ISSUE 85

MUSIC

First North American Gay Choral Festival

"Come Out and Sing Together!" is the name selected for the first North American gay choral festival, which will be held in New York City in the Fall of 1983. The four-day event is tentatively scheduled for the week following Labor Day.

More than 1000 singers from the 31 predominately gay and lesbian choruses. all over the U.S. and Canada are expected to attend. The festival will celebrate the success of these choruses since the founding of the first two of these groups, the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus and the Stonewall Chorale of New York, more than four years ago. "Representatives of the choruses met two years ago and chose New York as the site because of its prominenece in gay history and its importance as the music capital of the world," said Charles Carson, Chairman of Come Out and Sing Together (COAST). "We are very pleased and honored to be hosting the first such festival, and expect an extremely successful event."

The first three evenings will each feature several choruses performing highlights of their concert repertoire. All of the participants will perform in two or three massed choruses for the final evening.

The festival will present several world premiere works commissioned especially for the event. A prominent guest artist will be sought to conduct the commissioned pieces during the final concert of

the series.

Choruses already plan-

To Be Held In 1983

ning to attend include the Atlanta Gay Men's Chorus, the Lambda Men's Chorale of Columbus, Ohio, the Denver Gay Men's Chorus, the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles, the Great American Yankee Freedom Singers of Los Angeles, the Stonewall Chorale of New York, the New York City Gay Men's Chorus, the Philadelphia Gay Men's Chorus, and the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington D.C.

COAST's tax-exempt status is pending, but contributions are being sought for the commissions and guest conductor's fees in particular. Donations should be sent to: Come Out and Sing Together!, 450 Broome St., 4W, New York, NY 10013. For more info call (212) 484-1212.

Detroit Together "A Chorus"

Update:

What we've done and

whats to come: The last time Metra readers were informed as to the happenings of the Chorus, was back in August when they performed for the MCC's 10th anniversary dinner dance held at the Roostertail. Since that time the

Chorus has made several brief appearances around town, including the Glass House, the Footlights and the Deck./ On October 29th they sang in Troy at St. Alans Octoberfest, to the enjoyment of all. A social event within the group, was a weekend camping trip to Caseville Michigan.

Coming Up:

A busy schedule is planned for December Detroit Together "A Chorus" will present their "Christmas Concert" on December 9th at 9:00 pm.. This, "Holiday of Music. and Song", will be at Todd's, 8139 E. Seven Mile Road. The event is being produced entirely by the Chorus and all proceeds from ticket sales go directly to the Chorus. Advance tickets may be purchased at several of the local establishments displaying a concert poster. Ticket price is $4.00. Even if you know that you will not be able to be there, buy a ticket anyway, as it will be to the benefit of the Chorus. On December 15th, our audience will be the Motor City Business Forum at the

University Club in Detroit. December 4th you will find us, singing out at Gigi's for the annual Toys for Tots charity. Several other performing engagements are still pending at this writing. After the December concerts, the Chorus will again be looking for new members. For audition

information call (313) 865 1249 or (313) 388-5526.

Do we hope to see you at the concert December 9th? At Todds of chorus!!

Bash and Crash

Detroit, Michigan Friday, November 16th is the date for the first Detroit Bash And Crash. A super sleepover with live entertainment. Scheduled guests will include "What Jane Shared", "Barb Wire & The Fences", "Angry Red Planet" and "The Smart".

Admission is $5 in advance and if you choose to spend the night, rooms will be available at reasonable rates. The party is being held at the Quality. Inn, located at 1-94 and Conner, in Detroit. There will be lots of free food and a cash bar.

Spokesperson for the event said the whole idea of the event is to provide the community with a place to party and meet new people, instead of going to the bars. It's an alternative that looks to be promising. For more info contact 4709.

313-968-

What Jane Shared

ISSUE 85