Local Gay Men’s Choruses will sing in the holiday season with special programs featuring outstanding soloists and big-name stars. Here are some highlights of the special concerts ahead:
Original Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus
The Original Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus will feature outstanding soloists in its 30th anniversary holiday concert, “Wishful Gifts,” on Saturday, Dec. 16 at All Saint’s Episcopal Church in Fort Lauderdale.
Founder and artistic director Dr. Gary Keating will lead the 24-voice chorus in a classical holiday concert, including British composer Ralph Vaughan Williams’ “Fantasia on Christmas Carols,” featuring tenor Kevin Barios, cellist Santiago Luna and organist Dan Copher.
“There’s truly something for everybody,” he said. “I’m especially blessed to have so many talented soloists. That gives us the opportunity to perform all sorts of special music.”
Chorus tenor Kelly Hodges will perform a powerful Sandi Patti arrangement of “O Holy Night,” and there will also be plenty of opportunities for audience participation, a chorus tradition.
Tickets for “Wishful Gifts” are available at TheFtLGMC.org.
Miami Gay Men’s Chorus
The Miami Gay Men’s Chorus will incorporate a Latin beat at its annual holiday concerts, “Joy for the Season,” courtesy of Grammy-winner Jon Secada, on Saturday, Dec. 16 at Coral Gables Congregational Church in Coral Gables.
Secada will perform selections from his latest album, which took home the trophy at the Latin Grammys last weekend, as well as several numbers with the chorus.
“It’s nice to have somebody of his notoriety reach out to perform with us,” said artistic director Anthony Cabrera, who had to reorganize his original program at the last minute.
Cabrera also has several interesting “pairings” planned, like Oleta Adams’ “Get Here” sung with “I’ll be Home for the Holidays,” as well as traditional Christmas carols and Hanukkah songs.
“It’s a feel-good concert,” he said, “with something for everyone.”
The chorus will also perform a similar program—without Secada—on Friday, Dec. 15 at Miami Shores Presbyterian Church in Miami Shores.
Tickets for “Joy for the Season” are available at MGMChorus.org.
Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida
The 150-voice Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida welcomes Broadway and television star Alan Cumming (“Cabaret,” “The Good Wife”) to the stage of the Hard Rock Live at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood on Sunday, Dec. 17.
Cumming, who won a Tony for his performance as the Emcee in “Cabaret,” will sing some of the songs from the classic musical penned by Kander and Ebb and share some of the stories from his career.
“He loves to tell stories,” said artistic director Harold Dioquino, who promised a varied and exciting program. “It’s really a privilege for us to perform with him.”
In addition to traditional holiday favorites, Actress Sharon Gless, famous for her roles on “Cagney & Lacey” and “Burn Notice,” will narrate a musical tribute to Ruth Coker Burks, “the cemetery angel” who gave up a career in real estate to care for AIDS victims during the height of the crisis.
“That’s the heart of the show,” said Dioquino, “what Christmas is all about.”
In addition to the Hard Rock Live performance, the chorus will present a similar program, “Light & Joy”—without Alan Cumming—at the Sunshine Cathedral in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday, Dec. 9 at 8 p.m.
Tickets for “Holidays at Hard Rock Live with Alan Cumming” and “Light & Joy” are available at GayMensChorusOfSouthFlorida.org.
Voices of Pride, Gay Men’s Chorus of the Palm Beaches
A Warm and Fuzzy Holiday
Thursday, Dec. 7 – 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 8 – 7:30 p.m.
St. Andrews Episcopal Church
100 N. Palmway Drive, Lake Worth
Tickets are $25 and available at VoicesOfPride.org.
