Fresh Meat Productions asked the 2019 Fresh Meat Festival artists some questions. Read what they had to say in their own words!
GAPA Men’s Chorus
A significant cultural component of the Gay Asian Pacific Alliance (GAPA), the GAPA Men’s Chorus was formed in 1989 to provide a showcase for the vocal music talents of gay, bisexual and transgender Asian & Pacific Islander (API) men. Particularly effective in outreaching to the larger Asian Pacific population, as well as the mainstream LGBTQ community, the Chorus promotes GAPA’s goals by highlighting diversity and queer API visibility at its every appearance.
Q: Describe what you will be performing for us at the FRESH MEAT FESTIVAL.
A: GAPA Men’s Chorus will be performing three love songs from our repertoire, in Cantonese, Japanese, and Visayan.
Q: Why is it important to have a festival that centers trans and queer performance?
A: GAPA (Gay Asian Pacific Alliance)’s overall mission is to unite our families and allies through inclusion, advocacy and love to achieve a world where a powerful Queer Trans Asian Pacific Islander (QTAPI) community is seen, heard, and celebrated. From our perspective and cultural programming, we are singing and telling our stories, that our narratives are ours to tell, and by doing so we are empowering the whole of our queer and trans community. Fresh Meat Festival is exactly doing that, and we are grateful in adding our voice to yours.
Q: What’s one thing you wish for trans and queer communities?
A: That we remain united and steadfast in protecting our communities from harm and that we ourselves celebrate the diversity of our communities within.
Q: Who are some of your artistic inspirations?
A: In 2019, GAPA Men’s Chorus celebrates its 30th anniversary. We have always showcased to the choral world and to our communities the beauty and strength of our musical and cultural origins. We sing and chant in many languages from all over Asia and the Pacific; we sing American – whether it’s pop or Broadway, or even Native American. We are inspired by world music.
GAPA Men’s Chorus will perform on Thursday, June 20 & Saturday June 22 at the FRESH MEAT FESTIVAL
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FRESH MEAT FESTIVAL of Trans & Queer Performance
June 20-22
at Z Space – San Francisco
Tix and info: https://freshmeatproductions.org/fresh-meat-festival-2019/
Z Space is wheelchair accessible
ASL will be provided all three nights
Z Space bathrooms are gender neutral and use unscented cleaning & soap products
Please arrive fragrance-free