Jonathan Palant
Jonathan Palant
The concert for Haiti organized by Turtle Creek Chorale director Jonathan Palant raised more than $17,000 that will go to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund. Donations can still be made on the Chorale Web site.
Palant said that there was never a goal.
“Every dollar collected was a dollar that wouldn’t have been sent to Haiti,” he said.
He said that this was the only cultural event in North Texas for the country that was devastated by the Jan. 12 earthquake and he was proud that it was organized by the LGBT community.
The six-hour marathon concert took place at Cathedral of Hope on Friday, Feb. 19. The church’s choir began the evening followed by ENCORE! Anton Shaw sang and then the First Baptist Church of Hamilton Park Men’s Chorus had the fast-growing crowd on its feet.
First Baptist Church of Hamilton Park Men's Chorus
First Baptist Church of Hamilton Park Men's Chorus
- Resounding Harmony
The director of the Texas Christian University Concert Chorale was unable to attend because of a death in his family but members of the group ably filled in.
Tim Seelig’s mix-voice choir Resounding Harmony was next on the bill. Seelig was his usual, entertaining self turning each unchoreographed stumble and delay into entertainment. And for anyone who hasn’t seen this relatively new group, they’re fabulous.
Linda Petty
The Women’s Chorus of Dallas performed everything from the silly to the sacred. Their version of “Mishaberach,” the Jewish prayer for healing, in both Hebrew and English, was magnificent.
Linda Petty is a fixture in the LGBT community in Oak Lawn. She sang show tunes that have made her a community favorite. Her repetoire on Friday included “People” and “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” served as her finale.
Liz Mikel began her set by expressing her gratitude to the community for supporting her a month ago after she lost everything in a fire in her apartment complex. After the story appeared in Dallas Voice and several other news sources, help poured in. The Haiti concert, she said, was a small way for her to help others.
- Liz Mikel
A potential disaster was averted with the next performer. Del Shores flew in from California to participate. When he arrived he was told to keep his performance “PG.” Palant made a deal with Shores. Any F-bomb or S-word uttered on stage in the church would cost him a $100 donation to Haiti. Dallas Voice was enlisted to keep track.
- Jason Dottley (left) and Del Shores
Shores made it through most of his act, said “hell” once, but covered it up, explaining Baptists are always condemning everyone to hell in church. Didn’t count.
He also auctioned off “Sordid Lives” DVDs, published copies of his plays and his husband Jason Dottley’s latest CD. Bidding went as high as $200.
Gary Floyd and the cast of Theatre 3’s “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” performed.
The evening wrapped up with event organizer Palant’s Turtle Creek Chorale performing.
They began with a rousing round of “Happy Birthday.” Coincidentally, the performance fell on the day of the group’s 30th anniversary.
- The Turtle Creek Chorale
And although the picture above looks as though I’m standing in the middle of the Chorale participating, I was simply in the way, taking pictures, annoying the performers as I was doing all evening. Thanks to everyone for their patience with my flash in their faces.
