Vancouver Opera Celebrates Diversity with Pride Parade Float Today

Vancouver Opera celebrates diversity in its communities with its first ever Pride Parade float. Horned helmets, fabulous prima donnas, glamour queens and drama queens will be out in full force as VO invites Vancouverites to "be your own diva".

"VO reflects its community's diversity among our audiences, artists and staff and we're very excited to bring to Pride 2013 the passion and drama that only opera can muster." says Colleen Maybin, Education and Community Engagement Manager for Vancouver Opera. "No one does divas like opera! We will walk the walk and talk the talk!"

Parade spectators can Like Vancouver Opera on Facebook (facebook.com/vancouveropera) or follow VO's Twitter feed (@VancouverOpera) for a chance to win a night's stay at Four Seasons Vancouver and a pair of tickets to Tosca, the first production of VO's 2013-2014 season, on stage at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre October 26 - November 3, 2013. More information about VO's 2013-2014 season is available atwww.vancouveropera.ca.

The 2013 Vancouver Pride Parade begins at 12:00pm today. August 4. More information is available at www.vancouverpride.ca.

Vancouver Opera is the second largest opera company in Canada. It is regarded worldwide for its fine mainstage productions; for its country-leading education programs, which have reached more than 1.6 million children and their families in 35 years; for its innovative and award-winning community programs; and for forging groundbreaking cross-cultural creative partnerships that have brought opera to new generations of Canadians. Visit www.vancouveropera.ca to learn more.

The Vancouver Pride Society (VPS) brings together members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Two-Spirited and Queer community, their friends, allies and supporters in celebration. The VPS represents the unique culture and spirit of our community by producing quality, inclusive events such as the Pride Parade and Festival.