The San Diego Men’s Chorus’ 24th annual holiday show will feature “American Idol” sensation Paris Bennett.

The show, a mixture of traditional and non-traditional holiday music, is entitled “Fa La La La...Fabulous!” It takes place on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 8 p.m. at the newly restored 1930s Balboa Theatre in Downtown San Diego. SDMC became the first community music organization to call the Balboa home when it performed to a record crowd there in April.

Paris Bennett, one of the youngest finalists in the “Idol’s” history, wowed millions with her renditions of standards like “Fever” and “Wind Beneath My Wings” during the show’s fifth season. Rod Stewart proclaimed, “Paris has got it...She’s astounding...” She will be performing music from her just-released Christmas album, and will join the chorus for a bring-down-the-house rendition of the gospel favorite “Oh Happy Day!”

The show will be hosted by KYXY Radio’s Jeff Gelder. The Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) Celebration Choir will also join the men’s chorus for a finale you won’t soon forget! Tickets to this performance – which Conductor Jerry R. Foust has promised will be the chorus’ most exciting holiday performance in its 24-year history – are on sale now. For more information or for a link to buy tickets, visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com/links/1087.

Nicole Murray-Ramirez may be among the most colorful, controversial, and courageous gay men on the planet, but not until the recent launch of Nicole’s World did he have his rightful place as center of the GLBT universe. With a new blog titled “POP! POP! POP!” (People, Opinions, and Politics), this walking tribute to the GLBT equal rights movement will be sharing our history with readers world wide–and will be doing so from the perspective of someone who was there.

“This blog is going to be about all kinds of stuff,” said Murray-Ramirez. “I can talk to you about the Anita Bryant days, the days when gays could not own bars, that they’d get arrested for dancing with each other or kissing each other, to AIDS, all the way to 2008. And it’s colorful! When you log onto the page, you see a picture of me in drag and then you see a picture of me speaking to the city council. And you can’t help but wonder– how can this guy be in one photo with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Coretta Scott King and then be this drag queen with all these hunky guys? It’s wild.”

Murray-Ramirez has held top positions on both state and national civil rights boards, and was a former state chair of Equality California. He also served on the national executive board of the Human Rights Campaign in Washington, D.C., during the late 1970s. A longtime crusader for the Hispanic community, Nicole has received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the San Diego Latino Coalition as well as the Caesar Chavez Humanitarian Award. He is the only gay activist to have been elected to all four past national GLBT marches on Washington, was elected national chair of Stonewall 25 and the Millennium March on Washington, and he is the past national chair of the National Lesbian/Gay Latino Organization. In addition to his activism, Nicole has the longest running weekly social column among GLBT print media outlets. He is currently working on a biography, and in 2009 will be partnering with Patchwork Productions to begin filming the documentary Nicole Murray-Ramirez: From the Streets to the Suites of Power. The film is expected to be released in 2010.

For more information on Nicole Murray-Ramirez or POP! POP! POP!, visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com/links/1087.

Auntie Helen’s longest serving volunteer Michael Dudley was honored by the San Diego City Council on Tuesday, Oct. 21, as the Council along with Mayor Jerry Sanders, passed a resolution to declare Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2008 Michael Dudley Day. Dudley received the honor for his 20 years of service to the HIV/AIDS and GLBT communities throughout San Diego. His tireless work has helped increase the quality of life for countless people living with HIV/AIDS.

The San Diego North Park Craft Mafia (NPCM) will celebrate Day of the Dead with crafty flair at its upcoming Sunday, Crafty Sunday (SCS). This event will take place on Sunday, Nov. 2, at Filter Coffee Shop, located at 30th and Polk in North Park, from noon to 5 p.m. In addition to the usual offering of local do-it-yourself vendors (DIYers) with hand-made products ranging from purses, clothing, paintings, photo albums and baby products, to jewelry, guitar straps, pet ware, and other DIY products, this event will feature an alter constructed and created by the NPCM intended to serve as a memorial to those who have served as creative inspiration over the years. The altar is currently prominently displayed above the fireplace at Filter Coffee house through Tuesday, Nov. 14.

“We just interviewed the Crafty Chica, Kathy Cano-Murillo, for our November and December newsletters. In that interview she mentions how strongly connected crafting and honoring are in this holiday. It was really great to see the strong connection between honoring family and those who have passed and demonstrating that honor through crafting of remembrances “ said founding member Teresa Salazar. “I look forward to sharing the holiday with all those who have been inspired and supported by loved ones who love and/or produce beautiful things while inspiring others to make their world beautiful. This day will really help us do that and also spread the message about the Craft Mafia’s goal of spreading and sharing that crafty inspiration year round.”

The Craft Mafia was founded in 2003 in Austin, Texas. Over the years, the Mafia has spread its DIY ethic and ideals of professional support to cities worldwide, resulting in the founding of over 42 groups to date. San Diego’s North Park Craft Mafia was founded in September 2007 by independent business owners Teresa Salazar of Velvet Klaw, Penni Hawkins of p-starr products, and Svea Komori-Ang of Belle Pepper Couture

For more information, visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com/links/1087.

For 26 years, Macy’s Passport has showcased fashion, celebrities and theatrics while raising funds for HIV/AIDS organizations in California. This year the magic of Passport will be brought to the silver screen in 29 cities – including in San Diego – as “Fashion Cinema” to raise additional funds for HIV/AIDS organizations and service projects. Founding Chair Elizabeth Taylor, as well as Jennifer Lopez, Will Smith, Cindy Crawford, Mary J. Blige, and others will participate, and fashion labels represented will include Calvin Klein, Alfani, Ben Sherman, Levi’s, 2(X)ist, and others.

The San Diego screening of the event will benefit The San Diego Men’s Chorus’ “Nourishing the Soul” program, which gives main stage concert tickets to clients of local HIV/AIDS service organizations, including Special Delivery.

Macy’s Passport “Fashion Cinema” will take place on Saturday, Oct. 23 at AMC Mission Valley 20.

Included in the ticket price is a 6 p.m. champagne reception at Macy’s Home Store Mission Valley. The cost of admission also includes complimentary theatre concessions and an exclusive Macy’s shopping discount.

According to SDMC Conductor Jerry R. Foust, “Tickets are selling fast. This event will be like no other benefit you’ve attended this year. Macy’s has done a terrific job of creating a multimedia experience you won’t forget. We’re thrilled to be a part of the project, and grateful for the support of Macy’s and presenting sponsor American Express.”

For more information or for a link to purchase tickets, visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com/links/1087.

San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie M. Dumanis on Oct. 16 joined with San Diego County Crime Stoppers, the FBI, San Diego Police Department, Chula Vista Police Department, San Diego Human Relations Commission, the Anti-Defamation League and the San Diego Regional Hate Crimes Coalition to appeal for more information about a recent hate crime at a South Bay medical office. In doing so, law enforcement officials are reminding the public of the existence and importance of the Hate Crime Reward Fund.

“This specialized reward fund provides authorities with important information in cases exactly like the recent South Bay hate crime,” said Dumanis. “The fund also serves as a strong reminder that those committing hate crimes in San Diego County will face additional charges, resulting in more severe punishment.”

The recent incident in Chula Vista occurred at a children’s medical office in the 1300 block of East Palomar Road. during the late evening or early morning of Sept. 10-11. In addition to a burglary and vandalism, spray-painted swastikas and racist writings were found inside the office. A series of similar type of hate crime vandalisms occurred in the same general vicinity about six weeks prior to the medical office incident. There is a reward of $5,500 available for information on this case from Crime Stoppers, the Hate Crime Reward Fund, and the Anti-Defamation League.

The Hate Crime Reward Fund was established in 2006 in response to violent hate crime attacks that occurred in Balboa Park.

“The fund was established to ensure that perpetrators of hate crimes will be held accountable,” said Crime Stoppers Executive Director Sally Cox. “In other words, San Diegans will not tolerate hate crimes.”

To be eligible for the Crime Stoppers and Hate Crime Reward Fund rewards of up to $10,000, the tipster must call Crime Stoppers.

For more information about Crime Stoppers or for the Crime Stoppers Hotline information, visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com/links/1087.