Sweet music

Anyone unsure of the gay community’s inclusive spirit would do well to attend a performance by Sydney Homotones.

As it prepares to celebrate 10 years of entertainment with a gala concert next week, the gay and lesbian band is a proud example of community tolerance.

Nearly everybody is gay or lesbian but we also have friends and family of gay and lesbian people in the band. And we’re happy to have anybody who wants to play some music, Sydney Homotones musical director Cathy Chan said.

There are a lot of community bands in Sydney -¦ but you don’t really feel comfortable being out and gay in one of those bands. No matter how liberal musicians are, there’s still a bit of reticence about that sort of thing.

Since forming 10 years ago, Sydney Homotones has played at just about every Fair Day and Mardi Gras parade and at other community outings like the 2002 Gay Games. Today it has about 30 members, aged between 20 and 70.

Sydney Homotones will put its community spirit on show with the special 10th anniversary concert at the Metro Theatre in the city next Wednesday.

You Can’t Stop The Music is billed as a musical extravaganza including everything from classical favourites to show tunes and pop. The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Choir, the Order of Perpetual Indulgence and Rainbow Babies will feature among guest performers.

We’re doing a fantastic medley from The Sound Of Music where we’re incorporating the nuns and the rainbow babies, Chan said.

But also we’re doing a medley from The Phantom Of The Opera with some really beautiful orchestral moments in there. It’s a real range, it’s going to be a really fantastic night.

You Can’t Stop The Music is on 21 February, 7:30pm, at the Metro Theatre, 624 George St, City. Book on 9550 3666 or at the Metro Theatre website.