The Out Loud chorus performs at WCC on Jan. 17 and 18 at 8 p.m. in Towsley Auditorium.
By Brian Babcock
Staff Writer
Seats are expected to sell out next weekend at Towsley Auditorium for Washtenaw County’s Out Loud Chorus performance. The music of great Hollywood movies is set the theme, featuring classics from Disney films, “The Blues Brothers,” “The Sound of Music” and “La La Land.”
What’s special about the Out Loud Chorus is that it’s specifically LGBTQ+, making it a chorus of all gender identities and sexualities. The chorus is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year and has a new Artistic Director to accompany the group, Darin Deweese.
Then chorus will feature more than 90 singers for the upcoming performance. According to Deweese, the group started off with roughly 20 singers and had grown to about 50 members last spring. And after touring at multiple Pride Festivals across Southeastern Michigan, Deweese successfully added roughly 40 new individuals to the group.
“It is a place for all people,” said Deweese. “We are an affirming space for people to come and not only make music but build relationships.” The group’s youngest member is 16 and still in high school, while many other members have graduated college or are in their 80s, Deweese said.
The Out Loud Chorus group decided to have another theme for the night, a spoof on the Oscars awards ceremony. Lavish attire, a master of ceremonies, and awards will accompany the chorus throughout the evening, and costumes will be present for some of the solo and ensemble numbers.
“We have an MC, just like the Oscars would, or an awards show would” said Deweese. “We’re going to structure it in that way, so there’s not only music. We’re going to pull it all together as more of an entertaining show rather than a regular choir concert,” Deweese said.
A full-band combo will be accompanying the group. This includes a piano lineup, bass, drums, and a horn section.
The event will be held at the Towsley Auditorium on Friday, Jan. 17 and Saturday, Jan. 18 from 8 p.m. until 10 p.m. and tickets are $18 per person. The WCC Out-Space club will co-host one of the performances.
