December 6, 2019 | Volume XVII, Issue 14 oped an eclectic collection of music that understanding. Joining the chorus in his promotes justice, peace, and the cele- new position as accompanist is Christo- Holiday Choral Extravaganzas bration of life,” says Gillham, who helms pher Schroeder. Sweep aside the crass consumerism, in song during the holidays. If you hav- the ensemble celebrating 35 years in The Baltimore Men’s Chorus (Bal- mindless bustle, canned Christmas “mu- en’t heard them, now’s the perfect time! 2020. “We sing music in a wide variety timoremenschorus.org), also celebrating zak,” and family tensions often rising Baltimore’s New Wave Singers of styles, languages, and traditions each 35 years, will present two winter concerts to a pitch, and there’s one authentical- (Newwavesingers.org) – which bills it- year. Through songs of hope, diversity, featuring – dig the gallantry! – music by ly good thing about self as “Maryland’s gay, les- inclusion, and humor, we celebrate all women composers and arrangers. the holidays – how it New Wave Singers bian, bisexual, transgender, of humanity in its infinite variations and The first performance of “Women’s brings together peo- and straight mixed chorus, challenge our communities to embrace Works” is Saturday, December 14th at ple in song. Even if and Baltimore Men’s welcoming members of all equality, harmony, and —continued on page 4 spontaneous neigh- genders, identities, and sex- borhood wassailing is Chorus whip up ualities” – will present its hard to come by now seasonal song winter concerts Saturday De- (who wants to get cember 7th at 7 pm at Epiph- busted for public drinking?), hundreds of any Episcopal Church (2216 Pot Spring millions around the world look to choral Road, Timonium) and Sunday, Decem- forces this time of year to embody ide- ber 8th, 4 pm, at Grace United Methodist als of camaraderie in pursuit of beauty, Church (5407 North Charles Street, Bal- concord, and maybe even a spark of the timore). Now starting his second year, divine. Artistic Director Tim Gillham will lead the Choirs sprout up wherever people 60-plus member chorus in “celebrating come together, and the LGBT world is no this season of light and dark with songs exception. Baltimore is richly endowed that are contemplative and frolicking.” New Wave with singing ensembles with deep com- “In pursuit of our mission to honor Singers munity roots that can’t help breaking out and respect diversity, we have devel- A Mermaid for Christmas Swims Ashore for Holiday BY FRANKIE KUJAWA Swimming ashore just in time for the holiday season, A Mermaid for Christ- Season mas (available now on Amazon Prime) have the heartfelt aspects of falling is a tale that combines classic Christ- in love, new beginnings, and a family mas themes with an escapist fantasy coming together and overcoming chal- element. Starring “Days of Our lenges. The third thing the film Lives” alum (Rex Brady) Kyle A bit of provides is, that in the midst Lowder, A Mermaid for Christ- of this whimsical fantasy and mas is a charming, thought- feel-good feel-good comedy, we instill a ful, and sometimes humorous whimsy for message on the importance of tale in the tradition of Beauty being selfless. That’s some- and the Beast combined with your holiday thing that is relevant, not only a dash of Greek tragedy. screen around the holidays, but all Lowder recently chatted with year round. That message to Baltimore OUTloud. give selflessly is something ev- “Not to sound cliché,” began eryone can take away from the film.” Lowder, “but our goal was to make a Not only starring in the film, Lowder whimsical, feel-good film for the holi- also served as an executive producer days. The film brings forward all this on the project, along with Michael and beautiful fantasy and magic which is Barbara Caruso (Winterthorne, Ladies part of the holiday season. We also —continued on page 21 2 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD december 6, 2019 • baltIMOREOUTLOUD.COM A memorial service will be held for Jim Williams on Saturday, December 7th at Brown Memorial Park Avenue Presbyterian Church beginning at 11 am Brown Memorial 1316 Park Avenue, Baltimore Sat. December 7, 10p.m. LADIES NIGHT Sat. December 14, 9p.m. Friday December 20, 9p.m. - 12a.m. Shawnna's Chicken Box: A SILLY SHOW 60376037 BelairBelair Road.Road. Baltimore,Baltimore, MDMD 2120621206 443-885-9799443-885-9799 ·· Facebook:Facebook: @mixersbar@mixersbar —continued on page 4 BALTIMORE OUTLOUD december 6, 2019 • baltIMOREOUTLOUD.COM t 3 NEWS // local a silent auction. Single admission tickets about 35 minutes north of Washington an open house on December 6th from 3 are $50 and include food. A table for ten DC, and has plenty of free parking as to 7 pm at their location at 611 Park Ave- Holiday Choral is $700 and in addition to food will come well as hotel rooms on-site. The hotel of- nue in Baltimore. For more info visit Bit. with complimentary gift bags and a bottle fer a new special room rate for the week- ly/33MFgk1. for the table. For more info and to pur- end – more at Bit.ly/2OJDPyI. Hearts and Ears provides a drop-in Extravaganzas chase tickets visit Bit.ly/34GlvvU. t The center offers shuttle service to center at its Park Avenue location that is —continued from page 1 and from the Baltimore-Washington In- open 20 hours a week. It hosts weekly ternational (BWI) Thurgood Marshall confidential support groups which ad- the First Unitarian Church of Baltimore (1 Airport, the BWI Amtrak Station, and the dress addictions, mental health, and gen- West Hamilton Street) from 6:30 to 8 pm. 12 Days of North Linthicum Light Rail Station. Upon eral concerns. The groups are facilitated The second concert is Sunday, Decem- arrival at these locations, please contact by supportive individuals with knowledge ber 15th, from 6:30 to 8 pm at Memorial Christmas is the center’s front desk staff members at of the struggles sexual minorities face. Episcopal Church (1407 Bolton Street, 410-859-5700 x0 to make transportation Hearts and Ears warmly welcomes mem- Baltimore). Finally Legal arrangements. BWI courtesy van pick- bers of sexual and gender minorities to There will be a guest performance by ups are restricted to zones one, three, a community where they can feel safe, the newly formed Baltimore Women’s On Saturday, December 14th, one of and four.. supported, and welcomed. t Chorus – which in 2055 will doubtless Baltimore’s longest running fundraising People must be at least 18 to attend be celebrating its 35th anniversary! – as events, the “12 Days of Christmas,” turns and legal identification is required. Gen- part of the concert. 21 and the theme is “We’re Finally Le- eral admission is $20 per person. Re- With a tip of the hat to the Baltimore gal.” If you’ve been living under a rock served seating is $25 per person. Tables Men’s Chorus’s anniversary year, tickets and haven’t heard of this event present- for four are $100, and tables of eight are New Horizons to these winter performances are free, ed by Hooker and Boys, it features a live $200. Make checks or money orders out with donations welcome at the door or performance, drag, and skit variety show to one of the event beneficiaries with “12 Winter Holiday online. But do reserve a ticket before- with a silent auction, raffles, bootblacks, Days” on the memo line. hand: for the Saturday performance visit pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, cup- Attendees are invited to dress to Party, Dec. 18th Bit.ly/35XPXlr. For the Sunday perfor- cakes from Belton and more. suit themselves, including holiday attire, mance visit Bit.ly/2Lh0ss1. The event raises funds for local char- leath- er / fetish gear, cosplay, or Following the Saturday concert, join ities that support the LGBTQ and street attire. Please note AIDS Action Baltimore and New Hori- the Baltimore Men’s Chorus from 8 to HIV communi- that the event is held in a zons invites you to join them at their 10 pm for a reception at Poets Modern mixed-use space, and at- third annual Winter Holiday Party on Cocktails and Eats at Hotel Indigo (24 tendees should dress ap- Wednesday, December 18th, from 6 to 8 West Franklin Street, Baltimore). Hotel propriately. Indigo is the chorus’s season sponsor. Chips and pretzel The hotel is only two doors over from the type snacks are allowed First Unitarian Church. It will be an op- in the venue, but sand- portunity to meet the chorus and enjoy wiches, subs, and plat- handcrafted cocktails, with a portion of ters such as veggies, the proceeds donated to the ensemble. fruit or cheese, or other For more info, visit Bit.ly/2qjx7WS. similar items are not As the saucy Gloucestershire carol permitted. Meal plat- wishes to all, “Happy wassailing, all over ters are being sold at the town!” t the venue for $8.50 each. They will include a choice of sandwich (hamburger, cheese- ties. This year’s burger, hot dogs, black bean vegan burg- beneficiaries are the Scott Stam- ers, cheese steak, and chicken cheese ford Memorial Fund, administered by steak), with french fries, fruit salad, and pm at the Waxter Center (1000 Cathe- Joy Baltimore AIDS Action Baltimore (Aidsactionbalti- coleslaw (not creamy). There will also be dral Street, Baltimore, at the corner of more.org); the Memorial Community Ser- two bars on site. Cathedral and Eager Streets). Everyone Hosts ‘Unsung vices Fund in memory of Harry Woolsley, If you would like to donate an item to is welcome but RSVP to baltoaids@aol.