WATCH: “WHY WE SING” A 35TH ANNIVERSARY MUSICAL CELEBRATION
Watch below and be inspired by our voices raised in celebration. We performed some of the most beloved songs from throughout our long history.[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QULK4ERNEqI[/embedyt]
This anniversary show has even more for our audience: We partnered with South Florida Pride Wind Ensemble to feature their musicians on stage with us. We welcomed many previous chorus brothers and members of all Florida LGBTQ arts organizations from around the state to join in our celebration.[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apKXP5RMcWQ[/embedyt]
FTLGMC was founded in 1986 and we’ve helped our audiences and our members thrive and flourish for the last 35 years. Learn about it above.
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxzLdiq0VH0[/embedyt]Founded after Stonewall, but in the uncertainty and tragedy of the early AIDS era,
together we have built one of the world’s most vibrant LGBTQ communities here in South Florida.
This 35th Anniversary year, as our community emerges from the COVID pandemic
we continue to share our stories: our greatest hits from our entire history of survival, celebration, pain, joy and resilience.
We don’t just survive, we will thrive again, rebounding better than ever!
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFw6UQTuE7Y[/embedyt]Some “Why We Sing” concert selections include:
“Walk Hand in Hand” by Andy Williams,
“Sunday” by Steven Sondheim,
“Somewhere Only We Know” by Keane,
“Family” from Dreamgirls,
“What Shall We Do With A Drunken Sailor,”
“Where the Boys Are” by Connie Francis and
“You’ll Never Walk Alone” from Carousel.
WATCH & be inspired by our raised voices:
-the uplifting choruses of our past,
-the proud diva anthems of our community, and
-the forward looking songs of our LGBTQIA+ Florida future.
We welcomed previous FTLGMC chorus brothers and members of all Florida LGBTQ arts organizations from around the state to join in our celebration, especially members of other musical groups.
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_3mXfmu0Ts[/embedyt]Saturday, May 7, at 8 p.m., at United Church of Christ (2501 NE 30th Street in Fort Lauderdale). Attendees enjoyed a sentimental selection of favorite songs from past and present repertoire plus an historical showcase comprised of banners, art, posters and other ephemera, costumes and photographs,
.
“We’re thrilled to reach this incredible musical milestone and we’re thankful for the continuous support from friends, family and the community-at-large,” said Dr. Gary Keating, founding and current director of the Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus. “We’ll be reaching far back into our songbook to perform classic Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus selections including the first few songs the original members sang at their first show in 1986.”
As a special treat, all former members of the chorus will be invited onstage to join present voices for a rousing and uplifting finale, and members of all Florida LGBTGIA+ non-profits will be honored as part of this celebration of the founding of Florida’s very first gay Arts organization, our very own Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus.
Funding for the Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus is provided in part by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners as recommended by the Broward Cultural Council. Sponsors include OutClique, Community Foundation of Broward, HotSpots!, Truist, GPR | Goodman Public Relations, Google Ad Grants, ArtsProud ReSTART and ToggleDigitalMarketing.com.