OP Dialogues - Music, Dance, Conversation - Discover Fellow Travelers

Experience poignant excerpts from Fellow Travelers by OP’s ‘Tim & Hawk’  Joseph Lattanzi and Jonathan Pierce Rhodes alongside the captivating LOVING STILL duets performed by San Francisco's renowned contemporary dance company RAWdance, inspired by the evocative photographs of Loving: A Photographic History of Men in Love, 1850-1950, which will also be on display. Delve into pre-Stonewall LGBT history with insights from local community historian Mason J, Castro LGBT Cultural District Director Tina Valentin Aguirre and Amy Whelan Esq., Senior Staff Attorney at the National Center for Lesbian Rights in conversation with OP Scholar in Residence Michael Mohammed, as we explore the themes and inspirations behind Fellow TravelersDon't miss this immersive fusion of art and conversation celebrating the resilience and beauty of LGBTQ+ culture.

This event is sponsored by the GLBT History Museum & Archives.

More speakers to be announced!

Thursday May 30th

Chan National Queer Arts Center - 170 Valencia St, San Francisco

6:30pm (Doors 6pm)

Cost: Pay What You Can - Suggested Amount $15

No one refused for lack of funds - Contact: bullhorn@operaparallele.org for complimentary tickets

About RAWdance & LOVING STILL

Award-winning contemporary dance company RAWdance shares two excerpts from “Loving Still” (2023), a series of duets bringing queer ancestors to life and to love. Each duet is inspired by images in “Loving: A Photographic History of Men in Love, 1850s-1950s”, by Hugh Nini and Neal Treadwell, featuring more than 300 previously unpublished photos representing what was once considered “forbidden love.” The creation of “Loving Still” was made possible by the Artist in Residence program at Jackson’s Square’s 836M gallery. Not only do the duets bring to life, and to the stage, stories of love, they also work to unearth the lost queer history of the gallery’s neighborhood, the old Barbary Coast — San Francisco’s original “gayborhood”.

Choreography/Direction: Wendy Rein and Ryan T. Smith

Performance: Brandon Graham, Kyle Limin, McKay Elwood, Nick Wagner

Choreographic Assistance: Claire Fisher, Juliann Witt, & Erin Yen

Music: Joel St. Julien

Costumes: Mary Domenico

About LOVING: A Photographic History of Men in Love, 1850-1950

At all events at the Chan National Queer Arts Center and before the performances at the Presidio Theatre, enjoy select photos from LOVING: A Photographic History of Men in Love, 1850-1950. This curated selection presented in collaboration with RAWdance and collection holders Hugh Nini & Neal Treadwell from their best-selling book is a captivating journey through time, showcasing the tender and often hidden expressions of love between men during a significant era in history. From subtle gestures of intimacy to bold declarations of love, each image tells a story of resilience, courage, and the enduring power of love. LOVING speaks to human spirit and resilience, our capacity for bliss, and our longing for the shared truths of love. With special thanks to Hugh Nini & Neal Treadwell.

About the Chan National Queer Arts Center

For almost half a century, the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus has been creating extraordinary music and experiences that build community, inspire activism, and foster compassion at home and around the world.
The landmark Chan National Queer Arts Center, home of the SFGMC in the heart of San Francisco is the first of its kind in the country — an artistic sanctuary for queer artists to call home, a space for audiences to share their lived experiences, and a beacon of inspiration and empowerment for queer individuals nationwide who are confronting oppression. It is a place for art and activism.

About Opera Parallèle's Fellow Travelers

Opera Parallèle presents the West Coast Premiere of Fellow Travelers, a riveting opera adaptation of Thomas Mallon's novel. Set against the backdrop of McCarthy-era America and the Lavender Scare, this production explores the clandestine romance between two men amid the political turmoil of the 1950s. With music by Gregory Spears and libretto by Greg Pierce, Fellow Travelers offers a poignant reflection on love, loyalty, and the consequences of living in a society gripped by fear. Opera Parallèle is the Bay Area's leading contemporary opera company, known for its innovative and boundary-pushing productions. Founded in 2007 by conductor Nicole Paiement, the company has been a driving force in redefining the operatic experience for modern audiences.
operaparallele.org/fellowtravelers

FELLOW TRAVELERS
An Opera by Gregory Spears
Libretto by Greg Pierce
Based on the 2007 novel “Fellow Travelers” by Thomas Mallon

FELLOW TRAVELERS was originally developed and co-commissioned by G. Sterling Zinsmeyer & Cincinnati Opera. Original production directed by Kevin Newbury.

Used by arrangement with European American Music Distributors Company, sole U.S. and Canadian agent for Schott Helicon Music Corporation, New York, publisher and copyright owner.