THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, February 24, 2023 Page 7 Polymnia Choral Society set to perform Considering Matthew Shepard on March 5 T he Polymnia Choral Society of Melrose will perform the ground-breaking oratorio, Considering Matthew Shepard, on Sunday, March 5, at 3:30 PM, at the Performing Arts Center at Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School, 350 Lynn Fells Parkway, Melrose, MA. The doors will open at 2:30 PM. Originally scheduled for March 2020, the concert fell victim to the COVID pandemic. Polymnia has waited three years for the local premier of this Grammy-nominated work, composed by Craig Hella Johnson and conducted by Polymnia’s Artistic Director, Murray Kidd. The choral ensemble consists of over 50 members of Polymnia Choral Society and 20 students from the Bedford High School honors choir. The performance will feature professional baritone soloist Craig Juricka. There will also be an 8-person orchestra of professional musicians. Matthew Shepard, a 21-yearold gay student, was brutally attacked and left to die in Laramie, Wyoming, in 1998. Subsequently, his parents, Judy and Dennis Shepard, founded the Matthew Shepard Foundation to honor their son’s life and to highlight the importance of standing up for the LGBTQ+ community. The world’s reacMUSINGS | FROM PAGE 6 with a guy with some mad deep Malden roots, political consultant with serious chops, Michael Goldman. Political junkies and Maldonians of a certain age will recognize the name Michael Goldman but mostly he flies under the radar. Former Governor Deval Patrick, (the late, great) Teddy Kennedy, former Boston Mayor (current U.S. Secretary of Labor) Marty Walsh, and former Governor Mike Dukakis – you name a Democratic political goo goo muck in Massachusetts in the past 35 or so years and Mike has had a hand in their success. For somebody who has moved in the circles that Mike has moved in there is not a more down to earth person walking planet earth. Heck, even resident contrarian, and the scourge of all Massachusetts ‘moon bats’ the Heralds’ Howie Carr likes Mike! But I digress... Maura met with Mayor Christenson, Kathleen Manning-Hall, Maria Luise, Kevin Duffy, (then) Ward 2 Councilor Steve Ultrino, and State Senator Jason Lewis in the war room at City Hall and was briefed on all the good things happening in our fair city at that time in history. We took a tion to the horrific hate crime inspired Johnson to create the oratorio as a space for reflection, consideration, and unity around Shepard’s life. The oratorio uses many musical styles including classical, contemporary, spoken word, Gregorian chant, Broadway, and country music, to tell the story of Matthew Shepard’s life, murder, and legacy. The chorus will be accompanied by a live orchestra of professional musicians from the greater Boston area. The audience will experience deeply meaningful and moving songs. Following the performance, a talkback session will allow audience members time to consider the underlying lessons of the tragedy. While the piece focuses on the horrific death of Shepard, a white man, Polymnia feels it is of equal importance to acknowledge that James Byrd Jr., a Black man, a husband, and a father of three children, was also murdered a few months before Matthew on June 7th, 1998. Byrd’s murder was the result of a racially motivated attack by known white supremacists. Both Byrd’s and Shepard’s deaths were the catalyst for the creation of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which was signed into law in 2009 by walk down Pleasant Street and stopped at a couple of anchors of the Square in those days. First stop was “Oppa’s Kitchen & Bar” where we were greeted by the big boss, Tony. Next up was Mystic Station. I finally got to meet the new owner in person, Bryan Palazzola. Craft Beer heaven with surprise employee, straight outta Edgeworth, Karen Picardi behind the stick. After, we stood outside, took a few pictures, and wished Maura good luck. I found Maura to be down to earth with a firm handshake, looking directly into your eyes (and not over your shoulder).” Goes a long way with me when meeting a politician who wants my vote. Postscript 1: Congratulations to you, Ms. Healey – Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts! Postscript 2: Bob, I am sure I speak for many, my/our sincerest condolences on the loss of your sister Diane. —Peter is a longtime Malden resident and a regular contributor to The Malden Advocate. He can be reached at PeteL39@ aol.com for comments, compliments or criticisms. President Barack Obama. The oratorio allows the singers and the audience members to learn about and reflect on the complicated history and current realities of hate crimes in this country. To honor both tragic murders and help provide educational resources to our patrons, there will be representatives on-site from organizations that support both the LGBTQ+ community and local racial justice programs. These groups will have information available to help teach audience members about their services and offer educational materials. Because of the serious nature of this concert’s subject matter, consider it as you would a PG13 show. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. Additional sponsors include, but are not limited to, the Melrose Cultural Council, the Melrose Bank Foundation, Cabot Risk Strategies, and The Ward Group. This concert would not be possible without their support. Tickets for the oratorio can be purchased ahead of time at https://polymnia. org/about-our-upcoming-season/ or at the door before the performance. Mackey & Brown Attorneys at Law * PERSONAL INJURY * REAL ESTATE * FAMILY LAW * GENERAL PRACTICE * PERSONAL BANKRUPTCY * CIVIL LITIGATION 14 Norwood St., Everett, MA 02149 Phone: (617) 387-4900 Fax: (617) 381-1755 WWW.MACKEYBROWNLAW.COM John Mackey, Esq. * Katherine M. Brown, Esq. Patricia Ridge, Esq. WE CAN HELP PAY YOUR HEATING BILLS! You may qualify for ABCD’s Fuel Assistance Program and be eligible for as much as $2,200 towards your heating costs (oil, gas, or electric). Maximum benefit is $2,200 Household of 1 = $42,411 Household of 2 = $55,461 Household of 3 = $68,511 Household of 4 = $81,561 Cold days are coming. ABCD’s got you covered. APPLY TODAY! Last day to apply is April 30, 2023 Residents of Boston, Brookline, and Newton: 178 Tremont Street, Boston, MA — 617.357.6012 Residents of Malden, Medford, Everett, Melrose, Stoneham, Winchester and Woburn: 18 Dartmouth Street, Malden, MA — 781.322.6284
8 Publizr Home