8 Gays of Channukah

Artists on Stage

Gila Münster, Toronto’s premiere Jewish drag queen entertainer, has teamed up with singer-songwriter Yan Simon and professional actress Sarah Freia on the 6th annual “8 Gays of Channukah” queer Jewish event. Between them, they represent Canadian and Israeli Sephardi, Ashkenazi, and Mizrahi Jewish identities across the 2SLGBTQIA+ spectrum.

Chanukkah and Personal Stories

Gila, Yan, and Sarah were inspired by the historical tale of Channukah, in which a small Jewish minority held on to their identity and pushed back against oppression. This event is an opportunity for the three queer Jewish artists to share their stories directly with their community in an honest storytelling presentation that hopes to inspire empathy and understanding.

History

Gila, Yan and Sarah have collaborated on “8 Gays of Channukah - The Musical,” a full-length musical comedy special focused on queer Jewish storytelling. The “8 Gays of Channukah” has been Toronto’s marquee queer Jewish event since 2019, selling out annually and receiving special attention from media and dignitaries, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow. This year’s show features all-original songs by the trio, as well as eight belly-busting and heart-wrenching personal tales to celebrate the eight days of Channukah. Themes explored in the show include making sense of intersectional identities, families dealing with their children’s queerness, the challenges of immigration, and more. The show is for ages 16+, and welcomes people of all walks of life, including allies to the 2SLGBTQIA+ and Jewish communities.

We gratefully acknowledge our Silver Tier Sponsor: Jewish Family and Child Services.

We are thankful to our community donor : UJA LGBTQ+ Division

For more information about Sponsorship Opportunities please reach out to [email protected]

Gila (she/her) is the cross dressing and cross stitching Jewish Princess. Since 2019, Gila has performed on and off stages, bringing drag into unconventional venues such as libraries, schools, community centers, lecture halls, unions, workplaces, retirement homes, hospitals, and more. Gila has been the preferred "Drag Queen Story Time" partner of the Toronto Public Library since 2022, including marching with them in the Toronto Pride Parade to protest censorship in front of 2.4 million spectators. Gila is the recipient of the 2023 Mayworks Festival of Working People and the Arts Creative Maverick Award for her work in using arts to promote the working people. Outside of drag, Gila is a J.D. candidate at Queens University in Kingston, Ontario, and enjoys spending her (admittedly short) free time stitching and reading.

www.GilaMunster.com | www.Facebook.com/GilaMunsterQueen | www.Instagram.com/GSIProductions www.YouTube.com/GSIProductions | www.Etsy.com/shop/GSIProductions | [email protected]

Yan (he/him) is a singer-songwriter, composer, and musical-theatre actor. Since 2020 Yan has been writing, recording, and independently releasing original pop music to streaming platforms. Drawing inspiration from theatrical story-telling, as well as iconic visual artists such as Lady Gaga and Elton John, Yan’s live performances leave audiences feeling mesmerized and inspired.

Yan has performed in various venues across the GTA, from headlining in Toronto’s premier creative hub OBJX studio, to Longboat Hall in the 5th 8 Gays of Channukah, to performing at the North York General Hospitals’ Annual Pride Celebrations from 2022-2024.

Yan has worked with JDY Theatre as a performer and composer, writing the original score for the company’s production “Train for Two”, as well as the soundtrack for the original musical “The Old House”. Over the past year, Yan has returned to his musical-theatre roots in productions of Rent, Guys and Dolls, the Ottawa Fringe Festival original musical Trainwreck, and Spring Awakening in the lead role of Melchior.
Outside of music and theatre, Yan is a certified Personal Trainer, and loves spending time with his partner Aaron and their cat Gina.

www.YanSimonMusic.com | www.TikTok.com/@YanSimonMusic | www.Instagram.com/YanSimonMusic www.Facebook.com/YanSimonMusic | www.Youtube.com/Channel/UCEGQMIOsCOjq6Cw2yOk9kxg

Sarah (she/her) is a multilingual actor, comedian, singer, and published writer. She has lived and studied in Paris, London, and Toronto. She recently graduated with an International B.A. in French and Hispanic literature and a French B.Ed (Sorbonne Université / Glendon Campus), and is currently enrolled in the acclaimed The Second City Grad Revue improv program. Sarah is rarely seen without a coffee, or her miniature dachshund, Alphonse.

www.SarahFreia.ca | www.Instagram.com/SarahFreia | www.TikTok.com/SarahFreia | www.YouTube.com/SarahFreia www.Facebook.com/SarahFreia

Host or Publisher Programs Department