GALS is “Out in the City” at their next concert.

Gay and Lesbian Singers (GALS) is holding a concert on 23 June 2012 as an acknowledgement of the Auckland GLBT community.

Out in the City; Songs for Queer Auckland aims to include a wide range of mainly non-profits that benefit our communities. The song selection ranges from the serious to the fun and relates to a number of different organisations.

The concert also provides an opportunity for community organisations to display their information to an audience of queer concert-goers and their supporters.

GALS turns 20 this year and in October is having a major concert in celebration. As the choir usually puts on two concerts a year, along with the other community performances, the question was, “What should the first concert of the year comprise?”

For several years, GALS has themed their concerts, for example, Sixties music, or Pure Schmaltz. The final concert will be “all about us” – a celebration of the people who have sung in the choir over the 20 years, along with those who have directed, composed and arranged music, worked front of house, done lighting, stage managed and the myriad jobs entailed in putting on performances.

They decided that for the first concert of the year, the emphasis would be on the GLBT community. So GALS is putting on a concert that celebrates the work of various community organisations, from Rainbow Youth to the Lesbian Elders Village, from Queen of the Whole Universe to Dyke Hikes.

Each bracket of songs will acknowledge the work of a number of organisations; with representatives of some of those organisations doing the introductions, it will be a community affair.

“It is a great opportunity to give back to the community that has supported us for 20 years,” says newly-elected GALS chairperson Ash Barrett. “In addition, GALS is donating to the Circle of Friends from the proceeds of ticket sales.

“As we are holding this concert in a new venue for us, Western Springs College Hall, it seems appropriate that we support an organisation with a presence in the area.”

Circle Of Friends develops and maintains the AIDS Memorial Garden in Western Springs Park.

“We also discovered recently that one of the arrangers of a song we are singing has a relative who died of AIDS whose name is engraved on a plaque in the garden, which makes it even more special.”

GALS are offering a group discount of six tickets for the price of five when they are prepaid and queer young people are invited to attend for $10 when prepaid.

Out in the City: Songs for Queer Auckland plays at 5.30pm on 23 June at the Western Springs College Hall, Motions Rd. Tickets are $20 prepaid or $25 at the door; children and queer young people $10. Prepay tickets available from a GALS member, The Women’s Bookshop, Ponsonby Road or tickets@gals.org.nz.