March 21 & 22, 2003
Welcome
Dear Friends,
Thank you for joining us this evening. Let me welcome you to this very special concert, as we present the Chicago premier of Oliver Button Is A Sissy. Thanks also to our guest performers and the sponsors, Julie and Parker Hall, who have made it possible. Although our music tonight is lighthearted, the message is profound. I think we can all relate to this story of rising to the challenge of being different. Even if we are shaped by our upbringing and experiences, we are not controlled by them. We can all take the opportunities life gives us to sing and dance our way to being exactly who we are and what we want to become. I hope our program reaches your “inner child”, putting a smile on your lips and a skip in your step!
Sincerely,
David Loofbourrow
Board Chair
Windy City Performing Arts
Program Notes
It’s for kids. But it’s not only for them. It’s about kids. But it’s not only about them. We hope that this concert will touch the kid in all of us. There is some music that you’ll remember from your childhood. There are some words that you’ll remember growing up. There are some songs that are just plain fun, that any kid—no matter what age—will enjoy. But most of all, there are some lessons to be learned. There are stories that teach, and pieces that show us things we should all see and hear. There are the lessons that no one taught us growing up, that we can now teach to our kids. This generation growing up now has the potential to learn and feel and grow in ways that those of us from Generations A through W can only imagine. After the concert is over, we hope you’ll be singing the songs on your way out. And we hope you’ll be telling the stories and teaching the lessons you saw and heard here on stage. When we combine words and music, what a great impact we can make. And when we combine stories and songs and lessons…look out for Generations Y through Z! Thanks for coming tonight.
• WINDY CITY GAY CHORUS •
WCGC, formed in 1979, is one of the oldest gay choruses in the United States and is a founding member of the Gay & Lesbian Association of Choruses (GALA). In 1982, they became the only openly gay chorus to ever win first place in the highly regarded Johnny Mann Great American Choral Festival, and in 1996 appeared in the Steppenwolf production of “Everyman”. The chorus has recorded three CDs, including “Legacy”, celebrating 20 years of song.
• WINDY CITY SLICKERS •
In 1999, the Slickers released their solo album “Sunday” to rave reviews. The Slickers have become known throughout the country as one of the most entertaining and exceptional vocal groups in the genre. The Slickers perform original material celebrating/spoofing the gay community, parodies of some of your favorite songs and heart-melting ballads.
• UNISON •
Unison debuted at “Don We Now XIV” in 1992 and sang their inaugural concert in April 1993 with Chris Williamson and Tret Fure as guest artists. In only nine years they have become one of the premier mixed voice choruses in the GALA movement. In 1998 Unison won a Gay & Lesbian American Music Award for Best Choral Group recording for their performance of Jingle Bells on the CD, “Glad Tidings We Bring”. Unison has also released a solo recording: “One”.
Windy City Performing Arts 