Courtesy photo.
SANTA BARBARA — Fratelli, A Men’s Chorus, Santa Barbara’s chorus of gay men and their allies, will present its highly-anticipated Spring Concert “Why We Sing!” Friday, May 17 at the First United Methodist Church in downtown Santa Barbara.
Fratelli’s Spring Concert, the culmination of their seventh season, is centered around brotherhood, friendship, and belonging. Members of the group, gay and straight, span five generations and include parents, grandparents, professionals and students.
The talented, enthusiastic singers will showcase an eclectic repertoire through a variety of musical styles, all presented with humor and heart to highlight the joy of friendship and fraternity. Some of the songs that will be featured in the Spring Concert include You Raise Me Up, Thank You for Being a Friend (Golden Girls theme), and For Good (from Wicked).
“Over the past 40 months, we’ve grown steadily,” said Fratelli founder Zack Thomas Wilde. “In addition to our Holiday and Spring Concerts, we’ve sung at the Vigil for the Montecito Mudslide Victims at the Sunken Garden, two annual United Nations Association of Santa Barbara’s September 11th Commemorative Concerts, this year’s Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care of Santa Barbara’s Mother’s Day Luncheon, the Pacific Pride Festival, the Jewish Film Festival, the UCSB Pride Celebration, the Pacific Pride Foundation’s Sunset at the Canary rooftop fundraisers, a concert in Ventura, and more!”
Fratelli has been warmly welcomed at Santa Barbara’s First United Methodist Church by Pastor Mark Richardson and the congregation. Locally, the church recently made headlines in their bold and visionary stance to open their doors to all people including the LGBTQ+ community. Fratelli is proud to call this church its home for rehearsals and concerts.
Fratelli was founded by Mr. Wilde, who grew up in Santa Barbara and went on to a successful career in Europe, New York, and San Francisco as a singer, dancer, actor, and director.
Tickets for the May 17 Spring Concert can be purchased at www.fratelliamenschorus.org, and will be available at the door starting at 6:45 pm. Suggested General Admission is $20, and tickets for seniors and college students with ID are $15. Tickets at the door are cash only. Doors will open by 7:10 pm for the 7:30 pm concert.
For more information, visit www.fratelliamenschorus.org
Fratelli, A Men’s Chorus, was founded by Zack Thomas Wilde in January 2016. A chorus of gay men and their allies, Fratelli seeks to create extraordinary musical experiences that inspire compassion, community, pride and activism.