The San Diego Men’s Chorus kicks off its Fall 2007 season with two “Meet the Chorus” events on Monday, Aug. 27 and Sunday, Sept. 9. Both events will begin at 7 p.m. at All Saints’ Episcopal Church located at the corner of 6th and Pennsylvania Avenues in Hillcrest.

“Our ‘Meet the Chorus’ Nights are a chance to get to know the guys and to learn about our mission, expectations, and culture. We’ll start with a wine and cheese reception, and then artistic director Jerry Foust will introduce the upcoming holiday concert, ‘Sassy! Classy! Brassy!’ followed by special entertainment by the men of the chorus,” said membership chair Randy Arnayro.

Auditions appointments are available immediately after the reception for those who feel they are a good match. Prospective members are not required to bring a prepared piece – just the ability to match pitch, learn and sing-back melodic lines, and a positive attitude.

The first official rehearsal for The San Diego Men’s Chorus (SDMC) will be on Monday, September 10 at All Saint’s Episcopal Church. Rehearsal will begin at 7 p.m. This season marks the beginning of the group’s 23rd year of bringing its message to the community: “Voices Raised, Lives Changed.”

“The San Diego Men’s Chorus is a true community of singers, and each semester I am thrilled to see more and more fresh faces, all of whom bring new energy and new talents to our group. We want to make sure those who were with us years ago know, too, that they always have a home at SDMC,” Foust said.

Chorus president Don Palmer is excited about the upcoming season. “We made a very conscientious effort to be very visible in the community this summer,” said Palmer. “In July, we marched in the San Diego Pride Parade and sang at the San Diego Pride Festival immediately after we marched. We also sponsored an information/recruiting booth at City Fest.”

The SDMC was founded in 1985 and is a member of the Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses (GALA). Some of the group’s notable performances include the DIFA Heartstrings National Tour in 1992, the White House under the Clinton Administration in 1997, Superbowl XXII and “Out At The Park” for the San Diego Padres in 1998. Most recently, the group performed aboard The Diamond Princess Cruise Ship in 2006.

Those interested in attending either of the receptions and who wish to audition should contact Randy Arnayro at 619-218-0772 or email joinus@sdmc.org.

Through the school’s Alumni Association, a group of GLBT alumni of San Diego State University are working to form an LGBT Chapter of the SDSU Alumni Association. A number of other specialized communities already have established alumni chapters, including African American Alumni, Jewish Aztecs, Social Work Alumni, Bay Area Aztecs and many others. The purpose of the chapter program is to reconnect alumni to SDSU and to other alumni who share a similar profession, culture, geographic location or special interest. Chapter members enjoy the benefits of the Alumni Association in addition to the many chapter benefits.

The group needs at least 20 interested alumni to be recognized as an official alumni chapter. Ideas for the group include networking and social activities, support of the SDSU GLBT student community, establishing a scholarship fund for GLBT students, and fund-raising for the future SDSU LGBT Resource Center. Level of involvement in the chapter is up to the individual member, and can be as small as signing up and being on the list-serv, to serving on the chapter’s board of directors.

Chapter membership is available at no additional cost to members of the SDSU Alumni Association. If you are interested in being a part of the SDSU LGBT Alumni Chapter or for more information e-mail lgbtrc@gmail.com or call 619-316-9197.

The Hillcrest Centennial committee will be hosting another free community event on Friday, Aug. 31. Organizers encourage community members to bring their favorite board games, puzzles or a deck of cards for euchre, bridge, hearts, spades or poker for Hillcrest Community Game Night. Realtor Tony Azar may sponsor a black jack table with prizes at the end of the evening. Another Hillcrest resident, John Semerau, will have his new creation, Hillcrest-opoly set up and ready for play. Snacks and drinks will be provided. This casual evening, which continues the 2007 Hillcrest Centennial Celebrations, will be held at the Joyce Beers Community Center in the Uptown District from 6-9 p.m.

Other Centennial events include Hillcrest Restaurant Week, which will be held Sept. 4-9. Dozens of Hillcrest eateries will be participating in a new event the first Tuesday-Sunday in September to celebrate the community’s centennial year. Hillcrest Restaurant Week will span six days, with participating restaurants offering fixed-price menu items at $9.07, $19.07 or $29.07. Currently, 37 restaurants have signed up with specials for breakfast, lunch and/or dinner. On the morning of Sept. 2, FOX 6 will spotlight the week by tasting several of the participating establishments’ menu items on the news program.

Also, mark your calendar for Toast to Hillcrest: A Wine, Spirits & Nibbles Tour on the evening of Sept. 20 from 5:30-8 p.m. The wine tasting event will cost $15. A limited number of tickets to this adult-only event may be purchased in advance or on the day of. A will-call booth will be located at Washington Mutual on Fifth Ave. and Robinson St.

Finally, The Hillcrest Centennial Gala Banquet is being planned for Thursday, Oct. 4th at the Prado Ballroom in Balboa Park. Guests are invited to celebrate Hillcrest’s first one hundred years with a three-course dinner, wine and champagne toast for $50.

More information about the Hillcrest Centennial celebrations is available at www.HillcrestCentennial.com or by calling 619-260-1929.

AIDS Walk San Diego is encouraging people who haven’t yet registered for the 18th annual walk to do so now. This year’s event is presented by Nordstrom. Event organizers are reminding the community that there are just six weeks left before the walk, and of the importance of early fund-raising efforts. Each year, thousands of San Diegans take part in this event to remember those we’ve lost, and to show those living with HIV/AIDS that we care.

This year, AIDS Walk San Diego will take place on Sun., Sept. 30 in Balboa Park. Online registration is available at www.aidswalksd.org. For more information, contact Donnie Luehring at 619-291-WALK, ext. 5 or at donnie@aidswalksd.org.

The Center’s Positive Action program is offering a new social and support group for HIV-positive men every Friday from 6-7:30 p.m. at The Center, 3909 Centre St. After having an opportunity to talk with and listen to others in a safe environment with trained facilitators, the group will go out for dinner and conversation in the Hillcrest area. Please sign up in advance with Jennifer Gunsaullus by calling 619-692-2077, ext. 133 or jgunsaullus@thecentersd.org.

With more than 3 million deaths worldwide attributed to AIDS last year, more than 25 million deaths in the last 26 years, and 40 million people worldwide now living with HIV/AIDS, it is evident that the AIDS pandemic continues. In San Diego County, more than 15,000 children, teens and adults in San Diego County are now living with HIV/AIDS.

To help combat the spread of HIV/AIDS, Lips Restaurant and AiCDi will host the One World fund-raiser. The special show, which will showcase some of San Diego’s finest female impersonators, will be held on the evening of Sunday, Aug. 26 at 7:30 p.m. All proceeds from the fund-raiser will go directly to 2007 AIDS Walk San Diego, which is being held on Sunday, September 30.

Tickets for the dinner and show are $50 in advance or $75 at the door. Advance tickets may be purchased at Haircut Blvd., located at 1050 University Ave. Lips is located at 3036 El Cajon Blvd. in North Park. More information is available at www.aicdi.us.

According to the Monarch School, the average age of a homeless person in San Diego is 9 years old.

The Monarch School works with the community and the San Diego County Office of Education to change that. It provides an accredited education to homeless and at-risk kids while caring for basic needs such as health care, food, clothing and personal hygiene.

Specialty Produce and Monarch School, working with Niamh Scott Productions and Kelly Orange, will host Fruit of the Soul, a benefit for the Monarch School. The benefit will include live music, food and drinks, and a truck art show.

Restaurants, artists, fashion designers and bands will gather for the benefit at the Specialty Produce Warehouse at 1929 Hancock St.

Tickets are $30 and include drink tickets (for 21 and up), food and entertainment.

The Gay Men’s Chorus of San Diego will continue its 15thAnniversary Season of Singing Out with an Info Night on Wednesday, Aug. 29, beginning at 7 p.m. Interested singers as well as non-singers who want to join the Gay Men’s Chorus are welcome to attend. Those people who are unable to attend Info Night are invited to visit either of GMCSD’s rehearsals on Wednesday, Sept. 5 or Sept. 12, between 8-9 p.m. to hear the Gay Men’s Chorus of San Diego in action.

Info Night is dedicated to welcoming potential new members and will take place at GMCSD’s regular rehearsal space inside the University Christian Church, located at 3900 Cleveland Avenue, across the street from the Hillcrest Post Office and DMV. This event will also feature food and fun, prizes and surprises.

GMCSD begins rehearsals for its “Bells & Brass” holiday concert which will be performed Dec. 15 and 16. The Gay Men’s Chorus recently wrapped up its summer semester with performances of “Diva by Diva.” The Chorus also sang the national anthem as part of the “Out at the Park with the San Diego Padres” event at PETCO Park. GMCSD performed at the Spirit of Stonewall Community Celebration as well, and received the Spirit of Pride Award as the Best Community Organization in the 33rd annual San Diego LGBT Pride Parade.

For more information about the Gay Men’s Chorus of San Diego or Info Night, please call 619.57.GMCSD, email Info@GMCSD.com, or visit www.GMCSD.com.