Out on the Moy – a celebration of LGTBQ+ in song featuring Glória LGBT+ Choir and Rejoice Gospel Choir Ballina Arts Centre, April 15, 2023, 8pm

Ballina 2023 and Rejoice Gospel Choir will welcome Dublin’s acclaimed Glória LGBT+ Choir to town on Saturday, April 15 for an unforgettable concert in Ballina Arts Centre. ‘Out on the Moy’ will celebrate Ballina’s LGBTQI+ community in a night of love, acceptance, unity and song – and everyone is invited.

The award-winning Glória LGBT+ Choir was established in Dublin in 1995 to provide a safe, comfortable space for gay and lesbian people to meet and sing together, and to promote a positive image of Ireland’s growing LGBT community. The choir has performed extensively throughout Ireland and overseas at many prestigious events and audiences, while maintaining an environment that is inclusive, welcoming and supportive of people from all backgrounds and different life experiences irrespective of gender identity, or sexuality.

The choir’s repertoire is wide-ranging from musicals to madrigals and from classical to camp. The songs are chosen sometimes to surprise, sometimes to challenge, but always to entertain! They are looking forward to bringing their varied repertoire to a Ballina audience for the very first time.

Avril Greham, Ballina 2023 Diversity and Inclusion Officer and event organiser said: “As Diversity and Inclusion Officer for Ballina 2023, I am thrilled to welcome Gloria LGBTQ+ choir to our community and am honoured to see them share the stage with our own Rejoice Gospel Choir. This event is not only a celebration of music and art, but also a representation of our commitment to promoting inclusivity and diversity.

The evening will highlight the beauty of our differences and the power of coming together to create something truly special. I invite everyone to join us for this unforgettable concert, where we can enjoy the power of music and create life-long connections.”

Glória LGBT+ Choir Chairperson John O’Donovan remarked: “Just as our repertoire is varied so is our membership, with singers from all walks of life. We are particularly pleased as we have members from Ballina and other parts of mighty Mayo and are looking forward to donning the green and red on April 15!

We are really looking forward to celebrating Ballina 2023 and are delighted to have been asked to take part in the town’s celebrations. Our singing programme like Ballina 2023’s mission will honour the past, celebrate the present and inspire hope for the future. This is not our first time performing in Mayo, and it certainly will not be the last.”

For over two decades members of Rejoice Gospel Choir, fuelled by a passion for performance have been uplifting the people of Ballina and beyond with their unique musical talents and spiritual ethos. The much-loved choir sings regularly at midday Sunday Mass in St Patrick’s Church, Ballina, but also enhances community life by participating in concerts, musicals, festivals, TV programmes and charity endeavours at a local, national and international level.

Rejoice Gospel Choir PRO Sheila Garvin stated: “There is something powerful about choirs performing in unison and this will be a very magical experience, and we are very excited to perform alongside Glória.”

Tickets for ‘Out on the Moy’ are now on sale from Ballina Arts Centre, priced at €20 and selling fast!