Oye Mi Canto

CELEBRATING THE PASSION AND MUSIC OF CUBA

Photo:  Rich Meyers

In light of the recent, disturbing events in Orlando, we dedicated our summer concert, Oye Mi Canto (Hear My Song), to the lives that were tragically lost and the voices that will no longer be heard. Through the pain and grief, we invite you to come together, honor those who will be missed, and begin the healing process.

This unbelievable catastrophe has reminded us of our roots – uniting and standing up as a community, despite the hatred and fear that surrounds us. For this reason, our concert celebrated authentic self-expression and our never-ending pride. We unite in memory, celebration, and most of all love.

Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles presents Oye Mi Canto (Hear My Song), featured the driving rhythms and captivating melodies from the island nation that have inspired passion in hearts around the world. Our audiences enjoyed the rich sounds of the salsa, mambo and Afro-Cuban jazz in a truly historic performance.

GMCLA Is helping to break down barriers for LGBT people in Cuba, amplifying the voice of equality and proudly showcasing the amazing talents of Mano A Mano, Cuba’s Gay Men’s Chorus, here in the U.S.

Oye Mi Canto  featured a special commission: a poem from Cuban American poet Richard Blanco set to music. Blanco is the first immigrant, the first Latino, the first openly gay person and the youngest person to be the U.S. inaugural poet, having read for Barack Obama’s second inauguration.

Oye Mi Canto was much more than a concert; it was a month of celebrating everything that makes Cuba and Latin America caliente!

Our guests: Mano a Mano

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Mano a Mano is quickly becoming one of Cuba’s hottest new vocal groups. United in complex harmonies against innovative rhythms, Mano a Mano renders fresh interpretations of Cuban classics, dynamic new compositions and unique covers of pop songs.

Partners for Oye Mi Canto

Oye Mi Canto is supported by the City of West Hollywood Arts Commission

Half a century apart

In 1961, the United States severed diplomatic ties with Cuba. Casting aside more than a half century of hostilities, President Barack Obama announced last year that the United States and Cuba would restore full diplomatic relations and open respective embassies.

Speaking in the White House Rose Garden, he called the rapprochement “a historic step forward in our efforts to normalize relations with the Cuban government and people, and begin a new chapter with our neighbors in the Americas.”

Cuban LGBT communities

After decades of institutionalized homophobia and systematic persecution of LGBT people in Cuba, Fidel Castro called LGBT persecution, “a great injustice, great injustice!” Taking responsibility for the persecution, he said, “If anyone is responsible, it’s me…”

The daughter of President Raul Castro, Mariela Castro, a member of Cuba’s most powerful family, has made gay rights her life’s cause. Mariela also heads the Centro Nacional de Educaci6n Sexual (CENESEX), the government-funded center in Cuba promoting the full exercise of sexual rights and advocating acceptance of LGBT issues on the island.

Sponsorship Opportunities

You can be part of this historic cultural exchange in Los Angeles this summer! Sponsorship packages can be tailored to meet your marketing and promotional needs and help you achieve your corporate goals.

Presenting Partner – $10,000

  • Naming Rights as Presenting Partner of GMCLA’s Oye Mi Canto concert
  • Press Release listing as the Presenting Partner of Oye Mi Canto
  • Onstage “Thank You” and acknowledgement from GMCLA’s Executive Director
  • Acknowledgment at ancillary GMCLA sponsored events
  • Dedicated E-Blast to GMCLA’s Email List (10,000+)
  • Mention on Twitter (81,000+ Followers) each week until the concert and Facebook posts
  • One page ad in the program journal for Oye Mi Canto
  • Eight tickets to GMCLA’s Oye Mi Canto
  • Company Name/Logo Recognition in the following areas:
    • Home page of GMCLA’s website, www.gmcla.org, and Oye Mi Canto web page
    • All GMCLA Oye Mi Canto promotional e-blasts (with web site links/click through options)
    • All GMCLA Oye Mi Canto promotional print literature, including postcards, posters & flyers

Havana Gold – $5,000

  • Onstage “Thank You” and acknowledgment from GMCLA’s Executive Director
  • Acknowledgment at ancillary GMCLA sponsored events
  • Inclusion in dedicated partner E-Blast to GMCLA’s Email List (10,000+)
  • Mention on Twitter (81,000+ Followers) each week until the concert and Facebook post
  • One page ad in the program journal for Oye Mi Canto
  • Six tickets to GMCLA’s Oye Mi Canto
  • Company Name/Logo Recognition in the following areas:
    • Web page of GMCLA’s Oye Mi Canto concert
    • All GMCLA Oye Mi Canto promotional e-blasts (with web site links/click through options)
    • All GMCLA Oye Mi Canto promotional print literature, including postcards, posters & flyers

Cuba Libre – $2,000

  • Onstage “Thank You” and acknowledgment from GMCLA’s Executive Director
  • Inclusion in dedicated partner E-Blast to GMCLA’s Email List (10,000+)
  • Mention on Twitter (81,000+ Followers) and Facebook post
  • Four tickets to GMCLA’s Oye Mi Canto
  • Company Name/Logo Recognition in the following areas:
    • Web page of GMCLA’s Oye Mi Canto concert
    • All GMCLA Oye Mi Canto promotional e-blasts (with web site links/click through options)
    • All GMCLA Oye Mi Canto promotional print literature, including postcards, posters & flyers