San Diego Human Dignity Foundation (SDHDF), one of the largest LGBT foundations in the United States, and the San Diego Women’s Chorus will present “UPRISING: Songs of Change” Sunday, May 22, 2016 at 7 p.m. at the Balboa Theatre. The concert will feature the 85-voice San Diego Women’s Chorus (SDWC) and welcome special guest, Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter, Janis Ian as the event’s VIP performer. This concert marks the third year of collaboration between the two nonprofits to raise funds for SDHDF’s Lesbian Health Initiative and SDWC.
Tickets are on sale via ticketmaster.com, sandiegotheatres.org, or by calling the Balboa Theatre directly at 619-570-1100.
This year marks 50 years since Ian recorded her first album, “Janis Ian,” which featured the song “Society’s Child” and got her first Grammy nomination for “Best Folk Album.” It also marks 40 years since the 1976 Grammys, when “At Seventeen” and “Between the Lines” were up for five Grammys and won two, for “Best Female Vocalist” and “Best Engineered Album,” respectively. In all Janis Ian has been nominated for ten Grammys in eight different categories over a 50-year period. Her most recent Grammy nomination was this year in the “Best Spoken Word” category for the audiobook “Patience & Sarah.” This classic piece of historical fiction about two gay women “with a happy ending,” first self-published in 1969, was funded by Ian and her wife, and co-narrated by actress Jean Smart. Moreover, Ian’s recent performance at the Appel Room at the Lincoln Center in New York received an outstanding review from the New York Times describing her performance as “poised,” “charming” and still as “raw” as ever.
Music and lyrics are about life experiences and, as Ian’s life has been full and colorful, so have her songs, as evidenced by her multiple awards, Grammy and Dove Award nominations and commendations. Her songs have been recorded by singers as diverse as Cher, John Mellencamp, Celine Dion, Hugh Masakela, Nana Mouskouri, Charlie Daniels and Roberta Flack. Always one to follow her heart and her beliefs, Ian was one of the first celebrities to come out publicly. She and her partner of 27 years were formally married in Canada in 2003, the only place where gay marriage was legal at the time. Her roller coaster ride has taken her to Nashville, her home since 1988, where she continues to expand as an artist, most recently narrating Olympic medalist Ginny Gilder’s autobiography and writing “Godzilla haiku” for her self-curated Facebook page.
“San Diego Human Dignity Foundation is proud to collaborate for the third year in a row with the San Diego Women’s Chorus to raise money for the support of our Lesbian Health Initiative,” says John Brown, executive director, SDHDF. “This year’s concert with Janis Ian at the Balboa promises to be an inspirational and entertaining time for all.” Past benefit concerts have featured VIP performers the Indigo Girls and Frenchie Davis, performing alongside SDWC members.
“UPRISING: Songs of Change” Benefit Concert
DATE: Sunday, May 22, 2016
TIME: 7 p.m.
TICKETS: On sale via ticketmaster.com, sandiegotheatres.org, or by calling the Balboa Theatre directly at 619-570-1100.
Regular tickets are $15-$85. VIP tickets, which include premium seating and admission to the exclusive invite-only after party at the Hard Rock Café, are available via www.sdhdf.org for $250.
NOTE: For accessibility accommodations, please contact the Balboa Theatre via 619-615-4000.
