Conductor Edwin Outwater, in plaid jacket, with guest artists at the San Francisco Symphony’s “Holiday Gaiety” show. Photo: Courtesy JP Lor
“The San Francisco Symphony and San Francisco’s Smuin Contemporary Ballet have answered [the] call for alternative, fun holiday events,” writes J.L. Odom in Thursday’s (12/16) Bay City News (CA). “The shows—‘Holiday Gaiety’ on Friday and ‘The Christmas Ballet LGBTQ+ Night’ on Tuesday—highlight the diversity and artistic prowess of the LGBTQ+ community…. Conductor, co-emcee and co-creator of SF Symphony’s ‘Holiday Gaiety’ Edwin Outwater describes the event as a variety show similar to the Andy Williams and Judy Garland shows of the 1960, [ranging] ‘from comedy to something totally crazy to incredible vocals.’ … Outwater sought to develop a thoughtful, funny and surprise-filled show with co-creator and co-emcee Peaches Chris. In its fourth year, this year’s ‘Holiday Gaiety’ features drag performers Thorgy Thor and Miss Coco Peru, mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton, vocalists Alex Newell and Jimmie Herrod, dance troupe For Fou Ha and, of course, the San Francisco Symphony…. Smuin’s ‘The Christmas Ballet LGBTQ+ Night’ is … more dance-oriented, pointe shoes included…. In addressing the significance of ‘Holiday Gaiety’ and its highlighting of the LGBTQ+ community, conductor Edwin Outwater says, ‘For many LGBTQ+ people, we’ve got our own logical family.’ ”
