One Voice, One World concert!

The concert celebrates music from around the world while exploring the global LGBTQ rights situation. It takes place on Saturday, March 23 at 8:00 p.m. at Scarboro United Church (134 Scarboro Avenue SW). Among the songs OVC will perform are “Baba Yetu”, a Swahili-language version of The Lord’s Prayer; “Gracias a la vida” (Thanks to Life), one of the most covered Latin American songs in history; and “Hotaru Koi” (Come, Firefly), a traditional Japanese folk song. In between songs, members of OVC will speak on LGBTQ rights. As artistic director Jane Perry notes, this is an area where much progress remains to be made, even in the West. While the issue of discrimination in Africa is well-known, says Perry, she was shocked to learn, for example, that Sweden is only now repealing a law requiring anyone seeking a sex change to be sterilized first.“I think that speaks both to the changes that are happening and to how far we all have to go before the LGBTQ community achieves equality as citizens of the world.”The concert will also feature a special guest appearance by fellow queer choir Edmonton Vocal Minority.