Orlando Gay Chorus rehearse for “70’s One Funky Decade” in an airport hangar to practice social distancing. (Photo from James Rode’s Facebook)
ORLANDO | After a year of virtual events due to the ongoing pandemic, the Orlando Gay Chorus (OGC) returns with live, in-person concerts starting March 21.
The show, which is called “70’s One Funky Decade,” and will feature what OGC Chorus Director James Rode describes as “the big gay classics” from 70’s hitmakers such as ABBA, Elton John and The Village People.
“70’s One Funky Decade” will be the first of several OGC shows through June, which the organization held open auditions for earlier this year.
“There wasn’t the same sense of community as in-person rehearsals, so some people did fall away last year, but auditions in January were huge,” Rode says. “We had 40 people audition, which was shocking. I thought no one would audition. But we had so many people craving performance and singing.”
The chorus size is now around 90 singers for spring shows.
While the pandemic forced OGC to take their shows virtual last year, Rode says outright cancelling the shows were never an option.
“It was our 30th anniversary. We needed to celebrate all that was done. We still have founding members in the chorus and we wanted to honor and celebrate them, and that kept us going,” he says. “For so many people in the chorus, this is their social outlet and we can’t ignore that. Which for some creates the ability to have a meaningful life.”
To bring all of OGC’s performers together safely, Rode knew he needed an open space big enough so everyone could socially distance.
“I would have never imagined as a chorus director rehearsing in an airport hangar, but it’s a thing and it’s safe,” Rode says. “Just because we have always done it a certain way, we found there are other ways to rehearse. I have to think more creatively.”
As for later shows, OGC will bring “One Nation Indivisible” to the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts which will feature Americana songs such as “God Bless America” and “America the Beautiful.” Rode says this marks the first time since he has become the chorus director that OGC will be performing a concert focused on patriotic songs. The show’s themes are chosen by majority rules, with each of the 100 members voting.
“It’s gonna be a little taboo for a gay chorus to sing patriotic songs,” Rode says. “The right has appropriated these songs, and we are making a statement that those songs belong to everyone.”
OGC will also bring their fourth annual Diversity Concert at Pride this spring, which Rode says will broadcast nationally.
Orlando Gay Chorus’ “70’s One Funky Decade” will be at the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center in Sanford March 21 from 3:00-4:30 pm. Tickets start from $20 and can be purchased from the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center’s website at WDPAC.com/ensemblemusic.
