Queer Arts Festival presents: When the Sun Comes Out

Co-presented by The Powell Street Festival Community Partners: Vancouver Opera & Rainbow Refugee Performances: Monday August 5, Wednesday August 7, Friday August 9 *ASL interpretation is confirmed for this event Mon Aug 5* http://queerartsfestival.com/event/when-the-sun-comes-out-aug-5 Post-show audience talk-back moderated by Juno-nominated composer Jeffrey Ryan on August 7 When the Sun Comes Out is the world premiere of Canada’s first lesbian opera, commissioned by QAF. This ground-breaking new work is written by composer Leslie Uyeda and poet Rachel Rose, and directed by James Fagan Tait. A story of forbidden love, divided loyalties and culture clash, the opera explores the oppression that queers face, and the risks they take, in nations where homosexuality is illegal. This piece was greeted with a standing ovation at last year’s sold-out workshop performance. Set in an imaginary country called Fundamentalia, a country where violation of gender roles is punishable by death, When the Sun Comes Out is the story of a love affair between two women, Lilah, a young, sheltered and wealthy married mother, and Solana, a gender outlaw and rebellious outsider just passing through — as she’s passed through so many other countries in her restless, futile quest for happiness. In a land where love between women is punishable by death, Lilah and Solana fall in love — but their affair is discovered by Lilah’s enraged and unpredictable husband, Javan. Solana – Teiya Kasahara Lilah – Julia Morgan Javan – Aaron Durand Bar opens at 6:30 – come early, mingle, and take in the curated art exhibition TransgressionNow Tickets also available from July 1st in person at Little Sister’s Book and Art Emporium, and at the QAF Box Office 30 minutes before showtime. $10 surcharge for QAF Passholders QAF is partnering with Rainbow Refugee in community outreach programs to give voice to a wide range of true-life stories surrounding the opera’s themes — homophobic violence, queer migration, and the search for community and home. Visit our website for details. http://queerartsfestival.com When the Sun Comes Out is generously supported by: The Vancouver Foundation The Leon and Thea Koerner Foundation Vancouver Opera BC Arts Council Canada Council for the Arts The Powell Street Festival The Hamber Foundation Teiya Kasahara appears with the support of The Martha Lou Henley Charitable Foundation