NYC Gay Men's Chorus Gala Held 2/24, Verdi to Host

The New York City Gay Men's Chorus (NYCGMC) today announced their 2009 benefit gala, ‘Laugh Out Loud,' on Tuesday, February 24th from 6:30-10:00 p.m. at the Westside Loft in Manhattan.

The award-winning television personality, celebrity stylist, and interviewer, Robert Verdi, will lead the evening with his signature humor and flare. With comedic performances by Judy Gold, ANT, Jessica Kirson and Julie Goldman, along with the honorary committee Joan Rivers, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, City Council President Christine Quinn and Senator Tom Duane, the gala will be a night celebrating music, comedy, diversity and support for the LGBT community.

The centerpiece of the event will be the NYCGMC's three-part auction (online, silent and live). The auction, featuring a diverse set of outstanding items from travel to cuisine, and art to fashion, will happen in three phases. Beginning three weeks prior to the gala, benefactors can bid online at www.laughoutloud.cmarket.com. Once at the Westside Loft, guests will be able to bid during both a silent auction as well as the larger-than-life live auction conducted by Verdi.

Laugh Out Loud sponsors include: Coca Cola, Piper Heidsick, Anthony Logistics, Shiraz NYC, Taylor Creative Inc, Sweet Riot, American Airlines, FUEL Outdoor, Van Wagner, 2Xist, and Svedka. Exclusive gift bags given at the event will feature products from several of the sponsors.

The Westside Loft is located at 336 West 37th Street, 6th Floor, between 8th & 9th. Tickets to the event are $100 for general admission and $200 for VIP admission. VIP tickets include the Piper Heidsick Champagne Reception - a meet and greet with the celebrities as well as a premium gift bag.

For more information and tickets, please visit: www.nycgmc.org

The New York City Gay Men's Chorus (NYCGMC) is the longest standing member of Big Apple Performing Arts, having just celebrated its 29th Anniversary. The New York City Gay Men's Chorus now comprises 250 voices, appearing in three subscription concerts each year, moving between Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall and the other world-class venues of New York City. Affirming their world-class status is a roster of classical and contemporary artists who have graced the stages with the Chorus: Marilyn Horne, Roberta Peters, Liza Minnelli, Stephen Sondheim, Barbara Cook, Carol Channing, Jerry Herman, Eartha Kitt, and Joel Grey - to name just a few. NYCGMC is led by Artistic Director Dr. Charles Beale and David Edelman, Executive Director of Big Apple Performing Arts, the non-profit management company for NYCGMC, Uptown Express, and Youth Pride Chorus.

NYCGMC sponsors include: Time Warner, American Airlines, Next Magazine, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, Fuel, The New York Blade, HX, The Monster, Lips, Darden Restaurants, Svedka Vodka, and Genre Magazine.

Photo by Peter James Zielinski

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