EarRelevant Staff | 13 JUN 2023
Atlanta Freedom Bands, a musical organization dedicated to representing Atlanta’s LGBTQ+ communities, is gearing up to celebrate its 30th-anniversary milestone with a special concert this Saturday, June 17. The event will be held at The Church at Ponce & Highland, marking three decades of music, pride, and community support.
The centerpiece will be a performance by AFB’s Concert Band, beginning at 8 pm, which promises to take the audience on an epic journey to the final frontier with a program titled “Out of This World!” Inspired by space and science fiction, the band has commissioned a new work from composer Dr. Erika Svanoe, from Augsburg University in Minneapolis. Entitled Where no one has gone before, the composition pays homage to the classic sci-fi franchise, Star Trek. Dr. Svanoe will also conduct the premiere.
Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with history as Dr. Jody Noll, a respected professor of history at Georgia State University, presents a pre-concert talk at 7 pm. Throughout the semester, Dr. Noll’s students have diligently worked on an oral history project focused on capturing the essence of AFB’s thirty years of music and its contributions to the community.
In addition, AFB has invited Gwenyth Lark, a talented student composer from the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, to showcase her newly composed piece, Through the Asteroid Belt — the latest in seven years of AFB’s commitment to nurturing young talent through its Student Composer Residency Program.
The concert will also feature music from film scores for Star Wars, Star Trek, and Doctor Who, and other music that evokes the spirit of space exploration, some commissioned by AFB or created by previous student composers in the residency program.
Since its founding, Atlanta Freedom Bands has been a steadfast symbol of representation for Atlanta’s gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender communities through the power of music. Its journey began in 1993 with a marching band, which has proudly participated in every Atlanta Pride Parade since then, as well as numerous neighborhood festivals, community events, and pride celebrations in other cities. AFB was the first LGBTQ+-identified group to perform in Atlanta’s “Salute to America” Independence Day and Saint Patrick’s Day parades and the first to perform during an Olympic event.
Over the years, AFB has expanded its mission and now encompasses several different groups. The MetroGnomes Stage Band regularly performs at community events and various gatherings. The Atlanta Freedom Concert Band, led by Dr. Kathleen Nicole Fallin from the University of Georgia, celebrates its sixteenth year of professional direction. AFB’s Color Guard showcases their skills and adds a touch of flair to the band’s outdoor performances, parades, and concerts.
“AFB has grown and changed with our city’s LGBTQ+ community over the decades. Reaching the 30-year mark is an extraordinary achievement for us,” says Cliff Norris, AFB’s Director of Marketing and Development. “Over the past three decades, we have dedicated ourselves to spreading a message of love and pride through music, both within Atlanta and across the Southeast. And what better time to celebrate than now, surrounded by friends?”
As Atlanta Freedom Bands commemorates its 30th anniversary, the organization continues to foster inclusivity in artistic expression.
The pre-concert presentation begins at 7 PM on Saturday evening with the concert starting at 8 PM. Parking is available in a parking deck behind The Church at Ponce & Highland, located at 1085 Ponce de Leon Ave NE, Atlanta 30306, and in nearby lots and streets. Tickets for the concert are $20 for general admission and $15 for seniors and students, available online from www.atlantafreedombands.com. ■
EXTERNAL LINKS:
- Atlanta Freedom Bands: www.atlantafreedombands.com
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