It is a story about learning an art versus being born into it 鈥� about the things which cannot be taught but only gathered through lived experience and the realization that every story has value.
 
鈥淟a Forastera鈥� (The Outsider) tells a story about the love between a B.C. flamenco artist and an art form that is not hers. 

Lia Grainger tells her story through narration, documentary footage shot in Spain, projections, soundscapes, and live music and dance.

鈥淏eing from B.C. has had a huge effect on who I am as an artist, but I had to go to Spain and live the flamenco art form and then return to discover that truth,鈥� Grainger says.

鈥淟a Forastera鈥� follows her to Spain as she pursues her obsession in the hopes of assimilating and perfecting a foreign craft. 

Grainger traded a stable home, job and relationship for a rooftop garret (living space) in Seville鈥檚 old town and the freedom to spend long, hot days in the studio and longer, hotter nights on the city鈥檚 storied streets and in its flamenco cafes and clubs. 

She took along Canadian film-maker David Grimes to document the way of life, and the culture surrounding flamenco in Seville. 

鈥淟a Forastera鈥� had its international debut in Toronto at the Factory Theatre in September 2022 and was nominated for a Dora Mavor Moore Award (Toronto鈥檚 most prestigious performing arts award) in the category of 鈥淏est Individual Performance.鈥�

Grainger brings her story home to B.C. this fall. 鈥淟a Forastera debuts at on Sept. 15. She will also be giving a beginner flamenco dance workshop on Sept. 16.

Grainger also performs in on Sept. 14.

She is accompanied by award-winning guitarist Nicolas Hernandez, internationally acclaimed Seville singer Carlos Lobo and French percussionist Gabrielle Lemseffer. Grainger's website is .