Mamma Mia! Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choir to begin 25 year celebrations with harbourside concert
THEY are one of the most recognised groups in Sydney’s LGBTI community and as they head into 2016, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Choir are planning a massive 25th anniversary year.
In 1990 an advertisement was placed in the Star Observer looking for people who might like to sing in a queer choir and it wasn’t long before the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Choir gave their first performance.
Since being founded in 1991 the choir has gone from strength to strength, with highlights including being the first queer choir to be staged for an opera (Henry Purcell’s The Fairy Queen in 2009), performing with Sydney Dance Company, and singing at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Arts Festival.
“It’s a wonderful achievement for a community organisation to have achieved so much. We’ve had such an amazing time,” choir president Neil Hendry said.
“We’ve just continued to grow, to grow musically and to be involved in all areas of the community.”
As the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Choir turns 25, Hendry said there would be a number of events in 2016 to celebrate including an artistic exhibition and a concert extravaganza in October.
To kick off its 25th year the choir will put on a sing-a-long show to the Hollywood smash hit Mamma Mia for The Harbour series, which is part of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras festival.
TV personality Richard Reid and drag queen Hannah Conda will host the event and the choir will perform a couple of songs before getting the crowd to sing along to ABBA hits like Dancing Queen, Take a Chance and Mamma Mia.
“We decided to get involved because we really wanted to get involved with Mardi Gras,” Hendry said.
“We thought it would be really good fun to have a sing-a-long so we could get all of our friends and supporters together to enjoy doing an event together.”
Lush Cosmetics will also be in attendance be providing a sensory cinematic experience with original scents to enhance the film viewing. Each guest will receive a box filled with seven unique scents and a scent menu, which will guide people through the film and where to inhale to match the scene or the mood of the film.
MAMMA MIA! Sing-along with the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Choir
Friday, February 26
6pm to 9.45pm
Fleet Steps, Sydney
Details: click here
The Star Observer is a proud media partner of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.
For all of Star Observer’s Mardi Gras coverage, click here
