24
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Vintage Voices
Portland Gay Men's Chorus salutes seniors
by Tom Stevenson • Photos by Marty Davis
f you ask them, most will tell you they quite different is taking place. “This project is on
are just common folks. In most cases, the threshold,” says Tony Stroh, PGMC execu
they have led quiet lives. They were tive director. ‘Tt is some
educators and business owners, mem thing that can really have
an impact.”
bers of the military
Both he and
and public employees.
Mensel
say
Through the years they
there never has
found themselves living in
been a show
just about every comer of
quite like this
the country. Now, as they
one. Those who
reach the golden years of
lives are the
their lives, they are all a
focal point of
part of Portland’s sexual
Vintage Voices
minorities community.
Dick Walker,
If you listen closely to
Vi r g i n i a
their words, you can visu
“Gibby” Clarke,
alize periods of triumph.
Walter
Cole
You will hear about
(aka Darcclle),
moments of pain and fear.
Irv Ewen, Eve
Most of all, you will hear a Tony Stroh
lyn Hall, Mary
story of finally coming to
Beth Brindley and Hank
peace with oneself.
These stories will come roaring to life as Stack—are honored and
the Portland Gay Men’s Chorus presents the awed by the attention.
“It is a wonderful thing,”
world premiere of Vintage Voices , a one-of-a-
Ewen says. “I’m
kind salute to seniors. The mul
honored. And
timedia program will explode
"It's about
this is something
in a whirlwind of dance, song,
honoring
that is going to
video and more featuring the
honor all of
works of local artists including
our elders.
those in the gay
composer Kate Campbell,
It
will
have
its
and lesbian com
videographer Brian Robertson,
munities who are
choreographer Paul Scardina
serious
moments,
older.”
and accompanist Michael
Everyone
Barnes. The entire show is
but it is going
involved
in the
being created and performed
to
be
filled
creation of the show insists it is
under the direction of PGMC
designed not to deliver a political
artistic director Bob Mensel.
with fun. It is
message or otherwise make a
Vintage Voices is part of the
major statement. It is designed
very visual...
yearlong “Season of Voices”
simply to honor those whose ftxit-
series, which has included
very vibrant."
steps have created a path for
Voices of Pride in August, Holi~
younger people in the sexual
day Voices in December and
minorities community.
Classical Voices in February.
The season will conclude with the Voices of
“It is not meant to be a Pulitzer
Prize-winning expository,” Mensel says. “It’s
Pride show June 12.
All of the concerts have touched a strong about honoring our elders. It will have its serious
part of the collective gay and lesbian voice, but moments, hut it is going to be filled with fun. It
for those involved in Vintage Voices something is very visual...very vibrant.”
I
In many regards, the show will be a salute
that looks at all parts of the “vintage” com-
munity members’ lives. It will cover multiple
decades: the 1920s, ’30s, ’40s and even into
the ’50s.
Vintage Voices will mix well-known
Virginia
"Gibby"
Clarke
—
— Bob Mensel
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irginia “Gibby” Clarke
might be 82, but she
can teach some strong
lessons about love to a
whole lot of people.
She made it through an early failed
marriage. She made it through a rela
tionship with a woman who broke
her heart.
And she is still able to take a
chance and fall in love again. “For
the first time in a long time I am
very, very content,” Clarke says.
Her life story is an intriguing one.
She served in the U.S. Army during
World War II. She married and had
three children (who are totally sup
portive of their mother).
Clarke notes she really didn’t
understand the feelings she was hav
ing until much later. "Somebody
finally explained it to me,” she says.
Virginia “Gibby”
“I had no idea. People just didn’t talk about
Clarke,
those things.”
who served in
Clarke admits she is extremely happy about
the U.S. Army
Vintage Voices but has no idea what to expect.
during World
She is, however, incredibly proud to be involved.
War II,
“I’m glad to be a part of it,” she says. “I’m
has rediscovered
glad that someone has taken an interest in the
true love
older people.”
Clarke says she would encourage young gay men and lesbians to live with integrity and above all
else to be kind. “You also need to have open and honest communication with your partner," she says.
Clarke is still highly active and is having the time of her life with her special new partner. She
would not have it any other way.
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