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Quire's
Rainbow Connection
Saturday 24 March at 8pm in the Sean Hollywood Arts Centre, Newry
Quire's Spring Concert took place on Saturday 24 March at 8pm in the Sean Hollywood Arts Centre, Bank Parade, Newry.
"Quire's Rainbow Connection" proved to be an exciting, uplifting experience with a setlist featuring pop classics and pieces from the world of musical theatre.
Working in partnership with the
Newry Rainbow Community,
the concert was a truly fitting finale to Quire's ambitious singing project
in the Newry area which ran from September 2011. The project has now
ended but we've made some fantastic friendships which will be a
long-lasting legacy.
Huge thanks to our wonderful audience for making the evening so special!
Head to our photos page for some spectacular images from the concert.
Quire gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland for this project.
Quire took part in LGBT Christmas Community Fair
Quire was delighted to participate in the first LGBT Christmas Community Fair in Belfast on 3 December 2011
The Community Fair was a new initiative from the LGBT Advocacy Project in partnership with the QueerSpace collective and took place over two floors within the Belfast LGBT Centre, 9 - 13 Waring Street.
We were pleased to get chatting with people about Quire's upcoming concert in March 2012 and to discuss the opportunity of joining Quire!
Thanks to everyone who came along and made the Community Fair a real success!
Quire at Belfast Pride - 30 July 2011
Our special guest was "Sue Sylvester" from Glee!
During July, Quire members had a fantastic time at Belfast Pride 2011 with our special guest "Sue Sylvester" from Glee.
"Sue" helped us host a stand in the Community Marquee adjacent to Custom House Square during the finale to Pride on Saturday 30 July.
Quire members and "Sue" were delighted to meet fans who had seen us in performance as well as those people interested in joining the
group - our next Open Evening is on Thursday 22
September.
"Sue" even graciously posed for photos with her own fans!
And our members also marched with Pride holding the Quire banner aloft during the Pride Parade.
The day was a great success - the sun even made an appearance!
Thanks to everyone who called over to Quire's stand and here's to Pride 2012!
Quire performances in Belfast & Dublin - May & June 2011
We ended the Spring season in fine voice with "True Colors"
In May, Quire was delighted to provide the entertainment at the
QUB LGBT Society Formal
in the Europa Hotel in Belfast. Our performance included For Good from the
Broadway hit musical Wicked and firm favourite I Know Him So Well.
And on 11 June, Quire members travelled to Dublin to take part in Gloria's The Colours Concert in the National Concert Hall. Billed as a musical journey through the rainbow, and the meaning of colour in music, we were proud to sing out the finale piece - Cyndi Lauper's torch song classic True Colors.
Quire would like to convey warmest thanks to Gloria for the invitation to join them for the evening.
Quire led singing at 4th annual LGBT Christmas Carol Service
Quire was delighted to again lead the singing at this year's LGBT Community Christmas Carol Service which took place on Thursday 16th December in All Souls' Church on Elmwood Avenue in Belfast.
The Gathering (gay men's spiritual group) organised the service; this year's collection was donated to Lighthouse (previously known as PIPS).
Quire performed at Keynote over two weekends in June 2010
'Keynote' was a series of site-specific musical concerts set in and around Queen's University. There were six diverse performance environments, enhancing the performance experience for both audience and musicians alike.
The performances took place on will take place at 7.15pm on Friday 4th, Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th June and on Friday 11th, Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th June.
With an eclectic mix of musical styles and themes with old upright pianos making their presence felt throughout the event, 'Keynote' provided Quire and other local musicians with a platform to perform new work in unique spaces around the university.
As well as Quire, the other artists performing include Katie and the Carnival, Paul Shevlin and Laura McGrogan plus many more!
Quire
made its TV debut - BBC One NI's Art Space - Wed 2 June
Art Space was a six-part series which took a look at the eclectic local arts scene, with presenters Joe Lindsay and Donna Legge.
Quire brought the series to a spectacular close with a unique collaborative performance with beatbox artist Martin Byrne aka Dr Lilt!
If you missed the show on BBC One on Wednesday 2 June, you can watch our performance here (UK only sorry!)
Quire provided LGBT
Dimension to Holocaust Memorial Service in January 2010
Quire performed at Castlereagh Borough Council's event commemorating the victims of the Holocaust
Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) is commemorated internationally on 27th January each year.
We celebrated this year's theme - the Legacy of Hope - through an evening of remembrance for all victims of the Holocaust and a call to action to end genocide throughout the world.
As well as a musical performance by Quire, there was a poetry performance from Scream Blue Murmur. The event was in association with the Good Relations Programme, WAVE Trauma Centre, and Amnesty International Northern Ireland.
It was an honour to take part in this moving commemorative event.
To find out more about the Holocaust and modern genocides, visit the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust website.
Quire At Christmas
We again lead the singing at 2009's LGBT Community Christmas Carol Service
Thursday 10th December at 7.30pm in All Souls Church, Elmwood Avenue, Belfast
The Gathering (gay men's spiritual group) organised the 3rd annual LGBT Community Carol Service and Quire was delighted to lead the singing again this year - with magnificent support from the Feile Women's Singing Group!
The collection this year was donated to Simon Community.
What a great way to start the festive season - Quire thanks you for joining us!
Quire Went All The Way at OUTBURST 2009!
Closing night concert on Saturday 21st November in the Black Box
Following our stunning sold-out concerts at Outburst 2008 and in the Waterfront Studio at this year's Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival, Quire's singers returned to our spiritual home at the Black Box to present an evening of magic, melody, reflection and celebration as we Went All The Way!
Featuring something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue, the programme had the marvellous audience once again crying out for more, more, more!
Local singer/songwriters Cat Barter and Claire Galway were Quire's special guests for the evening.
The enthusiasm and warmth of the audience made it a magical evening and a delightful close to OUTBURST 2009!
Quire performs at Belfast Pride 2009!
Wednesday 29 July and Friday 31 July in the Black Box
Quire was delighted to perform at two events during the hugely successful Belfast Pride 2009 week:
On Wednesday 29th July, we sang in the Black Box during QueerSpace's "Love... and Marriage?" evening. Our trio of songs exploring the theme of love complemented the evening perfectly!
Then on Friday 31st July, the atmosphere hotted up when Quire took to the stage during the Pride's Got Talent cabaret night, again in the Black Box. We were proud to help in the efforts to fundraise on behalf of the HIV Support Centre which was the beneficiary of this event.
Take a look at our gallery page for photos of the QueerSpace event, as well as of Quire members on the Belfast Pride March with our banner!
Quire & Feile Women's Singing Group Got Their La La's Out!
Sunday 10 May in Belfast's Waterfront Studio
Two of Belfast's most exciting singing groups - Quire and Feile Women's Singing Group - came together to close this year's Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival in a glorious explosion of song and spectacle!
Quire were joined on stage by singer-songwriter Cat Barter for a stunning rendition of Britney Spears' Baby One More Time.
And special guests The Lazy Susans wowed the audience with a varied set of a capella harmonies ranging from tender Scots ballads to 60s girl group hits.
The stars of the show were our marvellous audience who lapped up every minute and made the atmosphere electric!
Quire performs at "Sunday Service" in the re-opened Ulster Hall
Sunday 22 March
Following a two-year, 7 million pounds refurbishment, the Ulster Hall on Bedford Street in Belfast re-opened in March 2009 with a fantastic programme of events, including the exciting Fringe Festival.
And Quire joined the celebrations on Sunday 22 March at 6pm when we performed at the Sunday Service event in the Group Space (formerly the Group Theatre).
Over four consecutive Sundays, Sunday Service combined the performance of anti-establishment speeches from history with music and discussion, and asked the question - what makes a speech powerful enough to inspire hope, rebellion or even terror?
Our rendition of Stille Nacht, Hashivenu (a Hebrew lament) and Tomorrow Belongs to Me, blended with the powerful, chilling oratory of Adolf Hitler (ably delivered by the actor Richard Orr) to create a thought-provoking performance. BBC Radio Ulster featured the event the following day.
Thanks to everyone who came to hear us!
Quire performed at LGBT Community Christmas Carol Service
Thursday 11 December 2008
Quire was delighted to lead the singing again this year at The Gathering's second LGBT Christmas Carol Service on Thursday 11th December 2008 at 7.30pm in All Souls Church, Elmwood Avenue, Belfast.
Following a similar event last year, The Gathering was pleased to be able to hold this year's service in the renovated church building. The service was open to all interested, gay or straight, friends, family, other community groups and other church groups.
The members of Quire wish you a very merry Christmas and a prosperous 2009!
Quire Puts Out!
Black Box, Saturday 15 November at Outburst 2008
Quire would like to thank everyone who joined us and our special guest Cat Barter on Saturday 15th November in Black Box for our performance Quire Puts Out!
This magical evening was our highlight of 2008 thanks to the enthusiasm of the audience - and there's plenty more to come in 2009!
Quire Puts Out! was part of the very successful Outburst 2008, the second annual queer arts festival which took place from 13th to 22nd November with a packed programme of events.
Here are some photos from the concert if you missed it!
Quire at Belfast Pride and Foyle Pride
August 2008
Quire members joined over 7,000 LGBT people and their friends and family on the Belfast Pride Parade on Saturday 2nd August.
August was a busy month for Quire - we were proud to form part of the line-up at the Foyle Pride Ball at the City Hotel, Derry on Sunday 24th August (the Bank Holiday weekend).
Foyle Pride 2008 had a packed programme of events - visit the website for full details.
Quire's One Night Stand: the verdict? - satisfied punters!
Outburst, November 2007
The members of Quire would like to thank everyone who joined us for One Night Stand - our evening of music with special guests Fiona Kerr and The Greeters - on Friday 30 November 2007 at the Black Box Belfast.
The Black Box was packed out (tickets sold out well in advance) and the evening was a huge success (if we say so ourselves!) - as was the entire inaugural Outburst festival. Well done to everyone involved in Outburst!
Here's an 800 x 600 desktop wallpaper to remember the evening by.
Quire performs at 'Positive Pride' photo exhibition and marches at Belfast Pride 2007
August 2007
Quire was delighted to perform at the launch of the 'Positive Pride' photo exhibition at the John Hewitt on Monday 30 July. Especially since the photographer Geraldine Gallagher is one of our very own!
Photos from our exploits during Belfast Pride are online here.
Congratulations to Geraldine for all the hard work in producing the exhibition and for highlighting the issue of being out and proud in the workplace.
Quire sings at Holocaust Memorial Day
25 January 2007
Quire: Belfast LGBT Singers were honoured to sing at the Holocaust Memorial commemorations held in the Island Civic Centre, Lisburn, attended by the Secretary of State, Peter Hain, in January 2007. We sang two pieces, Hashivenu and Something Inside So Strong, which were very well received.
You can read more about the event (and view photos) here.
During WWII, the Nazis persecuted tens of thousands of the LGBT Community along with millions of the Jewish and Gypsy communities in what is acknowledged as the Holocaust.
Quire helps launch Belfast Pride 2006...
Quire: Belfast LGBT Singers was delighted to help launch Belfast Pride 2006 at the Waterfront Hall on Saturday 29th July.
Following the fantastic success of our concerts with
Gloria at the Waterfront Studio in Belfast in
May, and at Dublin's National Concert
Hall on 17th June, this was another chance to catch your community choir in action.
Quire entertained the audience with a medley of pieces from our recent concerts, including (very appropriately!) My Lagan Love, Something Inside So Strong and I Am What I Am.
...and marches with Pride at the end of a wonderful week
The following Saturday, the Quire joined over 6,500 people in celebrating the culmination of Belfast Pride Week - the Parade and Party in the Square.