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Making Music
The South Coast Chorale ends its season on a high note
BY JAMIE WETHERBE
The South Coast Chorale—the gay, lesbian, and gay-affirmative
chorus based in Long Beach—will conclude their 18th season
of presenting equality-affirming music on Friday, July 12,
at 8 p.m. with “Times, They Are a-Changin'!” at The Center
Theater at the Long Beach Performing Arts Center.
“This concert is about life's transitions,” says artistic
director John Lehrack. “We will celebrate memories, take
pride in the present, and look with hope to the future.”
Tickets cost $35, and SCC expects to have 30 singers performing
for an audience of about 600.
“We'll be performing a variety of styles of music, from poignant
and thoughtful pieces, to some very lively and joyful songs,”
says Sarah Hess, SCC marketing chair. “One song, 'You Can't
Stop the Beat' from the musical Hairspray, will feature dancers.”
Other musical highlights will include “Something Inside So
Strong,” a song by the Flirtations about pride, resistance,
and joy in being oneself; “For Now,” from the Broadway show
Avenue Q, which uses humor to say that whether it be politicians,
sadness, or a bad hair day, “everything in life is only for
now”; “The Road Not Taken,” with words by Robert Frost and
music by Randall Thompson, a song about taking the less-traveled
path.
The concert will also include a special celebration of marriage
of all kinds, both same- and opposite-sex. “I can't say too
much as we haven't finalized all the details yet, but it
will be exciting,” Hess says.
Last summer when SCC put together the season and titled this
show, they didn't realize how timely the themes of this concert
would become—for both Californians and the choir itself.
“With all the talk of change in this year's presidential
campaign coupled with the decision of the California Supreme
Court upholding gay marriage, times in California and the
country really are a-changin',” says David Heffron, president
of the Chorale's Board of Directors.
“The Chorale is also experiencing change,” says Lehrack,
who is concluding his first season with the Chorale. “We
have new leadership and new members, and this will be our
first concert at the beautiful Center Theater. One thing
that has not changed, however, is our mission to build bridges
between the gay and straight communities and, through our
music, remind people that we are more alike than different.”
The nonprofit South Coast Chorale is a community choral ensemble
of LGBT people and their allies, dedicated to presenting
high-quality musical concerts and events.
For more information and tickets, call 562/436-3661 or visit
www.southcoastchorale.org.
COMMUNITY
We Want You...to help a local chapter of an amazing organization
fight for all of our rights!
BY JONATHAN RIGGS
The Human Rights Campaign is one of our community's greatest
champions and we have an especially strong Orange County/Long
Beach/Palm Springs branch. Meet HRC Volunteer Coordinator
and Web Content Manager Chris Goodman.
FRONTIERS: In a political year like this one, why is the
HRC even more important than usual?
CHRIS GOODMAN: The stakes are very high in this year's presidential
election, as well as here in California—a constitutional
amendment to prohibit same-sex marriage will appear on the
ballot, which would void the recent Supreme Court landmark
victory. HRC will be very involved with the presidential
election, supporting key Congressional races and battling
that amendment. We will be supporting all these areas both
monetarily and with staff and volunteers.
What can we do?
Every little bit helps! Obviously, fundraising is very important.
Our opponents who are pushing the California marriage amendment
are very well funded, and we figure it will cost in excess
of $15 million to adequately fight this battle. HRC has set
up a PAC fund on its Web site (www.hrc.org) that is designating
100% of the funds specifically for this.
One of the many fundraisers in our own backyard is the Moonlight
Paddle. What's that exactly?
It's July 18 at the Newport Beach Aquatic Center from 7-10
p.m. The evening begins with a pasta dinner from Pomodoro
restaurant and continues with a two-hour guided tour in a
kayak or outrigger (your choice) around the Newport Beach
Back Bay under the full moon. Various levels of tickets and
sponsorship are available. Please visit www.hrc.org/moonlightpaddle.
What about those who don't have money to donate?
Sign up for our Action Alerts, which are e-mail notifications
of pertinent issues, events, ways to help, etc. Attend events
or hold a house party to help raise money and awareness.
Closer to the election, we will need people for phone banking,
and other grassroots activities. The simple act of staying
informed, talking to friends and family about our issues
and forwarding key Action Alerts is something everyone can
do to make a difference!
Whom exactly is the HRC for?
The entire LGBT community, our straight allies and anyone
who believes in equal rights for everyone. It's an opportunity
to be a part of critical change and promote equality on the
grassroots level. We have a significant amount of knowledge,
connections, and resources to influence outcomes, but due
to the critical nature of this year's elections—both nationally
and statewide—we will need all the support we can get!
To get involved locally, e-mail hrclboc@yahoo.com or visit
http://oclbps.hrc.org, www.myspace.com/hrcinoclb or the Facebook
group “HRC OC/LB/PS.” For info on the Moonlight Paddle, go
to www.hrc.org/moonlightpaddle.
COMMUNITY BRIEFS
Fireworks for the Fourth
Everyone's invited to join the South Bay Center for a July
4th picnic and fireworks. The group is gathering in Torrance's
Wilson Park (on Crenshaw Avenue, north of Sepulveda), meeting
just south of the Treehouse area. Look for the rainbow
flags. “We're encouraging everyone bring [to] their own
picnic and meet at 7 p.m. It'll still be light enough to
see each other and socialize,” says executive director
Dottie Wine. “Then at 9 p.m., once it gets dark, the fireworks
will start.” They suggest parking at Torrance Civic Center
(3301 Torrance Blvd.) and taking the shuttle bus to Wilson
Park. For more information, call 310/654-3387.
Just sit right back for a three-hour cruise
It may not be headed to Gilligan's Island, but Ginger Grant,
in the form of a drag queen, will be aboard the “Royal Hawaiian”
Harbor Cruise taking off on a catamaran for a three-hour
cruise around Long Beach Harbor. “It's summer time, so I'm
encouraging everyone to wear shorts, flip-flops, and Hawaiian
shirts,” says hostess Empress Jackie of Long Beach's Imperial
Court. They'll have Hawaiian-inspired food, DJ dancing, a
cash bar, plus a live auction. All proceeds benefit the St.
Mary's CARE Program. The cruise is Saturday, July 12, boarding
at 6:30 p.m. at 100 Aquarium Wy., Dock #2 in Long Beach.
Tickets are $40. Call 714/915-1084 or e-mail JacquelynLaCol@aol.com
Red Ribbon Affair awards AIDS Walkers
Long Beach AIDS Foundation presents awards to the top fundraisers
from this year's AIDS Walk Long Beach and also hands out
checks from the monies raised to the 11 beneficiary AIDS
service organizations at their annual Red Ribbon Affair.
“It's a neat ceremony because it allows the people who raised
the money to see exactly where that money is going,” says
executive director Garry Bowie (shown). “We're serving a
three-course dinner for just $10. And it's a meal you'd normally
pay $35 for.” The Red Ribbon Affair is Thursday, August 14,
starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Reef on the Water, 880 Harbor
Scenic Dr., Long Beach. Call 562/987-5200.
Think Pink, have a Gala
The Center Long Beach rolls out the pink carpet for its first
Pink Gala, held aboard a 150-foot yacht touring Long Beach
Harbor. The pink-themed evening includes a three-course meal,
DJ dancing, silent auction, and the presentation of their
Pink Awards. “We're hoping to brand the Pink Gala and the
Pink Award, so we'll be doing more events like this,” says
J.D. Gobel, the Center's executive producer of special events.
Special guest is actor Leslie Jordan (shown) (of Will & Grace
and Sordid Lives fame), with more guests to be announced.
The Gala is Saturday, Aug. 16 starting at 7 p.m. For tickets,
contact The Center at 562/434-4455 or www.centerlb.org
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