Holiday Harmonies

As holiday concerts begin to fill our calendar, one of the more anticipated events is the annual Help is on the Way holiday concert, benefitting the Richmond/Ermet Aid Foundation. The bevy of super-talented local and visiting vocalists and other talents fill the stage with their diverse talents for solos, duos, and group songs that kick off our not-so wintry wonderland with holiday spirit.

Which songs are the performers' favorites? To find out, with help of event publicist Lawrence Helman, my messages to several of this year's gifted performers came back like a stocking full of quotes and quips.

Legendary talents Mary Wilson (The Supremes) and Sharon McNight join new stars like Steve Grand, Jason Brock and more than a dozen others in a concert of uplifting and winsome holiday-themed songs on Monday, December 7 at the Marines Memorial Theatre. Virtuoso violinist Lea Bourgade will also perform.

Along with a bevy of solo singers, cast members from the touring productions of "A Gentlema's Guide to Love & Murder" and the local staging of "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" will perform, along with a trio of Broadway's "Christines" from "The Phantom of the Opera."

And as usual, while concert and silent auction tickets are a mere $50, a $120 ticket gets you into the tasty after-party with champagne, desserts and a chance to meet the performers.

Mary Wilson

Mary Wilson's favorite holiday song is "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." Before she became a member of the iconic Supremes, Wilson first performed Christmas songs at an elementary school concert. Like anyone else, although she did mention some less than happy years, Wilson said the holidays are more often joyful.

"I have always loved the Holiday season and look forward to them."

Wilson said she hopes to enjoy some of our local seafood while she's in town. She also has something else to celebrate. Her re-released EP, Time to Move On, has found a fandom.

"It's now #37 on the Billboard dance charts. It's my first chart in over 20 years."

Steve Grand

Steve Grand has been busy performing since his last appearance at San Francisco Pride's mainstage earlier this year. The out gay music sensation cited his favorite song as "I'll Be Home for Christmas."

"The history of the song is heart-wrenching," said Grand of "the fact that it's from the perspective of a World War II soldier deployed overseas. The Christmas imagery is beautiful and warm, and is in a stark contrast to what we think about when we think of WWII."

Grand's childhood favorite tune is "O Christmas Tree," "mostly because of the Charlie Brown Christmas Special," he said of his childhood, where he sang and performed music since grade school.

"I've been lucky enough to have a strong family that always comes together for the holidays, so I am very grateful for that," Grand said of the season. He'll be visiting with friends while in San Francisco, "and maybe go out, since alcohol seems to be the only cheap(ish) thing in the city!"

Carly Ozard

From award-winning local cabaret star to New York City singer, Carly Ozard can knock us down with her vocal chops. Among her holiday traditions are watching the original film Miracle on 34th Street. "Since we just lost Maureen O'Hara, this year watching it will be extra celebratory," said Ozard.

While back in town, Ozard said she'll be attending Russ Lorenson's Christmas Show on December 11, and singing in two concerts with Ann Assarsson on December 16 and 19.

"I also look forward to attending awesome annual Christmas parties that always get crazy, and seeing my family."

Ozard mentioned John Lennon's classic "And So This is Christmas" as a favorite, along with the more traditional "O Holy Night," which, she said, "I got to sing once as a duet on Christmas Eve at Most Holy Redeemer in the Castro for 800 congregants including B.D. Wong who was in the front pew!"

Ozard's favorite 'bittersweet' holiday song is "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," saying, "It's bittersweet, hopeful, with a lot of sad."

Ozard owned up to a few lonely holidays. "I identify as non-binary with a straight orientation. Try finding a man who understands that sentence. At least I have parents, friends, my dogs, my show husband Russ Lorenson, and our gigs."

At Lorenson's recent Feinstein's concert, Ozard sang a new favorite, "All I Want For Christmas (is a One-Night Stand)" from Nunsense. "It's still one of my go-to's for all things Christmas."
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Ozard's colleague Russ Lorenson performs his holiday concert at Feinstein's, and also has a Christmas CD from 2005 for your listening pleasure. Like Grand, Lorenson cited "I'll Be Home for Christmas" as his preferred 'sad' holiday song.

The performer mentioned some local concerts as part of his holiday traditions. "I'll be seeing The Golden Girls Live!, Katya's Christmas Spectacular, The Gay Men's Chorus at the Castro Theatre on Christmas Eve."

I mentioned "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" as an unofficial 'gay anthem' for the holidays, to which the happily gay Lorenson agreed.

"Years ago, I used to do a little monologue in my holiday show about how Rudolph [the Rankin/Bass animated TV special] was the gayest thing on television! I mean, Hermie? That little flip of hair gave him away for sure!

"My other 'gay' go-to song would have to be 'Santa Claus Got Stuck In My Chimney.' It's not well-known, but Ella Fitzgerald's version is the best."

Shawn Ryan

Known for his festive Christmas tree costume at prior REAF concerts, singer, actor and film producer Shawn Ryan agreed on the gay Rudolph angle.

"It's definitely a metaphor for being the stand out," he said. "You had Rudolph and that little dentist with the perfect blonde highlights. It's kind of all one big metaphor for being yourself and celebrating your inner joy and light."

Ryan's first holiday performance was as a five-year-old, "in my little Catholic town of Mesa, Arizona. I played the dreidel in the Christmas Pageant."

Growing up, he enjoyed the John Denver and Muppets Christmas album. "Miss Piggy singing 'If you haven't got a penny, a hay penny will do...' still cracks me up."

Ryan cited another show biz classic.

"Auntie Mame singing 'We Need a Little Christmas' is kind of a gay boy's wet dream come true; an eccentric aunt pulling out the tree a month early? It's kind of heaven on earth!"

With his husband and a supportive family, Ryan said the holidays are a great time of year. "We always enjoy our time together and just celebrate each other."

Still, he does like a little bittersweet sentiment.

"'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas' (the Judy version is obviously the best) makes me cry each time. 'Someday soon we all will be together, if the fates allow.' You're killing me!"

For Jason Brock, "Silver Bells" and "Winter Wonderland" are among his favorites, and, like Ryan, he mentioned Judy Garland's "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" as a winsome fave.

The powerhouse vocalist recalled his first local holiday-themed concert at Martuni's lounge. Since then, while traveling for shows, he calls San Francisco home.

Sharon McNight

The beloved Sharon McNight has performed at more benefits than anyone can count, and who still conjures Sophie Tucker as well as her own indomitable singing style.

Her first remembered holiday performance?

"Angels We Have Heard on High" in first grade. As for a sad song, "Stay with Me 'Till After the Holidays" is her choice.

"My Father was a mailman for 38 years," said McNight, "so Christmas was never a happy time, because he worked so hard and long delivering Xmas cards. That was in the day where everyone sent out cards."

Her favorite holiday song?

"Santa Lost a Ho."

'Help is on the Way for the Holidays,' the annual concert and benefit for the Richmond/Ermet Aid Foundation, takes place Monday, December 7 at the Marines Memorial Theatre, 609 Sutter Street. 6pm silent auction, 7:30pm showtime. $50. After-party with champagne and desserts, $120 and up. 273-1620. www.helpisontheway.org