DISRUPTOR CONDUCTOR

Suggested watch time: 10/25 @ 1:15 PM PDT

Live Q&A with Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser and director Sharon Lewis, moderated by John Turman, Horn Player with the Seattle Symphony: 10/25 @ 2:30 PM PDT

CO-PRESENTED BY SEATTLE PRIDEFEST

Sharon Lewis; 2019; Canada; 42 min.

Hearing Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony for the first time changed Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser’s life forever, and in this inspiring documentary, we see him—the first openly gay Black conductor in Canada and a regular conductor with the San Francisco and Vancouver symphonies—using his passion to bring live classical music to people identifying as “different,” like he does. Having struggled with his own sexuality, Bartholomew-Poyser believes music can help unite and uplift everyone beyond race, class, and gender. This unorthodox film chronicles his concerts in a women’s prison and teaming up with Thorgy Thor (from RuPaul’s Drag Race and also a classically trained violinist) to create the first orchestral drag show in Canada.

NO CONTENT WARNINGS