30 Years Young

The Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles kicked off its 30th year with a show at the Walt Disney Concert Hall that was as touching as it was exciting. Joley Fisher, the emcee for the evening, took the reigns to drive the show through the type of concert you would expect from the a chorus of such caliber; songs ranging from Spanish ballads, show tunes, and spirituals, all with messages to fight for equality

BY Advocate.com Editors

August 01 2009 12:00 AM ET

The incomparable Della Reese next took the stage, singing in her familiar, velvety voice. In a wise, and all-knowing tone, Reese sang "I've Been Touched by an Angel" the intended theme song for the show in which she starred from 1994-2003. Next she sang "Work it Out," an upbeat tune that sent the chorus dancing in the risers.

Erin Hamilton successfully took on one of the most poignant songs of the last century, John Lennon's "Imagine." After, she led the chorus to perform her 1999 song, "One World." The first act of the show closed out with two songs from The Tender Land, "Stomp Your Foot" and "Promise of Living."

After a brief intermission and a lighthearted a cappella rendition of Starland Vocal Band's hit, “Afternoon Delight,” musician Levi Kreis took the stage to premier a new song of his, “Look How I’ve (We’ve) Grown” and the theme song for Del Shores’s “Sordid Lives.” Fischer came back to introducer herself in a bawdy performance, singing about how all the good men are gay – the classic straight girl nod to her pals.