Canceled

Obviously, everyone has heard about the storm surging up the Eastern Coast and it's destruction and havoc to communities. Well the Labor Day concert as well as the Dedication of the new MLK Memorial have been canceled. This is a part of the message I've received:

Statement from YouthCUE's Executive Director Regarding Labor Day at the Cathedral

August 26, 2011 | 3:30 pm CST

Early this morning, Cathedral officials notified YouthCUE they would be unable host our concert on September 4th due to damages sustained during the earthquake and the impending threat to the facility posed by Hurricane Irene’s projected landfall over the next several days.

YouthCUE’s Executive Leadership Team has been working diligently and around-the-clock to simulate contingency plans and explore potential opportunities for alternate concert venues.

Due to the Cathedral’s decision, and influenced in no small part by the very serious threat posed to the entire eastern seaboard by the hurricane, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the 2011 Labor Day at the Cathedral event.

The powers involved are making plans to reschedule the concert for next year, so now we are changing our holiday plans, stay tuned. Maybe headed west!

Another Day for Visibility

Don't know how we always manage to cram so much into one day, but yesterday was one of those days. As usual, we always get asked to speak with classes about Sexual Diversity, and yesterday was a great class. We are always happily surprised that when students 'get it', by asking some great questions.

Then that afternoon we had set up an information table for PFLAG, the University has a 'Happening' where organization and business set up on the front lawn as a way of introducing the students of what is in the community. We sat under a tent (thank goodness cause it was HOT) for the afternoon and had several people get information. All-in-all, it was a very good day for the lgbt community as there was a table for the GSA Organization and a table for South GA Pride.

A good start for the new year.

About Labor Day Concert

When I heard about this concert from Dr. Neal, I chose this concert over another concert that the University Choir did in New York City at the end of last May. We had already made plans to attend the high school graduation of a close friend who lives in South Carolina.

The early plans was for a choir of up to 300 members, it is fixed now at 160 voices. I applied as a member since getting a chance to sing in the National Cathedral would be a Once-in-a-lifetime experience as a life long musician. Truthfully I didn't realize that the concert's timing was during the week of the 10th Anniversary of 9/11 until a few weeks ago. As a musician, getting to sing this program with the National Symphony in our National Cathedral can not be humbled enough, nor proud enough to do this premier event in just a few days. One voice of 160! It will take everything I can muster to maintain my emotions and stay focused on the music.

Please remember all who lost their lives and for those who were among the first responders.

Concert At Cathedral for Labor Day

This is a publicity poster for the Labor Day Concert, that I will be singing with; please note that our good Dr. Neal from VSU is the Associate Festival Conductor. There is to be a dedication piece for 9/11 from the movie "Saving Private "Ryan". If you know of anyone who lives in the DC area please tell them about the concert, please invite them to DC and spread the word.

What Are They Advertising Again?

What Are They Advertising Again?

Thought this one needed sharing!

Jennifer Boylan on Trans Rights in the NY Times

Jennifer Boylan on Trans Rights in the NY Times

This is from Jillian Weiss

Gad%20Beck%2C%20profiled%20in%20Miami%20Herald%20a%20decade%20ago%2C%20now%20the%20last%20known%20gay%20survivor%20of%20Holocaust

Gad%20Beck%2C%20profiled%20in%20Miami%20Herald%20a%20decade%20ago%2C%20now%20the%20last%20known%20gay%20survivor%20of%20Holocaust

Spoke too soon, I have seen this film at the University VSU

Last Known Gay Holocaust Survivor Dies

Last Known Gay Holocaust Survivor Dies

We must keep telling these stories, as some preach the denial theory, that this never happened.


Voices of Light

Soldiers who fought the Fight
Voices of War’s, telling truth’s light
Of those who lived the horrors of War
Each true voice, a single shard of light
Truth in the telling of Armies might
Lived on far distant shores
By collective voices of Armies
Shining like beacons
Together blinding the words
Of lies and deceit

As each soldier who fought
Grows older and falls, so dims the light
And memories of War with time
As each shard of light is extinguished
The beacons of Truth wavers and blurs
But, we who are washed with beacons light
Must listen ever louder
To the dimming voices of truth
Proclaiming the true lessons of War
Against the voices of lies and deceit

SJ Riggle