Loud & Proud has been nominated for a Cultural Award in annual Equality Network awards. Thank you for voting for us. It goes without saying you’re the best supporters we’ve ever had! The results will be announced at the first Scottish LGBTI Awards which will take place at the Grand Central Hotel, Glasgow, on Thursday 10 September 2015. We’ll let you know the results here.
Celebrating LGBT History Month
Loud & Proud Choir will perform a programme of specially arranged repertoire that celebrates LGBT History and provides inspiration to tackle continuing challenges faced by our community in Scotland and beyond at 3 events in the Lothians in February.
The choir is grateful to LGBT Youth for the funding that has made this possible.
Key dates for your diary are:
6th February 2014 – Waverley Gate – hosted by Creative Scotland
6th February 2014 – Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh – hosted by East Lothian Council
28th February 2014 – Midlothian’s first LGBT History Month event at the Mining Museum in Newtongrange
In demand in November and December
We’ve been in great demand around Edinburgh in November and December, appearing at the following events:
The Equality Network Annual Reception at the Scottish Parliament
Supporting The Rock Trust
On Thursday 7 November, a group of hardy souls from Loud & Proud braved the elements to sing at the Rock Trust Sleep Out in Festival Square. The Rock Trust charity raises awareness of and funds for homeless young people.
Edinburgh’s Light Night
Loud & Proud added some extra sparkle for the switching on of Edinburgh’s lights by Sir Chris Hoy at Light Night in George Street.
We have a busy performance schedule over the next couple of months and details of forthcoming performances can be found here.
Fantastic Fringe
Loud & Proud received fantastic plaudits from a sell-out audience at its latest Fringe Concert in Greyfriars Kirk. Broadway Baby gave the show a fabulous 4 star review.
We were delighted that our newest patron, Jackie Kay came along to perform a selection of her work, including a riotously funny rendition of one of her new Maw Broon Monologues.
Jackie was joined by her parents, John and Helen Kay .John and Helen met in New Zealand in the 50’s and it was a wonderful coincidence that the choir had chosen to sing the song of their courtship, the Maori love song, Pokarekare Ana.
Loud & Proud sang the song as a tribute to the people of New Zealand following the passing of new Equal Marriage legislation.
You can see our performance here
We were delighted to receive a special message from the sponsor of New Zealand’s Equal Marriage bill, Louisa Wall:
“Kia ora and greetings from Aotearoa New Zealand. To the Loud & Proud Choir and all in attendance at this Fringe Festival event, congratulations for being part of the Out4Marriage campaign and celebration of who we are, where we come from and the families and communities we so proudly represent.
It is an honor that on this day and at this event you show your respect to the people of New Zealand by singing our indigenous love song Pokarekare Ana. It is a song that speaks of a deep, steadfast and enduring love over time and distance and whose chorus ends with the words “I could die of love for you”.
And it is this love that we all seek and it is this love that represents all that marriage has to offer any two people who choose to commit themselves to one another.
We all deserve this love and we all deserve the opportunity to have this love recognized by our friends, family and communities whoever we are, where ever we live.
Finally, Kia Kaha-Be Strong. We need to be resolute and it is this commitment that will ultimately enable us to achieve our objective of marriage equality.
Arohanui,
Louisa”
