Turtle Creek Chorale to perform The Healing Project

The Turtle Creek Chorale has been making some interesting choices of late and their upcoming show is proof of that. On May 3 and May 6, the TCC performs The Healing Project touted as an exploration during challenging times. This show doesn’t sound like just another classy performance by the guys. What makes the show an extra special event is it “features a new work for chorus and instrumental ensemble by Jewish composer, Andrea Clearfield with texts by High Priest Robert Espindola, of the Community of Christ Church.”

The TCC site describes the concert as “a musical exploration of personal and communal courage during challenging times. Using poetry drawn from personal accounts and powerful, evocative music, we aim to promote awareness of the many similarities among various distinct communities, thus bringing them closer to healing as one greater community.” Not only that, they’ll be graciously sharing the spotlight with “several North Texas nonprofit organizations that provide services to minority communities will present informational exhibits in the Meyerson lobby during these concerts.” So don’t just head in there with your ticket in hand and looking to see and be seen…check out those nonprofits. It’s easy to say they need help but in these times, they really do.

Tix are $20 – $65 and the concerts will be performed at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, 2301 Flora St. with both shows starting at 8 p.m.

Read Full Post »

Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles steams up Verdi

It’s not often to expect three hunky shirtless men take the stage evoking Lewis Hine in the middle of a chorale concert. But the Gay Men’s Chorus of LA did just that as they performed the Anvil Chorus. Not to simply be distracted by the sights, the trio also gave their contribution to the piece cleverly with some hard steel and big tools (you’ll get it).

The performance is actually pretty great and well-timed. We love our Turtle Creek Chorale gents but we’ll offer up kudos to the GMCLA. This was too fab to pass up.

Read Full Post »

Valentine’s Day Events – Turtle Creek Chorale serves up the love

Turtle Creek Chorale + Chef Stephan Pyles + Paul J. Williams = quite possibly one heckuva date night.

The TCC presents Music Be The Food Of Love this Saturday and Sunday where Chef Pyles will be cooking onstage and the TCC gents will be singing in the background. Ummm….we don’t quite get it either but given the artistic director Jonathan Palant is fairly brilliant in his creativity, we’ll assume it will be better than it sounds. We just wonder who the lucky peeps are that will get to taste the “Coriander-Cured Beef Tenderloin with Pineapple Mole and Cardamom-Orange Artichoke Hearts” Chef Pyles will be cooking live.

The concert will be held at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center,  at 2:00 PM, Saturday, February 14, and Sunday, February 15 at 8:00 PM. For tickets ($20 – $65) and further information call 877-SING-TCC or visit them online at turtlecreek.org.

Read Full Post »

Turtle Creek Chorale snippet on Fox 4’s Good Day

Found this today which was posted a week ago thanks to alblackwell. Clearly a preview of their show as they perform a medley of Christmas hits. The Turtle Creek Chorale seemed to sound in great form for their annual holiday concerts from last week.

Vodpod videos no longer available.

more about “Turtle Creek Chorale snippet on Fox 4…“, posted with vodpod

Read Full Post »

Weekend Picks of Mint – The D@mn I Be Tired edition

Man, there is lots going on. Arts, music, blah and blah. Where to begin?

How about America’s Best DJ? Dubbed that by DJ Times, DJ Christopher Lawrence hits Dallas this weekend over at the Lizard Lounge. Full Access is putting on the show and is offering you a chance for a free round of drinks. Read the flyer. This might be a good time to take all the friends should you win. You’ll be totally popular for the night.

Our fab activist buddies, Join The Impact is hosting a movie night this week over at the Angelika. Saturday night they invite you to join them in watching Milk starring Sean Penn in a most likely Oscar nominated performance. Get to the theater on time as they catch the 5:15 showing tomorrow. The Angelika is located at Mockingbird Station, 5321 Mockingbird @ the NE corner of Central and Mockingbird.

If you can’t make that and end up laying low, might I recommend the documentary The  Times of Harvey Milk. In a one word review – fascinating. Totally worth the time to check it out. Perhaps Tapelenders or Premiere Video or Movie Trading Company will have it. Plus, it should probably be required viewing for all GLBT peeps.

The always reliable Buddies II will be hosting quite the holiday weekend. Tonight will be A Twisted Christmas with the Dukes of Dallas. I’m a little skeerd of what that could entail because those dukes can be pretty twisted. The show starts @ 10:30 p.m. And then tomorrow is their Dance Party Night. Buddies II sports one of the best dance floors and sound systems in the city so get your dancing shoes on and head there Saturday.

Of course, you know about tonight’s Guerilla Gay Bar.

Tonight is also Space Rampage over at Hal Samples’ studio in Deep Ellum. His one night only event with cheap art, good food and drinky drink. Plus, it’s Samples’ last party for the year and it looks like he’s going out of 08 with some bang. Not only all of the above will be on hand for party attenders, he’ll also have special musical act, reggae/jazz/dubmaster Aton. He says tonight will be “A VARIETY OF LIVE MUSIC,VISUAL ART, PERFORMANCE ART, VIDEO, AND LOVE TAKING PLACE… all in the same SPACE.” Totally check it.

Also tonight (whew!) is local band The Bright over at Sue Ellen’s. Booking director Jennifer snagged a star of a band shaking up the usual lineup a bit. The Bright is on the up and up. Why? Oh, perhaps because a tune of theirs may have been featured on The Hills. OK, whether they blow up because of that is uncertain but by no means does it hurt their chances. Bravo to Sue Ellen’s.

Tomorrow, you art lovers should not miss Art Conspiracy4 by any means. Local art, local music, fab times can never miss. Now you’ll just have to break out the Mapsco to find it. It starts tomorrow night at 6:30 and boasts 2 DJs, three bands and 150 friggin’ artists. Plus, art auctions begin at a mere $20. Bam! Ten bucks to get in and cash needed for refreshies but bust that plastic out as you snag your new piece of art. Find ArtCon 4 at 3011 Gulden St. in West Dallas.

And finally (we promise), the Turtle Creek Chorale has their annual Christmas concert which should never be missed. Ooops, HOLIDAY concert – my bad, whatev. Me personally is a little miffed that I’ll be missing the show for the first time in ten years. But no doubt the show will go on and greatly I predict. Four performances only and two are on Sunday. Check out Hottest Holidays Ahead by getting your tickets here. And don’t forget to take a toy for their annual drive benefitting Children’s and Parkland Hospitals. Now doesn’t that just make you feel fuzzy and kind? And what a better way to end the weekend?

But Monday’s probably going to be a b*&(@!

Read Full Post »

Dallas PUMP debuts!

Just received word that Turtle Creek Chorale‘s Jonathan Palant posted vids from Dallas PUMP‘s debut at the GLSEN School House Rocks event last week. He’s also the gent directing the youth singing chorale in the video below as they sing Cyndi Lauper’s “True Colors”. Now check it!

Vodpod videos no longer available.

more about “Dallas PUMP debuts!“, posted with vodpod

Read Full Post »

Turtle Creek Chorale brings in Joan Rivers Oct. 13

Well, after that headline, what else is there to say? In a unique season offering, the Turtle Creek Chorale gets funny by having Joan Rivers come to town at the Meyerson and do her funny thing. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen her boiled down to the comedian that she is. Instead, it’s about red carpet fashion or insurance commercials or QVC. Personally, I miss her talk show. She was dynamite with always hilarious opening monologues and I’ll always remember when she had RuPaul on who presented her with some cheesy “Diva award” or whatever and Joan just tossed it to the floor. Classic!

So, this might be a once in a lifetime deal to see her live. Unless your a fab celebrity walking into the Oscars on the red carpet. Then, you’ll just get to see her in a few months come awards season. If not, go buy your tickets now. Plus, opening local music acts Denise Lee and Liz Mikel are some major cherries on top of this bill.

Read Full Post »

Turtle Creek Chorale gets a Fellow

Yesterday, the Turtle Creek Chorale sent out word announcing their first Choral Conducting Fellow. C. Peyton Strouth, who has one of the best names ever, was appointed the position in which he’ll “conduct the full Chorale in rehearsal and in concert, lead sectional rehearsals and team-teach a weekly music-reading class for TCC members.” He’s already going to be singing with the gang but with his new position he’ll also be meeting with directors of the Chorale as well as board and committee peeps. So, in short, he’s kind of a big deal.

As if he wasn’t already. The West Virginia Wesleyan grad’s resume is purty damn impressive. He is the Director of Music Ministries over at Lake Highlands Presby. He graduated this year from the Sacred Music program at Perkins School of Theologoy at SMU and is going after his Masters in Choral Conducting at Meadows School of Arts. Whew. I’ll tell you this much. Those guys over there sure know how to make us underachievers feel bad about ourselves. Yeah, I’m talking to you Dr. Palant. But my favorite part of his background is the fact that he was the “keyboardist and bandleader for the Virginia Opry.“ I’m a sucker for Oprys so this guy is now officially OK in my book.

-Rich Lopez

Read Full Post »