Are you ready for an ’80’s flashback? On Saturday, November 3rd, The Long Island Gay Men’s Chorus are ready to give you a “totally awesome” experience with “Revenge of the ’80’s Cabaret” on Saturday, November 3rd!
Speaking of fun… What could be more fun than those ageless radio pop hits from the ’80’s? I know, I know… People have made fun of the ’80’s for a long time, mostly because of the decade’s over-the-top fashions. For those who need a reminder, a partial list of those rule-breaking fads included the chunky jewelry, shoulder pads, leg warmers, spandex, and “big hair” for women (Can you say “home perm”?); the acid washed jeans, mesh tops, and “man tail”– a predecessor to the “man bun”– for men; and the the blindingly bright color schemes for both. (Neon and pastels and lime green. Oh my!) The clothes are undeniably dated, but the music of the ’80’s has survived. Pop culture critics like to label a lot of that music as superficial and goofy… but there’s no denying that it was also high-spirited, upbeat, and addictive. If you need proof, just check the wildly popular ’80’s nights at the Pyramid Club in New York City… or dig out one of your old “mix tapes” (ahem…) and give it a whirl with your fellow children of the ’80’s. You can even play silly games as you listen, like asking “Where was the last time you heard THIS song?” while chugging Bartles and Jaymes wine coolers…
Suffolk County native Tony Mazza is Vice President, Secretary, and Webmaster for Long Island Gay Men’s Chorus. He took the time to speak to me about their upcoming “excellent adventure”:JR: Sounds great! So, how long have you been involved with the Chorus? What has the journey as a member been like for you through the years?
TM: I joined the Long Island Gay Men’s Chorus in September of 2015 for our annual Holiday Concert, so this is my fourth year singing in the Chorus. My journey in the Chorus has been life-changing. I had always dreamed of singing and performing, but never pursued that dream because I had allowed those demons that we all have in the back of our mind to get the better of me. Those voices that tell us negative things like, “You’re too old, you’re too fat, you’re not good enough, etc., etc.” Joining the Chorus allowed me to become my true self, as a performer with the Chorus and as a solo artist. The Chorus helped me find my voice both literally and figuratively.
JR: As an Officer of the organization, what’s the most important thing you want everyone to know about Long Island Gay Men’s Chorus?
TM: As Vice-President of the Long Island Gay Men’s Chorus, the most important thing that I want everyone to know is that the LGBTQ community is alive and well on Long Island. I feel that through our singing we are shouting out to the world that we are here, we are queer, and that is something that needs to be celebrated! The Chorus is 10 years old this Holiday Season, and I’m hoping that we continue to grow and enjoy many more years of bringing music and pride to Long Island.
JR: I grew up on Long Island, so I know that there has been a very rich LGBTQ cultural history through the decades. So, without giving too much away, what surprises can we expect from the show on November 3rd?
TM: Well, I know our wonderful host of the “Revenge of The 80’s Cabaret”, the one and only Joe Mannetti, has some tricks up his sleeve– provided he keeps his shirt on, but we all know that won’t happen. (Laughs) That being said, as ’80’s pop music was so well defined by MTV, I think everyone is going to love some of the homages we will be paying to those iconic videos!
JR: That sounds great! Anything else you want to tell everyone– besides, obviously, “Buy your tickets!”
TM: Yes, please buy those tickets! Tickets for all of these will be available on our website, and you can also follow us on Facebook: Just look us up under “Long Island Gay Men’s Chorus”!
JM: I suppose that the 80’s mean different things to different people. I grew up in New York. But, I had moved out to Los Angeles in 1986. I was beginning what would become a remarkable journey in the Southland. I went out there to pursue an acting career. I did. But, I also came out as a Gay man, entered all those Bear contests and won five titles in total, began hosting fundraising events, put myself through graduate school on a tuition reimbursement program and a scholarship, earned a Master of Science degree in counseling, and more. I really became the person identified as “Joe Mannetti” during those 24 years in California. I think that the music of that time reflected a lot of what was going on at the moment. LGBT activism was in full swing, and disco and nightlife was exploding. People were exploring their identities, and they were having fun. I was too.
Tickets for Long Island Gay Men’s Chorus’ “Revenge of the’80’s Cabaret” are available to purchase online at LIGMC’s website, www.ligmc.org/events. Tickets will also be available at the door and are $25.00 for a full evening of entertainment and refreshments at the Sayville VFW, located at 400 Lakeland Ave., Sayville, New York, on Saturday Nov. 3rd at 8 PM.Dec. 7th – St. John’s Episcopal Church in Huntington, 8 PM
Dec. 14th – The Cathedral of The Incarnation in Garden City, 8 PM
Dec. 15th – The Universal Unitarian Fellowship in Stony Brook, 8 PM
LAVENDER AFTER DARK (because life begins when the sun goes down...) 