. The Chorus was the first in the world to openly proclaim their dignity by using the word “gay” in their title. SFGMC’s commitment to music and activism has never changed and they continue to be a beacon of hope to queer people across the world.
“When I first became aware that SFGMC was seeking a new Artistic Director, I immediately began to devour all their rich history, which convinced me that I wanted to take a part in their present and future”, stated SFGMC Artistic Director Jacob Stensberg. “We are lucky to have so many of our long-standing members still active with us and their stories will make our history come alive for new generations. This is what Memory Keepers Initiative is about: keeping history alive, to inform the present and build upon the courage and wisdom of those who came before us.”
Presented at The Chan National Queer Arts Center in San Francisco, the Memory Keepers Initiative includes four programs in 2024:
January 11 - The Early Heroes of the Castro
February 29 - Centering Black Trans Joy - Hosted by The Transgender District
April 18 - San Francisco’s Queer Arts - Hosted by the GLBT Historical Society
May 16, 2024 - A History of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus
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About SFGMC
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 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 historic facility that has become its permanent home for rehearsals and offices. The building also serves as The Chan National Queer Arts Center, the first-ever community space for LGBTQ artists and arts organizations.
About The Chan National Queer Arts Center
The Pansy L. Chan and Terrence D. Chan National Queer Arts Center is the nation’s first LGBTQ center for community, creativity and collaboration. This landmark space, that also serves as the home of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, is the first of its kind in the country — an artistic sanctuary for queer artists to call home, a space for audiences to share their lived experiences, and a beacon of inspiration and empowerment for queer individuals nationwide who are confronting oppression. A place for art and activism.
For more information on SFGMC, visit www.sfgmc.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/sfgmc
Instagram: www.instagram.com/sfgmc
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@sfgaymenschorus
YouTube: www.youtube.com/sfgmcvideo
X (formally ‘Twitter’): www.twitter.com/sfgmc
Visit SFGMC TV: www.sfgmc.org/sfgmctv
SFGMC Archive contact: [email protected]
SFGMC MEDIA CONTACT:
Scott Walton 415.350.5195/[email protected]
