The Gay Men's Chorus of Washington (GMCW) will perform
Good Afternoon,
This is a very important update from GMCW. Please help us to spread the word far and wide as we now have permission from HBO to unleash some important details!
Please forgive the formal tone of the information below. I have provided it for you in a format that facilitate posting it. I wish everyone a wonderful Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday weekend and a safe and memorable inaugural celebration.
This Sunday, January 18th from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm, The Gay Men's Chorus of Washington (GMCW) will perform what will, without a doubt, be a triumphant and historic arrangement of "My Country 'Tis of Thee" with Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Josh Groban and Tony Award-winner Heather Headley.
Some remarks from Jeff Buhrman, Artistic Director:
“We take immense symbolic satisfaction that we will sing at the Lincoln Memorial, where so many others have spoken and sung to achieve equality. In 1939 the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) refused permission for Marian Anderson to sing to an integrated audience in Constitution Hall. Thousands of DAR members, including first Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, resigned from the organization. This led to a concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial by Ms.. Anderson on Easter Sunday in 1939. She opened the concert with a stirring rendition of “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” to a crowd of more than 75,000 of all colors and a national radio audience of millions. The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington’s inclusion in the inaugural opening ceremonies singing “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” is another significant historic moment that will put a face and give a voice to gay equality. As President-Elect Obama begins his presidency, we move closer to a time when the dream of equality for all is fulfilled.”
Don't miss out!
Watch or DVR a broadcast of the performance on HBO the same day (7:00 pm-9:00 pm ET/PT, live at 2:30 pm). HBO is FREE for this historic event, check your cable listings.