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SFGMC 48th Season Presents Totally 80s

The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus presents “Totally 80s!” on March 21st at The Curran Theatre in San Francisco, CA for 2 performances 1P & 7:30P. Set to the electrifying soundtrack of the 1980s this spring concert features the iconic anthems by Madonna, Whitney Houston, Cyndi Lauper, Tina Turner, Queen & more. The program blends high-octane joy, intimate storytelling & communal remembrance structured in 2 acts with an intermission. Through the power of music these songs & stories honor both the exuberance & complexity of our LGBTQ community then & now. Also after nearly a decade of extraordinary memories & milestones Chris Verdugo will conclude his time as Chief Executive Officer of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus at the end of Season 48 on June 30th. Verdugo stated, “Since 2016, it has been the honor of my life to lead SFGMC through seasons of growth, resilience & transformation. Over the next year, I look forward to celebrating what we have built together & helping to ensure a smooth & successful transition for SFGMC’s future.” The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus Board of Directors has launched a national search for SFGMC’s next Chief Executive Officer in partnership with Arts Consulting Group. This leader will guide the organization into its next chapter of artistic excellence, community impact & national visibility. Since 1978 the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus has not only persevered in the face of persecution & intolerance but have also inspired an LGBTQ choral movement around the world. “Totally 80s!” presenting sponsors are Richard Atkins & Cindy Samuels in honor of Bobby & Michael Kim. Tickets run from $35 to $160. 
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Chasing Grace Limited NYC Engagement

The World Premiere of Elizabeth Addison’s compelling & highly relevant new musical “Chasing Grace” will play a 3-week limited engagement at Off Broadway’s ART/NY Mezzanine Theatre for performances starting Thursday March 12th through Sunday March 29th. Chasing Grace captures the lived reality of women navigating addiction, healing & self-definition with a score blending contemporary musical theatre, pop & R&B. Addison who also directs the production stated, "Chasing Grace is about having faith in your vision & keeping true to your story even when the world wants the easier version. The show sings in the voice of recovery - fierce, funny & honest." Inspired by author Addison’s time in treatment & chasing her own Broadway dreams with her first musical Chasing Grace examines recovery not as a fixed destination but as an ongoing practice, one shaped by community, memory, perseverance, accountability & choice. The play stars Gabrielle Beckford (Once Upon A One More Time) & Harper Miles (Caroline or Change) with music direction by Jacinth Greywoode. The production features choreography by Brian Harlan Brooks, lighting design by Athziri Morales, sound design by Jasper Percy Pollinger & stage management by Avery Wood. Chasing Grace is presented by SheNYC Arts a nonprofit org that fights for gender equity in the arts & entertainment industry by focusing on original playwrights, composers & producers to get more women, trans & non-binary people in the roles that decide which stories get told on stage & screen. Chasing Grace Opening Night is Saturday March 14th at 7:30P & tickets begin at $35 & are available. 
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Women's History Month Jazz Events

In celebration of Women's History Month Boston’s fabulous new venue “Long Live Roxbury” will present Thursday Jazz Night with women headliners throughout March from 6P to 9P. Producer Sue Auclair stated, “We're celebrating Women's History Month at Long Live Roxbury with all 4 Thursdays led by women. Join us for the month-long celebration. It’s free admission & parking courtesy of Feldman Geospatial!” The celebration kicks off Thursday March 5th with Safiya on vocals featuring a 9-piece band including Tariq Nicholson on keyboards, Aaron Seymour on drums, Dom Dove on bass, Zion Rodman on guitar, Andy Bergman on tenor saxophone, Brian Paulding on trombone, Brandon Mayes on percussion & Dillon Zahner also on percussion. Then on Thursday March 12th Zahili Zamora & Friends will perform followed by Myanna on Thursday March 19th & Teresa Ines performs on Thursday March 26th. Then in April the celebration continues with guitarist Sheryl Bailey & Friends on Thursday April 2nd & Barbara Martinez on Thursday April 9th. Michael Feldman, Chief Executive Officer of Feldman Geospatial added, “It has always been my dream to bring high quality jazz & world music to our building in Roxbury & by making it free to all we are hoping to continue to create a community space for food, drinks, arts & culture for everyone to enjoy.” In addition to brewing the beer served in the taproom there are food pop ups to go along with the live entertainment that supports many brilliant & internationally respected musicians who live in the Boston area & NYC & all without a cover charge. Long Live Roxbury is located at 152 Hampden Street in Boston, MA. 
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Florida AIDS Walk & Music Festival Star

Queen Latifa the Grammy, Emmy, Golden Globe-winning & Oscar-nominated powerhouse will headline the AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s 21st Annual Florida AIDS Walk & Music Festival that takes place in Fort Lauderdale Beach on Saturday, March 21st. Queen Latifah stated, “I am thrilled to continue to lend my voice in the on-going fight against HIV/AIDS. We all must continue to raise our voice & funds to keep awareness & prevention services accessible for all.” Tracy Jones, AHF Southern Bureau Chief concluded, “We are honored to have Queen Latifah join us again & lend her star power to help raise awareness & funds for the fight against HIV/AIDS. Now more than ever, we need to make sure the service organizations tending to our most at-risk populations have the support they need to keep up the fight against HIV & AIDS. While we have made progress since Florida AIDS Walk started over two decades ago, South Florida continues to see disproportionately high incidents of new HIV diagnoses. The money we raise through FAW helps people get educated, get tested, get into care & stay in care – all keys to helping stop the spread, end the HIV epidemic & save lives.” The annual 5k walk & concert has raised millions for local nonprofit HIV/AIDS Service Organizations (ASOs) serving people living with HIV in the South Florida region & is on track to continue this impact again this year. Rinasere the hot new recording artist will kick-off this year’s beachfront event. AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s 21st Annual Florida AIDS Walk & Music Festival is presented by AHF Pharmacy, Fed Ex & Wells Fargo. 
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Actor Brandon Uranowitz To Be Honored

Tony Award winning actor Brandon Uranowitz that's currently appearing as Tateh in Lincoln Center Theater’s acclaimed Broadway revival of Ragtime will be honored at JQY’s annual gala at Lincoln Center in NYC on March 16th with the Jewish Queer Icon Award. Brandon’s previous Broadway credits include Tom Stoppard’s Leopoldstadt (Tony, Drama Desk & Outer Critics Circle Awards), Lanford Wilson’s Burn This, The Band’s Visit, Prince of Broadway, Falsettos & An American in Paris. Off-Broadway Brandon has appeared as Rabbi Jonah in Becoming Eve at New York Theater Workshop & as Leon Czolgosz in John Weidman’s & Stephen Sondheim’s Assassins at Classic Stage Company. JQY will also honor Tony Award-winning producer Riva Marker with the JQY Trailblazer Award. Broadway & screen stars including Andrew Rannells, Caissie Levy, Joshua Malina, Cristin Milioti, Jeanine Tesori & Judy Kuhn are serving on the Host Committee for the event. Rachael Fried, executive director of JQY stated, “The breadth of the Host Committee demonstrates the broad, growing support for our mission to empower Jewish queer youth to live as their full, complete selves. We look forward to celebrating our impact & raising funds to support more Jewish LGBTQ teens & young adults than ever before.” The evening directed by Emily Maltby will be produced by Heather Shields & Robb Nanus. JQY is a mental health organization that empowers Jewish LGBTQ teens & young adults to live healthy joyful lives. JQY saves & enhances lives by connecting youth to one another to providers & relevant resources & to opportunities to see themselves & their futures. I talked with Brandon in 2019 when he appeared in “Burn This” in this exclusive podcast. LISTEN  
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My First Ex-Husband Returns To Boston

Back by popular demand Joy Behar's hilarious new comedy “My First Ex-Husband” returns to Huntington’s Calderwood Pavilion from March 27th to 29th at the BCA 527 Tremont Street in Boston, MA. This must-see play stars Joy Behar, Veanne Cox & Judy Gold. The play is a bold & a heartfelt adaptation of true stories by Behar the legendary comedienne & co-host of The View. So prepare yourself for razor-sharp wit with no filters as it explores the messy, hilarious truths of love, sex & relationships. Joy Behar stated, “The stories are very relatable. Even if you never got a divorce, you still have problems with in-laws, let’s say, or sex, or kids, or money — everybody has problems. Marriage is a work in process all the time.” Behar crafted the evening of monologues based on interviews with friends & colleagues who endured breakups. “My First Ex-Husband” was first presented at Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor before opening the new Off Broadway MMAC Theatre in NYC in January of 2025 & I caught it last September in Boston & it was fabulous. Outrageous yet deeply relatable this show will resonate with anyone who has navigated the turbulent & often titillating seas of love. Times Square Chronicle says that My First Ex-Husband “appeals to men, women & anyone who has ever been in a relationship.” “My First Ex-Husband” is directed by Randal Myler & produced by Cyrena Esposito & Caiola Productions. The show runs 90 minutes without an intermission. “My First Ex-Husband” is recommended for ages 12 & up due to adult language & content. 
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Kettering Foundation 2026 Fellowships

The Charles F. Kettering Foundation announced 5 one-year global fellowships awarded to inspiring leaders working in many different fields to protect & defend democracy. These global fellows are recognized for their significant contributions to fighting authoritarianism & protecting human rights & will provide expertise & insights to the foundation's Democracy around the Globe focus area. Paloma Dallas, Kettering Global Senior Democracy Program Officer stated, "These fellows bring an important breadth of approaches to the work of defending democracy. Their participation in the global fellows program will strengthen the foundation's mission of resisting authoritarianism & strengthening inclusive democracy here & around the world." The 2026 Charles F. Kettering Global Fellows are Clare Byarugaba from Uganda a decade-long LGBTQ rights advocate. In her role as the diversity, equity & inclusion officer at Chapter Four Uganda she founded the country's first-ever chapter of PFLAG-Uganda. Patrick Gathara from Kenya a journalist, writer, editor & political cartoonist. He is the senior editor for inclusive storytelling at The New Humanitarian an independent nonprofit newsroom covering humanitarian crises around the world. Julia Neiva from Brazil the deputy director & a co-founder of Conectas Direitos Humanos which works for equality & human rights through advocacy, litigation, networking & alliances. Urban Strandberg from Sweden the co-founder & director of the International Youth Think Tank which seeks to transform the activism of young people to allow them to lead the way for a more democratic future & Kristóf Szombati from Hungary an editor for the political economy & inequalities section at the Review of Democracy. Founded in 1927 the Charles F. Kettering Foundation org is committed to advancing inclusive democracies by fostering citizen engagement, promoting government accountability & countering authoritarianism. 
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SFGMC 48th Season Presents Totally 80s

The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus presents “Totally 80s!” on March 21st at The Curran Theatre in San Francisco, CA for 2 performances 1P ...

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