Year: 2012

My first Pinkies international trip

Charly
Charly

It was at my first official rehearsal back in February with the Pink Singers that I found out about the Lisbon trip and without any hesitation I’d secured my accommodation and flights…I was not going to miss out on this!! By the time it came to June, I could not contain my excitement. The weather in England was pretty dire so a weekend of sun, sea, sangria and singing was exactly what we needed!

Thanks to Tanya, our Choir Liaison, we had a comprehensive pack detailing the itinerary so we were ready to rumble. Thursday night we hit the town seeking out the local gay bar and surprise, surprise, we found some other Pinkies. Friday’s TV performance was cancelled so it was the perfect opportunity to head to the beach. Later that evening most of the choir attended a traditional Portuguese Fado show and meal kindly organised by our Social Secretary Gary.

Saturday was the headline day. We marched in the Pride parade, holding our banner high; singing, dancing and laughing all the way down into the city in the glorious sunshine. Another group meal and a quick change and we headed to the concert venue for a (very) late evening performance. After some vocal warm-ups in the cobbled streets we were ready to perform with the local LGBT choir. It was my first ever performance and I was so excited but despite my nerves I remembered my words and moves, woohoo! The show was a roaring success.

I came away from the trip with some great new friendships, a golden tan and a blooming great smile on my face. Here’s to the next one….

A very pink Marcha do Orgulho LGBT in Lisbon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEIGVKukpnY
Last weekend (23 Jun 2012) the Pink Singers were in Lisbon at the invitation of ILGA, Intervenção Lésbica, Gay, Bissexual e Transgénero, to march at the Marcha do Orgulho LGBT Lisboa and to sing with the ILGA choir, CoLeGaS, at the Festa Pré Arraial Pride 2012. For many of us it was the first time we had been to Portugal, and for some it was even our first Pride march. In many ways Portugal is much more progressive than the U.K. — same sex marriage was passed into law three years ago while we are only now debating it here — but we also learned first hand that society often lags behind. Unfortunately, the economic crisis has only delayed this change. For instance, the cost of living has meant that young people delay leaving the parental home which has implications for coming out. Continue reading “A very pink Marcha do Orgulho LGBT in Lisbon”

Tickets are selling fast!

Around The World – The Pink Singers summer concert


Get in the mood for the Olympic summer with an evening of songs with an international flavour. Known for their energetic, versatile and sensitive performances, let Europe’s oldest LGBT community choir transport you around the world.
Also, enjoy the performance of our guest choir, Glória, who are coming all the way from Dublin to join us in a fantastic evening of music and entertainment
Tickets are
£23 / £20 / £15
Book online at https://secure.sjss.org.uk/
or by phone on the ticket office Tel: 020 7222 1061
14 July 2012, 19:30 h.
St. John’s, Smith Square, London, SW1P 3HA

Diversity Role Models

In 2012, the choir performed a joint concert with St George’s in Harpenden, a religious foundation school, in support of the charity Diversity Role Models. The Herts Advertiser covered the story in the run-up to the event…

INTERNATIONALLY-acclaimed choir, Pink Singers, travel to Harpenden from their London base next Friday, May 3, to join St George’s School senior and chamber choirs for an evening of music.

Continuing their work to combat homophobic bullying, the 1,325-strong Harpenden school will perform a variety of classical and modern pieces with the Pink Singers as the London choir complete their final preparations for a June appearance in Lisbon.

Assistant conductor Alice Humphrey, who has taught music at the school since last September is thrilled that St George’s students have the chance to sing with the choir she trains each week with English National Opera-based musical director Murray Hipkin.

She said: “‘The Pinkies’ as we are affectionately known are of an incredible high standard and they will be so impressed with my St George’s students who have mastered a whole range of chamber and popular music. It is so good that the school’s work against homophobic bullying amongst younger students is being extended to this fund-raising concert for our important charity – Diversity Role Models.”

Diversity Role Models speakers with Mark and Liang

Headmaster Norman Hoare commented: “Any chance for our super choirs to sing with professional groups is something we promote and to work with this choir is a real privilege. It will be a stunning concert and at the same time reflects this schools pledge to work against unfairness in society and homophobic bullying which we have been praised for on the national stage – including the Department for Education and Stonewall.

Read the original article here.

Timeline datestamp: 03 May 2012

Mikey leaves his mark

Mikey

On Saturday 14 April I attended the Pink Singers 29th anniversary party.
The evening had a Hollywood theme and we were asked to dress accordingly, either for a smart Oscars party, or in fancy dress. As usual, my instinct told me to reach for the costume box! I spent time considering my options for dress but soon had the ambitious idea to go as an Avatar. I spent hours in preparation for the evening. I was wearing painted leggings and body paint, and was apprehensive about going out in so few clothes, but on arrival at the party I was given such a warm and friendly reception by everyone that my nerves dissipated. Many people who hugged and greeted me were left with a blue mark, which as the evening progressed was to be seen everywhere! Continue reading “Mikey leaves his mark”