Gay choruses go a-caroling

'Tis the season to hear holiday carols from gay and lesbian choruses across the nation

As the year draws to a close, many of us scurry about searching for ways to celebrate the season. What better time to hear gay and lesbian voices lifted in song?

"The holiday season is the big-ticket time of year for choirs in general," says Kenneth T. Cole, executive director of Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses Inc. "We reclaim Christmas and Hanukkah for ourselves." Chances are good that there's a GALA ensemble near you. In the meantime, here's a random sampling of seasonal offerings:

* Chicago: Get four chorales for the price of one with "Don We Now 22" (December 16 and 17), a show "in the spirit of Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanza, solstice, and football." On hand will be Windy City Gay Chorus, Unison: Windy City Lesbian and Gay Singers, Windy City Slickers, and Aria: Windy City Women's Small Ensemble, all also featured on the CD Glad Tidings We Bring!

* Boston: The Boston Gay Men's Chorus delight fans with "Gloria!" (December 9 and 10). The group's 150 voices will perform classical works, traditional carols, and contemporary favorites. BGMC's 1995 show became the CD Freedom, Merriment, & Joy.

* Dallas: The award-winning Turtle Creek Chorale presents "Bells, Bows, & Bangles" (December 19-22) with special guests Resounding Joy, a bell ensemble from the city's Cathedral of Hope, the nation's largest Metropolitan Community Church congregation. If you can't be there, you can hear them on two CDs: A Roamin' Holiday and Simply Christmas.

* Boulder, Colo.: Sound Circle presents "Sound Circle Solstice Concert" (December 14-18). Described as "a celebration of light, love, and caring," the concert will feature the 22-woman a cappella group performing the music of J.S. Bach accompanied by marimba, plus a choral arrangement of lesbian-friendly Dar Williams's "The Christians and the Pagans."

* Seattle: Not to be outdone, the Seattle Men's Chorus will conjure "Visions of Sugar Plums" (December 6, 10-11, 16-19) in a concert including Yuletide standards and modern favorites. Also worth noting are SMC's three seasonal CDs: Holiday Traditions, Snowbound! and SMC Holiday Concert Captured Live!

Vaillancourt also writes for Gay-Health. com and CBSHealthwatch.com.

Find a link to the GALA Web site and more on gay choruses nationwide at www.advocate.com

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