Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC to Host Dialogue on Equality
DC Event Takes Place in Conjunction with Born This Way Concerts and Debut of LGBTQA Youth Chorus
Demonstrating the power of music to unite people and to remind us of the common bonds we share, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington (GMCW) will host a dialogue on equality, civil rights and the American experience following the matinee performance of the chorus’ Born This Way concert on Saturday, May 16. The dialogue, in the form of a discussion panel moderated by the Right Reverend Gene Robinson, will be held at DC’s Historic Lincoln Theater on U Street, in the heart of what was once known as DC’s “Black Broadway.”
“There has been so much turmoil and discord in our recent American history,” stated GMCW Executive Director Chase Maggiano. Our Born This Way concert combined with this important dialogue on civil rights highlights our effort to use arts and culture – through the power of music – to demonstrate our common humanity. It’s a vital conversation and one that we are proud to foster and promote.”
Born This Way features the full GMCW chorus of 200 singers. The concert is built around songs and stories from civil and equal rights movements, featuring songs such as “Over the Rainbow,” “Proud,” “Stay with Me,” “Glory,” “Define Me,” and “Impossible Dream.” Joining GMCW for this concert will be recording artist Maiya Sykes from NBC-TV’s The Voice. The concert will also feature the debut of the GenOut Chorus, the first LGBTQA youth chorus in the area. The chorus is comprised of both male and female LGBTQ and allied students ranging in age from 12-18 years old.
GMCW’s national equality dialogue, moderated by the Right Reverend Bishop Gene Robinson, will explore the throughlines that multiple equality movements have in common. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton will be a special guest along with the leaders of four national organizations focused on LGBTQ equality. For more information, visit the GMCW website.
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DC dialogue on National Equality Issues at 5:15 PM on 5/16/15
at The Lincoln Theater-1215 U Street, NW, Washington, DC
GUESTS:
The Right Reverend Bishop Gene Robinson
Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton
Bradley Sears – Executive Director, Williams Institute
Kevin Jennings – Executive Director, Arcus Foundation
Mara Keisling – Founder, National Center for Transgender Equality
Sultan Shakir – Executive Director, SMYAL
Note: Bradley Sears and Kevin Jennings will receive GMCW’s Harmony Award during the discussion event in recognition of their outstanding service to LGBT and civil rights.
Born This Way plays on May 15-16, 2015 at The Lincoln Theatre-1215 U Street, NW, in Washington, DC. For tickets, purchase them online.
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About the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC
Under the direction of Artistic Director Thea Kano, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC is in its 34th season with a mission that is dynamic and socially-relevant. The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington delights audiences and champions gay equality with robust artistry, fun and surprise. GMCW has more than 220 singing members, two select vocal ensembles, 100 support volunteers, more than 400 subscribers, 500 donors and an annual audience of more than 12,000 people.
GMCW is honored to include in its history iconic venues such as the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the White House, Carnegie Hall, Symphony Hall in Boston, the Lincoln Memorial, presidential inauguration celebrations, and more. GMCW features two select outreach vocal ensembles: Potomac Fever, a 14-voice close harmony group, and Rock Creek Singers, a 35-voice chamber ensemble.
Since 2001, GMCW has maintained a robust youth outreach program, GenOUT, that offers free tickets to high school students, parents and teachers, in addition to offering in-school outreach and empowerment programs. The Chorus demonstrates its commitment to community outreach projects by participating in the Whitman-Walker AIDS Walk, an annual toy drive to benefit Community Family Life Services, Christmas Eve caroling at the National Institutes of Health and volunteering at Food & Friends. GMCW is a proud member of the Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses (GALA Choruses), and Chorus America.
[This was written by GMCW’s Craig Cipollini.]
LINKS
Read DCMetroTheaterArts’ coverage of The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC.
GMCW is awarded a Special Award on DCMetroTheaterArts.
