ABOVE: The Gay Men’s Chorus of Tampa Bay, courtesy GMCTB’s Facebook page.
TAMPA BAY | The Gay Men’s Chorus of Tampa Bay will kick off its 20th anniversary season with “A Harvest of Memories” Oct. 15 and 16, their first full, in-person concerts in a year and a half.
The GMCTB, formerly known as Una Voce, was founded in 2002. It exists to celebrate the inherent dignity of all people through excellence in men’s choral music, which it’s done virtually for the past 18 months due to COVID-19.
“A Harvest of Memories,” which serves as the GMCTB’s Fall concert, will highlight a collection of songs “gathered to celebrate the transitions between seasons that show us how beautiful change can be.” The chorus will also celebrate its landmark anniversary by including music members have performed over the last two decades.
“This is an amazing milestone, 20 years of bringing songs to uplift the lives and hearts of our community,” GMCTB President Bill Kanouff says. “The chorus is a vibrant, cultural part of our LGBTQ+ community.”
In preparation for “A Harvest of Memories,” the GMCTB resumed in-person rehearsals in August. “We’re so happy to be singing with each other again!” the group shared. They subsequently performed the National Anthem at the Tampa Bay Rowdies’ Pride Night Sept. 3.
Recent virtual performances include June’s “The Journey Home,” their Spring concert “about the families we find and create for ourselves” and “The Big Gay Cabaret: Divas,” which aired in March. It highlighted work from musical powerhouses that have “made an indelible mark” on pop culture.
View the productions below:
Audiences will have two opportunities to experience the group’s live return. The GMCTB will present “A Harvest of Memories” Oct. 15 at Skycrest United Methodist Church, located at 2045 Drew St. in Clearwater, and Oct. 16 at The Portico, located at 1001 N. Florida Ave. in Tampa. Each concert begins at 8 p.m. and regular tickets are $15 or $5 for students.
“Having gone virtual for the last 18 months, we look forward to being seen and heard in person,” Kanouff says. “Nothing can compare to the joy and energy of a live, in-person concert and the interaction between the audience and the chorus.”
For more information, visit the Clearwater concert’s Facebook event page and Tampa concert’s Facebook event page. You can also learn more and buy tickets at GMCTB.org/A-Harvest-Of-Memories.
