Gay Men S Chorus Of Los Angeles

The outlook for the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles might seem somewhat bleak. After all, the ensemble has already lost 85 members to the AIDS pandemic. Nothing could be further from the truth, according to artistic director Jon Bailey, whose group brings a program titled "Sondheim!" to the Irvine Barclay Theatre tonight. "People frequently ask, 'How can you stand it?' " Bailey said. "But believe it or not, the chorus is a place of joy. People are beating the doors to get in.

Movies Josh Hartnett, above, Ewan McGregor and Eric Bana, among others, star in "Black Hawk Down," based on the true story of a disastrous U.S. military operation in Somalia. The film, directed by Ridley Scott ("Gladiator"), opens Friday. Also: Filmmaker Michael Mann, who pulled no punches with his 1999 tobacco industry drama "The Insider," steps back into the ring with "Ali," starring Will Smith as the boxer who could "float like a butterfly, sting like a bee."

Music & Honors: The Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles, which has lost 70 of its members to AIDS, will hold an open rehearsal at 4 p.m. Saturday of "Hidden Legacies," a work about AIDS commissioned by the chorus. Admission is a $10 donation at the Wiltern Theatre; persons with AIDS will be admitted free. . . .

Steve Smith, president of the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles and a professional broadcaster, has died at 38. Smith, who had suffered from AIDS, committed suicide, friends reported. He died Monday at his Los Angeles home. Until overcome by his illness, Smith had been editorial director for KNX Newsradio. He began his broadcast career in 1982 as a producer for KNXT-TV (now KCBS-TV) and moved to the affiliated radio station the next year.

In late June, Tad Montgomery packed 15 types of medicine into an Igloo cooler, filled a duffel bag with an array of medical gadgetry and--ignoring his doctor's orders--flew to Denver to sing with the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles at a national gathering of gay and lesbian choruses. The song and camaraderie the chorus provided, Montgomery said, were not only a source of joy but an antidote to the devastating symptoms of the AIDS-related illnesses that had invaded his body.

Several months ago, it seemed unlikely that the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles or its director would even perform at a national gathering of church people, much less earn a warm, enthusiastic response. But the choir did perform this week and Jon Bailey, the director, called the reception "tremendously embracing." The performance drew prolonged applause at a packed Claremont worship service from delegates of the Fellowship of United Methodists in Worship, Music and Other Arts.

Movies Josh Hartnett, above, Ewan McGregor and Eric Bana, among others, star in "Black Hawk Down," based on the true story of a disastrous U.S. military operation in Somalia. The film, directed by Ridley Scott ("Gladiator"), opens Friday. Also: Filmmaker Michael Mann, who pulled no punches with his 1999 tobacco industry drama "The Insider," steps back into the ring with "Ali," starring Will Smith as the boxer who could "float like a butterfly, sting like a bee."

Lifting Their Voices: The Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles has announced the program for its concerts in March and April. The 165-member chorus, under the artistic direction of Jon Bailey, will perform the newly commissioned "Hidden Legacies" by L.A.- based composer Roger Bourland. The work chronicles the gay community's experience with AIDS.

Steve Smith, president of the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles and a professional broadcaster, has died at 38. Smith, who had suffered from AIDS, committed suicide, friends reported. He died Monday at his Los Angeles home. Until overcome by his illness, Smith had been editorial director for KNX Newsradio. He began his broadcast career in 1982 as a producer for KNXT-TV (now KCBS-TV) and moved to the affiliated radio station the next year.

As they snap on headlights in the deepening dusk, how many people driving home on Wilshire ponder the fact that they're dying? We sing, to keep from crying . . . The music spills into the parking lot of the United Methodist Church, but a half-dozen Cub Scouts in new blue uniforms don't listen; they chase each other whooping and laughing outside. Is even one wondering how many more warm evenings he'll be alive? We sing, instead of screaming . . . Now follow the music.

The outlook for the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles might seem somewhat bleak. After all, the ensemble has already lost 85 members to the AIDS pandemic. Nothing could be further from the truth, according to artistic director Jon Bailey, whose group brings a program titled "Sondheim!" to the Irvine Barclay Theatre tonight. "People frequently ask, 'How can you stand it?' " Bailey said. "But believe it or not, the chorus is a place of joy. People are beating the doors to get in.

In late June, Tad Montgomery packed 15 types of medicine into an Igloo cooler, filled a duffel bag with an array of medical gadgetry and--ignoring his doctor's orders--flew to Denver to sing with the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles at a national gathering of gay and lesbian choruses. The song and camaraderie the chorus provided, Montgomery said, were not only a source of joy but an antidote to the devastating symptoms of the AIDS-related illnesses that had invaded his body.

As they snap on headlights in the deepening dusk, how many people driving home on Wilshire ponder the fact that they're dying? We sing, to keep from crying . . . The music spills into the parking lot of the United Methodist Church, but a half-dozen Cub Scouts in new blue uniforms don't listen; they chase each other whooping and laughing outside. Is even one wondering how many more warm evenings he'll be alive? We sing, instead of screaming . . . Now follow the music.

Music & Honors: The Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles, which has lost 70 of its members to AIDS, will hold an open rehearsal at 4 p.m. Saturday of "Hidden Legacies," a work about AIDS commissioned by the chorus. Admission is a $10 donation at the Wiltern Theatre; persons with AIDS will be admitted free. . . .

Lifting Their Voices: The Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles has announced the program for its concerts in March and April. The 165-member chorus, under the artistic direction of Jon Bailey, will perform the newly commissioned "Hidden Legacies" by L.A.- based composer Roger Bourland. The work chronicles the gay community's experience with AIDS.

Several months ago, it seemed unlikely that the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles or its director would even perform at a national gathering of church people, much less earn a warm, enthusiastic response. But the choir did perform this week and Jon Bailey, the director, called the reception "tremendously embracing." The performance drew prolonged applause at a packed Claremont worship service from delegates of the Fellowship of United Methodists in Worship, Music and Other Arts.

Six of Los Angeles' most prominent Jewish chefs are banding together to cook brunch for the first Project Chicken Soup awards ceremony Sunday at Temple Beth Am, 1039 S. La Cienega Blvd. The brunch is a tribute to Mollie Pier, co-founder of Project Chicken Soup. A longtime educator in the Los Angeles school system, Pier became an early supporter of Parents, Families and Friends of Gays and Lesbians after her son Nathaniel came out of the closet. He went on to become one of the first doctors treating people with AIDS , and after his death, Pier founded Project Chicken Soup , a volunteer organization that delivers free kosher meals to people living with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other serious illnesses.

Theater lovers in Los Angeles watched the Tonys together Sunday night at the Tony Awards Viewing Party, a benefit for the Actors Fund, at the Skirball Cultural Center. Although most viewers on the West Coast couldn't see the show until 8 p.m., party-goers watched the awards show live as it happened in New York on three giant screens. During commercials there was live entertainment.  And when the show ended, the audience had its own awards ceremony, when Annie Potts presented Jason Alexander with the Julie Harris Award for Lifetime Achievement.