Rhoda smyth

Concert Series
Hartford Gay Men's Chorus

Hartford Gay Men's Chorus

June 16 | 3PM

Founded in 2012, the Hartford Gay Men’s Chorus’ 35+ voice ensemble is celebrated for their musicianship, creative programming, and community outreach. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Christopher Clark and Executive Director Robert Reader, the HGMC sings a wide range of music as catalyst to inspire, impact and enrich the lives of our members, patrons, and the community.
The HGMC recognizes the sociopolitical statement inherent in being an openly gay organization and, as such, representatives of the LGBTQ+ community. In addition to their concerts, they represent the LGBTQ+ community through partnerships with other gay and gay-affirming organizations, outreach within our community and beyond, and participation and performances at pride events, cultural celebrations, civic programs, sporting events and other special occasions.

 

 

Flamy Grany

Flamy Grany

June 28 | 7PM

Award-winning and Billboard-charting artist Flamy Grant is a shame-slaying, hip-swaying, singing-songwriting drag queen from western North Carolina. Her 2022 debut record, Bible Belt Baby, was nominated for Best Pop Album at the San Diego Music Awards, and she is a winner of the 2023 Kerrville Folk Festival New Folk Competition. She is also a nominee for the 2023 QueerX Award for Best Drag Artist, and she has been featured in Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, People, Billboard, and more. Both a powerhouse vocalist and an intrepid songwriter, Flamy blends the art of drag with her iconic folk/rock sound to create a memorable musical experience.

Flamy is the first drag performer to appear on Christian music charts, with both her song “Good Day” and her Album Bible Belt Baby reaching #1 on iTunes — the latter staying at the top for nine consecutive days. Additionally, “Good Day” debuted at #20 on Billboard’s Christian digital sales chart. Her music has nearly half a million streams on Spotify, Apple, and Amazon. Flamy has collaborated with Adeem the Artist, Jennifer Knapp, Semler, and Derek Webb. In addition to playing the New Folk winner’s showcase at the 2023 Kerrville Folk Festival, she has played Wild Goose Festival in North Carolina, San Diego Pride’s SheFest, and headlined Blount County Pride in East Tennessee, where she won a court victory after a local district attorney threatened to enforce Tennessee’s drag ban.

It’s no accident that Flamy’s drag name is an homage to Amy Grant, the undisputed queen of Christian music and 90s chart-topping pop artist. Much of Flamy’s music centers on the queer spiritual journey, telling stories of resilience and recovery from religious trauma in a world where LGBTQ+ people are frequently ignored by, harmed in, or ejected from religious spaces. With a bold lip, a big lash, and a blistering voice, Flamy drags audiences to a soulful, uplifting church of her own making. This down-to-earth diva has entertained music lovers from Los Angeles to Nashville with her funny, frank, and fabulous songs.