SFGMC: HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS!

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE…

Gay Men’s Chorus Goes to the (Holiday) Movies!

November 2006, San Francisco – A San Francisco tradition since 1990, HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS, presented by the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus at the historic Castro Theatre, will include a special set of heart-warming holiday songs from the movies, many of which have been shown at the Castro Theatre. Such songs as White Christmas and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - along with selections from classic movies Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and It’s a Wonderful Life - will enchant young and old. According to SFGMC conductor Dr. Kathleen McGuire, “The holidays are a time to celebrate love, friendship and family and to count our blessings. Many in the world are suffering today due to war and religious conflicts. This year, we’ll sing for peace on earth; our movie theme allows us to be optimistic about a better world.” Along with the movie theme, KRON-TV’s renowned film critic, Jan Wahl (pictured below), will appear at the final performance at the Castro Theatre, Dec. 24 at 9 pm.

The four performances at the Castro Theatre will also incorporate the Chorus’s regular features, such as sing-along carols, photos on Santa’s knee, the “nuns” doing Hallelujah Chorus, Hip-Hop Santas, and a live conduct-the-chorus auction with the winner conducting Deck the Hall. The auction will be held only at two shows: Thursday, December 14, 7 pm and Sunday, December 24, 9 pm only. Also included in the program are songs celebrating many holiday traditions: Adonai from Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms and Ocho Kandelikas (commemorating Hanukkah); Samuel Barber’s Sure On This Shining Night (celebrating the Winter Solstice); Harry Connick Jr.’s bluesy favorite I Pray On Christmas; Michael McElroy’s rousing gospel adaptation of Joy to the World; Ralph Manuel’s sumptuous a cappella Alleluia; and David Maddux’s stunning new arrangement of Do You Hear What I Hear.

The December 14 concert will include performances by the Chorus’s ensembles, fresh on the heels of their wildly successful Great Balls of Fire shows in October. On December 24 at 9 pm, the SFGMC will be joined by the Lesbian/Gay Chorus of San Francisco under the direction of Stephanie Lynne Smith.

In addition to the San Francisco performances, the Chorus will tour to Modesto (12/2), Santa Rosa (12/9) and Santa Cruz (12/16), raising funds for local organizations. For touring details, visit: www.sfgmc.org

The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus – the world’s first openly-gay men’s chorus – is celebrating its 29^th Season. SFGMC made its first public appearance on November 27, 1978, the night that Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk were assassinated. The 200-voice chorus has made 18 CDs, tours nationally and internationally, and won the 2005 and 2006 Out Music Awards for Outstanding New Choral Recording. Under conductor Dr. Kathleen McGuire since 2000, the SFGMC is dedicated to bringing harmony to the world through choral presentations and by serving as cultural ambassadors for San Francisco’s gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and allied communities. The SFGMC’s next auditions will be in January, 2007. For more information about the Chorus, visit: www.sfgmc.org

CALENDAR SUMMARY

17^TH ANNUAL HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus

Dr. Kathleen McGuire, Artistic Director & Conductor

Castro Theatre – 429 Castro Street

Thursday, December 14, 7 pm (concert in two acts). Tickets: $22 & $27

Sunday, December 24, 5 pm, 7 pm and 9 pm Tickets: $17 & $22

Ph: 415-865-ARTS

www.communityboxoffice.com

PRESS INVITATIONS...

PREVIEW PERFORMANCE: Directors’ Prelude

Monday, November 20, 44 Page Street, 7:30 pm followed by reception