WARM AND FUZZY

Sleigh-bells ringing. Choirs singing. Wonder what’ old Santa’s bringing? It’s the Rhode Island Gay Men’s Chorus’ (RIGMC) 30th Anniversary Holiday concert. Their theme, Warm and Fuzzy, invokes visions of sipping hot apple cider with a good book or cuddling with someone special by a crackling fire. The winter performance features international prayers of peace, songs of reminiscence, joy, and inclusion. And they didn’t forget the groovy days of Christmas.

Their story began 30 years ago with a conversation at The Mirabar and an ad in Options; only twelve men responded. In 1995, a gay male choir poorly received, limiting their performance options to primarily small local events in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Everything changed when Bell Street Chapel finally opened its doors for the first full concert in Providence. Now, over three decades later, their twice-yearly concerts have become a Rhode Island staple. “We feel it as a chorus through song,” 30-year veteran Gary Roy stated, “we are guided with music, singing from the heart and feeling it from the soul.”

They have also performed at numerous special events, including singing the national anthem at McCoy stadium and performing at events like performing at the AIDS walk, Singing The Dream a Rhode Island community event that honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and the Kristelnacht Memorial Concert with Leonard Nimoy. They have also performed “The Matthew Shepherd Story” with The Providence Singers and represented Rhode Island at the International GALA Choral Festival on three separate occasions, charming the audience with composer/Director Kim Kuda’s musical ode to Rhode Island: Out On The Bay.

Local audiences have long enjoyed many of Kim’s arrangements and songs.  A graduate of Rhode Island College, Kim joined the chorus as the accompanist only to become the director three years later. Seven choruses across the nation have performed her original compositions, and two songs will be sung at Warm and Fuzzy.

This year the RIGMC is supported by Emperor Blake Sherman and Regent Empress Trina Devereaux, along with the Imperial Court of Rhode Island. The charitable organization has graciously and

generously held monthly fundraisers to raise awareness and money with their talented, enthusiastic performances and fabulous fashion. And to extend the Warm and Fuzzy theme, at every concert,, the chorus will be accepting donations of new hats, gloves, scarves, and mittens to benefit Sojourner House, a domestic violence shelter.

If you’re looking for a spark of joy this season, or just looking to get off the hot mess express for a little while, un-clutch your pearls at Warm and Fuzzy on Friday and Saturday, December 5th and 6th at 7 pm, and on Sunday, December 7th at 3 pm at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center located at 2115 Broad St, Cranston, Rhode Island.

And remember: It’s not Christmas ‘till the Gay men sing!