Love Poetry is a close-held evening of song celebrating the full spectrum of love: queer love, chosen family, the friends who carry us, and the stories that shape us. In this intimate Pride-month concert, South Coast Chorale brings together classical and contemporary works by LGBTQ+ and BIPOC artists to create a warm, expansive tapestry of connection and joy.

This performance is supported, in part, by The Port of Long Beach, The Arts Council for Long Beach, and The City of Long Beach.

 

Founded in 1990, the South Coast Chorale is a community vocal ensemble comprised of individuals who simply enjoy singing and working together. Based in the LGBTQ+ community, SCC is proud to be a diverse ensemble that encompasses friends, families & supporters, all of whom are dedicated to building bridges between communities by using music to remind us all that we are more alike than different.

Over the years, SCC has filled a vital role in helping to enhance the cultural and educational life of greater Long Beach through partnerships with local community organizations. The Chorale recently commemorated the 25th anniversary of the Matthew Shepard events with a locally-composed choral oratorio titled “October Mourning”, presented in partnership with four other Long Beach arts organizations. In the Spring of 2023, the Chorale presented a concert focused on anti-bullying and acceptance. A musical presentation of the story “Oliver Button is a Sissy” was performed in partnership with a youth theater group and two other Long Beach arts organizations. Free educational performances were presented to nearly 1,600 Long Beach area elementary school students, in addition to public performances.

The Chorale has established a reputation of performances that are distinguished for their LGBTQ+ diversity and artistic excellence, receiving community nominations and recognition from local city and state leaders and organizations, as well as audience praise. From the West Coast premiere of a choral tribute to the life and accomplishments of openly gay civil rights activist Bayard Rustin, to the Southern California premiere of “Street Requiem” honoring those who have lived and died on the streets, the many talented singers that have graced the ranks of SCC have performed for thousands of audience members all over the US and Canada, spreading musical messages that resound with echoes of harmony and belonging.