A local women’s choir will incorporate current LGBT events in an interactive format into its upcoming fall concert.
The Anna Crusis Women’s Choir, which is made up of both gay and straight women, will stage its 38th annual holiday concert Dec. 1-2.
The performance, titled “Simple Love: A Marriage Celebration,” aims to take a stance on marriage equality — an issue that not only affects the LGBT and ally community, but one that has also been bandied about this election season.
“We always like to find a way for our concerts to speak to something pertinent within our community,” said choir artistic director Miriam Davidson. “It seemed a no-brainer and it was a good fit.”
Davidson noted that President Obama’s recent announcement on his support for same-sex marriage was also part of the inspiration for bringing the marriage-equality theme to the concert.
The choir plans to incorporate stories and opinions on marriage equality from local same-sex and ally couples into the concert. Couples can submit their love stories through Nov. 10 at www.annacrusis.com.
“We plan to look at their stories and the repertoire for the concert and link their stories to the substance of our songs,” Davidson said.
She said that straight couples are also welcome to participate, noting she personally knows a heterosexual couple that refuses to get married until everyone has the right.
“We would love to hear from more of those couples. We would even want to hear from family members — it affects people differently.”
Davidson said she hopes to encourage renewed optimism about marriage equality, something she said several people have already expressed to her.
The chorus also decided to pair up with like-minded groups for the performances; the Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus and Philadelphia Voices of Pride will sing several numbers with them at the concert. Davidson was grateful for their support, noting that PGMC’s holiday concert is right around the corner from Anna Crusis’ event.
“It is a very busy time for them, so God bless them for helping out,” she said. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.annacrusis.com.