NYCGMC to Perform I SEE FIRE with the London Gay Men's Chorus at NYU Skirball

The New York City Gay Men's Chorus (NYCGMC) announced today that they will welcome their siblings in song from the London Gay Men's Chorus (LGMC) to join them on stage for I SEE FIRE: Anthems for a New Era, Saturday, May 20 at 8pm at NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts. I SEE FIRE will unite two world cities, two internationally renowned choruses, and more than 400 voices who have long been beacons of harmony and solidarity. The LGBTQ community is no stranger to threats, hardship, and prejudice. But far from suffocating them, adversity has always fueled their formidable fierceness and strength. I See Fire will roar onto the stage with fresh new anthems for a new era.

"How does an organization like NYCGMC respond to this new less tolerant era? In our latest show I SEE FIRE, you will see a more incisive focus on telling the truth as our community sees it. We should name injustice and bigotry for what it is, and we have a special power in the arts to show the world exactly what that means. We also must build our resilience in the face of such challenges," said Charles Beale, Artistic Director of the New York City Gay Men's Chorus. "Those who come to this show will leave with a song in their hearts, with the strength to be who they really are, and perhaps even with a mischievous grin on their faces. There is something about hearing 300 guys singing live with passion and determination that literally fills the soul. I think that's just what we all need right now!'

"I See Fire will fill the stage with passion, energy, and resilience with the power of a united wall of sound coming from two incredibly important choruses," said Lisa Reilly, Executive Director of NYCGMC. "By joining hands and standing together, by reaching out instead of shutting out, and by uniting these voices behind stirring new anthems, we can be sure our message is heard loud and clear."

I SEE FIRE will include stunning arrangements of music by Ed Sheernan, Roland Orzabal, Avril Lavigne, Ellie Goulding, Lily Allen, and John Farnham.

For more information about NYCGMC, LGMC and how to purchase tickets, click here.

About the New York City Gay Men's Chorus

New York City Gay Men's Chorus is a world-class, world-renowned New York institution and a pioneering voice for the LGBTQ community. NYCGMC is comprised of more than 250 talented singers of various ages, backgrounds, and experiences. Together, we produce a vibrant sound and energy that audiences can feel and connect with. Through the power of this sound, and our spectacular performances, we are fearless champions for love, equality, and acceptance. Founded in 1980, NYCGMC has formed a strong bond with devoted followers and continues to make lasting connections with new and diverse audiences. We sing in every style from classical to pop, Broadway to gospel, and from cultures all over the world. As artists, we listen to the changing world around us and transform what we hear into music. We sing to challenge perceptions of the LGBTQ community, to combat fear and hatred, encourage compassion and human connection, and to thrill with the superb quality of our sound. Through our music, audiences mourn losses, cheer victories, find unconditional acceptance, and celebrate life. We perform in a variety of settings, including special, private, and corporate events, concerts, television appearances, festivals, Broadway/theatre productions, conferences, weddings, parties, fundraisers, and community events. nycgmc.org

About London Gay Men's Chorus
In 1991, nine friends came together to sing a few Christmas carols at Angel Underground Station hoping to raise a few pounds for the Terrence Higgins Trust. London was in the midst of the AIDS crisis and the men, who belonged to a social group called London Friend sang together to find a place of support, of friendship and of brotherhood. Little did they know what they had kickstarted. Fast-forward 25 years, and this once small band of singers now calls itself the London Gay Men's ChoruS. Boasting over 200 members, the LGMC is the largest gay choir in Europe and regularly plays to sell-out crowds at Southbank Centre, Cadogan Hall and the Roundhouse. Over the years, the chorus has been lucky enough to have worked with a diverse range of artists including pop stars Mark Ronson and Elton John, soprano Lesley Garrett, country legend Dolly Parton, musical theatre star Hannah Waddingham, actor Simon Callow and comedienne Sandi Toksvig. The LGMC has also appeared on Children In Need, Comic Relief, The One Show, The Graham Norton Show and Top of the Pops. lgmc.org.uk

About Big Apple Performing Arts

Big Apple Performing Arts is the non-profit management company for the New York City Gay Men's Chorus and Youth Pride Chorus. With over thirty years of history, innovative programs, and service to the LGBTQ community, Big Apple Performing Arts is renowned for producing legendary performances, commissioning new works, and taking a leading role in the movement for social justice. From Carnegie Hall to City Hall, from the AIDS crisis to the struggle for marriage equality, as well as today's gender and identity politics, the choruses of BAPA have been leaders and activists in the New York City community since 1980.