This week, "Art and Soul" is about the local performance arts scene. WEMU’s Lisa Barry and Wendy Wright talk with Tim Hamann of Washtenaw County’s “Out Loud Chorus” and share a number of different opportunities to enjoy local theatre, music, and comedy in the coming weeks.
ABOUT OUT LOUD CHORUS
Out Loud Chorus is a mixed LGBTQ+ choir from Washtenaw County in Michigan. This means that we are a chorus of people of all genders --- many of us identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender, although we are open to everyone who loves to sing and has an open mind. We are committed to putting on musically excellent shows that are entertaining and fun for our audiences.
Because we are a non-auditioned chorus (anyone can join), our rehearsals teach both the songs we will perform and vocal techniques to sing them well. Our only requirement to sing with the choir is that you are able to match pitch. We make mp3's of each part, so even people who don't read music can learn every note! There are also non-singing slots for people who want to support the chorus - there's fundraising, advertising, staging and lots more!
Out Loud Chorus was founded in October, 1995 by a group of dreamers as a mixed chorus for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender community of Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, and surrounding areas. Open to all, Out Loud Chorus is Washtenaw County's only arts organization for the entire LGBTQ+ community.
Each season, we produce shows for the general public. These productions are typically held on two successive weekend nights in both mid-January and mid-May. We are associated with GALA Choruses (more here) and attend their festivals as often as we can. For more information, email us at OutLoudChorus@gmail.com.
Their upcoming performance is called "Legendary: The Music of Great Hollywood Movies and Movie Musicals." It takes place January 17 & 18, 2020 8-10 PM at Towsley Auditorium at Washtenaw Community College. Details on the January 17 show are found here, and the details on the January 18 show are found here.
You can also follow Out Loud Chorus on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
UPCOMING PERFORMANCE ARTS EVENTS
THEATER
by Jeff Daniels
Purple Rose Theatre Company
January 16th – March 14th
A beautiful, lyrical new play by Jeff Daniels. The play follows Lance, a young poet, as he embarks on a journey to find the way to himself. This nostalgic tale is filled with rich characters who dwell on the outskirts of life, each following a dream or hoping to bump into one. Original music by Jeff Daniels and Ben Daniels. *Contains adult language & content.
Music
Riverside Arts Center - Ypsi
December 27th, 28th, & 29th, 2019
Mittenfest is an annual music festival that serves as a fundraiser for 826michigan, as well as a good-time holiday get-together. It was founded in 2006 and is still going strong. This year includes 21 bands over three days.
Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra
January 18th – 8PM
The imaginative energy that fills Mozart’s “Turkish” Violin Concerto is that of youth and idealism. The theme of youth continues with Mozart’s Symphony No. 29 in A major which Mozart wrote at the age of 18. Our celebration of Mozart is rounded out with a selection of some the most famous choruses ever penned in the operatic cannon.
The Blue LLama Jazz Club
SAT. DECEMBER 28, 7 & 9:30 P.M.
Taylor’s lyrical and melodic improvisational style displays a unique blend of soulfulness, harmonic sensibilities, and rhythm melting together for an unforgettable sound.
FRI. JANUARY 10, 7 - 10 P.M.
A powerful and innovative saxophonist, Harding has a unique and contemporary baritone sound. The sincerity of his musical expression and the dynamism of his performance reaches out and touch the human spirit and soul.
The Ark
Friday, January 10th – 8PM
Ellis's passionate, literate character sketches, delivered in a soaring, lyrical voice, have influenced a generation of folk songwriters toward the shamelessly poetic.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 21st – 8PM
The perfect show for late January in Michigan.
UNIVERSITY MUSICAL SOCIETY
Martin Katz & Friends--What’s in a Song: Hugo Wolf’s Complete Mörike Songs
Lydia Mendelssohn Theater
Part 1: FRIDAY, JANUARY 10th - 8:00 PM; Part 2: SUNDAY, JANUARY 12th - 4:00 PM
In just a few months in 1888, the Austrian composer wrote 53 songs set to the poetry of Eduard Mörike, a German author whose work focused on idyllic scenes of nature and delightful fairytales. These songs are the pinnacle of the fusion of words and music. Four singers, joined by pianist Martin Katz, bring these 53 songs to life over two concerts in this special edition of What’s in a Song.
Comedy
The Ark
January 2nd – 8PM
Fifty of the area's up-and-coming and veteran comics come together to tell the first jokes they've written for the new year, kicking off the 2020 comedy scene in the most righteous way possible! It's fast, it's fresh, and above all it's funny. It's also not going to break the bank, so why not check out some Michigan comic voices you may not have known about?
Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase Presents Roy Wood Jr.
January 10-11th – 7:30 and 10PM
He has entertained millions across stage, television and radio. Roy joined “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah” in 2015 as a correspondent. In 2017, he was named the hour stand-up special, “Father Figure,” premiered in 2017, followed by his second, “Roy Wood Jr.: No One Loves You,” in January of 2019. He was a finalist on Last Comic Standing in 2008.
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— Lisa Barry is the host of All Things Considered on WEMU. You can contact Lisa at 734.487.3363, on Twitter @LisaWEMU, or email her at lbarryma@emich.edu
