The Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida is bringing a show to Fort Lauderdale that harmonizes the music of generations past and present.
“Pride: Then, Now, and Forever” — set for 8 p.m. Saturday, June 29, at The Parker in Fort Lauderdale — will feature songs such as “It’s Raining Men,” “Dancing Queen,” “I’m Coming Out,” Cher’s “Believe” and Heather Small’s “Proud.” The idea, according to the group’s website, is to pay homage “to diverse journeys, shared struggles, and the boundless joy of the LGBTQ+ community.”
Covering songs from different generations helps “show how much we have in common, and the unique flavor each generation brings to its music,” said Mark Kent, executive director of the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida (GMCSF).
The concert will also feature the world premiere of “We’ve Come Through The Storm,” by folk artist Tom Nichols and composer/pianist Dan Chadburn, both based in Fort Lauderdale, as well as “Don’t Say Gay,” written exclusively for GMCSF by Los Angeles-based composer Dave Volpe.
“The culture of our chorus has changed in recent years,” GMCSF artistic director Gabe Salazar said. “Our membership has diversified at a rapid level, and I thought it would be amazing to showcase that and lean into that idea.
“We have chorus members who have lived and really experienced life, we have chorus members who are just beginning their adult lives, and we have chorus members from all over the world,” added Salazar, who is at the end of his third season as artistic director.
Salazar joined the chorus as a singing member when he moved to Florida in 2019. Not knowing anyone, he was hoping to network with other musicians.
“I always dreamed of directing a chorus of this magnitude but had no idea that I would soon take over as their artistic director,” he said. “After my first season as a singer, the position was posted nationwide. I applied and went through several rounds of interviews and auditions with the chorus before I was hired.”
He described the chorus as being not just a group of singers but also a sanctuary where every voice matters, where individuality is celebrated, and where the power of togetherness shines through every performance.
“The biggest reward is to see them learn from each other and encourage each other along this road called life,” Salazar said. “The special gift that we have is that we get to convey this message through our music, which can be a life-changing experience.”
WHAT: Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida presents “Pride: Then, Now, and Forever”
WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday, June 29
WHERE: The Parker, 707 NE Eighth St., Fort Lauderdale
COST: $43.75.-$68.75
INFORMATION: 954-763-2266; gmcsf.org
This story was produced by Broward Arts Journalism Alliance (BAJA), an independent journalism program of the Broward County Cultural Division. Visit ArtsCalendar.com for more stories about the arts in South Florida.
