25 YEARS AND COUNTING!

The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus holiday concerts mean so much to us here at the SF Bay Times, as they likely do to you as well. The emotional connections differ, however. Some of us have lost loved ones to HIV/AIDS or other illnesses, and find a sense of welcoming community at the events that helps to combat isolation and loneliness at this time of year. Others moved to San Francisco, far away from familiar places and, as a result, cannot always be with friends and family during the holidays. Still others have a December tradition of bringing along the whole clan—aunts, uncles, kids, friends, you name it—to the concerts. And then there are those of us who simply love the events because they are always so beautifully done.

Whatever the reasons, we come together at Home for the Holidays and truly feel at home. San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus Artistic Director Dr. Tim Seelig and the Chorus members put so much heart into the performances that the good energy radiates back onto audiences like a big, warm embrace. The space in those moments, whether it’s the Nourse Theater or our beloved Castro Theatre, feels sacred to us. Like the powerful and harmonious voices of the talented Chorus, it reveals our collective potential.

Our thanks go to Dr. Tim Seelig, Peter Zimmerman, John Alecca, and to all of the SFGMC members who helped in the preparation of this special section for the San Francisco Bay Times.

 “We’ll laugh. We’ll cry. We’ll remember…”

By Dr. Tim Seelig

One of the things that we all tend to do is count the passing of time in round numbers. Five years of this, or ten years since that. It is mostly done in hindsight. We don’t spend much time looking down the road pondering how things will be when we have done something for 15 years, or 20, or certainly 25. That was definitely the feeling for everyone in the gay community in 1990. Thinking 25 years ahead was unthinkable.

But here we are performing our 25th annual Christmas Eve concerts at the Castro Theatre, “Home for the Holidays.” It is a remarkable passing of time. On that evening 25 years ago, no one knew if there would be a second or third, much less twenty-fifth.

As the current Artistic Director of the Chorus, I was asked to write an article about this momentous celebration. But I’ve only been here for four Christmas Eves. I thought it better to ask some of the singers who were there in 1990—and have sung all 25! Here are just some of their comments. If you have been at one or all 25 yourself, this will bring back wonderful memories.

“In 1990, my partner, who has since passed, worked for the Blumenfeld Family, owners of Castro Theatre. With  his persistence and that  of his roommate, SFGMC Artistic Director Dr. Stan Hill, he convinced the family to break the long-held tradition of the Castro Theatre  being closed on Christmas Eve. That year, the marquee proudly displayed “Christmas Eve with The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus” as it has for 25 Christmas Eves in a row.” Brian

“We were in the middle of the worst of the AIDS epidemic. People were losing their jobs, apartments and, most of all, families as a result of fear and paranoia surrounding the disease. The Chorus itself was also suffering staggering losses. In an effort to provide comfort and a little happiness, we decided to sing at the Castro Theatre on Christmas Eve. The doors opened and people flooded in: healthy people, sick people, people pulling their oxygen tanks and leaning on the arms of friends and neighbors. When the organ started to play holiday carols, the theater erupted with joy, acceptance and love. We were one.” Tom

“I remember as the singers entered from the lobby and walked down the aisles; the audience went wild and thunderously applauded. It was electric! I felt giddy as we got onto the makeshift risers! It was such a feeling of affirmation. They loved us and we loved them. That feeling has been repeated for me 25 times.” David

“Nothing like this had ever been done before at the Castro Theater. I remember wondering if anyone would even show up. I was also concerned about the mood of the audience, given the tremendous loss that was happening all over the Castro. But as soon as we began singing, I realized music was going to work its usual magic. It gave us all a much-needed sense of hope and belonging—something the chorus does to this day.” Joe

“For that very first concert, Mark Fotopoulos sang “Christmas is for Cowboys.” Everyone just melted because he was so cute. It was to be Mark’s last concert, as he became ill and passed away shortly thereafter. I know Mark lives on in many people’s memories as the handsome cowboy with the droll smile, languid voice and relaxed style. He is missed.” David

“Early on, we began taking pictures with Santa before each of the shows to raise money for our Scholarship Fund. One year, I volunteered to be Santa. Before the 5pm show, it was mostly children who wanted to sit on Santa’s lap. By 7pm, there were more adults who wanted to tell Santa if they’d been naughty or nice. By the 9:00 o’clock show, with the crowds full of “Christmas cheer” provided by local establishments, the audience was a hot mess—and so much fun! With each show, they became more generous to the fund!” Rick

“We were filling two shows, but everyone had doubts that a third show would fill, and the singers had doubts they could  sustain the energy to do three shows in a row.  We took the leap of faith and never looked back. Patrons also started lining up earlier and earlier so as not to be on the back row of the balcony!”  Gary

Hopefully this has given you a sense of what it was like at the beginning of this remarkable tradition. Each year, the Chorus prepares its very best for Christmas Eve with delight and anticipation.

The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, now in its 37th Season, has always been there for our community. From its beginning in 1978 as a joyful outpouring of gay pride to this year when we celebrate this incredible milestone, we never dared dream this all would come true.

The members of this Chorus give tirelessly of their time, money and talent for many reasons. Chief among those is the burning desire to make the world a better place for all who hear.

On Christmas Eve, 1990, the members of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus made the world a much, much better place for those who gathered in the Castro Theatre. From all accounts, they created a joyful moment during a time when such moments were few and far between. As for our shared, staggering losses, the Chorus has now lost over 300 singers.

Twenty-five years later, we continue the work those brave men began. Yes, times have changed. But we still use our music to bring people together, reminding us of those we have lost and inspiring us all to do better, be better and to continue fighting the good fight. On December 24, we will once again be one.

We’ll laugh. We’ll cry. We’ll remember. And we will celebrate being together—again!

Don’t miss it. And, who knows? Maybe there will be a 50th Annual Home for the Holidays one day.

Dr. Tim Seelig is the proud and humbled Artistic Director of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus.