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GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE Pride Guide 2005

Who could ask for anything more?

North Coast Men's Chorus presents Michael Feinstein for their Pride concert

by Steven J. Louzos

Cleveland-The North Coast Men's Chorus caps off its 17th season with a June 25 benefit performance in the Allen Theater

in Playhouse Square with Michael Feinstein.

Feinstein has rightly earned his reputation of being the finest interpreter of the "Great American Songbook," having honed

People of All Colors Together sets a Pride agenda

by Mike Kelley

Cleveland-In continuing to celebrate its 25th anniversary, People of All Colors Together Cleveland is preparing to participate in the 2005 Pride celebration in several

ways.

First, PACT will march in this year's parade behind the banner that bears its logo. PACT encourages all current members or any member of the community not associated with another community group to walk with them. Those who can identify themselves as wanting to foster a society that is free from the many "isms" that divide us or discriminate against us should walk with PACT that day. This past year PACT has realized more than ever its need to be the barometer for diversity within the LGBTQI community of Greater Cleveland. They encourage all that share the same concern to join in their statement of purpose and walk with them during the Pride parade.

Secondly, PACT will staff an information booth at the Pride festival. Members of the community are invited to stop by and learn more about the mission and activities of the organization.

Finally, for the fourth year in a row PACT members will participate in the Pride interfaith service to be held on Sunday, June 19 at Trinity Cathedral. Members of PACT will act as greeters, ushers and readers for this beautiful celebration that honors the ecumenical freedom of religious expression; and the need for prayerfully living the diversity that makes up the beauty of our local LGBTQI community.

PACT Cleveland is a multiracial, multicultural organization whose membership is open to gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, transgender persons and persons who identify themselves in other ways. To learn more about People of All Colors Together visit their web site at www.pactcleveland.com, write to P.O. Box 5144 Cleveland, 44101-5144 or e-mail info@pactcleveland.com. PACT is an equal opportunity organization.

Mike Kelley is the co-chair of PACT Cleveland.

Michael Feinstein

his musical skills while working with Ira Gershwin. His four Grammy nominations attest to his amazing talents.

"We're exceptionally honored that Michael has agreed to come to Cleveland and sing with us in our annual Pride concert," said Richard Cole, music director of the North Coast Men's Chorus.

What a season it's been! Last July, the chorus made its international debut at the Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses festival in Montreal performing for 6,000 of their peers and garnering seven standing ovations.

Eleven days before the chorus's own sold-out holiday performances of "Stocking Stuffers," the men made their Severance Hall debut with Broadway diva-chan-

teuse Linda Eder. The performance was a benefit concert for Transitional Housing, Inc., a shelter for homeless women on Cleveland's Near West Side.

In April, the spring production, “Broadway Our Way," was nearly sold out and prompted Cool Cleveland reviewer Kelly Ferjutz to say, "This was not the sort of show you could see just any old place! No, it takes special talents and hearts to put on such a hilarious yet heart-warming spectacle as these talent-laden gentlemen provide."

On May 7, the chorus released its second commercial CD recording, The Human Heart at a festive event hosted at Spaces gallery. Verb Ballets treated about 150 guests to an especially emotional performance choreographed to one of the cuts on the CD, "Secret Love." In her review of The Human Heart, Anastasia Pantsios of the Cleveland Free Times said, "Cleveland's Gay Men's Chorus shows on its second CD why it's become one of the area's beloved cultural institutions."

A couple of weeks ago the chorus was honored to open the 25th anniversary festivities for People of All Colors Together Cleveland at the Wyndham Hotel. The reception was overwhelming and many thanks go to PACT co-chair Mike Kelley.

Don't miss the final performance of the Chorus' spectacular 17th season: 8:00 PM at the Allen Theater on June 25. Join the celebration with Michael Feinstein and the gentlemen of the North Coast Men's Cho-

rus.

Tickets for "The North Coast Men's Chorus presents Michael Feinstein" are on sale now at www.ncmchorus.org (just click on the picture of Michael). ♡

Steve Louzos handles publicity for the North Coast Men's Chorus.

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