Saturday, April 5, 2025 - 5:00pm

The Westin St. Francis Hotel - 335 Powell St, San Francisco, CA 94102

Join us for an unforgettable evening at the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus Crescendo Gala, a celebration of music, community, and the power of coming together. This elegant event will take place on April 5, 2025 at the Westin St. Francis, offering guests an opportunity to immerse themselves in an evening of fine dining and live entertainment as we honor champions who are making a profound impact on the LGBTQIA+ community.

SHERYL LEE RALPH -
NANCY PELOSI ALLY AWARD

Sheryl Lee Ralph: A Legacy of Artistry, Advocacy, and Empowerment

Sheryl Lee Ralph is a celebrated actress, singer, and activist whose remarkable career in entertainment and tireless philanthropic efforts have left an indelible mark on both industries. She first gained widespread acclaim for her role as Deena Jones in the original Broadway production of Dreamgirls (1981), earning a Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical. Her commanding stage presence and exceptional talent solidified her status as a Broadway icon. She made history as the first Black actress to play Mrs. Morrible in the Broadway production of Wicked, showcasing her groundbreaking contributions to theater and her ability to bring authenticity and depth to her roles. Read more!

WHAT IS CRESCENDO?

SPECIAL GUEST HOST - NINA WEST

Nina West—yes, THAT Nina West, iconic drag queen and Miss Congeniality from RuPaul’s Drag Race—will be gracing us as our host for the night as well as a special performance! With her legendary wit, charm, and outrageous stage presence, you know this evening is going to be nothing short of spectacular.

TICKET INFORMATION

Contact us for ticket info, development@sfgmc.org

fOR DETAILS ON ALL TICKET LEVELS, PLEASE CLICK ON THE TICKET PRICE

● Seated dinner and show, cocktail reception, and dessert reception for up to 10 guests
● Sponsor recognition in all event materials, including signage and digital program
● Your name/company logo included in continuous sponsor loop and event website
● Premium table location at dinner
● Your name/company logo included on digital invitation, marketing and press materials
● Rights to use SFGMC logo, photos, and video in your corporate/philanthropy materials
● VIP table location at dinner
● Verbal recognition from the stage during the program
● Seated dinner and show, cocktail reception, and dessert reception for up to 10 guests
● Sponsor recognition in all event materials, including signage and digital program
● Your name/company logo included in continuous sponsor loop and event website
● Premium table location at dinner
● Your name/company logo included on digital invitation, marketing and press materials
● Rights to use SFGMC logo, photos, and video in your corporate/philanthropy materials
● VIP table location at dinner
● Seated dinner and show, cocktail reception, and dessert reception for up to 10 guests
● Sponsor recognition in all event materials, including signage and digital program
● Your name/company logo included in continuous sponsor loop and event website
● Premium table location at dinner
● Your name/company logo included on digital invitation, marketing and press materials
● Rights to use SFGMC logo, photos, and video in your corporate/philanthropy materials
● Seated dinner and show, cocktail reception, and dessert reception for up to 10 guests
● Sponsor recognition in all event materials, including signage and digital program
● Your name/company logo included in continuous sponsor loop and event website
● Premium table location at dinner
● Your name/company logo included on digital invitation, marketing and press materials
● Seated dinner and show, cocktail reception, and dessert reception for up to 10 guests
● Sponsor recognition in all event materials, including signage and digital program
● Your name/company logo included in continuous sponsor loop and event website
Premium seat location for dinner and show, cocktail reception, and dessert reception for 1 guest
Seated dinner and show, cocktail reception, and dessert reception for 1 guest

MORE ABOUT CRESCENDEO

This prestigious event has previously honored remarkable individuals and organizations, including Tribal Chairman Greg Sarris and the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, Governor Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, Mayor London Breed, and Kristin Chenoweth, among others.

The Crescendo Gala supports the artistic and outreach initiatives of the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus, including our work with the Chan National Queer Arts Center and the Reaching Youth Through Music (RHYTHM) program. The evening will feature captivating performances by the Chorus, moving testimonials, and exciting auction items, all designed to raise critical funds for our mission to champion equality and spread joy through music.

Whether you’re a long-time supporter or new to the SFGMC family, the Crescendo Gala promises to be a night of elegance, empowerment, and connection. Dress in your finest attire and prepare to be inspired as we come together to celebrate.

HONORARY CO-CHAIRS

Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis
Greg Sarris

CRESCENDO CO-CHAIRS

Bryan Catanzaro
Sally Kay

HONORARY COMMITTEE

Hon. Rafael Mandelman
LeAnn Rimes
Stephen Schwartz
Dr. Betty Sullivan
Hon. Scott Wiener

Jack Calhoun + Trent Norris
Terrence Chan + Edward Sell
Kristin Chenoweth
Janet Cluff
Thomas E. Horn

CRESCENDO COMMITTEE

Rylan Ayers
Brandon Baranco
Rev. Miguel Bustos
Meghan Cast
Kama Fletcher
Adrienne Foley
Raymond Gonzales
Andrew Ryan Hall
Neil Harper

Vinney Lê
Sean Livingston
Jacqueline Mills
Butch Merideth
Peter Rodway
Max Rosen
Udit Sood
Selina Sun

Sponsorship list updated as of January 28, 2025

More About Sheryl Lee Ralph

On screen, Ralph has captivated audiences with her versatility, delivering memorable performances in films like Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit and To Sleep with Anger, as well as in iconic television series. Her portrayal of the wise and compassionate Barbara Howard in Abbott Elementary earned her an Emmy Award in 2022, further cementing her legacy as a beloved and critically acclaimed performer.

In addition to her artistic achievements, Ralph has made a profound impact as a philanthropist and advocate. A fierce champion for HIV/AIDS awareness, she founded the D.I.V.A. Foundation (Divinely Inspired Victoriously Aware) in 1990, dedicated to eradicating stigma, raising awareness, and supporting those affected by the disease. Her annual benefit event, Divas Simply Singing!, is one of the longest-running AIDS awareness fundraisers in the United States. Ralph is also a passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, frequently lending her voice to promote acceptance, inclusion, and equality. Furthermore, she has worked tirelessly to inspire and empower young people, especially young women of color, by championing education, self-confidence, and resilience.

Ralph’s philanthropic efforts have earned her numerous accolades, including the Harvard Black Men’s Forum Woman of the Year Award and recognition from the United Nations for her work in HIV/AIDS advocacy. She was also named OUT Magazine's 2024 Advocate of the Year. Her contributions to the arts and society reflect her commitment to making a difference and uplifting marginalized communities.

With a career spanning over four decades, Sheryl Lee Ralph continues to inspire through her artistry, advocacy, and unwavering dedication to social justice and empowerment, solidifying her legacy as a true trailblazer.

2024 PHOTO GALLERY - STEP & REPEAT

The Step & Repeat is always a fabulous place to capture the fun and glamour of Crescendo. Relive the excitement from our 2024 event.

All photos by Drew Altizer Photography.

2024 Honorees and Performances

Three awe-inspiring performances by the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus beautifully framed an evening of inspiring honorees, fearless speeches, and hilarious banter from Michael Tate.

All photos by Drew Altizer Photography.

2024 Live Auction and After-Party

Michael Tate ensured our live auction and Fund the Future made this a record breaking evening for SFGMC. It was the perfect way to send us all to the after-party with great dance tunes from DJ Kidd, a chance for everyone to leave a note on The Love Wall, and the best night caps to accompany the French fry bar!

A special thanks to the remarkable staff at The Westin St. Francis who made sure everything went perfectly!