BGMC South Africa Tour Committee Membership Blog

As we prepare for our exciting tour to South Africa next June, we are recalling the effect that HIV and AIDS has had on our chorus. We will be meeting with groups and individuals in Johannesburg and Cape Town who continue to be effected by the global pandemic, where about 20% of the adult population are fighting the disease and medical help is not always available. This is the story of former baritone Larry Poitras, a dear friend of chorus founding member and current baritone Jim Anderson, who bravely helped Larry at the end of his life to die with dignity and comfort. Jim describes how a vibrant and talented friend was lost during the dark days before effective treatments were available. In 1992, those diagnosed with AIDS  likely faced a certain and excoriating death. The full impact of the AIDS epidemic  hit to BGMC in the mid to late 80’s and we were all terrified. And it hit hard. During this time, we sang at more memorials than we could have imagined, many times, se

First, FASHION! We’ve received some questions regarding the scarves worn by the tour committee during the South Africa Tour presentation at retreat.  Those scarves were African kente cloths and were suggested and generously loaned by member Gerry James.  Though not widely used in South Africa, we thought it would be an interesting, visual way to introduce some African culture while also helping to identify the committee.  We asked Gerry to explain a little about what they are and how they are used.  What is a kente cloth?   Kente cloth patterns are traditionally chosen by the various regions and tribes after the king has rejected the patterns he does not like. Kente cloths are frequently worn in the USA by African American persons in choirs, black fraternities and sororities. However white persons or persons of any race in these groups proudly wear their kente cloths.  Was it OK for us to wear a kente cloth?  For now anyone can wear a kente

Sawubona Friends!   Welcome to the Boston Gay Men's Chorus Tour blog, your resource for exciting news and information about our tour destination: South Africa! Did you know that South Africa has 11 official languages? "Sawubona" is a traditional greeting in isiZulu. Even though many people speak English, we hope to provide information to get you excited and help you navigate the many stops on our tour. Subscribe to this blog and receive weekly updates on what is going on in South Africa, our specific tour stops, and more. Our first submission comes from a Tour Committee member, Tom Weisend:  Africa's first modern art museum opens to both fanfare and criticism in Cape Town.  The museum was built out of the original structure of a grain silo complex. This is an important cultural event for South Africa because, up until 20 years ago, Black South Africans were not allowed into art galleries. Watch the video below or read more here . Have you set up your Cr