Like you’ve never seen us before

7.30pm 16 July 2011 Bloomsbury TheatreThe clock is ticking and last minute preparations are being made to the Pink Singers’ summer concert, Razzle Dazzle – celebrating musical icons of the gay and lesbian community. The choir has been working tirelessly all season learning the repertoire and choreography in order to give you, the audience, the best possible performance on 16 July.
The choir’s artistic director, Oliver, talks about why he hopes this concert is going to be extra special.

Oliver
Oliver, artistic director

“Since I became the artistic director I’ve been itching to put on a real ‘show’ with the Pinkies. Once we’d decided that the musical theme was going to be gay and lesbian icons I knew this was the time to do it. We’re a fabulous LGBT choir and I wanted the concert to highlight individual talents and personalities, but not be restrained by the usual choir concert format. Fans of the Pinkies shouldn’t worry – they will still get to hear the mixture of classical and contemporary music they’re used to, but hopefully they will be surprised and excited by the style of production and the ‘little extras’ we have planned!
The visual aesthetic pulls inspiration in part from the cabaret clubs of Paris and one of my aims is that the audience will be drawn in and they feel part of the show. We’re performing at the Bloomsbury Theatre, which is a new venue for the Pinkies, and is the perfect space to create a more intimate feel. Continue reading “Like you’ve never seen us before”

Athens Pride – kiss me everywhere!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHNX8naKolM
The Pink Singers had the privilege of being invited to Athens to help celebrate lesbian, gay, bi and trans Pride 2011 with them. We were excited to be going, but little did we know just how thrilling 4 and 5 June would turn out to be. The organizers and the people of Athens made us feel especially welcome, and the thunderstorms quickly gave way to sunshine and the sounds of celebration. Here’s a quick video of that amazing weekend. In keeping with the Athens Pride tagline, “Φίλα Με Παντού”! Continue reading “Athens Pride – kiss me everywhere!”

Iconic gay and lesbian songs – our choice!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FlN0G_y-58
Putting Razzle Dazzle — our summer concert — together was no easy task. This season we decided to celebrate musical icons of the gay and lesbian community. We thought that since we are an LGBT choir it would be easy getting suggestions from the Pinkies. Little did we know that we would be inundated with repertoire ideas, and it surprised even us just how broad the range and quality of music was. Continue reading “Iconic gay and lesbian songs – our choice!”

Bristol-bound!


Go west! Life is peaceful there! Or, at least it will be until the Pink Singers hit Bristol on 18 June 2011.
We were very fortunate to host our amazingly talented and energetic friends from the West Country back in January of last year, and they are repaying us the favour by having us as guests at their own summer concert extravaganza. We can’t wait to see what Sing Out Bristol have in store, and if you are in the area and can’t make it to the Pink Singers’ summer concert, or have been wondering what all the fuss is about, then this is your chance to support one of Europe’s youngest LGBT choirs and see them perform with Europe’s oldest. Continue reading “Bristol-bound!”

Athens Pride

Emma

It was warm. The streets were old and welcoming. There was a buzz in the air. We were sitting directly under the magnificent, ancient Acropolis, having dinner at the beginning of our weekend in Athens. The food was amazing. We are the Pink Singers, and we were there to perform in Athens’ 7th Gay Pride Festival.

As it turned out, the weekend couldn’t have gotten much better (or having gone much more smoothly). From the moment we arrived at at the main site for a sound-check on the Saturday afternoon, the organisers were genial, welcoming and inclusive. As we warmed up on stage, the public milled around, smiling and clapping. This was just a sign of things to come.

Back on that stage at sunset, as the opening act for Athens Pride 2011, we were welcomed by thousands of Grecians (and their international friends!) who cheered, clapped, wolf-whistled and swayed as we ripped out repertoire from Sondheim to Madonna; from Sunday to Proud Mary; from Hairspray to West Side Story. We felt special; that we were there for more of a purpose than to simply entertain. We were helping celebrate the cause closest to our hearts and sharing that support with an ancient city.

We ignored the (unimpressive) anti-gay protesters on the side of the road and sang (and danced) as loud and proud as our voices (and our almighty Leader/MD, Murray) would let us.

Upon finishing our set we were escorted through the crowd to the back of a float. We scrambled on, cranked Beyonce, Pink and Lady Gaga on the affixed loud-speaker, and sang and danced as the crowd (allegedly 10,000-odd strong) followed us around the city streets. It was incredible!

Thousands of people smiled, cheered and waved as we cruised along with the other Pride floats. There was brass bands and drummer-girls and costumes and craziness. While Alice (support conductor and singer) leaned off the side of the float, painting the smiling faces of the ancient city with her iconic gay-flag-coloured crayon, Jerome (tour organiser and singer) lead the rest of us in a Pride dance-off. It was mad: if you punched the air (and we did), the crowd followed suit. If you were Rachel (choreographer and singer), they even wanted to kiss you! The feeling of support and oneness with those around us was unprecedented.

Back at the main festival site, we spent the rest of the evening watching the other acts and enjoying the incredible hospitality of the organisers and volunteers of Athens Pride 2011. The love and support shown was definitely in keeping with the festival’s slogan for the year, “Kiss Me Everywhere”. A big, big ‘thank you’ to all involved and for inviting us to be a part. It was a weekend that the Pinkies will never forget.

Emma

Timeline datestamp: 04 June 2011