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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 1, 1987)
m 9****r**t*? m * -m * % » * *0 * 0 »• • tw ftiiii ***^**w **tlB p H* Proud, strong, united: The community in concert Bringing it all together, joint concert by the Portland Gay Men s Chorus and the Portland Lesbian Choir captivated SRO audiences in Lesbian!Gay Pride capper. complete without a special tip of the Doctor’s scalpel to accompanist Stuart Zimmerman, who always seems to pro aturday, June 27, 1987 marked an vide “ just the right note" and the historic event in Portland’s gay and lesbian community as the Portland Gay appropriate balance between himself and the chorus. David York, as usual, con Men’s Chorus and Lesbian Choir jointly ducted and deserves credit for the polished hosted a concert at the Eastside Perform performances that audiences now take for ance Center. A packed house for two granted. It wasn't always that way. performances witnessed an occasion that In addition to the efforts of the choruses, was part political theater and part enter- the audience also received fine perform ances from David Smith, pianist, and Musica Femina, a guitar and flute duo. A comedic highlight was the inspired duet of Steve Fulmer and Kathryn Heron. In keep tainment as Lesbian/Gay Pride Week ing with the political undercurrent of the came to a close. evening, all groups received equal time, as The evening began by the first public did the two announcers, Katharine English performance of the Lesbian Choir, a group and Keeston Lowery. of approximately twenty-five pioneers The evening concluded with a joint per conducted by Jeri Hendricks. The Choir formance by the Chorus and the Choir, as gave enthusiastic readings to “ Sisters," well as a special guest appearance by Kate “ Swing Low” and “ The Body Electric,” Sullivan, who added her lusty voice to the before leaving the stage to a rousing stand event’s delights. One hopes that this even ing ovation. ing can be repeated in future years as the The Choir reportedly has struggled perfect end to Gay Pride Week. under numerous handicaps, including the Did I say perfect end? Well, honey, ob lack of a permanent rehearsal hall, a regu viously I must have been referring to that lar accompanist, and the need for more other new spectacle that occurred this sopranos. Such problems would be the year. Only one day later the first drag show death knell of many volunteer organiza that this Doctor has ever seen took place in tions and less dedicated ensembles, and the Washington Park amphitheater. Lady the continued existence of the Choir is Elaine Peacock, Empress XXIX, wowed praiseworthy under such intolerable con ’em in the aisles as she led a procession of ditions. It is difficult to believe that there buxom beauties into our hallowed park. are not persons within the community who Some unsuspecting tourists were so taken could lend assistance on such matters aback that the Doctor was afraid he might These organizational dilemmas neces have to give mouth to mouth resuscitation sarily manifest themselves into the onstage to the shocked throng. However, a knowl performance. Entrances and exits tend to edgeable crowd of two to three hundred sat be ragged, members fail to always focus back and enjoyed the night air and the their attention on the conductor, and the performance and let the tourists fend for blend is heavily weighted to the lower themselves. voice ranges of the Choir. However, what Just the thought of a drag show in the is lacking in technical spit and polish must park was enough to make the Doctor reach be weighed against the unbridled enthusi for that Valium prescription he keeps writ asm of the performance. Certainly there is ten for himself. Did I say perfect end? no problem here that time and additional Girls — have you seen the flip side of Lady rehearsals cannot cure. The most coherent Elaine? They must spray that dress on then musical performance, “ The Body Electric," have to scrape it off. showed promise of greater things to come. With music provided by The City The Gay Men’s Chorus has no such Nightclub, it was refreshing to hear music excuses with its long history of perform that was written after 1978, unlike that ance and its greater numbers. However, no heard in the Doctor’s usual haunts. Of excuses were necessary for the perform course, the volume was enough to send ance given on this night as the Chorus squirrels into spasms, but one assumes that proved to be in fine form. Of special note such adjustments can be made in the future. was a moving performance of Rogers’ and By the conclusion of the weekend, the Hart's “ My Funny Valentine," which general feeling, for those of us lucky seemed to bridge the gap between popular enough to attend, was that the community entertainment and art. is indeed becoming proud, strong and A review of the Chorus would not be united. • B Y S The GAY LINE 1-976-GAYS ( 4297 ) new ads daily telephone recorded personal ads only $2.94 Per Call call 24 hrs. J u \t O u t 24 August. IM87 D R . T A N T A L U S