ANNUAL BENEFIT TO HONOR TONY AWARD WINNER BD WONG,
SAN FRANCISCO GAY MEN’S CHORUS ARTISTIC DIRECTOR DR. TIMOTHY SEELIG, AMAZON, AND CALIFORNIA LEGISLATIVE LGBTQ CAUCUS

*** FRIDAY, APRIL 8 AT 6 P.M. ***

SAN FRANCISCO (February 15, 2022)—Today, San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus (SFGMC) Artistic Director Dr. Timothy Seelig and Executive Director Chris Verdugo announced Crescendo, SFGMC’s annual benefit honoring extraordinary individuals and organizations who tirelessly champion and promote LGBTQ+ equality. This year, Crescendo returns to a live, in-person event, taking place on Friday, April 8 at 6 p.m. at San Francisco’s Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco (757 Market St.). Funds raised at this year’s benefit will help sustain SFGMC’s performances and programs.

“After two years of hosting Crescendo virtually, we are thrilled to gather in-person to raise crucial funds for SFGMC,” said Verdugo. “This year, we honor two extraordinay artists and activists, a transformative political body and a forward-looking corporate partner, all who have made significant contributions to the LGBTQ+ community and who align with SFGMC’s mission to build community, inspire activism, and foster compassion. 

Four prestigious awards will be presented that evening—Tony Award winner BD Wong will be honored with the Vanguard Award; Dr. Timothy Seelig will be awarded with the Lifetime Achievement Award; Amazon will be awarded with the Corporate Champion Award; and California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus will be awarded with the Trailblazer Award. 

The benefit will include an exclusive preview of SFGMC’s April 10 concert, Voices Rising, featuring members of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus. Also performing will be Academy Award and Grammy Award-winning composer/lyricist Stephen Schwartz and SFGMC’s vocal ensembles—HomoPhonics and The Lollipop Guild. 

Crescendo will also feature the return of the exciting live auction where guests can bid on once-in-a-lifetime experiences and packages. In addition, a virtual silent auction will be available to attendees and SFGMC fans. To donate an auction item, visit sfgmc.org/crescendo-2022.

Tickets for Crescendo range in price from $350 for regular tickets to $500 for Premium tickets, which includes access to the cocktail reception, seated dinner and show, and a dessert reception. Sponsorships begin at $3,500. To purchase tickets, visit sfgmc.org/crescendo-2022. 

Co-chaired by Denise Geschke, Selina Sun, and Michael Tate, the Crescendo planning committee includes Table Captain Champion Gregory Marks and Auction Chair Mike Bernard.

Crescendo sponsors include Platinum Sponsors: Amazon, Chansell Capital Properties, Mikkel Svane; Ruby Sponsor: John and Denise Geschke; Gold Sponsors: Rebecca and Cal Henderson, UserTesting, Zendesk; Silver Sponsors: AT&T, Janet Cluff, David Laudon and Randy Laroche, George Trapp; Bronze Sponsor: Tito's Handmade Vodka; and Wine Partner: Rodney Strong Vineyards

About SFGMC

Founded in 1978, SFGMC sparked a nationwide LGBTQ choral movement after its first public performance at a vigil on the steps of City Hall following the assassinations of Supervisor Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone. Since then SFGMC has been embedded in the fabric of San Francisco. It has soothed souls in pain, lifted spirits in triumph, and has remained a steadfast beacon of hope.

 Under the leadership of Artistic Director Dr. Timothy Seelig, SFGMC has established a heightened level of performance standards bringing renewed audience and choral industry acclaim. Recent touring schedules, recordings, and outreach programs have broadened its impact and reputation in the community while maintaining its signature blend of humor, personality and ground-breaking performances. In 2019, SFGMC acquired a historic facility that has become its permanent home for rehearsals and offices. The building also serves as the first-ever National LGBTQ Center for the Arts, a community space for LGBTQ artists and arts organizations.

For more information on SFGMC, visit www.sfgmc.org

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