Local LGBT musicians join forces to raise money for HIV charity, Lunch Positive.
SOME OF Brighton & Hove’s LGBT choirs and musicians will be joining forces once again on December 1, to put on a fundraising concert, called We All Live Together: A Concert For World AIDS Day.
Funds raised from the concert will be donated to Lunch Positive, the weekly lunch club for people with and who are affected by HIV. Lunch Positive volunteers will also be serving home made mince pies and mulled wine on the night.
Gary Parteger from Lunch Positive said: “We’re overjoyed at the support from the choirs and music groups at this year’s World AIDS Day Concert. It means so much to have the support of so many groups and performers at this important event, and really proves that we are a community in togetherness.
“Our forthcoming year at Lunch Positive will be spent helping a growing number of people and aiming to reach people who do not easily access services. The proceeds from this year’s World AIDS Day concert will make a huge difference in all that we do. Thank you from our members and volunteers.”
We All Live Together will feature performances by the Brighton Belles Women’s Chorus, Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus, Rainbow Chorus, Resound Male Voices and Qukelele.
Leaders from the participating choirs and groups commented on what concert means to their organisation:
Deborah Wolf, Chair of the Brighton Belles Women’s Chorus, said: “The Brighton Belles love being part of a community that comes together with love, joy and music to help those who need a hand. When you are a certain age (as most of our choir are) you have almost certainly lost some-one you care about to HIV/AIDS and know many close friends living with it in their lives. World AIDS Day is a celebration, a remembrance and a reminder of the present also. We are honoured to join our friends as one voice.”
Paul Charlton, Chair of Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus, added: “World AIDS Day represents many things to many people, in particular the many challenges that HIV/AIDS has presented to so many of us over the years. Working as part of a choir, you become very aware of not only what can be achieved when we all work together, but also how important it is that we find ways of doing so. Perhaps then we can somehow empower ourselves to each face life’s inevitable challenges with some sense of optimism and hope.”
Finola Brophy, Chair of the Rainbow Chorus, said: “As the only local LGBT choir the Rainbow Chorus is delighted to be performing for World AIDS Day alongside other Brighton choirs. This is such an important event in our year raising awareness and celebrating the lives of those living with and affected by HIV as well as remembering those who have died. We’re delighted that all proceeds will go to Lunch Positive who do such great work.”
Scott Roedersheimer, Chair of Resound, added: ”Resound Male Voices is delighted to once again be participating in the annual World Aids Day Concert to raise much needed funds and awareness. We stand in solidarity with our fellow singers in the knowledge that we make the greatest possible impact when our many individual voices join together.”
Seffy Sefton-Smith from LGBT ukelele band Qukelele, concluded saying: “Qukelele are delighted to perform at “We All Live Together” again this year and help support such a deserving charity.
“It’s great fun to get together with the other choirs, and the group number at the end always leaves us feeling very warm and fuzzy!”
The concert will take place at St Mary’s Church in Kemp Town Brighton on December 1 at 7.30 pm which will allow time for those attending the Candlelit Vigil from 6-7pm at the AIDS Memorial statue on new Steine Gardens to pop along to.
For more information, click here:
Tickets cost £5 and will be available to buy online from November 1 or in person from Prowler on St James Street. Its highly recommended to buy tickets in advance, but a small number will be retained to buy on the door on the night.
Event: A Concert For World Aids Day: We All Live Together featuring: The Brighton Belles, Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus, Rainbow Chorus, Resound Male Voices and Qukelele
Where: St Mary’s Church, St Georges Road, Kemptown, Brighton
When: Monday, December 1
Time: 7pm for 7.30pm start: Mulled Wine and Mince Pies available provided by Lunch Positive
Tickets: £5 each and will be available to buy online from November 1 at www.BrightonWADconcert.info, in person from Prowler on St James St and a small number will be retained to buy on the door on the night.
Fundraising: All proceeds to Lunch Positive
You must be logged in to post a comment.