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Local News for a Global Village | www.VoiceSB.com
May 13, 2022
SB Gay Men’s Chorus
Tomorrow: Songs For a Brighter Future
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By Daisy Scott / VOICE
“Music is our common denominator,” said SBGMC’s Artistic Director Nicole Lamartine. “Every human being on the planet has some sort of music within their culture, and it is a place where everyone can be accepted for what they bring to the music. And in Santa Barbara, that place that we’re creating is very special because we can then share our community with the greater community, and we can help bring awareness that...music brings people together. And I think that’s something we need more now than ever.” Despite its name, SBGMC welcomes all singers, regardless of gender or whether they are a member of the LGBTQIA+ community or an ally. Individuals are welcome as long as they can sing tenor, bass, or baritone, and are comfortable with the group’s title — no audition required. The chorus was founded shortly after Lamartine assumed her position as the Sorensen Director of Choral Music at UC Santa Barbara in 2020. A student shared with Lamartine that he formerly sang in a gay men’s chorus named Fratelli which no longer met. Determined to fill this gap in the local singing scene, Lamartine met with several of the chorus’ former singers and board members to launch the Santa Barbara Gay Men’s Chorus, which presented its first concert in December 2021.
Today, the chorus includes 27 singers, including individuals from across Santa Barbara, Camarillo, and even Port Hueneme. The group aims to not only provide local members of the LBTQIA+ community a shared, creative outlet, but cultivate a sense of larger community through singing. “My time in the Santa Barbara Gay Men’s Chorus has been a wonderful investment,” said chorus member Andrew Rawls. “From the superb musicality of our artistic director to the bonds formed among my fellow chorus members, it’s so refreshing to have a queer space to share with like-minded musicians.” The spring concert, Tomorrow: Songs For a Brighter Future, aims to spark hope for the future while emphasizing the necessity of ongoing activism. In preparing for the concert, Lamartine asked singers to write notes to the next generation of LGBTQIA+ people. These comments will be shared with concert attendees, including messages drawing upon themes of unity, hope, justice, equity, and love. To highlight that music is for all, the concert’s program features a multicultural and international selection of pieces. Songs range from traditional, glee club-styled tunes to Estonian and Haitian pieces, as well as Stephen Sondheim’s Our Time from the musical Merrily We Roll Along. The chorus will also sing Glory, from the film Selma, and the Ukrainian national anthem and a folk song to display solidarity with Ukrainian people everywhere.
Photo courtesy of Sami Alsalloom
VOKING JOY, EMOTION, AND A SENSE OF COMMUNITY WITH EVERY NOTE, music holds the power to unify people of all identities and backgrounds. With this idea in mind, the Santa Barbara Gay Men’s Chorus will present the second concert of its first full season at 7:30pm on Monday, May 23rd at the First United Methodist Church. Titled Tomorrow: Songs For a Brighter Future, the night will celebrate the role music and individuals play in shaping tomorrow.
To learn more about the Santa Barbara Gay Men’s Chorus, or purchase tickets for its upcoming concert ($15 presale, $20 at the door), visit www.sbgmc.org
Santa Barbara Gay Men’s Chorus: Jeff Selden, Nicole Lamartine, Steven Browning Thomson, Myron Aguilar, Michael Broyles-Shaw, Bob Nieder (back), Phill Conrad, Sami Alsalloom, Kevin Doyle, and Brian Miller
2022 NOMINATION FORM: Santa Barbara Beautiful Annual Awards Nomination DEADLINE: Friday, June 3, 2022 Santa Barbara Beautiful is now soliciting nominations in five categories for their 58th Annual Awards program which takes place on September 18, 2022. Each of the last 50+ years, Santa Barbara Beautiful has called on our community to recognize and appreciate their neighbors who work to build on the city’s natural beauty. At the Annual Awards, the results of their beautification efforts are recognized.
Save The Date For Santa Barbara Beautiful’s Annual Awards:
Santa Barbara
Shines! September 18th
Music Academy of the West
Property award categories have been adapted to meet the real and growing importance of climate change and the need for environmental stewardship.
See previous award winners and learn more about Santa Barbara Beautiful at www.sbbeautiful.org
2022 AWARD CATEGORIES 1. Santa Barbara Commons: Public Open Space (Parks; Medians; Parkways; Streetscapes): places we gather to build community, connect with nature, and heal.
2. Art in Public Places
Murals, Sculpture, etc... (Hugh & Marjorie Petersen Award for Art in Public Places)
3. Single Family Home
How does it fit in or enhance the streetscape? Does the project have a *LEED Certification or green design elements?
4. Multi-family Residence
ELIGIBLE PROPERTIES:
• Entries must be visible from the street or via public access. • Completed projects within the limits of Ortega Ridge Road to Turnpike Road. • Properties within ZIP CODES: 93101 • 93103 • 93105 • 93108 • 93109 • 93110
HOW TO ENTER:
• ON-LINE visit: www.sbbeautiful.org • EMAIL to: SBBeautifulAwards@gmail.com • MAIL to: Santa Barbara Beautiful, P.O. Box 2024, Santa Barbara, CA 93120
QUESTIONS?
Call: Awards Co-Chairs Kerry Methner @ 805-570-2011 or Mark Whitehurst @ 805-895-3614 or email: SBBeautifulAwards@gmail.com
YOUR NOMINATION: 1. Street Address (required):
Condos, Retirement Facilities... How does this project fit in or enhance the streetscape? Does the project have a *LEED Certification or green design elements?
2. ZIP (required):
5. Commercial Building
3. Category (s) (required):
(Public Buildings, Hotels, B&Bs, Mixed Use): How does this building contribute to the community/streetscape? Does the project have a *LEED Certification or green design elements?
4. Property Owner or Business Name:
• There is no limit to the number of entries a person may submit. • Winners are selected by independent judges based on merit, not on the number of nominations. *LEED: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design was developed by the non-profit U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and includes a set of rating systems for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of green buildings, homes, and neighborhoods that aims to help building owners and operators be environmentally responsible and use resources efficiently.
5. What makes this a winning nomination?
6. Submitted by: ______________________________ Telephone/email: _____________________________