I ♥ gay abandon: 10 years younger
Happy 10th Birthday to us - on stage at our sell out anniversary concert
Now we are 10 (ish!)
Gay Abandon started in 1997 so you might think we can't count, but we decided our official birthday was when we first stepped out in public, in summer 1998. Our first number was Way Over Yonder, a piece that starts with all four parts singing in unison. Jane describes the ripple that went through the audience when we broke out into harmony.
These days, our home audiences (and thank you, Leeds, for being such a great audience!) have more confidence in our abilities, and after a rapturous reception we started our 10th birthday concert with the same piece, now sung with a 60 strong choir, including a few who were there on the very first night.
What followed was our most ambitious set list yet, as we performed 21 songs from the last 10 years. There was music ranging from Ian Akroyd's Different Drummer (conducted by the composer) through to Abba's Dancing Queen (not conducted by the composer). We were delighted to return to Something Inside So Strong, rearranged for this performance by our musical director, Jane, and once our signature tune, as well as the all-singing and dancing Crazy Little Thing Called Love.
What else? Well, we launched our first official cd, Gay Abandon: a celebration of songs from the first 10 years, and we unveiled our new t-shirts. And we sold every seat in the house (some had changed hands numerous times). And we revelled in a standing ovation from our friends, families, flogas and loyal fans.
Oh, and we had a great time. Hope you did too!
For more photos, click here.