http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lDWO0U2vlw
In 1983 a group of gay and lesbian Londoners gathered in Oval House and, under the guidance of Mark Bunyan and Brian Kennedy, sang a few songs together. They would never have thought that three decades on, the Pink Singers would not only still be around, but bigger and better than ever! In 2013, let’s celebrate 30 years of London’s LGBT community choir. It is going to be great!
Year: 2012
Come and join the chorus – in our 30th year!
Not only did we have 15 shiny new Pinkies taking their first steps at our end of season concert at St John’s Smith Square, it was a little bit of a baptism of fire for them with a new venue and many new languages to learn for this season’s Olympic inspired ‘Around the world’ concert.
Those new faces helped take the audience on an incredible journey, got an amazing buzz and were rewarded for all their hard work with a standing ovation and later a party into the small hours – what more of a welcome to our Pink family could have they asked for?!
Continue reading “Come and join the chorus – in our 30th year!”
Around the World
Five months, eighteen rehearsals, a lot of belly laughs and tears of pride later, our Around The World concert is over! And what a concert! Murray, our Musical Director – fresh from working on Dr Dee at the ENO and a multitude of other projects, along with our Artistic Director Oli, skilfully guided us through a tough final afternoon rehearsal as we got to grips with new venue acoustics, percussion and the heat of the spotlights.
After donning our roses and gathering for a final bit of briefing in the green room, suddenly the concert hall filled, the colourful lights came up and it was time to hit the stage.
For me, it was a particularly special evening as it was my first concert with the Pinkies. Nerves nearly got the better of me before we went on. But many mornings rehearsing the lines and choreography on the bus to work (to the amusement of fellow passengers) paid off. I popped my pinkie cherry before a packed audience of hundreds (and one pigeon) at the beautiful St John’s, Smith Square.
This season’s whistle-stop tour of the globe, a celebration of London as a host of the 2012 Olympics and World Pride, saw us get our mouths around a whole host of languages including French, Hebrew, Italian, three Indian dialects, Portugese, Zulu, Swahili and Jiangsu Mandarin.
We were privileged to be joined by the super Gloria choir from Dublin, brought to the stage and conducted by Ian Packham, sporting a cheeky grin. After a grand set nestled around the interval, both choirs joined forces to perform the beautifully elegant Cantique de Jean Racine.
There were a few notable highlights for me – Hsien and Rafael flawlessly opening the concert with Baba Yetu, brimming with confidence; Gloria’s soulful rendition of the heartbreaking And So It Goes by Billy Joel which made me well up; and the lady Pinkies strutting their stuff during a medley of songs from Cabaret (several of the basses had to be held back from bursting onto stage to join them).
No concert is complete without an after-show party, and we let our hair down in style thanks to Gary, our social secretary, who organised a proper knees-up with plenty of dancing and, of course, singing. A fitting way to celebrate the culmination of so much hard work and effort from everyone involved. Many of us wandered home in the daylight some hours later!
After a busy spring, the Pinkies are having a little rest over the summer. I for one can’t wait until next season – it’s one of the biggest in the choir’s long and vibrant history as we turn thirty next year (and, co-incidentally, so do I!). There are big plans afoot! Put Saturday 19th January 2013 in your diary right now as our next concert promises to be a real firework.
Simon
Timeline datestamp: 14 July 2012
World Pride London 2012 – You’re a firework!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nm-elVurAoY
There were many rumours swirling in the lead up to the 2012 Pride London march. The pressure was on because it was also World Pride in London and we had guests from all across the globe. We heard that the march was to be scaled back, and that there were to be no floats; could Pride survive? Continue reading “World Pride London 2012 – You’re a firework!”
Pink Singers after-show party
You travelled around the world with the Pinkies now kick back and party with the stars at our world-famously fun after show party. On 14 July 2012 from 10.30 until 2am! Entry is by £10 donation. Ticket includes entry, DJ, disco and buffet and views over the river Thames! Contact a choir member for more details or email Gary or our Social Secretary via joining@pinksingers.co.uk for details on how to pay.
Spaces are limited – once they are gone they are gone so what are you waiting for? Carry on the global adventure and come fly with us into the early hours on the dancefloor!
