WITH ME IS BRATEN BOLLENBACHER, THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> TELL US ABOUT THE COLUMBUS GAY MEN'S CHORUS THAT PEOPLE MIGHT NOT KNOW.

>> WE ARE IN OUR 33rd SEASON OF "VOICES RAISED AND LIVES CHANGED."

WE'VE HAD THIS EVOLUTION BECAUSE WHEN WE STARTED WE WERE BACK IN THE EARLY '90s, WHICH OF COURSE WAS IN THE HEIGHT OF THE HIV/AIDS EPIDEMIC.

AND NOW WE'RE HERE, 33 YEARS LATER, AND WE ARE A TENOR, TENOR, BARE TON, BASS.

>> THAT'S SOMETHING PEOPLE DON'T KNOW.

>> AT THE SAME TIME, IT ALSO, YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE GAY, YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A MAN, YOU DON'T HAVE TO LIVE IN COLUMBUS TO BE IN THE COLUMBUS GAY MEN'S CHORUS.

>> THAT'S GOOD TO KNOW, HOW INCLUSIVE IT IS.

>> IT'S GREAT TO SEE THE EVOLUTION, SEE HOW WE ARE ADAPTING TO WHAT THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY NEEDS RIGHT NOW.

>> THAT'S AMAZING.

I'M EXCITED TO GET COOKING OR MIXING WITH YOU.

>> WE'RE MAKING COWBOY CALF CONTRACTOR TODAY, WHICH IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE TIKTOK FIND RECIPES.

AND THE NICE THING ABOUT IT IS I'M A VEGETARIAN.

I FIND AT PARTIES OR RESTAURANTS, THERE AREN'T A LOT OF GOOD VEGETARIAN OPTIONS BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE A LOT OF GOOD PROTEIN.

THIS HAS LOTS OF PROTEIN AND IS SUPER FLAVORFUL AND SUPER COLORFUL AND EVERYBODY LOVES IT.

>> SO EASY TO SNACK ON.

>> SO GOOD.

>> WHY DON'T YOU TELL US ABOUT THE INGREDIENTS.

>> HERE'S WHAT YOU'LL NEED TODAY.

TWO TO THREE BELL PEPPERS OF ANY COLOR.

ONE RED ONION.

SIX OUNCES OF FETA CHEESE.

THREE 18 GOES.

CILANTRO.

A CAN OF BACK BEANS.

A CAN OF CHICKPEAS.

TWO CUPS OF CORN.

TWO CUPS OF PINEAPPLE.

ONE JALAPENO.

CANDIED JALAPENOS.

CORN CHIPS FOR DIPPING.

FOR THE DRESSING THREE LIMES.

ONE-FOURTH CUP OF OLIVE OIL.

ONE-FOURTH CUP OF WHITE WINE VINEGAR.

2 TO 4 TABLESPOONS OF SPICY HONEY.

1 TO 2 TABLESPOONS OF TACO SEASONING.

SUGAR, SALT, PEPPER TO TASTE.

>> SOUNDS DELICIOUS.

>> WE'RE GOING TO MIX ALL THE STUFF FOR THE DRESSING TOGETHER.

WE'LL START BY POURING IT IN.

>> JUST POUR IT IN?

ALL RIGHT, I'LL POUR AND WHISK.

WHY DON'T YOU TELL ME WHAT CAN AN AUDIENCE MEMBER EXPECT FROM A PERFORMANCE?

>> SO COLUMBUS MEN'S CHORUS HAS THE LARGE CHORUS WHICH RIGHT NOW HAS 100 MEMBERS.

THEN A SMALL AUDITION ENSEMBLE.

THEN A SMALL GROUP CALLED ILLUMINATI, OUR SECRET ENSEMBLE.

THE LARGE CHORUS AND BACH, TWO SHOWS THAT ARE POP, BROADWAY, CLASSICAL, KIND OF ALL MIXED TOGETHER WITH THE DIFFERENT THEMES.

USUALLY IN A THEATER SETTING.

AND SO YOU CAN EXPECT TO CRY, TO LAUGH, TO REALLY ENJOY GAY PEOPLE ON STAGE.

>> THAT SOUNDS AMAZING.

>> REALLY FUN.

THEN YOU CAN COME TO ILLUMINATI.

HOLD OFF ON THAT ONE SECOND.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE CAN TASTE IT.

>> SUCH A SHOCK.

>> FOR ILLUMINATI, THEY DO THIS COOL THING, THEY TO TO A DIFFERENT CONGREGATION ONCE A MONTH, USUALLY A SATURDAY, SUNDAY, FRIDAY, WHENEVER THAT SERVICE IS.

THEY SING SACRED MUSIC WHICH IS REALLY COOL.

>> WONDERFUL, WHAT A VARIETY.

>> IT'S REALLY NICE.

THE NICE THING ABOUT THE CHORUS, WE HAVE -- NOT ONLY A MUSICAL VARIETY, WE ALSO HAVE SINGERS FROM 24 TO 80 IN THE GROUP.

IT'S A REALLY COOL INTERGENERATIONAL DIALOGUE AND MUSICIANSHIP THAT GOES ON.

>> WHAT KIND OF SINGING SKILLS SHOULD SOMEONE HAVE?

THEY'VE GOT TO AUDITION?

>> NO, ACTUALLY, THE COLUMBUS GAY MEN'S CHORUS IS OPEN TO EVERYONE.

YOU COME IN, YOU VOICE, WHATEVER SECTION IS BEST FOR YOU DETERMINED.

THEN WE HELP YOU DO THE BEST.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO READ MUSIC.

IF YOU'VE NEVER SUNG, WE'LL TAKE YOU, AS LONG AS YOU CAN MATCH PITCH.

>> THAT'S AMAZING, I LOVE IT.

>> START PUTTING SOME OF THIS IN.

>> I WANT YOUR TASTING EXPERTISE.

>> OH, I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THAT.

YOU'RE PROBABLY BETTER THAN I AM.

>> IT'S LOOKING GOOD.

LOOKS LIKE A GOOD DRESSING.

SO YOU COULD PROBABLY MAKE THIS AHEAD AND TOSS IT ALL TOGETHER?

>> 100%.

THE NICE THING IS THAT IT DOES STAY IN THE REFRIGERATOR PRETTY EASILY.

YOU CAN USE IT FOREVER.

I ALSO LIKE TO PUT IT ON MY HAND.

MMM-MMM.

>> IS IT GOOD?

>> IT NEEDS -- I THINK IT NEEDS A LITTLE MORE SUGAR.

OKAY.

>> OUR BEAUTIFUL DRESSING ALL MIXED TOGETHER.

BEFORE WE COMBINE IT, TELL ME ABOUT YOUR MISSION.

>> YEAH, SO "VOICES RAISED, LIVES CHANGED" IS THE OVERALL MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION.

IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US THAT WE ARE REALLY TAKING THE SOCIAL ISSUES THAT ARE AFFECTING LGBTQ PEOPLE AND FINDING WAYS TO PROGRAM ABOUT THAT.

SO MY PERSONAL BELIEF IS THAT EVERY CHORUS SHOULD HAVE A MISSION MOMENT IN THE CONCERT.

WHETHER THAT'S THE -- A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO WE SANG A BEAUTIFUL MANDARIN PEACE BECAUSE OF ALL THE VIOLENCE AGAINST ASIAN AMERICANS DURING COVID.

OR WE'RE HAVING A MOMENT TO TALK ABOUT HIV/AIDS AGAIN, A COMMON THING FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

WITH IMPORTANT WE SING SONGS THAT ARE RELEVANT TO WHAT'S GOING ON IN OUR SINGERS' LIVES.

BRING AWARENESS TO THAT THROUGH MUSIC TO OUR AUDIENCE THAT MIGHT NOT HAVE ANY UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT'S GOING ON.

>> THAT'S WONDERFUL.

PEOPLE COME FOR ENTERTAINMENT BUT THEY GET TO HAVE THAT CONNECTION WITH THEIR COMMUNITY AND UNDERSTAND WHAT PEOPLE ARE GOING THROUGH.

THAT'S WONDERFUL.

>> THERE'S NO BETTER WAY TO FEEL THAN THROUGH MUSIC.

>> SO TRUE.

AND EATING SNACKS.

>> YEAH.

WE'RE READY TO EAT, YEAH.

>> ALL RIGHT.

NOW WHAT'S OUR NEXT STEP?

MIX IT ALL TOGETHER?

>> PUT IT ALL IN A BOWL.

>> I CAN'T WAIT, LET'S DO IT.

I'LL GET SOME OF THIS STUFF OUT OF THE WAY.

ANY PARTICULAR ORDER?

JUST ROCK AND ROLL?

>> I THINK JUST ROCK AND ROLL.

I WOULD SUGGEST A LITTLE LESS SILL LAUNDRY UNTIL THE VERY END.

THEN BASED ON WHAT YOU WANT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

SO HERE, YOU DO MANGO.

>> OH, YES.

>> SO COLORFUL.

>> THAT'S HOW THE GAYS ROLL.

>> LIKE A PRIDE FLAG, BEAUTIFUL.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> LOVE IT.

ALL RIGHT, OUR PEPPERS.

>> MAYBE SOME BEANS IN THERE.

>> ALL THE CHICKPEAS?

>> PUT THEM ALL IN.

>> BLACK BEANS.

WAIT, TELL ME WHY -- REGULAR JALAPENO AND CANDIED JALAPENO?

HOW FUN.

>> YOU CAN'T HAVE ENOUGH JALAPENO.

PUT THEM ALL IN.

>> WE'RE GOING TO WEEP, IT'S GOING TO BE SPICY.

>> DO YOU LIKE SPICY?

>> I DO.

>> GOOD, WE'RE GOING TO BE OKAY.

>> IT'S NOT PRETTY BUT I LIKE IT.

>> SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T FEEL GOOD.

IT'S ALL GREAT.

>> SO GOOD.

MANGOS IN.

ALL THE GET TAS?

>> ALL THE FETA.

>> SO GORGEOUS.

FETA'S THE BEST.

>> IT'S SO GOOD.

>> SUCH A GOOD CHOOSE.

PINEAPPLE?

>> THE OTHER NICE THING ABOUT THIS RECIPE, IF SOMEBODY DOESN'T LIKE SOMETHING, THEY CAN EASILY TAKE IT OUT.

>> I'VE SEEN COWBOY CAVIAR BEFORE BUT NOT WITH THIS MANY DELICIOUS INGREDIENTS.

MANGO AND PINEAPPLE, FUN.

>> WE'LL ONLY DO HALF.

>> MIXING.

DO YOU WANT TO PUT THE DRESSING ON?

>> SURE.

DRIZZLE?

THE WHOLE THING?

>> THE WHOLE THING.

>> OKAY, HERE WE GO.

THERE WE GO.

OH, YEAH.

>> YEAH.

>> THAT'S A PRETTY COLOR.

>> YEAH.

OH, THAT'S SO GOOD.

>> HERE IT GOES.

>> OKAY.

THEN MASH IT ALL TOGETHER.

>> OKAY.

THEN WE GET TO SNACK ON IT.

>> NOW, YOU CAN CHOOSE WHATEVER TYPE OF CHIPS THAT YOU WANT BUT I THINK CORN-FLAVORED CHIPS ARE THE BEST WAY TO GO.

>> YOU NEED A STURDY CHIP.

>> DEFINITELY, AND IT'S GOOD TO HAVE A DIP ONE TOO.

>> IT LOOKS BEAUTIFUL.

CAN YOU EAT IT RIGHT AWAY?

LET IT SIT?

>> YOU CAN EAT IT RIGHT AWAY.

WE'VE HAD IT BEFORE WHERE WE TAKE IT TO PARTIES AND WE EAT IT AT THE PARTY THE MOMENT THAT WE FINISH, THEN WE SAVE IT FOR THE NEXT THREE DAYS.

I THINK IT'S GOT SO MUCH PROTEIN, IT CAN BE A MEAL FOR PEOPLE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THIS KIND OF THING GOES SO FAST AT A PARTY.

>> EVERYBODY WANTS TO HAVE A DIP.

>> RIGHT.

>> IT'S SO DIFFERENT.

>> IT IS.

>> AND IT'S MOSTLY HEALTHY.

>> IT IS.

FOR THE MOST PART.

THE CHIPS GET US.

>> YEAH.

>> IT LOOKS GORGEOUS.

>> OKAY, GREAT.

>> SO BEFORE WE STUFF OUR FACES, WHY DON'T YOU TELL ME WHAT WE CAN EXPECT FOR THE NEXT 33 YEARS OF THE COLUMBUS GAY MEN'S CHORUS?

>> SO I THINK, YOU KNOW -- I THINK THAT WITH ALL CHORUSES, YOU KNOW, ESPECIALLY CHORUSES THAT ARE LGBTQ, IT'S HOW ARE WE CONTINUING TO MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR PEOPLE?

WHAT IS IT GOING TO LOOK LIKE TO BE A GAY PERSON IN 30 YEARS?

WE'VE HAD KIND OF THIS HONEYMOON PERIOD SINCE THE LAST 15 YEARS WHERE BEING GAY HAS BEEN A LOT EASIER.

WILL THAT CONTINUE?

WILL IT NOT CONTINUE?

THEN OUR POOR TRANS AND NONBINARY FRIENDS ARE GOING THROUGH A LOT OF STUFF WITH WHAT'S GOING ON IN SCHOOLS AND THE PUBLIC -- DIFFERENT POLITICIANS AND WHAT THEY'RE WANTING.

HOW DO WE BENEFIT THESE PEOPLE WHO REALLY NEED THIS COMMUNITY?

THAT'S THE FIRST THING.

THE SECOND THING IS HOW DO WE ADJUST TO THE CHANGING MUSIC?

WE'RE NOT SINGING THE STUFF FROM THE 1950s ANYMORE.

WHAT IS THAT GOING TO LOOK LIKE?

HOW ARE WE INCORPORATING THINGS LIKE TIKTOK OR ZOOM?

HOW DO WE DEAL IF THERE'S ANOTHER PANDEMIC?

I THINK IT'S JUST AN EVER-EVOLVING SYSTEM THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO FIGURE OUT AND CHANGE.

WE MIGHT NOT BE CALLED THE SAME THING IN 30 YEARS, WE MIGHT BE, WHO KNOWS?

MAYBE WE'LL BE SOLOISTS.

33 YEARS IS A LOT.

AS LONG AS WE'RE MEETING THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY, WE'RE DOING WHAT'S RIGHT FOR OUR ORGANIZATION.

>> SOUNDS LIKE YOUR MISSION IS HEADED IN THE RIGHT PLACE.

WE'RE LUCKY TO HAVE YOU IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> WE LOVE COLUMBUS, SUCH A VIBRANT SPOT FOR US.

THERE IS NO BETTER PLACE TO BE IN THE WEST THAN COLUMBUS.

>> I AGREE.

LET'S EAT THIS.

WE'VE GOT CHIPS OVER THERE.

AND NOW WE JUST NEED TO BE -- >> GREAT.

>> GET IN HERE.

ALL THE FLAVORS.

>> I HOPE IT'S GOOD.

>> IT'S GOING TO BE GOOD.

THERE'S NO WAY IT CAN'T BE.

>> UH-HUH.

LIGHT AND FRESH.

IT'S SO, SO YUMMY.

>> MY GOSH.

ALL THE FLAVORS COME TOGETHER.

THE DRESSING IS SO TANGY.

>> YEAH, IT'S GREAT, LOVE IT.

>> THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> TO FIND OUT MORE, CHECK OUT CGMC.COM.