The Atlanta Gay Men's Chorus

Tickets on sale now!

He was the driving force behind the music of Duke Ellington.

He was a friend and ally of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Above all, he was courageous, out and true to himself.


Summer Concert
presents

The Atlanta Gay Men's Chorus

and Jazz Orchestra Atlanta

in partnership with the

National Black Arts Festival

Lush Life

The Music of Billy Strayhorn

 

with special guests

Donzaleigh Abernathy

John Wesley Wright

L'Tanya Moore

and Larry Strayhorn

musical arrangements by

Alan Broadbent

musical direction by

Kevin Robison & Brent Runnels

Saturday, August 1st at 8 pm
Symphony Hall at the Woodruff Arts Center                
1280 Peachtree St NE
Atlanta GA 30309

                                          

Tickets also available by phone at 404-733-5000 or at the Woodruff Arts Center Box Office.

The biggest concert in AGMC history will honor the work of Billy Strayhorn, the African-American and openly gay composer of such classics as Take the A-Train, Satin Doll, Lush Life and many other tunes made famous by Duke Ellington. Shimmering arrangements for male voices are woven together by characters of the women who were closest to the composer, including Lillian Strayhorn, Lena Horne, Ruth Ellington Boatwright and Marian Logan. Lush Life, presented in collaboration with Jazz Orchestra Atlanta and in partnership with the National Black Arts Festival, features guest stars Donzaleigh Abernathy, John Wesley Wright and L'Tanya Moore.  It also includes a free pre-concert lecture by Larry Strayhorn on the life and music of his late uncle.

 

Most known for her leading role on Lifetime’s critically acclaimed series Any Day Now, Donzaleigh Abernathy also starred in the films Murder in Mississippi, Miss Evers' Boys and Ned Blessing. The daughter of Atlanta's own Ralph David Abernathy, Donzaleigh will return home to bring to life the characters of key women in Billy Strayhorn's life, including his mother, Lillian Strayhorn; his close friend, singer Lena Horne; sister of the Duke, Ruth Ellington Boatwright; and friend of the Abernathy family, Marian Logan, who stood by Strayhorn throughout his career. Through a series of powerful monologues as each of these women, the celebrated actress will tell the story of the struggle and triumph of the man behind the music of the Duke.

   

Tenor John Wesley Wright is known for his artistic and soulful interpretations of music from baroque to Broadway. He is a member of the acclaimed American Spiritual Ensemble and is highlighted in the 2007 PBS documentary The Spirituals: Featuring the American Spiritual Ensemble. A distinguished competitor, he was gold medalist and top prizewinner of the Savannah Music Festival American Traditions Vocal Competition 2000 and has claimed top prizes from numerous other regional, national and international competitions.  John joined the Salisbury University music faculty in the fall of 2006.  In his second appearance with the AGMC, he will bring to life several signature Strayhorn tunes, including the heart-wrenching Lush Life.

   

Atlanta native L’Tanya Moore received a Bachelor of Arts in Music degree, with honors, from Morris Brown College.  She completed her Master of Music Degree in Vocal Performance and Literature at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.  L’Tanya currently serves as director of the McDonald’s Stellar Awards youth choir, and is the Director of Music and Activities at Saint Philip A.M.E. Church where she has served under her father, the Reverend George Moore, for the past 10 years. A noted teacher, Ms. Moore facilitates workshops in Vocal Pedagogy and Music Ministry Development.  She is in constant demand as a praise and worship leader for conferences across the country. Making her debut with the AGMC, L’Tanya will perform some of Strayhorn’s masterpieces, including Satin Doll.

 

Join us for this ground-breaking concert. Tickets on sale now!

To read more about Billy Strayhorn, click here.

To learn about a PBS documentary on Billy Strayhorn, click here.

 

Coming Soon!

Stay tuned for details on the AGMC's exciting 29th season and the fabulous prizes you can receive for signing up for a season subscription!

 

Add Some Fun to Your Summer!

Join AGMC for one of the following events.

Saturday, July 11th, 8 am to 2 pm

First Metropolitan Community Church

1379 Tullie Road NE

Atlanta, GA  30329

To donate items to the yard sale, contact the AGMC office at information@agmchorus.org or 404-320-1030.  Then stop by on the 11th for some real bargains from men with great taste!

 

Saturday, July 18th, 8 pm to 11 pm

Spire Sky Club

860 Peachtree Street, 7th Floor

Atlanta, GA  30308

Drag out those old bridesmaid dresses and ruffled tuxedo shirts! The Bass section of the Atlanta Gay Men's Chorus invites you to join them for an evening of outrageous costumes and wedding traditions!  Special guest host and emcee Melissa Carter, Co-host of The Bert Show on Q100!

Admission: $15 in wedding party get-up, $25 without

The night will feature an open bar, prizes for costumes, bouquet toss, wedding singer competition (bring your own track) and dollar dances with the lovely Trashetta Galore!

 

Sunday, July 19th, 2 pm to 6 pm

1661 Merton Road

Atlanta, GA  30306

Do you have the WOW factor to rock the runway?  Prizes awarded for the three most FABULOUS swimsuit/accessory combinations!  Drinks, snacks and live DJ.  $25 minimum donation.  Bring your friends to celebrate, participate or spectate!

 

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404-320-1030 voice • 404-320-5204 fax
1379 Tullie Road NE, Suite 200 • Atlanta, GA 30329-2308
Copyright © 2009, Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus. All Rights Reserved. • Site design and construction: Heath Karch and Dan Lax