We're Still Standing - Santa Fe 2026
- 20 Jun 2026 - 22 Jun 2026
- Santa Fe, NM
After more than four decades of singing in and around New Mexico, the New Mexico Gay Men’s Chorus has become an integral part of the state’s cultural life. What began in 1981 as a small ensemble called The Brash Ensemble has grown into a chorus that performs across Santa Fe, Albuquerque and beyond, fostering an inclusive community through music and using its songs to challenge stereotypes and promote equality. The group has performed everywhere from senior centers and the AIDS Memorial to professional baseball games and GALA Choruses festivals. Each concert season is built around a combination of showmanship and activism, and the chorus regularly collaborates with arts organizations, schools and nonprofits to raise awareness and funds for causes close to home. Their motto “Changing the World Through Music” isn’t just a slogan – it speaks to the way music helps people feel seen and heard.
With that history in mind, the chorus’ Pride concert for 2025 takes a joyful new direction. Entitled “We’re Still Standing”, the show is a tribute to the timeless music of Elton John – the power ballads, upbeat rockers and heartfelt anthems that have provided the soundtrack to queer life for generations. Instead of reviving the introspective “Naked Man” song cycle that explored gay male experience in the 1990s, this edition chooses celebration over introspection. Artistic director Aaron Howe has arranged a programme that winds from songs like “Your Song” and “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” through to rowdy sing‑along numbers such as “Crocodile Rock” and “I’m Still Standing”. The arrangement is designed not only to show off the chorus’ harmonies, but also to let the audience belt along and dance in their seats. The chorus promises a glittering night of music and pride, inviting audiences to experience Elton like only the NMGMC can.
Performances are scheduled for three dates in late June 2025. The first show takes place on Friday, June 20 at 7:30 p.m. at Santa Fe’s Lensic Performing Arts Center. The second and third shows are held at Albuquerque’s Popejoy Hall, with an evening performance at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 21 and a matinee at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 22. Tickets are sold directly through the venues’ websites, and the chorus repeatedly warns fans not to purchase from third‑party resellers or speculative agencies. Prices range roughly from US$20 to US$60, with a “NEXTGEN” discount code allowing guests under 30 to buy any seat for twenty dollars. Because each venue uses its own ticketing system, visitors should double‑check seating charts and ticket policies before purchasing. If you have questions about tickets, the venues’ box offices can provide assistance.
The Lensic Performing Arts Center, where the opening night is held, is a Spanish‑Moorish style theatre built in 1931 that has been lovingly restored. With just over 800 seats and an intimate, acoustically rich auditorium, it has become downtown Santa Fe’s go‑to venue for concerts, films and cultural events. From the carved plaster details on the ceiling to the comfortable seats and excellent sightlines, it’s a beautiful space in which to hear a chorus. Its central location on West San Francisco Street also means you’re surrounded by restaurants, bars and galleries – perfect for a pre‑show dinner or an after‑show drink. If you’re staying overnight, popular hotels and bed‑and‑breakfasts around the Plaza are within walking distance. For those visiting Santa Fe for the first time, the concert offers a great excuse to explore the city’s broader arts scene. Spend a morning wandering the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum and the New Mexico Museum of Art, then take in some contemporary works along Canyon Road. The Railyard district hosts a bustling farmers’ market on Saturdays and a growing lineup of craft breweries and food trucks. When the chorus sings “Rocket Man” or “Tiny Dancer,” you might just carry those melodies with you as you wander the town’s adobe-lined streets.
The second half of the weekend takes the chorus 60 miles south to Albuquerque’s Popejoy Hall. Part of the University of New Mexico’s Center for the Arts, Popejoy is the state’s largest theater and seats nearly 2,000 people. It has hosted national touring Broadway productions, symphony concerts and legendary performers; audiences here can expect top‑notch sound and a spacious stage that allows the chorus to stretch out and move. Because the hall is located on the UNM campus just off Central Avenue, it’s easy to combine a matinee with a stroll through the university’s duck pond or a visit to the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology. Albuquerque’s Nob Hill district, with its retro neon signs and eclectic cafés, is a short drive away. Locals often recommend grabbing green chile cheeseburgers at a Route 66 diner after the show, or heading to Old Town for a taste of the city’s Spanish colonial history.
Though the subject matter of the concert is light‑hearted, the underlying goal is the same one the chorus has pursued since its founding: to create a space where everyone feels valued and to use music as a tool for social change. The chorus traces its roots back to a time when being openly gay was fraught with risk, and early members worried about the consequences of being seen on stage. In the decades since, membership has grown to include singers from across the state; some drive from Los Alamos or the East Mountains for weekly rehearsals. The group has sung at AIDS memorials, church services, rodeos and baseball games, and it has represented New Mexico at GALA Choruses festivals across North America. Those experiences inform the tone of their performances. During “We’re Still Standing,” you can expect moments of pure fun, but you’ll also hear subtle nods to resilience and community. A brief narration before one number may mention the friends and forebears lost to HIV, while another number might celebrate the progress of marriage equality. Audience members are encouraged to sing along, clap, and even wave pride flags; there’s no need to stay quiet until the final applause.
Visitors travelling to the concerts should plan ahead. June is high season in both Santa Fe and Albuquerque, with warm days and cool evenings. Hotels near the venues can fill quickly, especially on Pride weekend. If you’re arriving from out of town, booking accommodation a few months in advance is wise. Because downtown Santa Fe is compact, consider staying near the Plaza and walking to the Lensic. Parking in Albuquerque is usually ample on campus, but allow extra time on Saturday night as other events may be happening simultaneously. For those with mobility issues, both the Lensic and Popejoy offer accessible seating and assistance; reach out to the box office if you need wheelchair or companion seats. Families with children should know that the set list is family‑friendly; while some lyrics reference adult themes, the overall tone is celebratory rather than provocative. Regardless of age, wearing comfortable shoes is a good idea – you may find yourself dancing in the aisles.
The chorus suggests that you check their website regularly for updates and notes that schedule changes are always possible. As the concert dates approach, they will post information about rehearsals, community outreach events and volunteer opportunities. If you enjoy the performance and want to support the ensemble, consider making a donation through the NMGMC website or volunteering for future shows. Every ticket sold and every contribution helps this chorus continue its mission of building community through music and amplifying lgbtq+Q+ voices. In a year when queer culture continues to face challenges, “We’re Still Standing” offers a moment of joy, nostalgia and solidarity. Whether you come for the Elton John hits, to support friends on stage, or simply to share a night out with loved ones, you’ll leave reminded that music has the power to bring people together.