SAN FRANCISCO GAY MEN’S CHORUS PRESENTS 17TH ANNUAL CRESCENDO

POPULAR ANNUAL BENEFIT TO HONOR SAN FRANCISCO MAYOR LONDON  BREED AND TRIBAL LEADER GREG SARRIS AND THE FEDERATED INDIANS OF  GRATON RANCHERIA 

EVENT PROCEEDS TO SUPPORT SFGMC’S ARTISTIC, EDUCATIONAL,  AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS 

*** SATURDAY, APRIL 22 AT 5:30 P.M. *** 

SAN FRANCISCO (February 16, 2023)—Today, San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus (SFGMC) Chief Executive  Officer Chris Verdugo and Artistic Director Jacob Stensberg announced Crescendo, SFGMC’s annual  benefit honoring champions who support the LGBTQ+ community and advance LGBTQ+ equality  through their commitment to change, their leadership, and their actions. Now in its 17th year, Crescendo will take place on Saturday, April 22 at San Francisco’s Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco (757 Market  St.). 

Hailed as one of the most anticipated social events of the season, Crescendo kicks off at 5:30 p.m. with a  cocktail reception where guests will enjoy welcome bites, celebratory libations, and mingling. At 7 p.m.,  guests will gather in the beautiful Four Seasons dining room to be treated to a multicourse gourmet  seated dinner. The celebratory evening includes performances from the San Francisco Gay Men’s  Chorus, awards, and a live auction where guests will have the opportunity to bid on one-of-a-kind  experiences, packages, and items. The evening will conclude with a champagne and dessert reception  where guests will toast to an unforgettable night. 

Two prestigious awards will be presented that evening—San Francisco Mayor London Breed will be  honored with the Ally Award; and Tribal Leader Greg Sarris and the Federated Indians of Graton  Rancheria will be honored with the Visionary Award. The recipient of SFGMC's annual Vanguard  Award will be announced at a later date.

“We have an unforgettable evening in store for our donors and sponsors,” said SFGMC CEO Chris  Verdugo. “Hearing our singing members in such an intimate setting is always an unparalleled  experience. We look forward to celebrating the power of music and honoring Mayor London Breed and  Tribal Leader Greg Sarris and the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria. They both have made  significant contributions that align with the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus' mission to build  community, inspire activism, and foster compassion at home and around the world.” 

Marking his first Crescendo as the new Artistic Director, Jacob Stensberg added, “Last year, Crescendo  was the most successful fundraiser ever for SFGMC. I’m excited to be a part of aiming to increase the  impact of the event this year. In addition to the live performances of our singing members, this is our  chance to lift the voices of all those who donate and ensure we continue to sustain SFGMC’s  performances and impactful educational and community programs throughout the year.” 

Single tickets for Crescendo are available for $450 and includes admission to the cocktail reception,  seated dinner, and dessert reception. Sponsorships begin at $4,500 and includes admission for up to 10  guests. To purchase single tickets, visit sfgmc.org/crescendo. To become a sponsor, contact  development@sfgmc.org. 

Crescendo is co-chaired by Sally Kay and Vinney Le. Sponsors include Platinum Sponsors: Chansell Capital  Properties, Inc., and Graton Resort & Casino; Gold Sponsors: Steve Gallagher and Chris Thorne, Joe  Summerill and Wes Bizzell; Wine Partner: Rodney Strong Vineyards; Hotel Partner: Intercontinental Hotel 

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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 Chief Executive Officer Chris Verdugo and Artistic Director Jacob Stensberg, 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 Chan National Queer Arts Center, the first-ever  community space for LGBTQ artists and arts organizations. 

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

Visit SFGMC TV: www.sfgmc.org/sfgmctv 

SFGMC Archive contact: archive@sfgmc.org 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/sfgmc 

SAN FRANCISCO GAY MEN’S CHORUS TO PRESENT THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA PREMIERE OF DISNEY PRIDE IN CONCERT

In celebration of SFGMC’s 45th anniversary and the 100th anniversary of Disney, the much-anticipated concert will feature over 40 classic and contemporary songs from the Disney songbook performed by the 250-members of the Chorus and a 30-piece orchestra

San Francisco’s Davies Symphony Hall

*** March 16–17, 2023 ***

SAN FRANCISCO (January 30, 2023)—To celebrate the 45th anniversary of San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus (SFGMC) and the 100th anniversary of Disney, San Francisco’s premier choral organization will present Disney PRIDE in Concert, a family-friendly multimedia musical extravaganza taking place on Thursday, March 16 at 7:30 p.m. and Friday, March 17 at 7:30 p.m. at San Francisco’s Davies Symphony Hall (201 Van Ness Ave.). Single tickets ($29–$149) are available now at sfgmc.org/season-45/disney-pride-in-concert. Group tickets are available by emailing patronservices@sfgmc.org. Both performances will feature ASL interpretation.

Marking its San Francisco Bay Area premiere, this two-act spectacular features new arrangements to over 40 classic and contemporary Disney songs from iconic films including The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Beauty & the Beast, Aladdin, Hercules, Zootopia, Coco, Mary Poppins, Peter Pan, and more. Backed by a 30-piece orchestra comprised of the best local musicians, the concert will showcase the 250 singing members of SFGMC. Providing the narrative of the concert, SFGMC chorus members will share personal stories of love, LGBTQ+ pride, and family ties that will be interwoven throughout the musical numbers. The evening will also include original video clips from beloved Disney films and archives.

“The music from Disney movies and musicals have become the soundtrack for our lives,” said SFGMC CEO Chris Verdugo. “As Disney celebrates 100 years of magic and SFGMC celebrates 45 years of community, compassion and music, we can’t imagine a more perfect partnership. Disney’s musical scores have left an indelible imprint as we discovered our favorite characters when we were children or in our latter years, connected more deeply with the themes of community, family and love. We are grateful for this opportunity to partner with Disney on this thrilling Bay Area premiere.” 

“Preparing the magical music of Disney PRIDE in Concert has been an incredibly special experience,” adds SFGMC Artistic Director Jacob Stensberg. “At 250 members, we have a diverse and intergenerational membership, and music in this concert touches the heart of every single member of the Chorus. The concert music spans the early films, recent releases, and even some of the classic theme park melodies. A 30-piece orchestra, nonstop Disney/PIXAR animation, and personal narratives from storytellers within the Chorus make this the most immersive experience we've ever offered to our audiences. It is a performance I know will thrill our long-time returning audience members, and new and first-time concert goers alike!” 

Disney PRIDE in Concert is being produced in conjunction with Disney Concerts, the concert production and licensing division of Disney Music Group. It will feature all-new musical arrangements by Chad Weirick and a book by BGMC Executive Producer Bill Casey and Tom Choinski.

San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus would like to extend a special thanks to their Bay Area community cultural partners—Cartoon Art Museum, Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose, San Francisco Zoo & Gardens, and The Walt Disney Family Museum.

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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 CEO Chris Verdugo and Artistic Director Jacob Stensberg, 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 Chan National Queer Arts Center, the first-ever community space for LGBTQ artists and arts organizations.

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

Visit SFGMC TV: www.sfgmc.org/sfgmctv

SFGMC Archive contact: archive@sfgmc.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/sfgmc

Twitter: www.twitter.com/sfgmc

Instagram: www.instagram.com/sfgmc

YouTube: www.youtube.com/sfgmcvideo

SAN FRANCISCO GAY MEN’S CHORUS LAUNCHES PUBLIC PHASE OF CAPITAL CAMPAIGN IN SUPPORT OF NATIONAL LGBTQ CENTER FOR THE ARTS

SAN FRANCISCO (January 16, 2020)—On the evening of Wednesday, January 15, San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus (SFGMC) launched the public phase of its capital campaign to support the National LGBTQ Center for the Arts with a reception featuring remarks from Mayor London Breed, California State Senator Scott Wiener, Honorary Chair Sharon Stone, SFGMC Artistic Director Dr. Timothy Seelig, Campaign Chair Edward Sell, and SFGMC Executive Director Chris Verdugo. The evening also featured performances from members of SFGMC, San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Company, Opera Parallèle, San Francisco Philharmonic, and Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, docent-led tours of the building, and more.

The three-year, $15 million campaign will secure and refurbish the new building and create a long-term financial foundation for SFGMC with a permanent endowment. To date, more than $9 million has been raised, with leadership gifts of $5 million from founding Chorus member Terrence Chan, $1 million from the Chorus Board of Directors, and $1 million from Zendesk Founder and CEO Mikkel Svane, along with $250,000 from the city of San Francisco and $500,000 from the state of California. The remaining $6 million will be raised through the generous support of individuals, foundations and businesses. Naming opportunities for iconic spaces within the new building include the auditorium, production studio, main lobby, second and third floor lobbies, conference rooms, offices, dressing rooms, the roof, and the building itself.

“Creating a space for the National LGBTQ Center for the Arts and a foundation for the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus will help ensure these important organizations can operate for generations to come. This new space with help inspire greater advocacy through art, which, given the current political environment at the federal level, is more important than ever before,” said Mayor Breed. “I am glad the City was able to offer financial support for this space so that SFGMC has a permanent home here in San Francisco and can continue inspiring people across our city, country, and the world.”

 “As the Chorus has grown, our mission has evolved. Today the Chorus aspires to play a larger role, offering programming that serves the entire nation; our new home will be a laboratory for the creation and dissemination of LGBTQ arts programming. I am proud to lead this campaign as we look ahead to the needs of our community over the next 40 years,” said Sell. “There are few organizations like SFGMC with the history and power to unite and transform, and there has never been a more critical need for the uplifting sounds and unifying messages of SFGMC.”

 “We live in a city that has been on the cutting edge of the LGBTQ movement every step of the way. Forging new territory is in our DNA. It is with this courageous pioneer spirit that the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus moves into an amazing four-story building and creates the National LGBTQ Center for the Arts. This new Arts Center will allow us to reach new levels of outreach and effectiveness,” said Seelig. “In our transitory world, we all seek to find our tribe, community, and logical family. The search for home is even more challenging for members of the LGBTQ community. We intend to change that with our new building.”

 “The Arts Center will not only be SFGMC’s home, it will be home to countless artists and arts organizations nationwide who often find it a challenge to merely exist, much less have a physical space. We will be a home for art and activism,” said Verdugo. “As pioneers of the LGBTQ choral movement, we will inspire and challenge the next generation of leaders and creators to create art that not only keeps our stories alive but moves us all forward as one collective human community.”

SFGMC purchased the National LGBTQ Center for the Arts in April 2019. Located at 170 Valencia Street in the Castro LGBTQ Cultural District, the building is a four-floor historic property designed by architect Harold Stoner. It was completed in 1931 for the Independent Order of Foresters, a fraternal society that sought a space for convenings. From 1976 until 2018, the space was used as the city’s center for the Bahá’í faith. The interior has more than 23,000 square feet, including a spacious lobby, auditorium, stage, dressing rooms, office space, multiple conference rooms, kitchens, and storage. The core components of the space are ideal for SFGMC though there are significant renovations needed to modernize the building and adapt its use for a performing arts organization.

***Renderings of the renovations are available HERE***

Since its founding, the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus has been a leader in its field. With the National LGBTQ Center for the Arts, the Chorus is now planning to expand and enhance its leadership role by opening the building to composers, librettists, choreographers, and other performing artists as an incubator and workshop space for the creation of new works and collaborations; creating a new home for activists, artists, and arts leaders to meet, share experiences, and develop new projects to further enhance the LGBTQ arts field; hosting internships and trainings for LGBTQ arts managers; providing a venue for scholarly research of LGBTQ arts; collaborating with other gay choruses and community-based organizations to build RHYTHM (reaching youth through music) programs in their own communities; and creating media content that can be disseminated from the building’s recording and broadcast studio.

Additional details about SFGMC’s upcoming programming at the National LGBTQ Center for the Arts will be announced on January 21, 2020. For more information on the Capital Campaign, visit sfgmc.org/capital-campaign.

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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 

SFGMC Archive contact: archive@sfgmc.org 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/sfgmc

Twitter: www.twitter.com/sfgmc

Instagram: www.instagram.com/sfgmc

YouTube: www.youtube.com/sfgmcvideo