SEASON 48: SHINE SAN FRANCISCO GAY MEN’S CHORUS ANNOUNCES 2025–26 PROGRAMMING

For Immediate Release

SEASON 48: SHINE

SAN FRANCISCO GAY MEN’S CHORUS ANNOUNCES 2025–26 PROGRAMMING WITH HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR CONCERTS;
A TOTALLY ‘80S TRIBUTE; A PRIDE CELEBRATION OF DOLLY!;
THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF SING FOR THE CURE; THE RETURN OF BROADWAY’S ANDREW LIPPA; A QUEER LUNAR NEW YEAR, AND MORE!
Tickets Now on Sale: www.sfgmc.org

SAN FRANCISCO (October 9, 2025) — The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus (SFGMC) today announced programming for Season 48: SHINE, an exuberant lineup of concerts and special events that celebrate joy, community, and queer arLstry. The season features performances across Bay Area venues, along with an expanded slate of inLmate cabarets and musical evenings marking the third year of programming at The Chan NaLonal Queer Arts Center.

Highlights include the return of the very popular Holiday Spectacular; a high-energy Totally ‘80s tribute; a sparkling Pride salute to Dolly!; the return of Broadway’s Tony-nominated Andrew Lippa (& Friends); a fesLve Queer Lunar New Year celebraLon; and the milestone 25th anniversary concert of Sing for the Cure, featuring Broadway star Britney Coleman.

Commenting on the new programming, SFGMC Artistic Director Jacob Stensberg said, “This season, we radiate joy as our unapologetic selves. We celebrate the strength, resilience, and warmth of the LGBTQ+ community with the season’s theme—SHINE! Light, once emitted, never dissipates. Beaming with hope (and glitter!), we use our voices to highlight inclusion, community, and kindness. It is our moment to shine.”

SFGMC Chief ExecuLve Officer Christopher Verdugo added, “We are honored to conLnue building on the success of The Chan NaLonal Queer Arts Center, now entering its third year as a cultural home for queer performance and creaLvity. SHINE represents not just a concert season — it’s a celebraLon of the resilience, arLstry, and joy that define who we are.”

HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR

The holidays shine brightest with the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus Holiday Spectacular! Led by Artistic Director Jacob Stensberg, eight performances across four venues are planned for this cherished tradition that blends the warmth of festive classics with the sparkle of campy showstoppers, wrapping audiences in joy, laughter, and glitter. From heartfelt harmonies to over-the-top surprises, the Chorus brings hope, unity, and some much-needed razzle dazzle to the season! Gather your friends, family, and chosen families, because no Bay Area holiday is complete without this spectacular celebration of love and light.

Golden Gate Theatre, One Taylor Street, San Francisco Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 at 7.30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 13 at 1 p.m. and 7.30 p.m.
Tickets: starting at 35

Cal Performances Zellerbach Hall, Berkeley Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets: $43 to $98

Green Music Center Sonoma State University, Weill Hall, 1801 East Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at 5 p.m.
Tickets: $31 to $118

Home for the Holidays – Special Christmas Eve Edition

Davies Symphony Hall 201 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025 at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Tickets: starting at $35

TOTALLY ’80S!

Mid-March 2026 Date, Venue and Ticket Details Coming Soon

Big Hair! Bigger Voices! The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus goes Totally ‘80s with this vivid flashback to a decade when music gave our community strength, joy, and resilience. From the protest anthems and power ballads to dance floor faves, this concert celebrates the artists and songs that carried us through hardship and inspired us to keep moving forward. Join SFGMC for a radical night of iconic tunes that defined a decade and continue to light the way forward today.

DOLLY! A Pride Show

Mid-June 2026 Date, Venue and Ticket Details Coming Soon

Rhinestones. Wigs. Heart. The icon, the legend, Dolly Parton is the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus muse for Pride 2026. She taught us how to be unapologetically ourselves, lead with kindness, and play a guitar with acrylics on. She’s inspired a new generation of misfits, dreams, and drag queens with her iconic looks, only to be outshined by her message of radical compassion. Did someone say “Dolly Look-Alike Contest?” Come dressed and ready to Shine!

The 2025–26 Concert Schedule at the Chan Center (additional events will be announced soon)

Sing For The Cure

Thursday, October 30, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.
Chan Center, 170 Valencia Street, San Francisco
Run Time: Approximately 90 minutes
Age Guidance: Ages 4+
Tickets: $50 Premium; $35 General Admission; purchase online www.sfgmc.org

Members of the SFGMC and Bay Area community, alongside narrator and sensational Broadway (Company, Sunset Boulevard, Tootsie, Beautiful) star, Britney Coleman, will perform Sing For The Cure in a special benefit concert! This groundbreaking work was originally commissioned in 2000 by former SFGMC Artistic Director, Tim

Seelig and remains a compelling evening of heartfelt stories and powerful music that will resonate with everyone. A portion of the net proceeds from the concert support Bay Area Cancer Connections.

Holiday Sing-Along

Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at 7 p.m.
Chan Center, 170 Valencia Street, San Francisco
Run Time: Approximately 80 minutes
Age Guidance: All ages welcome
Tickets: $25 (ages 13+); Free (age 12 and under); purchase online www.sfgmc.org

Join us for a joyful, all-voices-welcome Holiday Sing-Along! Led by the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus’s Artistic Director Jake Stensberg, the audience will belt out festive favorites and cozy classics, and as always, there will be a few surprises! Bring your friends, your best sweater, and your loudest CHEER! Lyrics provided, spirits lifted, hearts (and hot cocoa) warmed!

Andrew Lippa & Friends

Saturday, January 24, 2026 at 6 p.m. & 8:30 p.m. Chan Center, 170 Valencia Street, San Francisco Run Time: Approximately 80 minutes
Age Guidance: 21+

Tickets to be announced online at www.sfgmc.org

Broadway Tony-nominated composer and performer Andrew Lippa brings his genius back to San Francisco with Andrew Lippa & Friends. Known for the groundbreaking works I Am Harvey Milk and Unbreakable, Andrew will thrill audiences with songs, stories, and surprises at the piano. Featuring members of SFGMC and exciting guest artists, this will be an evening of music and community you don’t want to miss!

Queer Lunar New Year

Friday, February 20, 2026 at 7 p.m.
Chan Center, 170 Valencia Street, San Francisco
Run Time: Approximately 3 hours
Age Guidance: 21+ only
Tickets: $50 General Admission; purchase online www.sfgmc.org

This Lunar New Year, SFGMC is proud to partner with GAPA (GLBTQ+ Asian Pacific Alliance) in celebrating their 38th anniversary! The night promises vibrant entertainment, delicious flavors, and unforgettable performances that showcase the strength and beauty of our LGBTQ+ Asian Pacific community. Join us as we honor the Year of the Horse with the Bay’s best and brightest QTAPI (Queer and Transgender Asian and Pacific Islander) voices.

’80s Sing-Along

Thursday, March 12, 2026 at 7 p.m.
Chan Center, 170 Valencia Street, San Francisco
Run Time: Approximately 80 minutes
Tickets: $25 (ages 13+); Free (age 12 and under); purchase online at www.sfgmc.org

Break out the neon and big hair – it’s time to belt your favorite hits at our totally rad ’80s Sing-Along! From pop anthems to rock ballads, we’ll relive the decade of synths, shoulder pads, and unforgettable hooks. Lyrics: provided. Vibes: electric. Dance floor: carpeted, but that’s the ’80s, baby! Join us for a night that’s all that!

CRESCENDO Gala

Saturday, April 25, 2026 at 5 p.m.

Westin St. Francis, 335 Powell Street, San Francisco Tickets: starting at $450; purchase online www.sfgmc.org

Crescendo is the night where San Francisco shows up loud, proud, and unapologetically fabulous. Think glam looks, powerhouse performances by the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, and a ballroom buzzing with joy and purpose. Last year Crescendo raised over $1.3 million, helping SFGMC to shine as a beacon of light on stage, in schools, and throughout our community. This season, the Chorus will be celebrating 20 years of Crescendo. Grab your sequins and get ready for a night that’s nothing short of legendary.

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SFGMC proudly recognizes Main Stage Supporting Sponsors Janet Cluff, Steve Gallagher/Coldwell

Banker, Butch Merideth + Ivan Capanzana, and Chris Stevenson.
Home for the Holidays Presenting Sponsor Terrence D. Chan + Edward Sell in memory of Pansy L. Chan. Totally ‘80s Presenting Sponsor Richard Atkins and Cindy Samuels in honor of Bobby and Michael Kim.

ABOUT SFGMC

Founded in 1978, the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus sparked a naLonwide LGBTQ+ choral movement with its first public performance at a candlelight vigil on the steps of City Hall following the assassinaLons of Supervisor Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone. Since that auspicious moment, SFGMC has become an essenLal part of the cultural fabric of San Francisco and beyond—soothing souls in Lmes of pain, lising spirits in moments of triumph, and serving as a North Star of hope, resilience, joy and endless pride. SFGMC is the naLon’s first gay men’s chorus and currently has approximately 300 singers.

Under the leadership of Chief ExecuLve Officer Chris Verdugo and ArLsLc Director Jacob Stensberg, SFGMC has achieved new arLsLc heights and naLonal recogniLon. InnovaLve programming, bold commissions, and acclaimed recordings have broadened the Chorus’s impact, while naLonal and internaLonal tours—including the historic “Lavender Pen Tour,” Gay Chorus Deep South documentary tour, and the recent “Love Tour”—have amplified its mission far beyond the Bay Area.

SFGMC is also a leader in community engagement through educaLon and outreach programs that inspire and empower the next generaLon. In 2019, the Chorus acquired its first permanent home, a historic Art Deco facility in San Francisco’s Mission District, which now houses rehearsals, offices, and The Chan NaLonal Queer Arts Center. Officially opened on October 30, 2023, The Chan is the naLon’s first community arts hub dedicated to LGBTQ+ arLsts and organizaLons, ensuring that queer voices conLnue to thrive, create, and transform lives through the power of music and art. www.sfgmc.org

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New Press Contact: Jon Finck, [email protected] / +1 415 577 1323 Please connect for interviews, artwork and press credenLals.

CHRISTOPHER VERDUGO TO STEP DOWN AS CEO OF SAN FRANCISCO GAY MEN’S CHORUS & THE CHAN NATIONAL QUEER ARTS CENTER AFTER A DECADE OF TRANSFORMATIVE LEADERSHIP

SAN FRANCISCO (September 23, 2025) — The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus (SFGMC) today announced Chief Executive Officer Christopher Verdugo will step down from his position June 30, 2026, after ten years of transformative leadership with the 48-year-old trailblazing nonprofit arts organization, the nation’s first and oldest openly gay chorus.

Since his appointment in 2016, the highly charismatic Verdugo has guided SFGMC through a period of extraordinary growth and resilience, overseeing milestone performances, groundbreaking tours, and an expansion of the Chorus’s mission-driven programs that continue to resonate with communities locally and nationwide. Under his tenure, SFGMC strengthened its role as a Bay Area cultural icon and champion for social justice through music. Verdugo’s leadership is distinguished by several achievements including the official opening in 2023 of SFGMC’s now permanent home, and the nation’s first community space dedicated to LGBTQ+ artists, The Chan National Queer Arts Center.

Verdugo said, “As I begin my tenth and final year with the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, I have made the decision to step down at the end of this season. I reached this conclusion last year following my sabbatical and a period of reflection on both my own path and the Chorus’s future. Leading the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus has been the honor of my life, but today’s announcement allows both the organization and me to look ahead with fresh energy, renewed focus and new opportunities. 

“I am deeply grateful to those who have partnered with me on this journey,” Verdugo continued, “beginning with our fearless Board Chairs Tom Paulino and Glenn DeSandre; our inspirational Artistic Director & Conductor, Jake Stensberg; our dedicated supporters, staff and most of all - our singing membership whose commitment has carried us forward with endless pride and joy. Collectively, we established the Chan National Queer Arts Center, shared our message of love through innovative tours, an award-winning documentary, recordings and sustained our voices through the pandemic. While it is bittersweet to prepare for this transition, I believe the Chorus is ready to embrace an exciting new chapter.”

Following today’s announcement, the SFGMC Board of Directors will launch a nationwide search for Verdugo’s successor of the $4.6M nonprofit organization, with a goal of ensuring a seamless transition and continuity of vision.

SFGMC Board Chair Tom Paulino commented, “Chris Verdugo is a transformational and visionary leader who represents the very best of SFGMC's mission and core values. On behalf of the current and past members of the board of directors, we are forever grateful for his decade of remarkable service and for advancing our legacy for generations to come. We look forward to celebrating Chris’ accomplishments over the next year.”

Jacob (Jake) Stensberg, SFGMC Artistic Director & Conductor added, “It has been an honor to serve alongside Chris over the past three years. His professional leadership and deep commitment to community, music, and sustainability of the Chorus have left an indelible mark. Chris has been a true partner, champion, and friend, and while I will certainly miss his day-to-day presence, the impact of his work will continue to shape and influence our future.”

The 2025-26 Season for Chorus and Chan Center concert programs, guest artists, venues, and performance dates are anticipated to be announced in early October. The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus is comprised of approximately 300 members, the largest gay chorus in the nation, and is under the direction of critically acclaimed conductor and artistic director, Jacob Stensberg.

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HIGHLIGHTS OF CHRISTOPHER VERDUGO’S SFGMC TENURE

1. Securing the Chan National Queer Arts Center

Led the vision, campaign, and execution of a $15M capital project to acquire and develop the historic Valencia Street property, establishing SFGMC’s first permanent home and the nation’s first community space dedicated to LGBTQ+ artists. The Chan Center officially opened in October 2023.

2. “Lavender Pen Tour” & Gay Chorus Deep South

Planned and executed the historic “Lavender Pen Tour” across the Deep South in 2017, carrying a message of love during a divisive political moment. The award-winning documentary Gay Chorus Deep South amplified this impact worldwide, positioning SFGMC as a national voice for equality.

3. Leading Through the Pandemic

Guided the organization through the unprecedented challenges of COVID-19, pivoting to virtual concerts and digital engagement. Ensured singers stayed connected, donors were engaged, and the Chorus remained financially and artistically strong.

4. Record-Breaking Fundraising & Crescendo Growth

Drove transformative fundraising results, culminating in Crescendo 2025 — the most successful gala in SFGMC’s history, raising $1.4M. Built donor trust, secured multimillion-dollar commitments, and ensured long-term financial sustainability.

5. Building a Strong Team & Community Relationships

Invested in leadership development, mentoring staff, and creating a culture of shared ownership. Strengthened relationships with community partners, donors, and allies, ensuring SFGMC is rooted in collaboration and trust.

6. Strengthening the Brand & National Positioning

Elevated SFGMC’s profile through bold programming, national media exposure, and creative partnerships. Established the Chorus as both a cultural icon and a leading voice in the LGBTQ+ arts movement, locally and globally.

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BIOGRAPHY FOR CHRISTOPHER VERDUGO

Chris Verdugo (he/him) is privileged to serve as the first CEO of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus. His journey in the gay choral movement began at the age of 18 when he joined the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida. Three years later, he became the Artistic Director of Paragon Productions, where he choreographed, directed, and produced theatrical productions for cruise lines and hotels worldwide. In 1999, he leveraged his expertise in event production and fundraising while working with The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis and Miami Beach’s Winter Party Music Festival. He also served on the Board of Directors for the South Beach Gay Men’s Chorus.

After relocating to Los Angeles in 2003, Chris shifted his focus to LGBTQ and social justice issues, collaborating with various non-profits, including the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Equality California, Human Rights Campaign, and GLAAD. He produced Queer Lounge at Sundance for four years. In 2006, he joined the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles as a singer, and five years later, he was named Executive Director. Under his leadership, the Chorus built an international reputation for musical excellence, doubled its budget, expanded educational programs in Los Angeles high schools, and launched a national music tour titled “It Gets Better”.

In 2016, Chris became the Executive Director of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, the world’s first LGBTQ chorus. In 2022, he was appointed Chief Executive Officer. He oversaw the acquisition, renovation, and opening of the Chan National Queer Arts Center, the nation’s first Queer Arts Center, a program of SFGMC. Under his tenure, SFGMC has grown into one of the most respected arts organizations in San Francisco and across the country.

Chris is a proud member of The Recording Academy, serves on the board of Chorus America and as a Senior Advisor to Source Journeys, a leading LGBTQ+ luxury travel company.

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ABOUT SFGMC
Founded in 1978, the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus (SFGMC) sparked a nationwide LGBTQ+ choral movement with its first public performance at a candlelight vigil on the steps of City Hall following the assassinations of Supervisor Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone. Since that auspicious moment, SFGMC has become an essential part of the cultural fabric of San Francisco and beyond—soothing souls in times of pain, lifting spirits in moments of triumph, and serving as a North Star of hope, resilience, joy and endless pride.

Under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Chris Verdugo and Artistic Director Jacob Stensberg, SFGMC has achieved new artistic heights and national recognition. Innovative programming, bold commissions, and acclaimed recordings have broadened the Chorus’s impact, while national and international tours—including the historic “Lavender Pen Tour,” Gay Chorus Deep South documentary tour, and the recent “Love Tour”—have amplified its mission far beyond the Bay Area.

SFGMC is also a leader in community engagement through education and outreach programs that inspire and empower the next generation. In 2019, the Chorus acquired its first permanent home, a historic Art Deco facility in San Francisco’s Mission District, which now houses rehearsals, offices, and The Chan National Queer Arts Center. Officially opened on October 30, 2023, The Chan is the nation’s first community arts hub dedicated to LGBTQ+ artists and organizations, ensuring that queer voices continue to thrive, create, and transform lives through the power of music and art.

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NEW PRESS CONTACT FOR SFGMC/CHAN CENTER:  Jon Finck

[email protected] / +1 415 577 1323 

Please connect for interviews, artwork and press credentials.

www.sfgmc.org

For more information on SFGMC:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/sfgmc 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/sfgmc 

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@sfgaymenschorus 

YouTube: www.youtube.com/sfgmcvideo 

SAN FRANCISCO GAY MEN’S CHORUS SEASON 47 BRINGS THE BAY AREA “TOGETHER” WITH 11 CONCERTS

SFGMC’S “TOGETHER” SEASON WILL DELIGHT AND INSPIRE WITH HOLIDAY CHEER, 

SHOW-STOPPING OVATIONS AND 

A CELEBRATION OF PRIDE 

(SAN FRANCISCO, CA, September 19, 2024)—The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus (SFGMC), the world’s premier queer chorus, announces today their “Together” Season, a series of 11 concerts across the Bay Area 

between December and June. Under the baton of Artistic Director Jacob Stensberg, the 280-member chorus, now in its 47th season, will entertain and inspire audiences with their beloved annual Holiday Spectacular as well as Broadway, Our Way and The Pride Concert. SFGMC will perform at some of the Bay Area’s best-known concert venues including Davies 

Symphony Hall, Green Music Center (Sonoma County), Zellerbach 

Auditorium (as part of the Cal Performances season), Sydney Goldstein Theater and The Curran. Tickets and more information about each 

concert can be found at www.sfgmc.org.

SFGMC is known globally for its wide range of musical excellence, with styles that cover the entire Choral catalog from classical to Chappell Roan and Celine Dion. Every SFGMC concert also includes a generous amount of their trademark blend of humor, camp, spectacle and heartfelt emotion, inspiring listeners to make a positive impact in their communities. Among this season’s highlights are several original compositions receiving their world premieres by artists including Holly Near, Daniel Hughes and others to be announced. SFGMC’s principal accompanist is Danny Sullivan. 

The Lollipop Guild and HomoPhonics, SFGMC’s premier ensembles who last year went viral on TikTok and Instagram (with over 1 Million views), will also take to the stage, adding their signature mix of comedy and vocal excellence that create unforgettable musical moments. 

“As we look back on SFGMC’s journey and as our community faces future uncertainties, our power is in our unity,” stated SFGMC Artistic Director Jacob Stensberg. “Choral music’s essence is in the convergence of voices, which mirrors the power of community and shared humanity. With our upcoming season, “Together”, we honor San Francisco’s legacy of progress and inclusion, using our music to celebrate diversity and inspire hope for a brighter tomorrow.” 

“There is an African proverb that says “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together,” stated SFGMC Chief Executive Officer Chris Verdugo. “This season, the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus is set to go further than ever before. Together, with our gifted singers, valued community and school partners, generous donors, dedicated staff and supportive audiences, we are poised to reach new heights. With unity as our guiding force, SFGMC will continue to lead by creating extraordinary music and transformative experiences that build community, inspire activism and foster compassion both at home and around the world. 

New this season, SFGMC is introducing a two-tier VIP experience for a limited number of attendees: The VIP Immersive Experience and The VIP Gift Package. 

VIP Immersive Experience – This package brings audience members up close and personal with SFGMC and includes a photo op from the stage with Artistic Director and Conductor Jacob Stensberg, an exclusive backstage pre-show visit, a serenade with the Chorus and more. The VIP Immersive Experience also receives everything included in the VIP Gift Package. 

VIP Gift Package – This package includes an SFGMC gift basket filled with goodies for fans of the Chorus. Purchasers can expect exclusive branded merchandise as well as a collectible, signed Holiday Spectacular show poster. 

In the Spring, SFGMC will present Crescendo, their signature fundraising gala on Saturday April 5, 2025 at the Westin St. Francis Hotel. Last year, Crescendo raised a record $1 million dollars! The glamorous event includes honoring advocates for the LGBTQ+ community, a sit-down gourmet dinner, performances by the Chorus, a live auction and the most fierce after-party found anywhere across the Bay Area social calendar. 

SFGMC’s signature educational program RHYTHM (Reaching Youth Through Music) will continue to visit Bay Area middle and high schools across the region to share a message of love, inclusivity, and strength. Last season, RHYTHM, under the direction of Associate Director of Music Education & Outreach Mitch Galli reached more than 3,000 students and teachers. A typical RHYTHM event is tailored specifically to each school’s needs and includes a performance by members of SFGMC, storytelling and pre-event surveys that help young people better understand the concepts of inclusion and bias and inspires positive social change and community building. 

In addition to their 11-concert season, Crescendo, and RHYTHM, SFGMC remains one of the busiest volunteer ensembles in the Bay Area. As the backbone of the LGBTQ community, they bring their voices to more than 30 additional events each year in community spaces, classrooms and at their home at The Chan National Queer Arts Center (170 Valencia Street.) A full schedule of events at The Chan will be announced in the near future. 

SFGMC’s season of concerts is made possible by generous support from Terrence D. Chan and Edward Sell, Janet Cluff, and Steve Gallagher/ Coldwell Banker. 

Holiday Spectacular 

December 6, 7, 15, 21, & 24, 2024 

Various Venues (see below)

In December, SFGMC’s annual Holiday Spectacular brings together the Bay Area like nothing else. SFGMC’s signature choreography, comedy and charm is anticipated to entertain 15,000 audience members from San Francisco to Berkeley and Sonoma. Expect to hear holiday classics, original compositions, some Chappell Roan and a Celine Dion medley that will leave audiences saying “no, they didn’t just do that!” The Holiday Spectacular has something for everyone and is recommended for all ages. 

SFGMC’s 35th annual Home For The Holidays Christmas Eve performances will move to the stunning Davies Symphony Hall this season, while our traditional home, The Castro Theatre, continues its renovation. 

Friday, December 6 at 8 PM, Sydney Goldstein Theater Saturday, December 7 at 3:30 PM, Sydney Goldstein Theater Saturday, December 7 at 8 PM, Sydney Goldstein Theater Sunday, December 15th at 5 PM, Green Music Center (Sonoma) Saturday, December 21 at 5 PM, Zellerbach Auditorium (Berkeley) Tuesday, December 24 at 4 PM, Davies Symphony Hall Tuesday, December 24 at 7 PM, Davies Symphony Hall 

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Broadway, Our Way 

Saturday, March 29, 2025 

Curran Theatre 

With Broadway, Our Way, audiences can expect a show that only SFGMC could dream of as they leverage the love and power of everyone’s favorite Broadway anthems, with music from shows including Wicked, Ragtime, and Dear Evan Hansen. And what better place to showcase this evening of bright lights, big sets (of pipes) and unmistakable giddiness than at one of San Francisco’s most iconic Broadway touring houses, The Curran? 

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The Pride Concert 

June 2025 

SFGMC concludes their 47th season with The Pride Concert, a vibrant celebration of our beloved LGBTQ+ community and how far we’ve come. This

concert honors the spirit of Pride Month, uplifting our stories and celebrating our resilience. In June, SFGMC will perform this special program in San Francisco (venue and date to be announced), bringing the community together in song to honor the legacy of Pride in our City. For the first time, The Pride Concert will also tour, bringing a message of unity to Sonoma area residents at the Green Music Center on Saturday, June 7. 

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About SFGMC 

Founded in 1978, SFGMC sparked a nationwide LGBTQ choral movement after its first public performance at a vigil on the steps of City Hall following the assassinations of Supervisor Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone. Since then, SFGMC has been embedded in the fabric of San Francisco. It has soothed souls in pain, lifted spirits in triumph, and has remained a steadfast beacon of hope. 

Under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Chris Verdugo and Artistic Director Jacob Stensberg, SFGMC has established a heightened level of performance standards bringing renewed audience and choral industry acclaim. Recent tours, recordings, and outreach programs have broadened its impact and reputation in the community while maintaining its signature blend of humor, personality, and groundbreaking performances. In 2023, SFGMC renovated a historic facility that has become its permanent home for rehearsals, offices, and intimate performances. The building also serves as The Chan National Queer Arts Center, the first-ever community space for LGBTQ artists and arts organizations. 

For more information on SFGMC, visit www.sfgmc.org 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/sfgmc 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/sfgmc 

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@sfgaymenschorus 

YouTube: www.youtube.com/sfgmcvideo 

X: www.twitter.com/sfgmc 

Visit SFGMC TV: www.sfgmc.org/sfgmctv 

SFGMC MEDIA CONTACT: Scott Walton 

415.350.5195/[email protected]

A QUEERNUCOPIA OF MUSIC, PERFORMANCE AND CELEBRATION HEAT UP THE WINTER SEASON AT THE CHAN NATIONAL QUEER ARTS CENTER

LEA DELARIA, CHEYENNE JACKSON, NIKOLA PRINTZ, DAVÓNE TINES, CHEF MELISSA KING and more

Q-LAB: AN ARTIST-CURATED SERIES INTRODUCED

SEASON ALSO INCLUDES THE RETURN OF THE MEMORY KEEPERS INITIATIVE AND THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM “RHYTHM”

Tickets On Sale TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26

(SAN FRANCISCO, CA, November 22, 2024) - The Chan National Queer Arts Center (170 Valencia Street, San Francisco) announces a sizzling line-up of talent for their 2025 Winter season that brings a queernucopia of Internationally-renowned artists showcasing their talent and celebrating their queerness. The season includes Broadway and television stars Lea DeLaria and Cheyenne Jackson with their highly acclaimed cabaret shows as well as the introduction of a new series, Q-LAB that features artists Davóne Tines and Nikola Printz in multi-disciplinary works featuring classical and pop music, dance and queer-focused artistry. “Top Chef: All-Stars” winner Melissa King will be curating a queer Lunar New Year celebration with traditional snacks, burlesque performance, and lion dancers. The Memory Keepers Initiative, a popular oral-history project that captures the voices of living history, will return with two programs, featuring noted author and tribal leader Greg Sarris and Fine Arts Museum Curator Furio Rinaldi, the co-curator of the smash hit “Tamara De Lempicka” exhibition at the De Young Museum. The Queer Arts Center, home to the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, will feature singing members of the world’s first openly gay chorus in Come Together: A Beatles Cabaret and Anything Goes: A Broadway Sing-Along. In addition, SFGMC’s nationally-renowned education program RHYTHM will stage a special event featuring Bay Area youth ensembles at The Queer Arts Center for the very first time. Tickets are available now to members of SFGMC’s Conductor’s Society. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Tuesday, November 26th via sfgmc.org.

Beginning its second season of programming, The Queer Arts Center is quickly becoming one of the most artistically-diverse and popular venues for the presentation of queer arts across the globe. This winter season has something for everyone - from opera to pop, comedy, culinary and visual arts that speak to the whole of the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. Spring and Summer events at The Queer Arts Center will be announced in the near future. The Queer Arts Center season is curated by Richard Lonsdorf and Jacob Stensberg. Funding for The season is made possible by the generosity of Janet Cluff, Steve Gallagher/Coldwell Banker and Nick Harper.

Lea DeLaria, the winner of a SAG, Obie and Theatre World Award and who earned the distinction of being the first openly gay comic on television in America, returns home to San Francisco where her career began in 1982 for two performances of her new show Out Rage on Saturday, January 18. Cheyenne Jackson, the Tony Award-nominated and Drama Desk and Grammy Award-winning actor/singer, brings his one-man show Signs of Life, a deeply personal and uproariously funny exploration of the universe’s subtle cues, to The Queer Arts Center for two performances on Valentine’s Day (February 14). 

New this season is the introduction of Q-LAB, an interdisciplinary space for artistic innovation, where music transcends traditional boundaries and connects across styles, genres, and identities. Each performance is crafted as a thesis—a compelling artistic statement from the stage that draws audiences into new perspectives. Through immersive staging and innovative design, Q-LAB invites audiences not only to witness but to feel deeply and viscerally experience the stories, emotions, and ideas shared in the space. To inaugurate this series, pioneering bass-baritone Davóne Tines presents Queering the Mass on Friday, January 31 and Saturday, February 1. The New Yorker says “In a matter of minutes, we had traversed multiple centuries and worlds.”  Nikola Printz, an Adler Fellow for San Francisco Opera whose singing has been called “vibrant and tonally resplendent” by The San Francisco Chronicle, headlines the season’s second Q-LAB March Madness on Friday, March 21 and Saturday, March 22. Q-LAB is made possible through the generous support of Terrence D. Chan and Edward Sell.

To celebrate Lunar New Year, The Queer Arts Center welcomes “Top Chef: All-Stars” winner and TV personality Melissa King as she puts her signature spin on an event that will showcase, celebrate and empower the queer Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. 

The Memory Keepers Initiative, The Queer Arts Center’s queer oral history project, which is also broadcast and streamed in an edited form on NPR-affiliate KALW, memorializes those whose earlier efforts built the modern LGBTQ movement. Inaugurating its second season is “Tamara De Lempicka: Queen of Art Deco” on Thursday, January 23. Led by Curator of Drawings and Prints at the San Francisco’s Fine Arts Museum Furio Rinaldi, who also served as the co-curator of the Lempicka exhibit, this special event is Rinaldi’s exclusive Bay Area lecture about the bisexual artist, currently on display at the De Young Museum. On Thursday, February 20, The Memory Keeper’s Initiative will host Greg Sarris, Chairman of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria and author of The Forgetters, in conversation with Jane Ciabattari. Sarris will read excerpts from his work and discuss his journey navigating multiple identities and cultural spheres, exploring how remembering shared histories can help repair the world.

Come Together: A Beatles Cabaret will feature members from the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus in an intimate cabaret performance under the direction of SFGMC’s Music Supervisor and Principal Accompanist Danny Sullivan for two performances on Saturday, March 1. Last year’s cabaret sold out immediately and due to popular demand, a second performance has been scheduled this season.

Anyone who likes to sing is invited to Anything Goes: A Broadway Sing-Along on Friday, March 14. This family-friendly event, led by SFGMC Artistic Director Jacob Stensberg, gives everyone a chance to channel their inner Broadway diva, alongside members of SFGMC. The evening includes a special sneak preview by the Chorus of upcoming numbers from Broadway, Our Way, playing at the Curran Theater on March 29.

Expanding their popular educational program RHYTHM (Reaching Youth Through Music) to The Queer Arts Center, members of several different youth choruses will attend a special one-day event led by Associate Director of Music, Education and Outreach Mitch Galli. At a typical RHYTHM, members of the Chorus work directly with school administrators, educators and students to build understanding around issues facing today’s youth. RHYTHM helps guide students to make positive choices around acceptance, builds empathy and encourages students to become leaders and advocates for equal rights. This special event is private and not included on The Queer Arts Center’s public calendar. Participating groups will be announced at a later date.

“With The Chan National Queer Arts Center, we are focused entirely on queer arts and artists. By opening our doors to a diverse range of ideas and performance mediums, we’ll create community, creativity and collaboration,” stated Artistic Director Jacob Stensberg. “This landmark space is a place for creativity and activism and we could not be more thrilled about this upcoming season. When we began planning, it was clear that for it to succeed, it must reflect our entire community and offer established and emerging artists an opportunity to explore their craft and their passion. It is one reason we are investing in our new Q-LAB series, and we know that Bay Area audiences will find the programs stimulating and memorable.”

“I cannot wait to share this season with Bay Area audiences," stated Richard Lonsdorf, The Queer Arts Center's newly appointed Director of Programming. "Having worked with many of these artists in other spaces over the years, I can share that it is a thrill for all of us to be creating work at a place like The Chan National Queer Arts Center that offers space for queer artists to be their unfiltered selves and to laugh, reflect, provoke and celebrate together with our own community. These events represent only a small fraction of what queer artists in this country have to offer, and I look forward to sharing more as we continue to bring this game-changing venue to life."

“There is an African proverb that says ‘If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together’,” stated SFGMC CEO Christopher Verdugo. “This season, we are set to go further than ever before. In the face of rising challenges, we turn to the things that unite and uplift us: music, art and community. Together, with our gifted singers, valued community and school partners, generous donors, dedicated staff and enthusiastic audiences, we are creating a space for healing, a place where voices from across the LGBTQ+ community and our allies come together to celebrate our shared humanity. With unity as our guiding force, we will continue to lead by creating extraordinary music and transformative experiences that build community, inspire activism and foster compassion.”

FULL SCHEDULE:

The Chan National Queer Arts Center

170 Valencia Street, San Francisco

Tickets at sfgmc.org

• SATURDAY, JANUARY 18 - Lea DeLaria: Out Rage at 6:00 PM and 8:30 PM

• THURSDAY, JANUARY 23 at 7:30 PM- Memory Keepers Initiative - Tamara De Lempicka: Queen of Art Deco, featuring Furio Rinaldi

• FRIDAY, JANUARY 31 at 7:30 PM - Q-LAB: Davóne Tines, Queering The Mass

• SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1 at 7:30 PM - Q-LAB: Davóne Tines , Queering The Mass

• THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6 AT 7:00 PM - Chef Melissa King’s LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION

• FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14 at 6 PM and 8:30 PM - Cheyenne Jackson Signs of Life

• THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20 at 7:30 PM - Memory Keepers Initiative - Greg Sarris, “The Forgetters: An Evolving Story”

• SATURDAY, MARCH 1 at 3:00 PM and 8:00 PM - Come Together: A Beatles Cabaret

• FRIDAY, MARCH 14 at 7:30 PM- ANYTHING GOES A Broadway Community Sing-Along

• FRIDAY, MARCH 21 AT 7:30 PM - Q-LAB: Nikola Printz, March Madness

• SATURDAY, MARCH 22 at 7:30 PM - Q-LAB: Nikola Printz, March Madness

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

LEA DeLARIA: OUT RAGE

With a multi-faceted career as a comedian, actor and jazz musician that began in San Francisco’s Mission District in 1982, Lea DeLaria holds the distinction of being the first openly gay comic on television in America, and earned a place in our hearts from her three-time SAG Award Winning role as Carrie “Big Boo” Black in the hit Netflix series Orange is the New Black. Now, the acclaimed jazz vocalist, Emmy Winner, and author of the infamous U-Haul joke takes aim at WTF is happening in the world today, bringing her Sicilian rage, sharp tongue, and musical prowess to the Chan National Queer Arts Center. In other words, it will be an unforgettable evening of song and dance.

FURIO RINALDI: “TAMARA DE LEMPICKA: QUEEN OF ART DECO”

A Memory Keepers Initiative Special Event

On the occasion of the first major museum retrospective of Lempicka in the United States at The DeYoung Museum, Curator Furio Rinaldi offers an in-depth, multimedia presentation about the artist’s distinctive style and gender-defying life journey, as well her iconic cultural influence among drag queens, pop stars, and celebrity collectors. With works that exuded cool elegance and transgressive sensuality, Tamara de Lempicka (1894–1980) helped define Art Deco. Her paintings captured the glamor and vitality of postwar Paris and the cosmopolitan sheen of Hollywood celebrity. Although she moved among the most influential circles in 1920s Paris, 1940s Hollywood and beyond, her identity as a queer woman has not been widely discussed. 

Q-LAB - DAVÓNE TINES: QUEERING THE MASS

Pioneering bass-baritone and creator Davóne Tines queers the Catholic mass by transforming it into a non-denominational structure for dealing with human problems. About the program, The New Yorker says “In a matter of minutes, we had traversed multiple centuries and worlds, yet all the music was filtered through the taut resonance of one voice: a timbre at once grand and fraught, potent and vulnerable.” Join Davóne along with his band THE TRUTH (John Bitoy, piano and Khari Lucas, sound artist and electric bass) as they weave classical, gospel, baroque, jazz, and opera into a journey of personal reckoning.

CHEF MELISSA KING’S LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION

Queer the new year with celebrity chef and TV personality Melissa King, the Top Chef: All-Stars winner and fan favorite, as she puts her signature spin on the Lunar New Year in an event that will showcase, celebrate and empower the queer Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Chef King’s gigantic grazing board anchors the celebration, full of traditional snacks you won’t want to miss. Guests will be treated to burlesque, lion dancers and other performances throughout the night, with lucky red envelopes, a DJ and more surprises. Don’t miss your chance to get lucky at the most fabulous celebration in town! Tickets to this event will be available at a later date to be announced.

CHEYENNE JACKSON: SIGNS OF LIFE

Emmy- and Grammy-nominated luminary Cheyenne Jackson brings his infectious charm and powerhouse vocals to The Queer Arts Center with Signs of Life, a musical meditation on art, love, fatherhood, and the cosmic twists that have shaped his remarkable path. In Signs of Life, Cheyenne invites audiences on a deeply personal and uproariously funny exploration of the universe’s subtle cues. From toe-tapping melodies to saucy showbiz anecdotes, prepare for an unforgettable night filled with whimsy, laughter, and the sheer joy of a perfectly imperfect night of shared experience.

GREG SARRIS: “THE FORGETTERS: AN EVOLVING STORY”

A Memory Keepers Initiative Special Event

Author Greg Sarris, who serves as Chairman of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, dives into his latest novel The Forgetters—a tender, astonishing, and richly beautiful story cycle about remembering our shared histories and repairing the world. In conversation with fellow author and cultural critic Jane Ciabattari, Sarris will share excerpts from his novel, told in the classic style of Southern Pomo and Coast Miwok creation stories. Greg Sarris has navigated many identities and cultural spheres, as a gay man, born of a German Jewish mother, a southern Pomo/Coast Miwok/Filipino father, as a tribal leader, a professor, a screenwriter, co-producer, always as a storyteller, with books of nonfiction and fiction. Sarris will recount his journey through academia, literature and film to the highest levels of leadership in his tribe and his community, as well as serving on the UC Board of Regents and as board chair of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian.

COME TOGETHER: A BEATLES CABARET

Whether you’ve traveled the Long and Winding Road or just scored a Ticket to Ride, SFGMC’s Come Together is the destination for you and melds perfectly with SFGMC’s year-long theme of “Together!”. Singers from the Chorus deliver distinctive versions of greatest hits from The Beatles catalog, performing solos, duets, and small group numbers in a cabaret setting that includes fabulous drinks from our bar. You’ll be sure to turn your Hard Day’s Night into a memorable Yesterday! The Beatles are the seminal rock band that bridges generations and whose message of love, peace and understanding are the playlist of our collective consciousness. Under the direction of SFGMC Principal Accompanist Danny Sullivan.

ANYTHING GOES: A BROADWAY SING-ALONG

If you’ve ever wanted to sing with the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus—this is your chance! This family-friendly sing-along brings the epic theatrical energy of the Broadway stage to the Chan National Queer Arts Center as Artistic Director Jake Stensberg leads YOU in some of your favorite musical numbers in a musical preview of the Chorus’s upcoming spring concert Broadway, Our Way playing March 29 at the Curran Theater. Members of the SFGMC will offer a special preview of that concert as well as sing alongside you and extend the community, wellness and joy of singing. No singing skill required. This is an event for all ages!

Q-LAB - NIKOLA PRINTZ MARCH MADNESS

Artistically fluid opera star Nikola Printz, the singing acrobatic sensation who has delighted local audiences at SF Symphony's Holiday Gaiety, the SF Opera's Carmen Encounter and other stages, brings together a fabulous cast of characters for a grand, campy evening of madness in every sense of the word. Joined by pianist Bob Mollicone and other queer artists, Printz will lure audiences to the brink of sanity—from the famous meltdowns of Lucia di Lammermoor, the lovers' quarrels of Kurt Weill and punk rock rage of Nina Hagen. With music drawn from across the spectrum of pop, opera, broadway and more, this evening is sure to offer the cathartic scream we've all been searching for.

SAN FRANCISCO GAY MEN’S CHORUS 

Founded in 1978, SFGMC sparked a nationwide LGBTQ choral movement after its first public performance at a vigil on the steps of City Hall following the assassinations of Supervisor Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone. Since then, SFGMC has been embedded in the fabric of San Francisco. It has soothed souls in pain, lifted spirits in triumph, and has remained a steadfast beacon of hope. Under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Chris Verdugo and Artistic Director Jacob Stensberg, SFGMC has established a heightened level of performance standards bringing renewed audience and choral industry acclaim. 

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ABOUT THE CHAN NATIONAL QUEER ARTS CENTER

The Pansy L. Chan and Terrence D. Chan National Queer Arts Center is the nation’s first LGBTQ center for community, creativity and collaboration. This landmark space, that also serves as the home of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, is the first of its kind in the country — an artistic sanctuary for queer artists to call home, a space for audiences to share their lived experiences, and a beacon of inspiration and empowerment for queer individuals nationwide who are confronting oppression. A place for art and activism. 

For more information, visit www.sfgmc.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/sfgmc

Instagram: www.instagram.com/sfgmc

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@sfgaymenschorus

YouTube: www.youtube.com/sfgmcvideo

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/sfgmc.bsky.social 

X: www.twitter.com/sfgmc

Visit SFGMC TV: www.sfgmc.org/sfgmctv

SFGMC MEDIA CONTACT:

Scott Walton 415.350.5195/[email protected]

Individual artist press materials available on request

SAN FRANCISCO GAY MEN’S CHORUS ANNOUNCES “THE LOVE TOUR” OF IOWA AND NEBRASKA

SAN FRANCISCO GAY MEN’S CHORUS ANNOUNCES “THE LOVE TOUR” OF IOWA AND NEBRASKA

SFGMC WILL ALSO HEADLINE THE 2024 GALA CHORUS FESTIVAL IN MINNEAPOLIS

(SAN FRANCISCO, CA - May 21, 2024)—The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus (SFGMC), the world’s premier queer chorus is proud to announce “THE LOVE TOUR” that will bring their powerful voices and message of unity to the heartland. From July 7-9, 2024, the 300-member Chorus, under the direction of Jacob Stensberg, will travel to Iowa and Nebraska, joining forces with local LGBTQ choruses and advocacy groups at each stop to elevate the Chorus’ mission of transforming and connecting people through song.

Following the momentous tour, SFGMC will headline the finale concert at the 2024 GALA Chorus Festival in Minneapolis. The GALA Chorus Festival is the quadrennial festival of LGBTQ+ Choruses from around the world. More than 15,000 singers and 200 Choruses will be represented.

In each city of the LOVE TOUR, The Chorus will be joined by a local chorus and also shine light on local LGBTQ+ nonprofits who are investing in advocacy, education and the celebration of our shared queer culture and people. In Iowa City, the Chorus will partner with the Quire of Eastern Iowa as well as the family of Puck Carlson, the teen who is the lead plaintiff in the fight against bills that target LGBTQ+ rights in that state. In Omaha, they’ll join with the River City Mixed Chorus and with OutNebraska, an organization that invests in advocacy, education and culture; and in Des Moines, they’ll work with Iowa Safe Schools to help create a fun VIP Experience for kids and give them a great time at the concert, where they will share the stage with the Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus.

At a time of rising anti-LGBTQ+ legislations and hate crimes across the country, the Chorus is dedicated to countering intolerance by sharing their artistry and radiating a message of love, hope and acceptance. The Chorus has chosen Iowa and Nebraska due to a wave of anti-LGBTQ legislation before those respective state’s legislatures. Iowa currently has 34 active bills on its docket and Nebraska 10, according to the ACLU Legislative Tracker. It hopes to counter a rise in anti-LGBTQ crime that has been legitimized nationwide since the 2016 election. According to the ACLU, attacks based on gender identity are up 32.9% and those based on sexual orientation are up 13.8%. SFGMC believes that music has the power to transform and connect people, opening a door to conversation and healing.

SFGMC has a storied history of using their voices to respond to adversity, create dialogue and inspire change. They last toured in 2017, which took the Chorus to Southern states like Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, South Carolina and North Carolina. That powerful journey was captured in the Tribeca Festival Award-winning documentary “Gay Chorus, Deep South”.

The Chorus first toured in 1981, visiting Dallas, Detroit, New York,  Washington, D.C. and Seattle. That tour became the catalyst for other cities to create their own LGBTQ Choruses, launching the International circuit of Choruses that exist today - many of whom will perform at the GALA Festival this summer in Minneapolis, where SFGMC will headline the closing night of the Festival.

SFGMC has also toured extensively in the Bay Area, headlining concerts at Zellerbach Hall (Berkeley), The Green Music Center (Sonoma County) and Davies Symphony Hall (San Francisco). In June of this year, the Chorus will be presented at Davies as part of the San Francisco Symphony’s concert season.

“We are lucky in San Francisco. An LGBTQ+ person can find a safe haven, free from the discrimination and hatred many, in other communities, experience every day,” stated SFGMC Artistic Director Jacob Stensberg.  “But we know that, even in our own Chorus, there are many who need to be healed from the discrimination and hate they experienced in their life. And instead of running from that, we want to embrace it and show up in communities that may not have as favorable of a view around LGBTQ+ rights. Our last tour not only helped shift hearts and minds but also helped to magnify and amplify work already underway in towns across America. With our upcoming THE LOVE TOUR, we’ll be bringing a big wave of love, a rainbow ripple of song to communities that are yearning for music, unity and love.”

“It would be easy to stay home in our SF bubble and avoid the hurt, avoid the hate but how does that change the world and move hearts and minds,” asked SFGMC Executive Director Christopher Verdugo. “But that is not who we are. We want to open up hearts, to have a conversation and make room to find agreement, and ultimately, love. We hold our own preconceptions of what it is like to live with an open heart in the Midwest, unaware of the vibrancy and resilience that already exists. We have as much to learn from them as they do from us.  As long as the world continues to discriminate against the LGBT community, we will sing until our very last breath”

SFGMC, now in its 46th season, had an auspicious start. Only four weeks following their formation, San Francisco was rocked by the assassinations of 

Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official in the country. The Chorus, along with tens of thousands of others, gathered on the steps of City Hall for a candlelight vigil and sang “Singing For Our Lives”, a song that was crafted in the tumultuous aftermath of that tragedy. Then, as now, SFGMC used the power of music to salve the 

troubled crowd, while delivering a message of love, unity and community. Since that time, the Chorus has grown to nearly 300 members. In 2023, SFGMC reached a new milestone when they opened an Art Deco building in San Francisco to serve as an arts destination for queer artists from across the world. The Chan National Queer Arts Center, located at 170 Valencia Street, serves as the Chorus’ headquarters and also includes programming directed towards the community at large.

Schedule of performances

July 7: University of Iowa, Iowa City with the Quire of Eastern Iowa

July 8: Countryside Community Church with River City Mixed Chorus (Omaha)

July 9: Des Moines with the Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus

July 12: The ensembles of SFGMC (The Lollipop Guild and HomoPhonics) at the GALA Festival

July 14 - SFGMC headlines the closing concert at GALA

About SFGMC
Founded in 1978, SFGMC sparked a nationwide LGBTQ choral movement after its first public performance at a vigil on the steps of City Hall following the assassinations of Supervisor Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone. Since then, SFGMC has been embedded in the fabric of San Francisco. It has soothed souls in pain, lifted spirits in triumph, and has remained a steadfast beacon of hope.

Under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Chris Verdugo and Artistic Director Jacob Stensberg, SFGMC has established a heightened level of performance standards bringing renewed audience and choral industry acclaim. Recent touring schedules, recordings, and outreach programs have broadened its impact and reputation in the community while maintaining its signature blend of humor, personality and ground-breaking performances. In 2019, SFGMC acquired a historic facility that has become its permanent home for rehearsals and offices. The building also serves as The Chan National Queer Arts Center, the first-ever community space for LGBTQ artists and arts organizations.

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For more information on SFGMC, visit www.sfgmc.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/sfgmc

Instagram: www.instagram.com/sfgmc

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@sfgaymenschorus

YouTube: www.youtube.com/sfgmcvideo

X (formally ‘Twitter’): www.twitter.com/sfgmc

Visit SFGMC TV: www.sfgmc.org/sfgmctv

SFGMC Archive contact: [email protected]

SFGMC MEDIA CONTACT:

Scott Walton 415.350.5195/[email protected]

THE SAN FRANCISCO GAY MEN’S CHORUS PRESENTS OUR FAVORITE THINGS

AN INTIMATE EVENING FEATURING SFGMC
ENSEMBLES THE LOLLIPOP GUILD AND
HOMOPHONICS

FRIDAY, JUNE 7 - 7:30 pm

The Chan National Queer Arts Center

(San Francisco, CA – April XX, 2024) – The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus (SFGMC) is thrilled to announce OUR FAVORITE THINGS, an intimate evening of music presented by their renowned ensembles The Lollipop Guild and HomoPhonics. This special event, taking place on Friday, June 7 at 7:30 pm at The Chan National Queer Arts Center, located at 170 Valencia Street, promises an evening of vocal fireworks and electrifying performances set in a cabaret-style seating at the newly-renovated home of the Chorus. Tickets are available for purchase at sfgmc.org.

OUR FAVORITE THINGS will play a second performance on Sunday, June 9 at 2 PM at Freight and Salvage as part of their presenting series. The Chorus has a long history with the Berkeley venue, performing their holiday show at the venue in more than 10 years of sold-out performances.

The evening will be filled with popular songs from Wicked, Pitch Perfect, Hocus Pocus, and Rent, as well as an hilarious tribute to the master movie musician John Williams, which recently became a viral hit online, with more than 1 million views, on TikTok and Instagram. Audiences can expect to sing along to classics from Elton John, Stevie Wonder and Adele. And of course, expect some Drag Queens (In the Sky). The event is sure to leave everyone smiling, hearts happy and enough earworms to satisfy a month’s worth of entertainment.

“We couldn't be more excited to feature the incredible talent and voices of the Chorus' two ensembles”, stated HomoPhonics director Mitch Galli. “When the HomoPhonics sing, it is pretty amazing to hear the sound that we can make using just our voices. The complex harmonies and rhythms create a wall of sound that we've come to be well known for and that leave audiences shouting for more."

“The Lollipop Guild was the first small ensemble in the LGBTQ choral movement, out and proud in 1979. I couldn’t be more honored to continue their legacy”, said Paul Saccone, music director. “We can’t wait to perform for you, bringing the signature wit, zest and camp that TLG is known for and that audiences love.”

“No one who has attended a performance by the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus has walked away without commenting on the singular artistry of our two ensembles: The Lollipop Guild and HomoPhonics”, stated SFGMC’s Artistic Director Jacob Stensberg. “These singers are committed to musical excellence and not only do they serve as the backbone of our larger Chorus, they also give their time to each of these ensembles. Our audiences can’t get enough of these talented singers and we wanted to give them an evening to themselves, a full evening of vocal pyrotechnics and ingenious choreography.”

About The Lollipop Guild: The Lollipop Guild was founded as a barbershop quartet in 1979 and is recognized as the world’s first openly gay vocal ensemble. Since then, The Lollipop Guild has grown to an ensemble that features light-hearted and upbeat styles of singing, with rich harmonies and dazzling choreography. The Lollipop Guild is led by Paul Saccone and accompanied by SFGMC’s resident pianist Danny Sullivan.

About HomoPhonics: SFGMC’s newest vocal ensemble, HomoPhonics, began in 2015 as a result of the recent contemporary pop a cappella craze. Focusing on musical cohesion with only their voices, the group, under the direction of Mitch Galli, uses arrangements that feature tight, dynamic harmonies and vibrant, upbeat rhythms with their signature tight choreography.

About SFGMC
Founded in 1978, SFGMC sparked a nationwide LGBTQ choral movement after its first public performance at a vigil on the steps of City Hall following the assassinations of Supervisor Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone. Since then, SFGMC has been embedded in the fabric of San Francisco. It has soothed souls in pain, lifted spirits in triumph, and has remained a steadfast beacon of hope.

Under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Chris Verdugo and Artistic Director Jacob Stensberg, SFGMC has established a heightened level of performance standards bringing renewed audience and choral industry acclaim.

Recent touring schedules, recordings, and outreach programs have broadened its impact and reputation in the community while maintaining its signature blend of humor, personality and ground-breaking performances. In 2019, SFGMC acquired a historic facility that has become its permanent home for rehearsals and offices. The building also serves as The Chan National Queer Arts Center, the first-ever community space for LGBTQ artists and arts organizations.

About The Chan National Queer Arts Center

The Pansy L. Chan and Terrence D. Chan National Queer Arts Center is the nation’s first LGBTQ center for community, creativity and collaboration. This landmark space, that also serves as the home of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, is the first of its kind in the country — an artistic sanctuary for queer artists to call home, a space for audiences to share their lived experiences, and a beacon of inspiration and empowerment for queer individuals nationwide who are confronting oppression. A place for art and activism.

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For more information on SFGMC, visit www.sfgmc.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/sfgmc

Instagram: www.instagram.com/sfgmc

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@sfgaymenschorus

YouTube: www.youtube.com/sfgmcvideo

X (formally ‘Twitter’): www.twitter.com/sfgmc

Visit SFGMC TV: www.sfgmc.org/sfgmctv

SFGMC Archive contact: [email protected]

SFGMC MEDIA CONTACT:

Scott Walton 415.350.5195/[email protected]

The SAN FRANCISCO GAY MEN’S CHORUS WITH THE SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY “ALL WE NEED IS LOVE”

JUNE 18 AT DAVIES SYMPHONY HALL

Tickets are on sale now at sfsymphony.org

(SAN FRANCISCO, CA, May 13, 2024)—On June 18, at 7:30 PM, The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus (SFGMC) presents their exciting contribution to Pride Month: “All We Need is Love.” This uplifting two-act concert with the San Francisco Symphony is a testament to love’s unending capacity to inspire and unite. Led by Artistic Director Jacob Stensberg, the concert will feature bass-baritone soloist Enrico Lagasca. Members of San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Company (BATCO) will also appear, with the 280-member Chorus, in “I, Too, Sing America”, from BATCO’s award-winning production of the same name.

SFGMC’s appearance, as part of the San Francisco Symphony’s Summer Concert Series marks their third annual collaboration, following two sold-out engagements with the San Francisco Symphony since 2022.

Tickets are currently on sale at sfsymphony.org.

This one-night only concert will showcase the full musical range of SFGMC by performing classical standards like Ralph Vaughan Williams’s “Five Mystical Songs”, featuring Mr. Lagasca, San Francisco composer David Conte’s “Elegy for the Matthew”, a newly arranged setting for Michael Tilson Thomas’s “I Like to Learn”, a new commission for chorus and orchestra by Dominick DiOrio and contemporary selections including Cyndi Lauper’s “True Colors” and Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Cut to the Feeling.”

“When conceiving this concert, I knew we would be performing again with the spectacular San Francisco Symphony, but for both acts for the first time,” revealed Jacob Stensberg, SFGMC’s Artistic Director. “Having them harmonize with the Chorus in June, the heart of Pride Month, I aimed to select music embodying the essence of what the Chorus stands for: music, activism, pride and community."

SFGMC CEO Chris Verdugo added, “‘Love’ epitomizes everything we are about this Pride month and always. While Jake has curated an astonishing evening of traditional love songs, once again he raises the bar by expanding our repertoire to delve into the multifaceted nature of love, recognizing its unparalleled potency."

About SFGMC

Founded in 1978, SFGMC sparked a nationwide LGBTQ choral movement after its first public performance at a vigil on the steps of City Hall following the assassinations of Supervisor Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone. Since then, SFGMC has been embedded in the fabric of San Francisco. It has soothed souls in pain, lifted spirits in triumph, and has remained a steadfast beacon of hope.

Under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Chris Verdugo and Artistic Director Jacob Stensberg, SFGMC has established a heightened level of performance standards bringing renewed audience and choral industry acclaim. Recent touring schedules, recordings, and outreach programs have broadened its impact and reputation in the community while maintaining its signature blend of humor, personality and ground-breaking performances. In 2019, SFGMC acquired a historic facility that has become its permanent home for rehearsals and offices. The building also serves as The Chan National Queer Arts Center, the first-ever community space for LGBTQ artists and arts organizations.

About Jacob Stensberg

Jacob Stensberg is the conductor and artistic director of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus and the recently-opened Chan National Queer Arts Center. As conductor, Stensberg has led the Chorus in sold-out performances with the San Francisco Symphony and in world-class venues like The Green Music Center (Sonoma) and Zellerbach Hall (as part of the Cal Performances series), Grace Cathedral and more. The Chorus’s recent purchase and renovation of their building, The Chan National Queer Arts Center, has allowed the Chorus to expand their programming and Stensberg has produced and conducted numerous cabarets, community sing-alongs and a four-part spoken word series since the building was inaugurated in December 2023. Following their engagement with the San Francisco Symphony, Stensberg will lead SFGMC in a 2024 tour of the Midwest, with stops in Omaha, Cedar Rapids and Des Moines, followed by the keynote performance at the GALA Choral Festival in Minneapolis this summer.

Prior to his appointment with SFGMC, he was the assistant director for Purdue Musical Organizations at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. While at Purdue, Mr. Stensberg worked with more than 300 students in eight different ensembles, performing in annual traditions like the Purdue Christmas Show, as well as writing and performing custom music for special events like NASA’s 50th anniversary of the moon landing in 2019.

In addition to his work at Purdue, Mr. Stensberg enjoyed working with Butler University choirs and orchestras, Indianapolis Symphonic Choir, Circle City Chamber Choir, Booth Tarkington Civic Theater, Zach&Zack Productions, BOBDIREX, Eclectic Pond Theatre Company, and Civic Theater of Lafayette.

Mr. Stensberg received his formal and formative training from Kristina Boerger at Carroll University in Waukesha, Wisconsin, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in music education. He earned his master’s degree in conducting from Butler University where he studied with Eric Stark.

About Enrico LaGasca

Filipino-American bass-baritone Enrico Lagasca has traveled long musical distances in the short time since he began his career – comprising 16 oratorios, 17 new-music works, seven opera roles plus 13 song cycles and collections. Heard on four Grammy Award-nominated recordings, Enrico is both a solo and ensemble singer in settings as diverse as New York’s mission-specific TENET Vocal Artists and major orchestras under conductors such as Riccardo Muti, Zubin Mehta, Pablo Heras-Casado, Nicholas McGegan, Jane Glover, John Butt, John Nelson, Matthew Halls and Carl St. Clair. Soloist highlights of his current season include Haydn's Lord Nelson Mass

with Voices of Ascension in New York, Handel's Messiah at Ann Arbor's University Musical Society and at Carnegie Hall with Musica Sacra, Bach's Christmas Oratorio at Washington Bach Consort, and Mendelssohn's Walpurgisnacht with the St. Louis Symphony and Craig Johnson's Considering Matthew Shepard - the latter reflecting Enrico’s particular interest in works that address the LGBTQ+ community. He is a member of the Kaleidoscope Vocal Ensemble, which is dedicated to diversity and social justice.

HeisagraduateofNewYork'sMannesCollegeofMusicandlivesinNew York City with his domestic partner of several years.

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For more information on SFGMC, visit www.sfgmc.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/sfgmc

Instagram: www.instagram.com/sfgmc

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@sfgaymenschorus

YouTube: www.youtube.com/sfgmcvideo

X (formally ‘Twitter’): www.twitter.com/sfgmc

Visit SFGMC TV: www.sfgmc.org/sfgmctv

SFGMC Archive contact: [email protected]

SFGMC MEDIA CONTACT:

Scott Walton 415.350.5195/[email protected]

SAN FRANCISCO GAY MEN’S CHORUS PRESENTS MEMORY KEEPERS INITIATIVE: “THE HISTORY OF THE SAN FRANCISCO GAY MEN’S CHORUS”

AN ORAL HISTORY SERIES ABOUT THE WORLD’S PREMIER QUEER CHORUS, THEIR ACTIVISM AND THEIR ENDURING MESSAGE OF LOVE AND COMMUNITY

THURSDAY, MAY 16 AT 7 PM AT THE CHAN NATIONAL QUEER ARTS CENTER

FEATURING JACOB STENSBERG, ROBERT RUFO, JAY DAVIDSON,
THOMAS KENNARD AND SURPRISE GUESTS

(SAN FRANCISCO, CA, May 1, 2024)—The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, the world’s premier queer chorus, continues their exploration into local queer history with “The History of SFGMC”, the final program of the Memory Keepers Initiative. Hosted by SFGMC’s Artistic Director Jacob Stensberg and featuring Robert Rufo, Jay Davidson, Thomas Kennard and surprise guests, the final Memory Keepers Initiative of the season will be presented at SFGMC’s home, The Chan National Queer Arts Center (170 Valencia Street) on Thursday, May 16 at 7 PM. In an effort to make this event accessible to all, the Memory Keepers Initiative is a “Pay What You Can” event. Tickets are available at sfgmc.org.

The Memory Keepers Initiative is an oral history project that uplifts and preserves the stories of our community’s visionary LGBTQ+ elders in order to foster intergenerational connection among LGBTQ+ communities and allies, as well as inspire a bigger, brighter future by learning and understanding of our collective history.

The evening will be moderated by SFGMC’s Artistic Director Jacob Stensberg and will include Robert Rufo, one of the original Chorus members who continues to sing with the group, Jay Davidson, another original member who also served as the Business Manager in the early days, and Thomas Kennard, a long-standing member who joined shortly after his transition more than 25 years ago. The Chorus, whose roster of active singers is nearly 300 people has a storied history, dating back to their first performance, only a month after their formation, at the candlelight march following the assassinations of Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk. The Chorus was the first in the world to openly proclaim their dignity by using the word “gay” in their title. SFGMC’s commitment to music and activism has never changed and they continue to be a beacon of hope to queer people across the world.

“When I first became aware that SFGMC was seeking a new Artistic Director, I immediately began to devour all their rich history, which convinced me that I wanted to take a part in their present and future”, stated SFGMC Artistic Director Jacob Stensberg. “We are lucky to have so many of our long-standing members still active with us and their stories will make our history come alive for new generations. This is what Memory Keepers Initiative is about: keeping history alive, to inform the present and build upon the courage and wisdom of those who came before us.”

Presented at The Chan National Queer Arts Center in San Francisco, the Memory Keepers Initiative includes four programs in 2024: 

• January 11 - The Early Heroes of the Castro

• February 29 - Centering Black Trans Joy - Hosted by The Transgender District

• April 18 - San Francisco’s Queer Arts - Hosted by the GLBT Historical Society

• May 16, 2024 - A History of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus

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About SFGMC
Founded in 1978, SFGMC sparked a nationwide LGBTQ choral movement after its first public performance at a vigil on the steps of City Hall following the assassinations of Supervisor Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone. Since then, SFGMC has been embedded in the fabric of San Francisco. It has soothed souls in pain, lifted spirits in triumph, and has remained a steadfast beacon of hope.

Under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Chris Verdugo and Artistic Director Jacob Stensberg, SFGMC has established a heightened level of performance standards bringing renewed audience and choral industry acclaim. Recent touring schedules, recordings, and outreach programs have broadened its impact and reputation in the community while maintaining its signature blend of humor, personality and ground-breaking performances. In 2019, SFGMC acquired a historic facility that has become its permanent home for rehearsals and offices. The building also serves as The Chan National Queer Arts Center, the first-ever community space for LGBTQ artists and arts organizations.

About The Chan National Queer Arts Center

The Pansy L. Chan and Terrence D. Chan National Queer Arts Center is the nation’s first LGBTQ center for community, creativity and collaboration. This landmark space, that also serves as the home of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, is the first of its kind in the country — an artistic sanctuary for queer artists to call home, a space for audiences to share their lived experiences, and a beacon of inspiration and empowerment for queer individuals nationwide who are confronting oppression. A place for art and activism. 

For more information on SFGMC, visit www.sfgmc.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/sfgmc

Instagram: www.instagram.com/sfgmc

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@sfgaymenschorus

YouTube: www.youtube.com/sfgmcvideo

X (formally ‘Twitter’): www.twitter.com/sfgmc

Visit SFGMC TV: www.sfgmc.org/sfgmctv

SFGMC Archive contact: [email protected]

SFGMC MEDIA CONTACT:

Scott Walton 415.350.5195/[email protected]