apri 20.2001 ’
U
nder the direction of Joan Szymko, the
120 women of Aurora Chorus will take
over the Schnitz on May 5 in “Singing
for Our Lives,” a benefit concert for the
Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
“Themes such as faith and the yearning for
peace are certainly not new to Aurora, but
never has the chorus juxtaposed these themes
so sharply with that of our
own mortality,” explains
Szymko, talking about this
special event.
T he centerpiece of the
evening will be the
ch oirs performance of
“Where I Live: A Breast
C ancer O ratorio” by M in
neapolis composer Diane
Benjamin. T h e piece
combines spoken stories
o f cancer patients with
seven choral songs that
Janice
vividly convey the em o
Scroggins
tional dimensions of the
disease. Szymko’s favorite passage is “ Help
M e,” from an essay by Katherine Trayham:
C om e here where I am,
Do the little thing.
D on’t tell me who died.
Do tell me who’s living, despite the odds.
Don’t tell me to quit reading about it.
Help me laugh.
Don’t tell me how great I’m doing.
Forgive me everything.
Diane Syrcle o f the Portland O pera will be
the guest soloist, and the group will by accom
panied by members o f the Oregon Symphony.
Aurora Chorus teams up with musical guest
stars to fight hreast cancer
by
O riana G reen
“T h e months preparing for this concert
have been an extraordinary time for our cho
rus, because singing about a topic as immedi
ate, tragic and heroic as the fight against breast
cancer has taken great em otional strength on
the part o f individual members,” Szymko says.
“Aurora is a community— we create a space for
women to share about their lives. Cancer, par
ticularly breast cancer, is close to hom e.”
Viriditas also will sing “Nada Te Turbe (Let
Nothing Disturb You),” a setting of the
words of Teresa of Avila.
T hat will be followed by 15-minute
solo sets from blues/soul diva Linda Horn-
buckle, stellar jazz vocalist Nancy King and
Janice Scroggins setting the piano figura
tively on fire.
Aurora will return with music by Ysaye
Barnwell o f Sweet Honey in the Rock. For
the grand finale, all performers will join in
on the anthem “Singing for Our Lives,”
first sung by Holly N ear and thousands of
mourners during a candlelight procession
after the assassination of
San Francisco Mayor
George Moscone and
openly gay City Supervisor
Harvey Milk.
According to Szymko,
“Like those who walked
and sang together that
night, we sing because we
grieve, we are frustrated, we
feel vulnerable, we want
answers, we want justice,
we want to live full lives,
we draw strength from each
other— all o f us from all
walks o f life." J H
After the intermission, some fabulous
S inging for O ur L ives
Portland performers will take the stage.
starts 7:3 0 p.m. May 5 at
Modem dancer Josie Mosely will premiere
the Arlene Schnitzer Concert
“On Holding O n,” a solo piece she choreo
Hall, 1037 S.W . Broadway.
graphed just for this event. She will dance
Joan Szymko
Tickets
are $16 and $20
to a cappella choral music composed by
with sponsor seating at $50 from 503-721 -0262,
Szymko and sung by the incredibly tight vocal
the Portland Center for the Performing Arts box
group Viriditas. Accompanying them will be
office or Fastixx.
Nancy Ives of the Oregon Symphony on cello.
We’ve moved into a glorious new space,
assumed a new identity, and we want you to
Spring has sprung
The grass has ris...
I wonders where
My lover is?
Help Us Celebrate!
Were inviting all supporters of LGBTQ youth to a day of fun and frolic
with Vanguard Youth Services (formerly Phoenix Rising), home of the
Sexual Minority Youth Recreation Center (SMYRC), Roots & Branches,
Bridge 13, and the Washington County Pride Project!
Open Hou K
Hint-
See
Page 51
11 a m
12-3 p.m.
3-7 p.m.
Fri, April 2 7 11am - 9pm
Press Conference at SM YRC
Youth-guided tours o f the new SM YRC space.
CARNIVAL! Including games o f chance and skill,
carnival food, and sideshow attractions showcasing
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7-9 p.m.
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Vanguard Youth Services
a p r o g r a m of N e t w o r k
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Bring your loved ones and tell all your
friends and don't forget to bring your
checkbook and sense of charitable
giving, too! Remember. SMYRC is
for youth 23 and under, so this
could be your only chance
to see all the fun we have
when you're not around!
2100 Yl Belmont )t. Portland, OR <17214 50^.572 9664
7