SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The San
Francisco Gay Men's Chorus (SFGMC), whose mission is to create
extraordinary musical experiences that inspire community, activism
and compassion, today announced a stellar lineup of honorees and
VIP guests for the 40th Season Crescendo Gala presented by
Zendesk. As it celebrates its 40th anniversary,
this year SFGMC will honor two-time Grammy-nominated
singer-songwriter Mary
Lambert with the Inspiration Award for her achievements
in advancing LGBTQ equality. The evening will also honor
Tyler Glenn of Neon Trees
with the Trailblazer Award, as well as renowned Emmy-winning and
Grammy and Tony Award-nominated composer Andrew Lippa with the Vanguard Award. The
Corporate Leadership Award will be presented to the President of
AT&T Pacific Region, Ken
McNeely.
Being held on February
24th at the Fairmont San Francisco, other special
guests include Star Trek: Discover and 13 Reasons Why
actor and activist Wilson
Cruz, RuPaul Drag Race's Bob the Drag
Queen, Pitch Perfect's Kelley
Jakle, son of newly elected Alabama Senator Doug
Jones and LGBTQ activist Carson
Jones, acclaimed author and activist Armistead Maupin and President of the San
Francisco Board of Supervisors
London Breed. Guests will be entertained with special
performances by Mary Lambert,
Tyler Glenn Andrew Lippa, Bob the
Drag Queen and members of the Chorus.
This year, significant portions of funds raised will support
SFGMC's newest program, RHYTHM: Reaching Youth Through
Music. This new educational youth outreach program brings the
message of anti-bullying and acceptance through music, personal
stories and experiences. RHYTHM brings high school students from
all over the Bay Area and members of SFGMC together to share
experiences, foster a safe space and grow from powerful stories of
coming out and overcoming adversity. This landmark initiative will
reach over 3500 By Area students in the next four months.
"In light of our 40th Anniversary, we will celebrate what SFGMC
is at its core – family - while paying tribute to three honorees
whose own lives and advocacy work have entered around theirs.
With RHYTHM, we're aiming to spread the message of love and
community to the younger generation. Our ultimate goal is to
support them living their authentic lives," said Chris Verdugo, Executive Director of SFGMC.
The 40th Season Crescendo Gala is presented by Zendesk with
additional support from partners: AT&T, Chansell Capital
Properties, Peter Drake +
Jared Moreno, and J.P. Morgan.
Individual and VIP tickets, which include an invitation to an
exclusive cocktail reception, are available for purchase at:
http://www.sfgmc.org/crescendo/.
About SFGMC
For nearly 40 years, SFGMC has
courageously served as the international standard bearer for a
powerful and accomplished mix of high-caliber performance, human
rights, community activism, empowerment and inclusiveness,
establishing it as an icon among LGBT organizations. Founded in
1978, it was the first organization of its kind and is credited
with starting the LGBT choral movement, galvanizing and changing
the course of LGBTQ history. It continues to rally and inspire
other arts-based community organizations around the world. Under
the leadership of Artistic Director Dr. Timothy Seelig, SFGMC has established a
heightened level of performance standards receiving audience and
choral acclaim, increased its touring and recording profile and
broadened its impact and reputation in the community while
maintaining its signature blend of humor, personality and
high-voltage performances. Visit www.sfgmc.org and @sfgmc
(Facebook/Twitter/Instagram).
View original content with
multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mary-lambert-to-be-honored-by-the-san-francisco-gay-mens-chorus-at-the-40th-season-crescendo-gala-300601398.html
SOURCE San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus