Queer Music Concert Preview Guide
If you’re looking to celebrate local GLBTQ identities while taking in the sounds of music, look no further. Lavender has curated a list of GLBTQ concerts put on by local organizations celebrating diversity and empowering their members.
Stand Together Spring Concert
Calliope Women’s Chorus
March 8, 7:00 PM
Prospect Park United Methodist Church
Founded in 1976, Calliope Women’s Chorus is a feminist chorus dedicated to promoting social change through song. With members identifying as lesbian, bisexual, and heterosexual, the chorus’ concert themes and programming promote social change through increasing awareness about the subject of each concert and “keeping hope alive” for the people who work for change. Proceeds from the spring concert benefit OutFront Minnesota.
www.calliopewomenschorus.org
America’s Sacred, Simple Gifts
Minnesota Philharmonic Orchestra
March 8, 7:30 PM
Sundin Music Hall, Hamline University
Get in touch with your spiritual side as the orchestra explores three works by American composers influenced by different forms of the sacred. For this concert, the orchestra welcomes guest conductor Douglas Diamond.
www.mnphil.org
I Am Harvey Milk
Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus
March 28 – 29, 8:00 PM
Ted Mann Concert Hall, University of Minnesota
As one of the original co-commissioning choruses behind the I Am Harvey Milk production, Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus (TCGMC) brings the show to Minneapolis for its area premiere. The twelve-movement work begins when Harvey is eleven years old and then progresses with a movement examining each month in his tenure on the board of supervisors. The work is non-chronological and impressionistic, even including a song sung from the point of view of the bullet that killed Milk. Featuring the voices of the Minnesota Boychoir, I Am Harvey Milk celebrates the life of the influential leader.
www.tcgmc.org
InsideOUT!
One Voice Mixed Chorus
April 25 – 27, 7:30 PM (3:00 PM on Sunday)
The Lab Theatre
InsideOUT! features special guest artist, Grammy Award nominated Melanie DeMore of the Cultural Heritage Choir, and teen participants from Avenues for Homeless Youth. DeMore is teaching the singers the nearly-lost art of Gullah stick pounding practiced by slaves in the Old South who were confined to islands off the coast of Georgia and the Carolinas. This art form will be incorporated into the concert.
www.ovmc.org
Freedom Jazz! Big Band Concert
Minnesota Freedom Band
April 27, 3:00 PM
Marriot Minneapolis West
Enjoy the ambiance of the Waterford Ballroom while listening to the sounds of the Minnesota Freedom Jazz!, a 16-piece big band jazz ensemble.
www.mnfreedomband.org
Pancakes & Jazz
Minnesota Freedom Band
May 10, 9:00 AM
All God’s Children MCC Church
Come join in the fun at the Annual Pancake Breakfast. As always, it is the Saturday before Mother’s Day. Listen to live jazz music while enjoying all-you-can-eat pancakes for only $7.
www.mnfreedomband.org
OutLoud! Presents “Saints and Sinners”
Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus
May 30 – 31, 8:00 PM
The Ritz Theater
Have you been naughty or nice this year? When you listen to your concience, is it the voice of an angel or the little devil on your shoulder? No matter the answer, the men of OutLoud! entertain with guilty musical pleasures for what they promise will be a devilishly good time.
www.tcgmc.org
Ireland Tour Send-Off Concert
One Voice Mixed Chorus
May 31, 7:30 PM
Lake Harriet Bandshell
In June, One Voice is traveling to Dublin, Ireland, to attend Various Voices, an international GLBT choral festival. If you aren’t planning on hopping on a plane, join the chorus in the exciting adventure by attending the send-off concert.
www.ovmc.org
21st Birthday Bash
Minnesota Philharmonic Orchestra
May 31, 7:30 PM
Sundin Music Hall, Hamline University
The orchestra celebrated its 20th season last year, which means the MPO has truly come of (drinking) age in this, its 21st season. Get ready to feel the need to raise a glass and hit the dance floor with a 21st birthday party of drinking and dancing. Prepare yourself for a musical hang-over!
www.mnphil.org
QMC Concert
Queer Music Consortium
June 2, 7:00 PM
Como Park Pavillion
The Queer Music Consortium brings together all of its members for its annual concert. The Minnesota association of LGBT musicians from Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus, Minnesota Philharmonic Orchestra, Minnesota Freedom Band, One Voice Mixed Chorus, and Calliope Women’s Chorus come together to celebrate and share the joy of music.
The Big Gay Sing!
Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus
June 20 – 21, 8:00 PM
Ted Mann Concert Hall, University of Minnesota
Hosted by the one and only Miss Richfield 1981, audience members get to “camp it up” and sing along with the Chorus to favorite big gay songs. Considered by many as the highlight of Pride month, an evening of wacky fun awaits! Come out and sing for a gay old time.
www.tcgmc.org
Summer Concert
Minnesota Philharmonic Orchestra
June 22, 5:30 PM
Lake Harriet Bandshell
The bandshell serves as a favorite location for summer concert goers who enjoy the beauty of the lake and outdoor environment while taking in the magnificent sounds of an orchestra.
www.mnphil.org
Summer Concert
Minnesota Freedom Band
June 23, 7:00 PM
Lake Harriet Bandshell
Join the Minnesota Freedom Band for their summer concert during Pride month. Free music in a great park near a great lake. What could make it any better?
www.mnfreedomband.org
