Are they at it again…? You bet—and that’s a good thing! Two sparkling ensembles from Helsinki’s rainbow choir scene are joining forces once more before their joint festival tour to Brussels. This farewell concert will set the stage for the summer’s international choral celebration as Out ’n loud and The Friends of Dorothy head to perform at the Various Voices Brussels 2026 festival.
Out ’n loud is Finland’s first gay choir, which has been bringing joy, emotion, and the power of community to the stage since 2004. The choir, which celebrated its 20th anniversary last year, is known for its energetic performances and diverse repertoire. Out ‘n loud brings every song to life with its own charisma when a group of over 30 gay choir members takes the stage. The choir is led by Aleksi Vasko, with Joonas Tuominen serving as pianist.
The Friends of Dorothy is a queer a cappella ensemble founded in 2018—a wild, unpredictable, and musically unique five-person stage act that combines high-level vocal artistry with the art of the spoken word and LGBTQIA+ activism. Over the years, the group has become an integral part of Finnish queer culture and the broader European queer choir community. The group has just returned from a tour of Mexico City, and the vibes and stories from around the world are sure to be reflected on the Pengerkatu stage as well.
Various Voices, taking place in Brussels this June, brings together hundreds of LGBTQ+ choirs from across Europe and the world. The Helsinki-based ensembles will bring their northern flair and musical exuberance to these festivities.
Before the suitcases are zipped shut and the choirs head off to Belgium, there’s one more chance to experience these two groups on stage—again. Or perhaps that’s exactly why.
Join us for a journey filled with song, joy, and togetherness!
Alō Helsinki • Pengerkatu 11 A, 00530 Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
