“Seven Songs of Yearning for a New World, Sung by a Starship” is a science-fiction musical and the first stage collaboration between Once We Were Islands and Ruby Louise Rose. This queer-futurist work combines original compositions with poetic text to tell the story of queer refugees carried through space on a starship fueled by desire. Ruby Louise Rose composed the music and songs based on lyrics by Once We Were Islands, weaving them into a 45-minute live performance featuring modulated vocals, bass guitar, and electronics by Aslan, Chris, and Ruby.

For the premiere Berlin showing, friends old and new—from the city and beyond—have been invited to participate: Óscar Barbosa, Lor Burns, elliott cennetoglu, CoCo & Alice Thibes, ethan allison folk, Jean P’ark, and Anna T. are bringing—according to the announcement—“an eclectic mix of queer sci-fi goodies,” including short films, readings, music, and more. The Otherland bookstore will offer a selection of queer sci-fi titles for sale at the event. To wrap things up, Ruby Louise Rose will play a sci-fi DJ set.