Concert and aftermath

[vaneramos]

Last night the choir had its most successful concert to date. We sold about 250 tickets and raised more than $3,500. It's welcome news because other fundraising activities this season, like the monthly dances, have barely broken even.

The feedback was excellent, too. This came as a surprise because we didn't feel well prepared. But the performance came together at last. Terrilyn received a standing ovation for her new composition, and we all received another one at the end.

Oddly, I received numerous compliments on my appearance. One or two would not have surprised me, but it came from at least six different people. Maybe it's because the new black vest I was wearing had some magic in it, but I did not actually get laid. Maybe the choir people are just humouring me after my surgery.

Today I wound down with Sylvie. She came over for lunch. Then we went for another walk, though not as far as last Sunday; we were both too tired. Later we had dinner at Jon's and watched Paradise Road, starring my favourite actress, Glenn Close, about a group of women, mostly British, in a prisoner-of-war camp in Sumatra during World War II. It was reminiscent of Tea With Mussolini but sadder in that some of them died.

Then Sylvie had to leave, and Jon and I watched Big Eden. This is a heartwarming romantic comedy that speculates what it would be like for two men to fall in love in a small Montana town if their friends and family all acted like being gay was normal. It was practically an Oscar and Hammerstein storyline, schmaltzy but beautifully done, with no hint of sexual content. As if traditional family values were inclusive. It's a different, happier planet than Queer As Folk.

It left me lonely for a strong pair of arms to come home to. Yes that's exactly what I need, not sex, just a big hug to curl up in and go to sleep. But that's all I can say for today. I'm exhausted from a busy weekend.

Comments

[emjaybaxter.livejournal.com]

Glad to hear the concert went so well. Way to go. And who knows if that is a magic vest then perhaps Mr. Right can be conjured up for that big hug you're looking for.

Bob ruralrob and I enjoyed Big Eden as well. In that case one can go home again and enjoy it.

Take care Van.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Ironically, "home" was the theme of our all-Canadian concert. If only we could go home.

For a moment during the concert I felt sad that none of my family was there. I was jealous of my fellow gay and lesbian choir members who had parents, brothers and sisters in the audience. I don't like visiting my hometown.

Then I realized my home was right there, singing along with Sylvie, Jon, Mark, Bob and the other friends who have become like family to me.

[emjaybaxter.livejournal.com]

Couldn't agree more. Our friends are our family here as well.

[missprune.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad you wrote about this! All day I've been wondering how the concert went. Congratulations!
I must try to find Big Eden. It sounds like something we'd really enjoy in our small Montana town. If only the acceptance you describe were the norm here...!

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

I thought of you while I was watching it! I'm sure you would enjoy it. Can't hurt to dream!

Big Eden

[zombietruckstop.livejournal.com]

Having been born and raised in Montana, BIG EDEN really hit home in a fantasy sort of way. Ironically, I know people both from here in LA and back in MT that worked on the film. It was a labor of love for just about everyone involved....

Re: Big Eden

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

A happy labour too, I would think. I looked at Jon during partway through and said, "Where did you find this movie?" It was like nothing I have ever seen.

Re: Big Eden

[jwg.livejournal.com]

We, rsc and I, really loved that movie. I was so happy to run into it at the rental store one day - knowing nothing about it. The extra stuff on the DVD was interesting, too. The film makers talked about how they had been concerned about making a movie with this subject line in a National Park and just in general how people would react. They were pleasantly surprised at how just about everyone (people and organizations) they encountered was very supportive.

There is hope in the general populace. (Meanwhile, today one of the Mass legislative committees is holding hearings on a DOMA constitutional amendment - scary).

Re: Big Eden

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to see the "extra stuff" on the DVD. It sounds like this movie was a fascinating endeavour for the people who made it.

[ruralrob.livejournal.com]

So glad to hear the concert went well. I'd be intersted to hear what the program was, as you've told us about one number.

And I'm glad you liked Big Eden too.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Fair enough: here it is.

1. Mi'kmaq Honour Song, by Lydia Adams
2. Home I'll Be, words and music by Rita MacNeil, arr. Stuart Calvert
3. The Gowans Are Gay, Scottish ballad, arr. John Beckwith
4. Song For The Mira, words and music Allister MacGillvray, arr. Stuart Calvert
5. Cent mille chansons, traditional folk melody
6. O Lovely Nightingale, 15th Century French chanson, arr. Healey Willan
7. They All Call It Canada, words and music Freddy Frant, arr. Leslie Bell
8. In Flanders Fields, text John McCrae, music Eleanor Daley
9. O Canada
10. That's the Way It Is, music and lyrics Max Martin, Kristian Lundin and Andrea Carlsson, arr. Teena Chinn
11. Rise With Pride, words and music Terrilyn Coward
12. Sing All Ye Joyful, text J.R.R. Tolkien from The Hobbit, music Ruth Watson Henderson
13. Magnetic North, words and music Graeme Wearmouth
14. O Siem, words and music Susan Aglukark and Chad Irschick, adapted for SATB by Willi Zwozdesky

[ruralrob.livejournal.com]

Thanks for posting the list - very interesting. My only question now is - when's the national - or even world - tour?

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

LOL, our next performance will be at Kitchener Pride in June.

At the moment we're trying to decide whether we can afford to attend (as a group) the International GALA festival (gay and lesbian choirs) in Montreal in July 2004.

</I>this is me missing Canada</I>

[jawnbc]

Wow, fantastic programme. Thought the Céline number ("That's the way it is") is written by Swedes, no? Maybe your choir could do the English version of "Ziggy" from Starmania? It's the best fag-hag song ever written...truly poignant.

I too have felt longing, beyond mere sex. But my experiences overtly seeking that haven't worked out well. It has to happen on the universe terms, at least for me.

So here's a cyber-hug from a leprechaun...not big and brawny, more pig and brainy ;)

Re: </I>this is me missing Canada</I>

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

You may be right about the Swedes. I think we were going for Canadian "content" rather than picking purely Canadian-written songs. The choir has a few Celine fans, so we had to pick something from her repertoire.

But my experiences overtly seeking that haven't worked out well. It has to happen on the universe terms, at least for me.

Yes, I have had the same experience, and agree utterly.

Being single seems to work best for me. Usually I'm content to go with the flow. But once in a while I get sick of the universe being so stingy.

Please allow me a moment of insanity. Or perhaps a week.

The hug is appreciatively returned.

[peregrinus236.livejournal.com]

Your account of the concert took me back to my days of singing in choruses -- gay choruses in particular. I helped form the Maine Gay Mens Chorus in Portand back in the early 90's, and have also sung with the Boston, Portland (Oregon), and Austin Choruses. I finally dropped out here in Austin because the director seemed only interested in slow, sad songs sung in obscure languages, and the group seemed strangely homophobic -- odd. But I remember all the work, worry, despair, exhiliration, and joy throughout the concert process, and your account brought back some wonderful memories.

Have you ever been to a GALA event? I highly recommend it.

So, do we get to see a photo of The Vest -- with you in it? Or would the vision be too dazzling? As I said before, we're tough, we can take it. Keep on singing. The loneliness recedes into the background for the most part, and, for reasons I don't understand, gives a depth to the overall picture. I don't think it's something to be cultivated, but it can be lived with or through. There's a secret garden in there somewhere.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

It's impossible to put together a group of people, no matter what their common vision, without encountering conflicts. My choir has had its share. In fact it almost disbanded several times. But in the past couple years it has worked hard to be more inclusive by getting everyone involved, and not letting one or two alpha personalities run the whole show.

One of the benefits of a healthy community is it teaches us tolerance, and how to get alone while not always getting our way. Since joining the choir in September '96 I have quit twice, in disgust. But I went back 18 months ago, determined not to run away from my problems anymore, and so far I have managed.

I attended the national GALA festival in Toronto with my choir last June. It included 18 gay and lesbian choirs from across Canada. It was amazing.

Right now we're trying to decide whether we can raise enough money to attend the international GALA festival in Montreal in July 2004. The success of Saturday's concert will give us a boost.

The vest is brand new so I don't have any photos, but I'll try to arrange some soon.