On Monday, November 13, 1989, Davies Symphony Hall hosted one of the era’s starriest benefits, and the chorus closed the show.
A first-of-its-kind benefit
In August, the Chronicle reported the announcement at a press conference at the St. Francis Hotel. “Arts for Life,” sponsored by the American Cancer Society and a group led by symphony fundraiser Deborah Strobin, was billed as the first benefit to aid both AIDS and cancer organizations, with a goal of close to $1 million. Beneficiaries included the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, Shanti Project, Project Open Hand, the Names Project and Coming Home Hospice.
Ads in the Sunday Examiner & Chronicle listed Carol Channing, Leslie Uggams, Richard Kiley, Lee Roy Reams, Karen Morrow, Greg Louganis, cast members from “Les Misérables,” San Francisco Ballet, soprano Mary Jane Johnson of San Francisco Opera and the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus. Tickets ran from $50 to $150.
“I’ll Be Here Tomorrow”
The Bay Area Reporter reported that the evening honored Surgeon General C. Everett Koop, Dr. Paul Volberding of San Francisco General and Carolyn Wean of KPIX. After intermission, Channing introduced Jerry Herman, who performed about an hour of his songs and drew a standing ovation. Then the chorus closed the evening, singing “I’ll Be Here Tomorrow” with Channing.
From the archives: this post retells reporting by the San Francisco Chronicle, the San Francisco Sunday Examiner & Chronicle and the Bay Area Reporter. The original articles survive only in newspaper archives, so we have told the story here in our own words. Details attributed to those outlets are their reporting; see the sources below.
Sources
- San Francisco Chronicle, “Broadway, Ballet in Benefit Concert”, August 23, 1989. sfchronicle.com
- San Francisco Sunday Examiner & Chronicle, “The City Presents… Arts for Life (advertisement)”, September 24, 1989. sfchronicle.com
- San Francisco Sunday Examiner & Chronicle, “Arts for Life (advertisement)”, October 22, 1989. sfchronicle.com
- Bay Area Reporter, “Star Tour of Stage Arts At Davies Hall Benefit”, November 16, 1989. ebar.com
