On June 1, local troubadour Andrew Sa and his Queer Country Review held a jam-packed concert at Berwyn’s Fitzgerald’s Saloon to benefit Oak Park Area Lesbian and Gay Association (OPALGA+), Berwyn United Neighborhood Gay and Lesbian Organization (BUNGALO) and Sapphic Before Sunset.
The show featured a number of noted musical guests, including Sophie Sputnick of the band Ganser; out wunderkind Alex Grelle; and theater diva Bethany Thomas. The show not only kicked off Pride in a celebratory way, but also raised money for, among other causes, OPALGA’s scholarship fund for out students.
Sa, a native of California, has made a name for himself locally as a vocalist and producer with his monthly Queer Country Review as well as his associations with Old Town School of Folk Music, Lavender Country’s Patrick Haggerty, and Kelly Hogan. The Review also features Sam Subar on drums, Aaron Smith on guitar, Lyn Rye on bass and Sam Cantor on guitar. _ABH0441 Sam Cantor onstage at Fitzgerald’s
The June 1 show was far from a country music ho-down, however; the set list featured music from Nina Simone, Queen, Lucinda Willians, Liam Kazar, Carole King, Cassandra Wilson, Loretta Lynn and Patsy Cline.
The night was filled with highlights including Thomas’s fiery reading of King’s “(You Make me Feel) Like a Natural Woman”; Grelle and Sa’s tongue-in-cheek duet on The McCoys’s classic “Sorrow”; and Sa’s playful take on Kazar’s “Under You” and the Cline chestnut “She’s Got You.”
Sa took a moment to remember Queer Country founder and friend Patrick Haggerty, who passed away in 2022. Sa then delivered a heartfelt version of “Lavender Cowboy,” which Sa wrote about Haggerty after his passing. Sa also mentioned that he has a new album, part of which features Haggerty, ready for release.
