Launch the festival with an inspiring evening of music, community, and celebration at the Opening Concert of Unison Festival 2026, held at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.

Unison Festival is Canada’s largest 2SLGBTQIA+ choral festival, bringing together choirs from across the country for a joyful celebration of music and community. This year’s festival is guided by the theme “Music Healing Spirit,” exploring the ways music connects, uplifts, and strengthens our communities.

Curated by Festival Artistic Directors Willi Zwordesky and Kimberley Vance-Mubanga, the Opening Concert sets the tone for the weekend with powerful performances from the host chorus and choirs from across British Columbia.

The evening also features special guest soloist Corey Payette, an award-winning Two-Spirit, gay interdisciplinary performer, writer, composer, and director of Anishinaabe and French Canadian heritage. Known for groundbreaking works that weave together Indigenous storytelling, music, and theatre, Payette’s performances explore identity, culture, and the power of art to create dialogue and healing.

Featuring the Festival Host Chorus

 The Vancouver Men's Chorus

And the Choruses of British Columbia

• The Rainbow Chorus of New Westminster

• Fieramente: The North Island’s 2SLGBTQIA+ Choir

• AVIVA Chorus

• Out In Harmony

Together these choirs represent the vibrant and growing network of 2SLGBTQIA+ choral communities across British Columbia, opening the festival with voices united in celebration.