Just out., November 21, 2008, SPECIAL 25TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION, Page 43, Image 43

NOVEMBER 21, 2008 juStlOUU^:
died. Others stopped coming to rehearsal
because it was becoming t<K> difficult to be
around so much grieving. •
“Every week it was, ‘Who was going
to be announced this week’ and ‘Whose
funeral are we going to sing for this week.’
It was just too much,” says Fulmer.
Since the AIDS crisis, the chorus slow­
ly built itself back up. It is taking on other
issues such as aging, youth and spirituality.
Recently it took on the issue of war and
peace with the program BraveSouls and
Dreamers.
“There are a lot of groups singing about
peace,” says Fulmer, “but when the gay men’s
chorus does it, it brings extra attention be­
Musica Femina members Kristan Aspen (left) and
Janna MacAuslan performed classical music by
women composers from 1984 to 1996.
cause we are preidentified as being progres­
sive.” Its music and ability to touch people is
almost like a secret weapon, he notes.
handmade from a parachute. He wears it proudly,
PGMC has performed at numerous events, in­
for it represents how PGMC touches those who
cluding the 1984 inauguration of future Oregon
come to its concerts. The chorus was performing
Gov. Barbara Roberts as secretary of state, making
in Florida, and in the audience was a man who
it the first member of the Gay and Lesbian As­
had recently returned from Iraq, where six of his
sociation of Choruses to sing at the inauguration
Sunday - Thursday 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Friday and Saturday 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
friends had died. After the concert, he spoke to
of a statewide elected official. “We have this huge
Brunch
Coleman and said he was so moved by the mu­
tie with her,” says Coleman. “She loves us, and
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
we love her.”
Happy Hour Daily
5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
6 9 p.m. to close.
sic that he was going to make a bracelet for each
member of the chorus. He made 120.
“It’s all about the power of music," says Cole­
man of PGMC’s longevity.
The chorus has a rich history, but it is the fu­
“It is much more important for us to keep
the spirit alive for the new than to sit in rocking
music—it may sound trite, but that is exactly
chairs and remember the old days,” he says. “And
what it is, and it is done on many levels
most of the excitement, even for those of us who
simultaneously.”
have been around since Day One, is now. It is the
new days that matter.’ ©
do today what it has always done. It has been a
place for people to come out, to find boyfriends, to
P ortland L esbian C hoir presents This Glorious
create social networks. A place to belong.
Night 7 p.m. Dec. 14 at Bridgeport United Church
“People join the chorus for all those reasons,
of Christ, 641 N.E. 76th Ave. Tickets are $12 at
but the ones who stay for their second anniversary
the door or $10 in advance from Touchstone Coffee
stay for the music,” Fulmer says. “And once that
House.
happens, you just can’t let go. It endures.”
P ortland G ay M en ’ s C horus presents Heavenly
PGMC’s music also has a healing effect. It
Sundays
ture that excites Fulmer.
Fulmer adds, “Making a difference through
Fulmer explains that the chorus continues to
Vegetarian Cuisine
Holidays 8 p.m. Dec. 19 and 20 and 2 p.m.
Dec. 21 at Reed College’s Kaul Auditorium,
the AIDS crisis, when its membership dropped
3203 S.E. Woodstock Blvd. Tickets are $!6-$28
from 100 singers to 35. Most of those members
from iuivtv.pdxgmc.org.
DONNA POLLACH
helped the men get through the difficult years of
From left, Izquierda Ensemble members Robin Chilstrom, Kristan Aspen, Izetta Smith and Naomi
Littlebear Morena run down North Russell Street by what used to be Storefront Theatre and is
now Widmer Brothers Brewery, circa 1977.
4835 N Albina Ave Portland, OR 97217
503.517.9347
43