Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus Plans Northern Minnesota Tour

March 29, 2005
Jon Lewis, Executive Director
612.339.7664
jlewis@tcgmc.org

Minneapolis , MN -The Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus will take its KGAY-FM: Sounds of the '60s concert to Northern Minnesota stopping first in Duluth on April 9 th and then on to Grand Marais for a concert April 10 th . Both concerts are part of the Chorus' community outreach program.

The Duluth concert will take place at Weber Music Hall on the campus of the University of Minnesota , 1151 University Drive . The Chorus is being sponsored by the GLBT Programs office with proceeds going to support the University's Cruden Riggs Scholarship Fund, a fund established to honor students who actively contribute to gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender people and issues. Tickets are $20 and may be purchased online through the Chorus' website at www.tcgmc.org or at the door one hour prior to the concert. The concert is on Saturday, April 9 at 3 pm.

The Chorus will then travel to Grand Marais on Sunday, April 10 th for a 2 pm performance at Arrowhead Center for the Arts, 11 West Fifth Street . This concert, co-sponsored by the Northshore Music Association and Grand Marais Playhouse, will be the Chorus' first tour to Grand Marais in its 24-year history. Proceeds from this concert will benefit the Northshore Music Association and Grand Marais Playhouse with . donations accepted at the door.

"We are just thrilled to be taking the Chorus on this Northern Minnesota tour," said Dr. Stan Hill, Artistic Director for the Chorus. "It's an important part of our mission - the community outreach. Together with our partners in these towns, we strive to dissolve the negative stereotypes and project a positive image of the GLBT community," he added.

The Chorus will perform highlights from their spring program, KGAY-FM: Sounds of the 60s. Hits like The Twist, Duke of Earl, Teen Angel, Where Have All the Flowers Gone, Leader of the Pack, Leaving On a Jet Plane, Monday,Monday , and The Sound of Silence will be included in this exciting concert, covering just about every genre of music: folk, rock, Motown, dance, gospel and more. Since TV was the big craze, the Chorus will have some fun with the TV tunes that were famous in the '60s: Gilligan's Island , Mr. Ed, Daniel Boone, The Patty Duke Show, The Andy Griffith Show and plenty of jingles from our favorite commercials of the time.

The Chorus performed at Weber Music Hall last April to a nearly full house. "The experience was just wonderful, so when we were asked to return this year, we decided it would be a perfect opportunity deepen our relationship with the university and help them grow their GLBT scholarship program. We also thought it would be a great opportunity to visit our friends in Grand Marais," said Joann Usher, Executive Director of the Chorus.

This is the Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus' 24 th season in the Twin Cities. Formed in 1981, this award-winning Chorus has built a solid reputation for itself through musical excellence and adventuresome programming. With over 140 singing members, the Chorus and its small ensemble, OutLoud!, produce and present a full concert season every year. They are also featured at a number of other special appearances and outreach programs (schools, churches, universities, festivals) locally, throughout the Midwest and the nation.

The Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus (TCGMC) is the fourth largest and one of the most highly regarded gay men's choruses in the country. TCGMC served an audience of over 10,000 people this past year through concert programs and outreach performances. Its mission is Gay men building community through music.

Cruden-Riggs scholarship fund was established to honor students who actively contribute to gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender people and issues. Contributions may be demonstrated through one or more of the following examples: leadership, peer support, role modeling, community service, research or coalition building with other multicultural groups. Preference is given to students who are active participants in the GLBT community at large and have sufficient financial need. For more information on the scholarship fund, you may contact Angela C. Nichols, Director, Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Services, 218.726.7300.

The Northshore Music Association in Grand Marais is a non-profit organization whose purpose is the presentation of musical arts performance, education and cultural enrichment in northeastern Minnesota . The association supports and sponsors both local and regional musicians. Through various partnerships, the organization serves as a principal channel for musical arts performance and education in Grand Marais and the surrounding Cook county area. For further information, you may contact the Association at (218) 387-1284 ext. 3 or via email at music@boreal.org .

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Photos available in jpeg or tif format.
Please contact Jon Lewis at 612.339.7664 or email: jlewis@tcgmc.org