Next week, the William Way LGBT Community Center will present a longstanding, yet evolving, classical-music performance about the HIV/AIDS epidemic, which has a unique Philadelphia flair.
The center will host AIDS Quilt Songbook at 7 p.m. May 11 at 1315 Spruce St.
The Songbook, which was originally performed at the Lincoln Center in 1992, was developed as a response from the classical-music world to the AIDS crisis and has seen the addition of new pieces to each production. The local performance will incorporate a, number of works making their world premiere, including several from Philadelphia-based artists.
The performance is part of the center’s new music series, which is funded by the Pew Center for Arts & Heritage in order to bring a diverse range of music to the center’s programs. It will raise funds for the center’s peer-counseling program.
Center executive assistant Paul Blore noted that, in the past few months, the center has hosted music events that have ranged from cabaret to classical piano and violin compositions to vocal performances, poetry readings and spoken-word shows.
“The Songbook fits well into William Way’s other programs, particularly our archives exhibits, which don’t just look at past events but reflect on their relevance today,” Blore said. “The Songbook is in its 20th-anniversary season, but the rendition we’re presenting at the center has six compositions that will be heard for the first time by our audience.”
The organization brought on consultant Gordon Beeferman and pianist Thomas Bagwell to co-curate the Songbook.
Beeferman agreed that the Songbook will be a positive addition to the music series.
“It seemed like a great fit for the center’s mission and its audience,” he said. “Of course the AIDS crisis is not behind us: It’s ongoing, as prevention and treatment continue to be major issues in our communities.”
Beeferman said he and Bagwell worked together to present a top-notch show.
“I’m doing most of the organizing, but Thomas’ input and advice is crucial. Thomas has organized previous performances of the Songbook — particularly the 20th anniversary performance on Dec. 1, 2012 [World AIDS Day] in New York,” Beeferman said.
Some of the local performers have already had experience with the Songbook, including Philadelphia native and baritone, Randy Scarletta, while others are first-timers.
“The singers who are new to the Songbook are people that we know or have worked with, who are interested in and excited about being part of the project,” Beeferman said. “Of course, the concert is a benefit, so the singers are essentially donating their time, talent and labor to the cause.”
According to Beeferman, the Songbook often has a New York-centric feel, but he was eager to create something with more of a Philadelphia vibe to it.
In addition to the local singers, the Songbook will feature poetry readings in between songs from two young poets from the Philadelphia Youth Poetry Movement, as well as from the city’s Poet Laureate, Sonia Sanchez.
Beeferman said that will not be the only change to the Songbook.
“In the 20 years since the Songbook started, the AIDS epidemic has changed a lot, and we have tried to have our ‘edition’ of the Songbook reflect that,” he said. “Our songs are not just about illness and untimely death, but about survival — with the help of modern medicine — and prevention. We’ve tried to make the Songbook more diverse, in terms of subject matter as well as sex, race, gender, etc.”
He added that he hopes the music helps the audience to develop a connection to the epidemic and its myriad impacts.
“These songs are often deeply personal but really quite universal — whether we have personally shared the experiences or feelings they depict or not. They are all about something common in our human experience,” Beeferman said. “Whether it’s about the loss of someone you cared about, or complicated feelings about survival, or anger at being cast out, or learning to protect your health — these are all things we can identify with in some way or another.”
Tickets to the AIDS Quilt Songbook are $75 for the concert and a reception, $25 for the concert and $15 for students and seniors. To purchase tickets, visit www.waygay.org.