An Introduction to GALA Festival 2028
Minneapolis, MN · July 12–16, 2028
Presented by
Kathleen Hansen
Festival Committee
Co-Chair
Carol Paskulin
Festival Committee
Co-Chair
An Introduction to GALA Festival 2028
Kathleen Hansen and Carol Paskulin
What is GALA Choruses?
GALA Choruses is an association of nearly 200 member choruses throughout the Americas.
“GALA Choruses supports, guides, and inspires LGBTQIA+ choruses and their allies to leverage the liberating power of singing to create harmony and equity for all.”
— GALA Choruses mission statement
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An Introduction to GALA Festival 2028
Kathleen Hansen and Carol Paskulin
Our Core Values
01
We elevate and promote the work of and accomplishments made by members of the LGBTQIA+ choral movement.
02
We educate and inspire member organizations to do their best work.
03
We foster social activism and artistic impact through choral music.
04
We provide our constituents with platforms for connection, collaboration, and creativity.
05
We are committed to serving as a change agent by doing the work that cultivates spaces that create equity, access, and belonging for our membership.
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An Introduction to GALA Festival 2028
Kathleen Hansen and Carol Paskulin
GALA Staff
John D Carrion
Executive Director
Reese Schmid
Membership & Communications Manager
Brayton Bollenbacher
Operations Manager
Chipper Dean
Production Manager
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An Introduction to GALA Festival 2028
Kathleen Hansen and Carol Paskulin
Festival Committee
Kathleen Hansen
Festival Committee Co-Chair
Carol Paskulin
Festival Committee Co-Chair
Liz Graves
Festival Committee Member
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An Introduction to GALA Festival 2028
Kathleen Hansen and Carol Paskulin
GALA Festival
What is GALA Festival?
~120
choruses
7,500+
singers
5
days
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An Introduction to GALA Festival 2028
Kathleen Hansen and Carol Paskulin
Minneapolis
Welcome to Minneapolis!
Minneapolis has a dramatic riverfront skyline, the best park system in the nation, art everywhere and theaters on almost every corner. It is a friendly, diverse, walkable city committed to brew-craft and a foodie paradise where you can get a Nordic breakfast, an African lunch, the celebrated “Juicy Lucy” for dinner, and a nightcap on a Ferris wheel.
Nicollet Mall (right) is a tree-lined, car-free street offering a plethora of outdoor eating, drinking and shopping options, all in the heart of the “Festival Village”.
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An Introduction to GALA Festival 2028
Kathleen Hansen and Carol Paskulin
Festival Village
Performance venues
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An Introduction to GALA Festival 2028
Kathleen Hansen and Carol Paskulin
Hotels
Subject to change. More details available in 2027.
A Best Western Normandy Inn and Suites
B Embassy Suites by Hilton Minneapolis
C Emery, Autograph Collection
D Hampton Inn & Suites Minneapolis Downtown
E Hilton Garden Inn Minneapolis Downtown
F Hilton Minneapolis
G Holiday Inn Express & Suites Downtown Minneapolis
H Home2 Suites & Tru by Hilton Minneapolis Downtown
I Hotel Indigo Minneapolis Downtown
J Hyatt Centric Downtown Minneapolis
K Hyatt Place Minneapolis Downtown
L Hyatt Regency Minneapolis
M Marquette Hotel
N Minneapolis Marriott City Center
O Rand Tower Hotel
P Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown
Q Sheraton Minneapolis Downtown Convention Center
R W Minneapolis – The Foshay
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An Introduction to GALA Festival 2028
Kathleen Hansen and Carol Paskulin
Accessibility
& Mobility
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An Introduction to GALA Festival 2028
Kathleen Hansen and Carol Paskulin
Central Lutheran Church
1,700
seats
225
singers max on stage
Available Thursday and Friday only. Side balconies available but would reduce audience space.
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An Introduction to GALA Festival 2028
Kathleen Hansen and Carol Paskulin
Central Lutheran Church (2024 layout)
1,700 seats · 225 singers max on stage · Available Thursday and Friday only
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An Introduction to GALA Festival 2028
Kathleen Hansen and Carol Paskulin
Orchestra Hall
2,092
seats
275
singers max on stage
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An Introduction to GALA Festival 2028
Kathleen Hansen and Carol Paskulin
Orchestra Hall Stage (2024 layout)
2,092 seats · 275 singers max on stage
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An Introduction to GALA Festival 2028
Kathleen Hansen and Carol Paskulin
Convention Center
Convention Center Auditorium
3,483
seats
175
singers max on stage
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An Introduction to GALA Festival 2028
Kathleen Hansen and Carol Paskulin
Convention Center Auditorium (2024 layout)
3,483 seats · 175 singers max on stage
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An Introduction to GALA Festival 2028
Kathleen Hansen and Carol Paskulin
Minneapolis Convention Center Complex
Central Lutheran Church, Convention Center Auditorium, Ballroom A, Hyatt Regency, Orchestra Hall & Peavey Plaza
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An Introduction to GALA Festival 2028
Kathleen Hansen and Carol Paskulin
Ballroom A
Ensemble Stage
2,013
seats
40
singers max on stage
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An Introduction to GALA Festival 2028
Kathleen Hansen and Carol Paskulin
Ballroom A (Ensemble Stage) (2024 layout)
2,013 seats · 40 singers max on stage
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An Introduction to GALA Festival 2028
Kathleen Hansen and Carol Paskulin
Opening Day
Wednesday, July 12, 2028
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An Introduction to GALA Festival 2028
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Sample Daily Planner
For illustration only. Example days from the Festival 2024 planning schedule.
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An Introduction to GALA Festival 2028
Kathleen Hansen and Carol Paskulin
Coffee Concerts
Morning Coffee Concerts
Opportunity for unique and innovative programming that cannot be performed in a standard concert set.
Choruses can apply to perform in a morning Coffee Concert – please note important deadlines!
Dates & Deadlines
Coffee Concert applications will be open
January 1, 2027 – March 1, 2027
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An Introduction to GALA Festival 2028
Kathleen Hansen and Carol Paskulin
2028 Blockbuster information coming soon!
2024 Blockbuster Concerts (for reference)
Mni Sóta Confluence – opening concert honoring water, land and music of Minnesota
Banned! – fighting against the forces that wish to ban human rights
Peace of Wild Things – responses to climate change and our environment
Harmonies of the Sphere – LGBTQIA+ voices from around the world
Legacy – songs and stories to honor, name, and amplify voices of our movement
Rise Up Closing Concert – showcasing victories of the queer community and perspective of many generations of GALA singers
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An Introduction to GALA Festival 2028
Kathleen Hansen and Carol Paskulin
Concert Sets
Chorus Concert Sets
Bring your most unique and compelling programming to Festival!
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An Introduction to GALA Festival 2028
Kathleen Hansen and Carol Paskulin
Ensembles
Ensemble Performances
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An Introduction to GALA Festival 2028
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Collaborations
and Shared Concert Sets
Partner with a chorus in your community
…from another province or state
…or, from around the world!
Request a shared or back-to-back concert set at registration.
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An Introduction to GALA Festival 2028
Kathleen Hansen and Carol Paskulin
Festival Choruses
2028 choruses TBA
Previous mass Festival choruses included:
Delegates will be able to sign up for Festival choruses when they register.
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An Introduction to GALA Festival 2028
Kathleen Hansen and Carol Paskulin
Workshops
Festival Workshops
A variety of workshops will be held each morning:
Singer workshops: vocal-focused training, musical issues
Workshops for non-singing board members
Workshops for chorus volunteers and administrative staff
Artistic Directors: programming, conducting
Start now to encourage your non-singing volunteers to join your chorus for the Festival experience!
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An Introduction to GALA Festival 2028
Kathleen Hansen and Carol Paskulin
Estimated Costs
GALA Festival 2028 sample chorus estimated budget
Required | Cost | Notes |
Chorus registration | $550 | |
Ensemble registration | $390 | |
Director registration | $399 | |
Pianist registration | $399 | |
Staff flight & travel | $1,100 | 2 staff at $500 each, plus $100 local travel |
Staff housing | $634 | Double occupancy, 5 nights |
Staff food per diem | $600 | 2 staff, mid-range cost, 5 days |
Required subtotal | $4,072 | |
Optional | Cost |
Rehearsal space | $150 |
Instrumentalists | $250 |
ASL interpreter | $150 |
Banner | $200 |
Optional subtotal | $750 |
Total with optional items $4,822
Coffee Concert choruses: $1,000 to $1,600, based on size
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An Introduction to GALA Festival 2028
Kathleen Hansen and Carol Paskulin
Registration
Chorus & Ensemble Registration
$550
Chorus Registration
$390
Ensemble Registration
Chorus: The main registration for a GALA member chorus, irrespective of size; some choruses are smaller than some ensembles.
Ensemble: A smaller group drawn from a member chorus that has also registered for Festival. An ensemble cannot register on its own.
Chorus and ensemble registration opens May 1, 2027 and stays open until all slots are filled.
Singers and other individuals register separately as Delegates (next slide).
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An Introduction to GALA Festival 2028
Kathleen Hansen and Carol Paskulin
Registration
Delegate Registration
Delegate registration includes Opening and Closing events, Chorus and Ensemble concert sets, Coffee Concerts, Blockbuster Concerts, Choral Carnival, and workshops.
Singers, board members, volunteers, partners, and fans can all register as Delegates. Youth is defined as 21 and under. Seniors are age 65 and over. Disabled covers anyone on Social Security disability.
Most dates and deadlines posted October 1, 2026
Registration Options | Fee |
Early July 1 – October 31, 2027 | $399 |
Regular November 1, 2027 – March 31, 2028 | $475 |
Late April 1, 2028 onward | $575 |
Senior & Disabled Early | $349 |
Senior & Disabled Regular | $425 |
Senior & Disabled Late | $525 |
Youth – 21 and under | $175 |
Day Pass | $150 |
Festival in Style | $4,000 |
Pay in installments
Delegates can pay registration in up to 6 automatic payments, completed by March 31, 2028.
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An Introduction to GALA Festival 2028
Kathleen Hansen and Carol Paskulin
Registration
Day Passes & Festival in Style
Day Pass
$150
We have discontinued single concert tickets and replaced them with day passes to allow guests to experience all that Festival has to offer and to simplify the purchasing process. Day passes will allow the purchaser to attend all Festival events on a particular day. More than one day pass is available for purchase.
Festival in Style
$4,000
Includes two registrations with reserved seating, a hotel suite for the length of Festival, limo service from and to the airport, a pair of passes to both a GALA fundraising event and the Legacy Awards dinner, as well as a bag with snacks and beverages, T-shirts, and a hotel restaurant voucher.
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An Introduction to GALA Festival 2028
Kathleen Hansen and Carol Paskulin
Financial Accessibility
Delegate scholarship registrations
1 free for every 20 paid
delegate registrations
GALA Choruses offers choruses one free delegate scholarship registration for every 20 paid. Each chorus decides how to distribute its complimentary registrations.
To apply a complimentary registration to an open registration after 20 have been purchased, chorus leaders should contact Reese at:
We hope to offer a more comprehensive scholarship program and will share more as it rolls out in 2027.
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An Introduction to GALA Festival 2028
Kathleen Hansen and Carol Paskulin
Livestream
Watch Festival from anywhere
The Festival livestream is available for purchase in addition to your registration.
$59
Early
July 1, 2027 –
October 31, 2027
$75
Regular
November 1, 2027 –
March 31, 2028
$100
Late
April 1, 2028
onward
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An Introduction to GALA Festival 2028
Kathleen Hansen and Carol Paskulin
Plan Now
Festival programming
1
Your Liaison
Identify your Festival Liaison before November 1, 2026.
2
Venues
Look at the performance venues and think about your needs. Watch for Hall B details by the end of 2026.
3
Timing
Would your chorus prefer to perform early or late in the Festival week? Your tech rehearsal is usually the day before you perform.
4
Collaborate
Consider collaborations with choruses in your community, your region, or around the world.
5
Mentors
Would your Artistic Director or Festival Liaison like a Festival 2028 mentor? More information will come in 2027.
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An Introduction to GALA Festival 2028
Kathleen Hansen and Carol Paskulin
Plan Now
Key registration dates
January 1 –
March 1, 2027
Coffee Concert applications
May 1,
2027
Chorus and ensemble registration opens until slots fill
July 1,
2027
Delegate registration opens
October 31,
2027
Early registration ends
March 31,
2028
Regular registration ends; installments complete
July 12–16,
2028
GALA Festival 2028 in Minneapolis!
Scholarships
One free delegate registration for every 20 paid.
Share it with your chorus!
Artistic staff: plan now!
Follow Festival news at galachoruses.org/events/festival-2028 and on GALA social media, @galachoruses.
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An Introduction to GALA Festival 2028
Kathleen Hansen and Carol Paskulin
Follow us on social media
@galachoruses
Listen to Queer Voices
wherever you get your podcasts
Sign up for Festival updates: galachoruses.org/events/festival-2028
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An Introduction to GALA Festival 2028
Kathleen Hansen and Carol Paskulin
Questions?
Check first with your Festival Liaison.
If they cannot answer your question, email festival@galachoruses.org.
Please note: email volume is extremely high, so response times may be slow.
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