SFGMC Raises Over $55,000 At CRESCENDO: VOICES RISING Benefit
San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus raised over $55,000 at its first-ever virtual benefit.
By: A.A. Cristi
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With the help of celebrated guest artists, San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus (SFGCM) raised over $55,000 at its first-ever virtual benefit, Crescendo: Voices Rising, surpassing the original goal of $50,000, with money still coming in.
The benefit honored Emmy, Tony, and Grammy Award-winning actor, singer, director, composer, and playwright Billy Porter with the Trailblazer Award and activist and philanthropist Ariadne Getty with the Vanguard Award. Proceeds from the benefit, which took place on Monday, August 17, will sustain SFGMC and support its youth outreach programming.
More than 700 guests tuned in online to the benefit, which began with a rousing performance of "Singing for Our Lives" by powerhouse singer Inaya Day and featuring the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus. Throughout the evening, guests were treated to additional special performances, including an acoustic rendition of "American Pie," performed by singer, songwriter, and transgender rights activist Shea Diamond, a rendition of Barbra Streisand's "Being Good Isn't Good Enough," performed by actor and singer Alex Newell, Jason Clayborn and Gabriel Hatcher's "Better" performed by the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir and San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus, and a powerful rendition of Buffalo Springfield's "For What It's Worth," performed by Billy Porter and accompanied by original songwriter Stephen Sills. Special remarks were provided by San Francisco Mayor London N. Breed, Tony Award winner Kristin Chenoweth, actor and activist Wilson Cruz, and singer/songwriter Tyler Glenn.
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Julius Caesar Marin Shakespeare Company (8/14-9/13) |
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Pickleball Hillbarn Theatre (8/20-9/13) |
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Pearl Louise’s Lovin Jaleal The Marsh (8/14-8/16) |
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Fences by August Wilson Santa Cruz Shakespeare (7/28-8/28) |
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Good Night, Oscar Hillbarn Theatre (3/04-3/28) |
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Based on a Totally True Story City Lights Theater Company (1/21-2/14) |
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Merola Grand Finale War Memorial Opera House (8/15-8/15) |
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The Phantom of the Opera San Jose Center for the Performing Arts (10/07-10/18) |
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Natacha Ruck’s Death & Dad Jokes The Marsh Berkeley (8/20-8/23) |
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Ride the Cyclone City Lights Theater Company (7/16-8/23) |