The Gay Men’s Chorus of San Diego (GMCSD) and the San Diego Men’s Chorus (SDMC) – the two gay men’s choruses that will merge this December – host Uniting through Song the choruses’ new artistic director Gary Holt on Saturday, Oct. 17 at 5 p.m. The event is a “special kick-off” to hear the choruses together and celebrate their merger and upcoming season. The event will include the unveiling of a new chorus name, a “sneak-peek” at the 2010 inaugural season, special acknowledgement of past and present supporters, announcement of a new donor campaign, special entertainment, hors d’oeuvres by V’ee Catering and signature cocktail, wines and waters.

SDMC was founded in September 1985 and is San Diego’s longest running gay arts organization. Approaching its 25th anniversary season, SDMC was the first gay identified choral group to perform at the White House, during the Clinton era, and a nationally-televised Super Bowl pre-game show. SDMC is a member of the Gay & Lesbian Association (GALA) of Choruses and in 2006 was the first GALA Choruses ensemble to perform as main stage act aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship. In the fall of 2006, SDMC began its youth and arts program and in December 2008 brought its message through song and dance with Paris Bennett (“American Idol”) to 750 elementary and high school students at the magnificent Balboa Theatre. In addition to Ms. Bennett, the chorus has performed with another “Idol” star, Frenchie Davis, plus Barry Manilow, Ant (comedian), Mario Lopez, Nichelle Nichols (“Star Trek” fame) Greg Louganis (Olympic gold medalist), Del Shores (author) and others. The chorus has also collaborated with other GALA Chorus groups, including Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles (who help found SDMC with a benefit concert in San Diego), plus San Francisco, Dallas, Portland, Orange County and the GMCSD.

GMCSD was founded in October 1992 by eleven members of the San Diego Men’s Chorus who wanted to sing in a self-identified “gay” chorus. The Chorus was incorporated in January 1993 and began rehearsing in the Great Hall of the Cathedral Church of Saint Paul on 5th Avenue, under the baton of Holt. Within the first year, the membership tripled to more than 30 singers, and San Diego’s newly elected mayor, Susan Golding, invited the new and openly gay chorus to be the open entertainment at her gala inauguration celebration. Since then the chorus has performed concerts of varied repertoire in San Diego, as well as at GALA Choruses events throughout the United States.

Holt started his theatrical career at age eleven as the title character in the musical Oliver! He has sung under the batons of Aaron Copland, Margaret Hillis, Robert Shaw, and Thor Johnson and studied piano and musical theatre for six summers at the Interlochen Center for the Arts in Michigan. Holt directed the critically acclaimed Diversionary Theatre production of Ten Percent Revue in 1992 and co-starred in the San Diego Critics Circle award-winning production of Billy Bishop Goes to War at North Coast Repertory Theatre. He has conducted numerous musicals and operettas including The King and I, The Mikado, Celebration, Naughty Marietta, Lady Be Good, and The Pirates of Penzance. Holt currently serves as treasurer on GALA Choruses National Board of Directors. Formerly the chief executive officer for The Old Globe Theatre and La Jolla Playhouse, Holt is now an attorney in private practice. Holt received his formal graduate choral conducing training at San Diego State University.

When the GMCSD and SDMC merge this December, the new chorus will have a combined men’s chorus of more than 120 voices united in song, making it the 10th largest gay men’s chorus in the United States.

To attend Uniting through Song, contact 877-276-7664 to receive an invitation. For more information about the event, visit www.gmcsd.com or www.sdmc.org.

The San Diego LGBT Pride has announced its theme for next year’s pride: “One World, One Heart, One Pride.”

“It reminds us that we are all one and that prejudice and bigotry take root when we split the people of the world into marginalized groups,” said San Diego LGBT Pride Executive Director Ron deHarte. “The theme further emphasizes the desire to live in peace, love with all of our hearts and be proud of who we are.”

The San Diego LGBT Pride adopted the theme from the International Association of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Coordinators (InterPride), which develops a global pride theme each year. The slogan will set the tone for a series of programs for San Diego LGBT Pride in 2010, including its 36th annual parade and two-day festival scheduled for July 17 and 18, deHarte said.

To inquire about sponsorship and volunteer opportunities, call 619-297-7683 or visit www.SanDiegoPride.org.

San Diego Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Pride will host the Consolidated Association of Pride Incorporated’s (CAPI) annual conference at the Sheraton Mission Valley on Jan. 21-24, 2010.

“This unique conference aims to inspire and educate. It is a time to recommit to our purpose, function and role in the LGBT civil rights movement,” said San Diego LGBT Pride Executive Director Ron deHarte. “As a founding member of CAPI in 1987, we are excited to once again host the conference and showcase San Diego and the pride organization.”

The conference will feature local and regional speakers, workshops, discussion panels and training sessions aimed at helping GLBT pride organizations throughout the Western United States and Mexico enhance their yearly celebrations.

Several motivational keynote speakers will participate including Metropolitan Community Church founder Troy Perry and longtime equal rights activist Midge Costanza.

Discussions and forums will cover such topics as creating community partnerships, volunteerism, marriage equality, parade and festival production, developing creative activist events and more.

Presenters include local political activist Doug Case, human rights lawyer Professor Paula L. Ettelbrick, San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus Executive Director Teddy Witherington, San Diego Pride Board Chair Dr. Philip Princetta, John Keasler of San Diego Art of Pride and members of Equality California.

Staff, volunteers and board members of non-profit GLBT pride organizations are encouraged to attend. Early registration is recommended. The cost is $150 for CAPI members and $160 for non-members. The Sheraton Mission Valley is offering discount rates of $99 per night, which includes breakfast and guest parking. For more information or to register, visit www.SanDiegoPride.org or call 619-297-7683.

The Lawyers Club of San Diego and Run Women Run are hosting its annual Political Boot Camp at AMN Healthcare on Saturday, Oct. 17 at 10:30 a.m. The event features more than 20 local elected officials, political consultants and campaign managers whom will provide nuts-and-bolts training on running for office, including fundraising, the mechanics of getting on the ballot, honing a candidate’s message and managing political campaigns. The training will give a special emphasis on breaking down the barriers that prevent women from participating in the political process.

The event includes a luncheon with a keynote speaker and will conclude with a reception where participants can meet and network with local candidates, political officials and others involved in the political process.

The program costs $50 for Lawyers Club, Run Women Run and SDCBA members who pre-register and $60 for non-members and late registration. AMN Healthcare is located at 13400 High Bluff Drive in Carmel Valley. To register, visit www.lawyersclubsandiego.com. For more information, e-mail Amy Lepine at amy@lepinelaw.com or Jodi Cleesattle at jodi.cleesattle@doj.ca.gov.