Reflecting on Various Voices 2014: Pt1

chris-viveash
Chris

Newbie tenor Chris recalls his experience of the Various Voices festival in Dublin last weekend…
Having only joined the Pink Singers for this season, “Various Voices” was not a term I was familiar with, however with the persuasion of my section leader I signed up for the unknown.
If I had known then what I know now, I would have joined the Pink Singers just to be allowed to come!
Initial preparations were frantic as I found out I would standing in the front row for our performances, and would actually have to learn the choreography rather than copy the person in front of me. I also managed to lose my wallet the day before I left, however, once I was on my (rather early) flight I was on my way to one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life.
Over four days in Dublin I went through every possible emotion. I felt scared before my first ever Pinkie performance at the Axis Theatre in Ballymun, elated after we had nailed I, Choir and brought the audience to their feet, and once again with our set finale All By Myself.

The Pink Singers performing All by myself in January 2014

I cried as the Rock Creek Singers performed Make Them Hear You and again when Proud Voices took to the stage.

Photo courtesy of Liang Wee and Roy Van
Photo courtesy of Liang Wee and Roy Van

I was sad when it ended far too soon and am grateful that I shared the experience with so many wonderful people. There were so many highlights: getting to know people in my own choir much better, Luke wearing Brian’s (our mannequin) clothes to perform at The Helix, being taught how to use a drill by Jenny when erecting our exhibition, Singing the Changes, the gorgeous Dublin weather and meeting the many other choirs and realising how much joy LGBT choirs bring to people around the world.
If anyone gets the opportunity to travel in time and go again I would recommend it, otherwise you’ll just have to wait until Munich 2018. I’m excited already!
Don’t want to wait that long to see the Pink Singers? Get your tickets now for Notes from a Small Island, our celebration of British composers and songwriters on Saturday 19 July at Hackney Empire.

Our 31st consecutive London Pride

We’re delighted to be taking to London’s streets for the 31st consecutive year to march on Pride.

Pinkies at Pride in London 2013
Pinkies at Pride in London 2013

As well as performing with a myriad of other LGBT groups in the parade, we’ve been invited to perform on stage at 6:30pm, alongside acts such as the fabulous London Gay Big Band and La Voix, Samantha Fox and Eurovision-winner-par-excellence, Conchita Wurst!
It’s a great line-up and we really hope to see you there next Saturday!
 

One month until Notes from a Small Island!

A month today we’ll be on stage at Hackney Empire performing the best of British composers and songwriters for your delectation, joined by the wonderful South Wales Gay Men’s Chorus and Citi Choir.
We’re so excited that, yes, like last autumn, we got a bit excited and made another silly trailer. Here it is for your enjoyment.

Tickets are selling briskly for Notes from a Small Island – especially for the good seats – so get yours now if you want a good spot!

Back to the Empire!

Philip R
Philip R (OBE)

We’re thrilled to be heading over to Dublin next weekend for Various Voices 2014, a fantastic festival bringing together LGBT choirs from across Europe and beyond. We’ll be sharing our experiences as we go, too.
Having just celebrated our thirtieth anniversary last year, we couldn’t help but feel nostalgic. We’re returning to the Hackney Empire on Saturday 19th July to celebrate the best of British performers and composers – and it will be 25 years since we hosted there the 5th European Lesbian and Gay Festival of Song, now known as Various Voices.
Fourteen LGBT choirs came to London for four nights from 11 – 14 May 1989 to support the British gay movement in its fight against Section 28, a law which banned the “promotion” of homosexuality (just like Russia in 2014). As the law was championed by the Thatcher Government we called the Festival Singing The Blues Away.
The event was jointly organised by the Pink Singers and the Pre-Madonnas, a feminist choir so called because “we were famous before SHE was and we like to have our own way”!  We received no government or local authority support but were sponsored by MPs Chris Smith and Linda Bellos along with Sir Michael Tippett, Sir Ian McKellen, and Miriam Margolyes.
Around 500 singers came to Hackney from Sweden, France, Holland and Germany. The local Wimpy staff wondered why so many people kept singing in the restaurant and asking for “weggie-burgers”.
We finished each evening with all the choirs singing Dame Vera Lynn’s famous song “We’ll Meet Again”. And we have! The Various Voices Festival returned to London at the South Bank Centre in 2009 and will be in Dublin from 13-16 June with 80 choirs from around the world. We can’t wait!