VIFF and DigiBC Announce the Second Edition of Signals

42nd Vancouver International Film Festival September 28 – October 8, 2023

Signals October 1 – 7, 2023

VANCOUVER, BC (SEPTEMBER 8, 2023) Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) and DigiBC are thrilled to announce the return of Signals, from October 1-7, 2023 at Bentall Centre. Signals is a unique interactive exhibition of 35 curated projects that investigate the potential of creative technologies in storytelling. From inspiring uses of AI to bio wearables from around the world, from a celebration of Indigenous resilience and wisdom to exclusive premieres of video games from local BC studios, Signals takes audiences on a journey of discovery and empowerment. This year’s co-curators are Loc Dao (Executive Director of DigiBC), Debi Wong, (Founding Artistic Director of re:Naissance Opera), and Loretta Todd (Founder IM4, filmmaker).

“Vancouver is brimming with potential when it comes to creative technology, a field that is at the forefront of an evolution happening in cinematic storytelling,” says Kyle Fostner, Executive Director of VIFF. “Signals includes both newly commissioned and existing works, but what makes this exhibition so unique is that each piece will be shown in a completely new way, making this truly the one and only chance to experience it. We are thrilled to collaborate with artists that use creative tech to create work of great vibrancy and immediacy, carrying with it the potential to tell stories in new and remarkable ways, and which allows VIFF to emanate beyond the confines of cinema and into the world.”

Dao adds: “With AI being integrated into more and more aspects of our daily lives, we’ve programmed projects with inspiring use of AI that also raise questions around its ethical use and equity in its development. We hope the creative works can help audiences learn about the ways in which emerging technologies are being used and employed. We are also asking how technology has shaped how we behave in the world, especially with projects that look at bioethics and data collection. One recurring theme that came up in the curatorial process was connection and reconnection, and how important it is to maintain a connection to the earth and water. This was emphasized by the record year of climate change-related events like our forest fires here and the floods in the Atlantic and Burning Man Festival.”

Reflective of the exhibition’s themes, Signals features a variety of installations that pair together projects with synergistic energy. Two of the main works are reCollection, an interactive AI art installation that blurs the boundaries between remembrance and imagination, and We Are Entanglement, an environment in which AI interprets forests into dreams and hallucinations.

reCollection uses interactive AI to assemble and display synthetic, collective memories based on language input. The AI system learns from Alzheimer patients’ visual and descriptive memories, and then imagines new memories by interpreting real-time narratives from participants in the installation. It offers an artistic approach and future prototype for cultural heritage reproduction and re-imagination, and explores the tensions in the co-relations between visual representations, language, and narratives.

We Are Entanglement is inspired by the motif of the forest and its underground fungal network. The artist team Artificial Nature invites visitors into a multi-sensory, multi-dimensional immersive and interactive environment where “humans, visible and invisible forests, and generative AI are continuously intertwined with each other.”

In the Na wa shéw̓ay̓ ta sp’en̓ém (the seed is growing) section, visitors can experience the Vancouver premiere of Meneath, a unique installation experience based on Métis creator Terril Calder’s National Film Board of Canada installation Meneath: The Mirrors of Ethics, winner of the New Voices Award at New York’s Tribeca Festival.

Meneath charts the challenging journey of a precocious Métis Baby Girl as she contemplates her path to Hell. Using interfering screens in an object reminiscent of puppet theatre, this stop-motion installation unearths hidden Indigenous values and illuminates the bias of our colonial systems.

The section will also feature three new Augmented Reality works by artists each from the three nations on whose unceded territory Signals will take place, including Senaqwila Wyss and Debra Sparrow. In addition, Casey Koyczan’s Tadǫetła; Walk In A Circle, a 3D environment that re-imagines materials from Indigenous culture as an embodiment of human and spiritual characteristics, will be projected at a large scale.

Na wa shéw̓ay̓ ta sp’en̓ém also includes 20 short films produced during the inaugural IM4 Lab Indigenous Virtual Production Films, in which Indigenous storytellers from across Turtle Island attended the world’s first-ever Indigenous video production training program. Using Unreal Engine, the program that is transforming the media industry, IM4 Lab created a number of short films that tell our many histories, lived lives, and metaphysical experiences.

Audiences will also get an exclusive chance to play new, upcoming video games from local Vancouver creators and studios in interactive installations: the enchanting Fae Farm by Katie De Sousa and Phoenix Labs, the co-op game Homeworld 3 by Blackbird Interactive, and the sci-fi adventure 1000xResist by Remy Siu and Sunset Visitor. 1000xResist is a narrative-based game featuring characters voiced by local Vancouver Asian-Canadian actors, and offers an exploratory experience of walking through locations that traverse diverse and multiple timelines.

The game has been paired with the premiere of Chinatown XR, a Canada Media Fund supported project that merges a 360 VR film and AR installation about one man’s memories of Vancouver’s Chinatown.

Tickets for Signals are $15 and must be booked in advance, as admission will be on a timed, one-hour and 45 minute basis to explore the gallery space housing 14 stations and 35 projects.

We invite the media to Save the Date to an exclusive media tour of Signals on Friday, September 29. Details will be forthcoming via a media advisory on September 22.

Signals is supported by the Province of British Columbia, Canada Media Fund, Invest Vancouver, Creative BC, and Hudson Pacific Properties.

Tickets and Information

Signals $15

More information and ticketing details at signals.digibc.org. To explore VIFF’s complete 2023 programming, visit viff.org.

DanceHouse Co-presents Spain’s Fierce and Fiery Compañía Rocío Molina in Hotly Anticipated Canadian Premiere of Fallen from Heaven (Caída del Cielo)

Iconoclastic flamenco superstar blends avant-garde vision with technical virtuosity in
provocative exploration of the female experience

Vancouver, BC — DanceHouse, SFU Woodward’s Cultural Programs, and Vancouver International Flamenco Festival, present the Canadian premiere of Compañía Rocío Molina’s extraordinary masterwork Fallen from Heaven (Caída del Cielo), on stage September 27-30, 2023 at 8pm at SFU Goldcorp Centre for the Arts (149 W Hastings). Choreographed by Spain’s ‘enfant terrible of flamenco’ Rocío Molina, with co-artistic direction by Carlos Marquerie, Fallen from Heaven is a radical celebration of womanhood and its contradicting gender roles. Performed by Molina to original live musical accompaniment, the work infuses flamenco’s fiery passion with absurdity, wit, and a bold feminist aesthetic – revolutionizing the traditional dance form for a new generation. 

“This is a very special premiere for DanceHouse as it will mark the first time in our 16-year history that we have presented a flamenco artist,” says Jim Smith, Artistic and Executive Director of DanceHouse. “We are thrilled that DanceHouse’s flamenco debut will launch our 2023/24 season with the fearless and inimitable Rocío Molina. Her rebellious punk energy and impeccable technique take flamenco to a transcendent new level. It’s a must-see experience for any arts lover.”

Rocío Molina. Photo by Simone Fratini

Created in 2016 when Molina was an associate artist with the renowned Théâtre National de Chaillot in Paris, Fallen from Heaven both embraces and challenges the notions of feminine archetypes. As she explores opposing incarnations of womanhood — from virtuous beauty to bondage-clad toreador to bloodied avenging angel — Molina transforms flamenco’s sensual dance form into an explosive avant-garde theatrical experience. Lauded by The Guardian as a “fiercely provocative work,” Fallen from Heaven earned Molina an Olivier Award nomination for Outstanding Achievement in Dance.

The performance begins in hushed silence, with Molina dressed in a full-length white dress adorned with cascading ruffles. She boldly defies flamenco’s conventions, as she slowly sinks to the floor and begins sensually writhing on stage. An undercurrent of intense rage is tempered by moments of eccentric exhibitionism and intimate tenderness. Molina expertly fuses flamenco’s technical precision and foot-stamping intensity with an innovative, contemporary narrative.

The work features original music by Eduardo Trassierra, a classically trained flamenco guitarist, composer, and dancer from Spain. Rooted in flamenco’s signature rhythmic percussion and vocals, the musical score is punctuated by blasts of post-rock electric bass, mirroring Molina’s inventive choreography. Trassierra is joined on stage by musicians: Kiko Peña (singing, electric bass); José Manuel Ramos “Oruco” (handclapping, percussion); and Pablo Martín Jones (percussion, electronics).

A classically trained flamenco dancer and recipient of Spain’s National Dance Prize, Molina is world renowned for her “go-for-broke daring as artist and entertainer” (The Times, UK). Performing since the age of three, she graduated from the Royal Conservatory of Dance in Madrid at age 17 and embarked on an international career as a dancer and choreographer. Molina has graced esteemed stages around the world – the Barbican Centre in London, the New York City Centre, the Esplanade in Singapore – and reinvigorated Spain’s traditional flamenco form with her progressive style. Some of Molina’s most recent awards include the Positano Dance Award ‘Léonide Massine’ 2022 and Gold Medal of Merit in Fine Arts of the Spanish Ministry of Culture and Sport 2022. 

Co-artistic Director Marquerie – an author, artistic director, dramaturg, scenographer, and lighting designer – is a frequent collaborator with Molina. He has provided dramaturgy and lighting design for numerous past works and often partners with Elena Córdoba, who helped collaborate on the creation of Falling from Heaven. Costumes and props are designed by scenographer and graphic/video artist Cecilia Molano.

For tickets and further information, visit: dancehouse.ca

About DanceHouse (dancehouse.ca)
DanceHouse connects Vancouver audiences and the local arts community to the international world of dance by presenting exceptional companies that are recognized for their excellence, innovation, and international reputation. Since 2008, DanceHouse has presented vibrant and inspiring companies from Canada and around the world. In addition to the performances on stage, DanceHouse offers a suite of engagement opportunities and a chance for the general public and local artistic community to engage with the presented artists and their work.

About SFU Woodward’s Cultural Programs (sfu.ca/woodwards-cultural-programs.html)
SFU Woodward’s Cultural Programs (SFUW) engages with leading edge artists in dance, theatre, cinema, music and digital arts; provoking new practices and approaches reflecting the everchanging landscape of contemporary arts. 

About Vancouver International Flamenco Festival (vancouverflamencofestival.org)
As one of the celebrated festivals devoted to flamenco art outside of Spain, the Vancouver International Flamenco Festival nurtures flamenco’s hybridized roots in Spanish, Sephardic, Persian, Gypsy and Indian cultures. Founded in 1990 and running for over 30 years, the festival is produced by Flamenco Rosario. The festival strives to reflect flamenco’s diverse sociocultural identity through work narratives underlining the artform’s universal message of humanistic tolerance.

Rocío Molina. Photo by Simone Fratini

---

LISTING INFORMATION	DanceHouse, SFU Woodward’s Cultural Programs, and Vancouver International Flamenco Festival, presents Compañía Rocío Molina’s Fallen from Heaven (Caída del Cielo)
Dates:	September 27-30, 2023 at 8pm
Price:	From $35
Address:	Fei and Milton Wong Experimental Theatre, Goldcorp Centre for the Arts 149 Hastings Street W, Vancouver
Box Office:	dancehouse.ca or call 604.801.6225
Website:	dancehouse.ca

VIFF Announces First Round of Special Presentations and VIFF Live Performances, Alongside Early Bird Ticket Packs

42nd Vancouver International Film Festival September 28 – October 8, 2023

VANCOUVER, BC (AUGUST 10, 2023) The 42nd Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) returns this fall with 130 features and 100 shorts, including a star-studded lineup for Special Presentations and VIFF Live — unique, cinema-infused performances that push the boundaries of traditional film programming. Tickets are now on sale for two VIFF Live events, and VIFF+ Members can purchase festival ticket packs starting today. Ticket packs go on sale to the general public on August 17.

VIFF announced an initial eight Special Presentations today, including several Canadian stories: Mr. Dressup: The Magic of Make-Believe by Robert McCallum, a heartfelt documentary that celebrates the life and work of the iconic Canadian children’s television personality; Swan Song by Chelsea McMullan, an inside look at the National Ballet of Canada’s 2022 production of Swan Lake directed and staged by the legendary Karen Kain; and Seven Veils by Atom Egoyan, a psychodrama about a young theatre director forced to re-examine her own trauma while working on a remount of Salome.

VIFF mainstay Hirokazu Kore-eda returns with Monster, a powerful critique of bullying and family dysfunction that explores the same events through different perspectives. Other international standouts include: The Old Oak by Ken Loach, a working class drama about a bar owner who steps up when an influx of Syrian refugees stokes xenophobic backlash; Anatomy of a Fall by Justine Triet, an engrossing courtroom drama that won the Palme d’Or at Cannes this year; Last Summer by Catherine Breillat, about a lawyer who begins a taboo relationship with her 17-year-old stepson; and La Chimera by Alice Rohrwacher, an exhilaratingly wild, mysterious, rough and tumble tale of a disheveled English tomb raider living with a boisterous group of Italian bohemians.

“We’re excited to include tributes to two Canadian icons — Mr. Dressup and Karen Kain — along with the latest by a legendary homegrown filmmaker — Atom Egoyan — in this year’s Special Presentations program,” says Curtis Woloschuk, Director of Programming. “And while these three films hinge on the power of performance, other marquee attractions at this year’s festival offer narratives that dramatically shift perspective, immerse us in moral entanglements, and remind us of the power of simple acts of kindness.”

This year’s VIFF Live program is guest curated by PuSh International Performing Arts Festival Co-Founder Norman Armour. Two highlights are 32 Sounds by filmmaker Sam Green, a profound documentary and live sensory experience that shifts our perception of the world, and Machine Folklore by Software2050 & NAXS FUTURE, an immersive audio-visual performance screening in which AI meets virtual consciousness to depict a portrait of humanity and the infinite possibilities of the future.

Sam Green in 32 Sounds – Photo Credit: Catalina Kulczar

“VIFF Live events are occasions to witness boundaries lovingly teased and toyed with of what we commonly refer to as cinema,” says Armour. “The spotlighted works and artists embrace a dizzying range of aesthetic and subject matter concerns. For many of the creators, the moniker ‘filmmaker’ or ‘image maker’ being the farthest from their sense of creative identity. Here, unfettered play is the goal. And play, they do!”

Applications for industry accreditation are now open. Intended for film and television professionals, VIFF Industry Passes offer access to Industry Days (Oct 1-3), which feature keynotes, panels, ask-me-anything sessions with funders, and case studies. Industry passholders will also have access to four to six panels and keynotes of the VIFF Amp Music in Film Summit (Oct 4-7), and a sneak peak of Signals (an exhibition showcasing the intersection of art and creative technology ). Rounding out the experience, passholders can enjoy nightly hospitality and networking opportunities plus access to the festival’s 300+ screenings.

The remainder of the programming for VIFF’s 42nd edition will be announced Wednesday, September 6, 2023.

JUST ANNOUNCED

SELECT SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS: The year’s most anticipated films

Anatomy of a Fall dir. Justine Triet (France)

La Chimera dir. Alice Rohrwacher (Italy/France/Switzerland)

Last Summer dir. Catherine Breillat (France)

Monster dir. Hirokazu Kore-eda (Japan)

Mr. Dressup: The Magic of Make-Believe dir. Robert McCallum (Canada)

The Old Oak dir. Ken Loach (UK)

Seven Veils dir. Atom Egoyan (Canada)

Swan Song dir. Chelsea McMullan (Canada)

VIFF LIVE: Unparalleled experiences that go beyond the screen

32 Sounds | Thursday, Oct. 5, 7pm Venue: Vancouver Playhouse

An immersive documentary and profound sensory experience from filmmaker Sam Green that explores the elemental phenomenon of sound. The film is a meditation on the power of sound to bend time, cross borders, and reshape our perception of the world around us. Each audience member will be provided headphones to create an incredible binaural sound mix and add a new, deeply immersive element to the live documentary form. The “live cinema” event will feature live narration, directed and performed by Sam Green, and composed by JD Samson.

Machine Folklore | Sunday, Oct. 1, 7pm & 9pm

Venue: Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre – Performance Centre

Machine Folklore by Software2050 & NAXS FUTURE introduces Vancouver audiences to Taiwan’s vibrant and deeply experimental interdisciplinary arts scene. In this immersive audio-visual performance screening, artificial intelligence meets virtual consciousness. Together, we see humanity through non-human AI eyes. Using music, imagery, and light design, Machine Folklore is a glimpse into the infinite possibilities of the future of digital culture and virtual technology in this hypnotic audio-visual work.

---

Early Bird Tickets and Information
Industry Pass	Earlybird  – After September 5 –	$375 $450
Industry Days Pass		$175
VIFF Live: 32 Sounds at Vancouver Playhouse		$38
VIFF Live: Machine Folklore at Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre – Performance Centre		$22

Film Ticket Packs

Pack Type	Regular Price for Non-VIFF+ Members	VIFF+	VIFF+ Premium & U25
6 Pack	$102	$87	$75
10 Pack	$165	$140	$120
20 Pack	$320	$270	$230
Student 6 Pack	$78	N/A	N/A
Senior 6 Pack	$93	N/A	N/A
Senior 10 Pack	$150	N/A	N/A
Senior 20 Pack	$290	N/A	N/A

More ticket details at viff.org/ticket-info/#festival

Social Media

facebook.com/VIFFest youtube.com/VIFFest twitter.com/VIFFest instagram.com/VIFFest

#VIFF2023

About VIFF | viff.org

Beyond film exhibitions, VIFF strives to engage and empower communities, encourage dialogue and champion local artists. With decades of experience and an unwavering commitment to creating exceptional programs, VIFF has transformed into a highly esteemed annual festival and a premier arthouse cinema.

Founded in 1982, the Greater Vancouver International Film Festival Society is a not-for-profit cultural society and federally registered charitable organization that operates the internationally acclaimed Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) and the year-round programming at the VIFF Centre. All year, VIFF produces screenings, talks, conferences and events that act as a catalyst for the community to discover the creativity and craft of storytelling on screen.

VIFF is presented on the traditional and unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ílwətaʔɬ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil‑Waututh) Nations.

Bill Reid Gallery Highlights Haida Metalwork Practices and History in Vancouver Premiere Exhibition – The Art of Dimension –

Celebrated Haida artist Jesse Brillon makes Bill Reid Gallery debut with luminous exhibition of precious metal carvings celebrating the importance of ancestral connections

Skil Xaaw Jesse Brillon
Laana Tsaadas Dance Screen, 2022
Printed canvas
Private Collection

VANCOUVER, BC — Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art presents the Vancouver premiere exhibition of The Art of Dimension from July 4 – October 15, 2023. A vibrant celebration of Haida metalwork practices, and a powerful artistic affirmation of Indigenous knowledge sharing across generations, The Art of Dimension features the copper, gold and silver carving artistry of Haida Gwaii’s lauded Skil Xaaw Jesse Brillon, alongside Bill Reid’s own masterful repoussé works. Brillon is widely known for his excellence in specialty precious metals techniques, including repoussé, chasing and lost-wax casting.

“Bill Reid is credited with introducing the European repoussé technique to the art of the Northwest Coast and inspiring and mentoring Indigenous artists in the craft,” says Beth Carter, Associate Curator with the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art. “With only a handful of Haida artists working in these techniques, Jesse Brillon has become one of the leading artists practicing repoussé and chasing today. We truly believe these mediums deserve celebration, visibility, and a public platform for their importance in Haida art and culture.”

Growing up as a close family friend to Bill Reid profoundly impacted Brillon’s artwork. His first paid commission at age 18 was painting a Bill Reid original, drawn by the artist in the galley of a seine boat. Brillon cites Reid’s immense body of work in repoussé as a major influence in his own metalwork artistry.

The exhibition further honours the roles of mentorship and family connections through the emerging voice and cedar sculptural works of Brillon’s niece and protégé, award-winning Haida and Cree artist Haayłingtso Marlo Wylie Brillon, who also makes her Bill Reid Gallery debut. 

The Art of Dimension features 14 recent elaborate repoussé carvings, along with cedar carvings and painted works by Jesse Brillon. Several modern works by Bill Reid will be showcased to encourage a dialogue between the two artists’ work. Marlo Wylie Brillon’s four featured cedar artworks reflect her close connection to Jesse Brillon, and his important role as a mentor for her artistic development since she was a young child. 

Gallery visitors are also offered a rare and personal viewing of special dowry pieces created by Jesse Brillon for the 2022 marriage of his sister, Kalga Jaad Erin Brillon to artist Andy Everson. This was the first clan feast of the Laana Staadas clan in more than 150 years. These pieces include a printed canvas Laana Tsaadas Dance Screen, copper and ermine jihlk’yah (headdress), and a gold repoussé crest pole bracelet with abalone shell inlay. Also featured is Marlo Wylie Brillon’s carved K’aaxada (dogfish shark) mask which was danced at the celebration.

The Art of Dimension premiered at the Haida Gwaii Museum in 2022. Bill Reid Gallery has expanded the original exhibition to include further information about Bill Reid’s artistic influence on Jesse Brillon, a deeper exploration of the history of Haida metalwork, and additional details about the special marriage feast held by the Laana Staadas clan.

A series of ancillary events will support The Art of Dimension, including an opening celebration on Saturday, July 8, several workshops, an artist demonstration, artist talks, and public programs.

Admission information and a full list of events and registration details at: billreidgallery.ca

Skil Xaaw Jesse Brillon resides in his home village of Skidegate, Haida Gwaii where he balances commercial fishing and a love of the environment with his art career. After high school, he apprenticed with Haida artist Don Yeomans and Gitksan master jeweller Phil Janze. Brillon has achieved a mastery of the form and now creates museum quality pieces individualized by their fineness, boldness, and depth. His works are held in private collections globally and have been exhibited at the American Museum of Natural History, the Museum of Vancouver, the Haida Gwaii Museum, and the Comox Valley Art Gallery.

Emerging artist Haayłingtso Marlo Wylie Brillon has studied Haida art from her uncle, Skil Xaaw Jesse Brillon, Kwakwaka’wakw art from Chief Kwamxalagalis Andy Everson, and steam bending to create bentwood boxes from Richard Sumner, a Kwakwaka‘wakw master bentwood box-maker and carver. Marlo was awarded two YVR Emerging Artist Scholarships (2019 and 2020), providing an opportunity to exhibit her work at the Vancouver International Airport and the Museum of Vancouver.

Bill Reid Gallery gratefully acknowledges the support of exhibition partners BMO, Carter Auto Family, City of Vancouver, Province of British Columbia, and the RBC Emerging Artist Program.

About Bill Reid Gallery (billreidgallery.ca)
The Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art is a public gallery nestled in the heart of downtown Vancouver. It was named after acclaimed Haida artist Bill Reid (1920–1998), a master goldsmith, carver, sculptor, writer, broadcaster, and spokesman. 

Since opening in May 2008, the Bill Reid Gallery has remained the only public gallery in Canada devoted to contemporary Indigenous art of the Northwest Coast, and is home to the Simon Fraser University Bill Reid Art Collection, as well as special exhibitions of contemporary Indigenous art of the Northwest Coast of North America. Through his art, Bill Reid continues to inspire emerging and established contemporary Indigenous artists. His legacies include infusing the art traditions of the Haida with modern forms of expression, influencing the next generation of artists, and building lasting bridges between First Nations and other peoples.

The Bill Reid Gallery offers public programs including artist talks and artist-led workshops which provide a greater awareness and appreciation of Indigenous values and cultures. Find public programs at billreidgallery.ca.

The Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art is an initiative of the Bill Reid Foundation. Established in 1999 as a non-profit charitable organization, the Foundation’s mission is to preserve the art and perpetuate the legacies of Bill Reid.

Haayłingtso Marlo Wylie Brillon
Kalga Jaad and Xuuya, 2020
Red cedar
Collection of the Artist
“Kalga Jaad and Xuuya” (Woman of the Ice and Raven) was inspired by the story
of Kalga Jaad soothing the fussy Raven by breastfeeding them to keep them
quiet and calm.

LISTING INFORMATION	Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art presents The Art of Dimension
Dates:	July 4 – October 15, 2023 Opening Celebration July 8, 2023 from 2-4pm
Hours:	Open Daily 10am to 5pm
Address:	Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art 639 Hornby Street Vancouver, BC  V6C 2G3
Website:	billreidgallery.ca

Eastside Arts Society Invites Aspiring Creatives and Art Lovers to Discover and Participate in the Art-Making Process at 3rd Annual CREATE! Arts Festival

All ages + abilities are encouraged to explore a wide range of artistic practices through workshops, art demos, public art installations, and a brand new Festival Art Shop

Eri Ishii Workshop. Photo by Wendy D.

Vancouver, BC — Eastside Arts Society (EAS) presents the return of its highly anticipated two-day summer art-making event, CREATE! Arts Festival, taking place at Strathcona Park on Saturday, July 22 and at various Eastside Arts District studios on Sunday, July 23, 2023. A community initiative designed to welcome guests to explore, learn, and create art together with local artists, CREATE! Arts Festival features a wide variety of accessible visual and performing arts workshops for adults and youth, including watercolour painting, needle felting, indigo dying, pottery, glass fusing, photography, ukulele, Salish singing, storytelling, and much more. 

“Following two incredible years growing our new summertime art-making event, we are thrilled to welcome the CREATE! Arts Festival back for its third year, with even more offerings for people of all ages and abilities to explore their creative expression in collaboration with the Eastside Arts District community,” says Esther Rausenberg, Artistic & Executive Director of EAS. “In addition to a variety of art workshops, demonstrations, and public participation art installations, we are also incredibly proud to introduce our brand new Festival Art Shop, featuring a curated selection of arts and crafts all handmade by local artists.” 

On Saturday, July 22, the festival will offer a series of outdoor art-making workshops taught by more than 15 artists who live and/or work in the Eastside Arts District, many of whom will be participating in CREATE! Arts Festival for the first time. Adult and youth workshops will be hosted by Taaye Wong, Tanna Po, Suzan Marczak, Nima Nasiri, Naomi Yamamoto, Niki Holmes, Ross den Otter, Daphne Roubini, Russell Wallace, Naomi Steinberg, Nicole Caspillo, Nathaniel Marchand, Eri Ishii, and Chantal Cardinal (FELT à la main with LOVE). A children and youth workshop will be hosted by Amberlie Perkin and an all-abilities workshop by Alternative Creations Studio. 

Saturday festivities at Strathcona Park will also include a general admission CREATE! Art Zone. Art demonstrations include painting, pottery, and glass beading from Francis Tiffany, Julia Chirka (summer skool), and members of Terminal City Glass Co-op. Public participation art projects include a life-size colouring mural with Serena Chu of Chu Chu, squeegee art with Joanne Probyn, and the building and performing of two giant crow puppets – in honour of Eastside Arts Society’s unofficial mascot – with Jacquie Rolston. Opus Art Supplies will have a hands-on block carving and printing activation, as part of the CREATE! Art Zone. Carve and pull a mini-block print, and contribute to a collaborative printmaking collage. 

A selection of local handmade artworks and goods, curated by OH Studio Project, will be available at the Festival Art Shop. On site, visitors can also enjoy the festival’s fully licensed beer garden serving beer, cider, and wine, from Strange Fellows Brewing, as well as a delicious assortment of food from a collection of food trucks, including Earnest Ice Cream, Wak Wak Burger, Mahshiko, and Camion Café.

July 22 will see the return of the beloved crowd favourite event, the 8th Annual Art! Bike! Beer! Crawl Fundraiser and tour, which for the first time will end at the CREATE! Arts Festival grounds where attendees will enjoy a final tasting pint, food, raffle, and the CREATE! Art Zone.

Festival activities will move indoors on Sunday, July 23, connecting participants with art production spaces in neighbouring Eastside art studios, with additional art workshops hosted by members of the Terminal City Glass Co-op, Richard Tetrault, Sonya Iwasiuk, Grace Lee (eikcam ceramics), and Naomi Yamamoto.

Workshops are $35 + GST for youth/adults, with the exception of Amberlie Perkin’s workshop for children/youth at $20 + GST. Children under the age of 12 must be supervised by an adult. The general public can access festival activities at Strathcona Park – including the CREATE! Art Zone, Festival Art Shop, beer garden, and food trucks for a $5 general admission fee (children under age 12 are free). For full festival details and workshop registration, visit createartsfestival.ca.

The CREATE! Arts Festival is made possible through the generous support of Opus Art Supplies, Intergulf Development Group, Onni Group, R & D Group, Strathcona Business Improvement Association, Stonehouse Team, Beedie, Westbank/Crombie REIT, La Casa Gelato, Alternative Creations Studio, Stir Vancouver, City of Vancouver, Province of British Columbia, Canadian Heritage/Government of Canada, and Vancouver Foundation.

Serena Chu Mural Image. Photo by Serena Chu.

LISTING INFORMATION	CREATE! Arts Festival
Dates & Times:	Saturday, July 22 Workshops: 10am to 7pm CREATE! Art Zone: 11am to 7pm Festival Art Shop + Beer Garden: 12-7pmSunday, July 23 Workshops: 10am to 7pm
Locations:	Strathcona Park (857 Malkin Ave) *Festival Entrance off Raymur Ave Various Eastside Arts District studios
Prices:	$35 + GST for workshops $20 + GST for Amberlie Perkin’s children/youth workshop Alternative Creations’ all-abilities workshop is FREE *Workshop registration includes general admission
Website:	createartsfestival.ca

Chor Leoni and The Leonids bravely explore mental health and wellness in The Turning and the VanMan Summit Concert

Utilizing the choir itself as a central metaphor, the concerts explore strength of community, healing nature of vulnerability, and the realities of mental health struggles

The Leonids in The Turning (left to right):Eric Alatorre, Jacob Perry Jr., Steven
Soph, Enrico Lagasca, Erick Lichte, Steven Caldicott Wilson, Dann Coakwell,
Jonathan Woody, Andrew Fuchs, Sam Kreidenweis. Photo by David Cooper.

Vancouver, BC – Chor Leoni and its star ensemble The Leonids celebrate strength and vulnerability in The Turning: Chor Leoni & The Leonids, on stage at St. Andrew’s-Wesley United (1022 Nelson Street) on May 11, 2023 at 7:30pm. The choir’s guiding tenet of transformation through music is at the core of their bold concert. It features newly commissioned and existing works that speak directly to mental health and wellness, including the world premiere of composer Sarah Rimkus’ The Watcher of the Wood, a deeply personal and poetic exploration of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Turning is one highlight in a full week of mentorship, rehearsals, and performance for Chor Leoni and The Leonids, which gathers more than 200 singers of all ages for a week of study and celebration, culminating in the annual VanMan Summit Concert on May 13, 2023 at 7:30pm at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts.

“In both The Turning and the VanMan Summit programs we give voice in exquisite words and song to often invisible, hidden emotions and mental health struggles,” says Erick Lichte, Artistic Director of Chor Leoni. “Our members and audiences come to Chor Leoni as a place of support and acceptance. These spring events express and embody our commitment to creating joyful spaces where vulnerability and strength are in harmony, and people can be wholly themselves.”

The Turning: Chor Leoni & The Leonids features important new works by Sarah Rimkus, Giovanni Bonato, and Maura Bosch. Together The Leonids, Chor Leoni, and its Emerging Choral Artist Program perform the world premiere of American composer Rimkus’ The Watcher of the Wood, a profound and intimate piece with text by the composer’s husband Thomas LaVoy, who writes from his own experiences with PTSD. The program also includes the North American premiere of Sügav Rahu (Deep Peace) by the Italian composer Bonato in his manifestation of peace in our souls. The concert takes its title from The Turning, by Minneapolis composer Bosch. This deeply intimate work, with texts written by men in court ordered anger management classes, explores the beginning of vulnerability, of asking for help and of wanting to make profound change in our lives. Also on the program, Jocelyn Morlock’s An Die Musik, which was commissioned by Chor Leoni eight years ago. The powerful work speaks to the transformative power of music in our lives and its potential to drive away the darkness around us.

Rimkus’ composition will also be performed at the VanMan Summit Concert on May 13.

Adds Lichte: “One of the goals of the VanMan Summit is to create a space for singers to positively and collectively access, process, and express their emotions. Each of these works, written by women but using the words of men and their trauma, give voice to men’s emotional experience through an open and honest spirit of sharing.”

After a week of mentorship, workshops, and rehearsals, the 200 plus singers from The Leonids, Chor Leoni, its MYVoice youth choirs, Emerging Choral Artists, and the VanMan Festival Singers take the stage for the VanMan Summit Concert in a celebratory performance including Argentinian and Malay folk songs, Medieval and Renaissance motets, show tunes, pop songs, sea shanties, and Romantic and contemporary choral classics. Each group will perform their own sets and then unite to become Canada’s largest lower voice choir for one-night only.

The Leonids is a nine-member professional ensemble under the direction of Chor Leoni’s Artistic Director Erick Lichte. The ensemble serves as the professional headline choir for Chor Leoni’s annual VanMan Choral Summit and as an educational, inspirational, and aspirational force for this festival and beyond. In addition to their active solo careers, these extraordinary singers have sung with Chanticleer, Roomful of Teeth, New York Polyphony, Conspirare, Seraphic Fire, Trinity Church Wall Street, Santa Fe Desert Chorale, Clarion Choir, TENET, Skylark, Phoenix Chorale, and ANÚNA.

For tickets and information for The Turning, visit chorleoni.org

For tickets and information for VanMan Summit Concert, visit chorleoni.org

This concert is dedicated to the memory of Jocelyn Morlock. Jocelyn was a fierce friend and champion of Chor Leoni and the music community across Canada. We hold her in our hearts and will remember her into the future through her immense musical contributions.

About Chor Leoni Men’s Choir (chorleoni.org)
Known internationally and loved locally, JUNO-nominated Chor Leoni is recognized as one of the vanguard choirs in North America. Led by Artistic Director Erick Lichte, Vancouver’s Singing Lions have enriched and transformed people’s lives through singing for 30 years. With stylistic grace and an adventurous spirit, Chor Leoni performs in many languages, styles and genres, always aiming to communicate, engage, and entertain. Chor Leoni’s many endeavours have made it one of Canada’s most active and engaging volunteer choirs.

---

LISTING INFORMATION	The Turning: Chor Leoni & The Leonids
Dates & Times:	May 11, 2023 at 7:30pm
Venue:	St. Andrew-Wesley’s United 1022 Nelson St., Vancouver
Ticket Prices:	From $20
Tickets:	chorleoni.org
LISTING INFORMATION	VanMan Summit Concert
Dates & Times:	May 13, 2023 at 7:30pm
Venue:	Chan Centre for the Performing Arts 6265 Crescent Road, Vancouver
Ticket Prices:	From $30
Tickets:	chorleoni.org
Website:	chorleoni.org

Music on Main presents Gabriel Kahane in back-to-back premieres of intimate musical songbooks Book of Travelers and Magnificent Bird

Revered composer and singer-songwriter rediscovers our collective humanity in his celebratory ‘offline’ musical journeys to radical empathy

Gabriel Kahane. Photos by Jason Quigley

Vancouver, BC – Music on Main presents Gabriel Kahane’s deeply insightful albums Book of Travelers (BC premiere) and Magnificent Bird (Canadian premiere), on stage in consecutive performances on May 10 and 11, 2023 at 7:30pm at the ANNEX (823 Seymour Street). Hailed as “one the finest, most searching songwriters of the day” (The New Yorker), Kahane takes audiences on a hopeful musical journey towards radical empathy and the human connections he finds in quiet spaces between and beyond the digital silos of our online lives. Both distinct yet complementary song cycles were conceived and created three years apart during the artist’s self-imposed isolations from the internet and social media in 2016 and 2019.

“Gabriel Kahane is an extraordinary musician and storyteller,” says David Pay, Artistic Director of Music on Main. “His humour, compassion, and intelligence shine through in songs that speak directly to the listener’s heart. We’re delighted to bring Vancouver audiences this rare chance to hear his two amazing concerts back-to-back, both exploring detailed moments in life that are at times heart wrenching and full of hope.”

Kahane’s solo vocal and piano performance of Book of Travelers rediscovers and celebrates our collective humanity in the face of deep political and cultural divides. In the algorithmic rancour leading up to the 2016 US presidential election, Kahane felt a need to leave the digital world. Regardless of the outcome of the election, he decided he would board a train the next day and talk to strangers in unmediated, uninterrupted face-to-face encounters. Over 13 days, 31 states, 8,980 miles, and countless dining-car meals later, Kahane had engaged with more than 80 people from all walks of life, making songs from the stories he had heard. The resulting Book of Travelers, a collection of intimate and varied character sketches, is “an exercise in lyric beauty” (The New Yorker) and “a stunning portrait of a singular moment in America” (Rolling Stone).

Three years later in 2019, Kahane expanded his artistic quest to a year-long digital detox, sending him into in-person conversations with strangers until the pandemic redirected his journey inward towards his own self discovery and disclosure. In the final month of his internet hiatus, Kahane resolved to write one song every day. His ensuing fifth solo album, Magnificent Bird is “a gorgeous, intimate collection of ten musical snapshots” (San Francisco Chronicle) that are at once deeply personal and universal. Kahane will be joined in this performance by Vancouver’s new Capilano String Quartet, featuring violinists Timothy Steeves and Jae-Won Bang, Marina Thibeault on viola, and Jonathan Lo on cello.

Kahane made his Canadian debut with Music on Main in 2010. The American composer and singer-songwriter has since returned to the city and the company often, further strengthening his close ties and friendships in the Vancouver music scene.

Adds Pay, “We’re delighted to welcome Gabe back to Vancouver for these performances and for his upcoming Artist in Residence with Music on Main.”

During Kahane’s week-long residency, he will compose new work for the musicians of The Tempest Project Company, which will premiere at The Tempest Project in 2024. The Tempest Project is a new immersive production led by Music on Main Artistic Director David Pay. Kahane will also rehearse with the Capilano String Quartet in preparation for the performance of Magnificent Bird.

A sought-after composer of concert works, Kahane has recently appeared with the St. Louis Symphony, the Cincinnati Symphony, and the San Francisco Symphony, which presented emergency shelter intake form, Kahane’s 2018 oratorio exploring inequality through the lens of housing issues. In November 2022 he returned to the Oregon Symphony, where he has served as Creative Chair since 2018, as soloist in his new song cycle The Right to Be Forgotten, a further exploration—begun with Magnificent Bird—of the increasingly fraught relationship between technology and humanity.

His creative collaborators range from Phoebe Bridgers, Paul Simon, Sylvan Esso, Chris Thile, and Sufjan Stevens to Caroline Shaw, Anthony McGill, Pekka Kuusisto, and the Attacca Quartet. His prose has appeared in The New Yorker online and in The New York Times.

Kahane is the recipient of a 2021 Charles Ives Fellowship from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. He recently relocated from New York to Portland, Oregon, where he lives with his family and has just begun his second term as Creative Chair of the Oregon Symphony.

For tickets and further information about Book of Travelers, visit: musiconmain.ca

For tickets and further information about Magnificent Bird, visit: musiconmain.ca

About Music on Main (musiconmain.ca)

Music on Main has developed an international reputation as one of today’s leading-edge classical and contemporary music programmers. Their goal is to create informal, intimate experiences of great music and great musicians with our audience. Music on Main has produced more than 700 events featuring in excess of 1,800 musicians and 130 world premieres at Heritage Hall on Main Street, the now-closed Cellar Restaurant and Jazz Club in Kitsilano, and venues throughout Metro Vancouver. The music has touched the souls of thousands of listeners, and has helped artists from around the world connect with each other, and with Vancouver audiences.

---

LISTING INFORMATION	Music on Main presents Gabriel Kahane’s Book of Travelers
Dates:	May 10, 2023 at 7:30pm
Ticket Prices:	Pay What You Will ($18 – $79)
Address:	ANNEX 823 Seymour Street, Vancouver
Box Office:	musiconmain.ca
LISTING INFORMATION	Music on Main presents Gabriel Kahane’s Magnificent Bird
Dates:	May 11, 2023 at 7:30pm
Ticket Prices:	Pay What You Will ($18 – $79)
Address:	ANNEX 823 Seymour Street, Vancouver
Box Office:	musiconmain.ca
Website:	musiconmain.ca

TUTS Stage Sparkles with Heartfelt Hilarity and Whimsical Magic in 2023 Season Featuring The Prom and Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical

A feel-good musical that promotes allyship and a family-friendly blockbuster sensation take to the Malkin Bowl stage this summer

Images by Shawn Bukhari

Vancouver, BC — Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS) presents its hilarious and heartwarming 2023 season, featuring The Prom and Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical, on stage July 6-August 26, 2023, at Stanley Park’s scenic Malkin Bowl. From high school prom to elementary schoolyard, both musicals invite audiences to witness the power of kindness and inclusion in the fight for freedom to love and be loved. A Vancouver tradition since 1940, TUTS’ two-show subscription packs are on sale TODAY through May 17 (early bird single tickets on sale May 25).

“This summer, we look forward to continuing the annual tradition of spectacular theatre in our magical outdoor setting with our faithful and supportive TUTS audience, whether families, friends, or passionate theatre-goers,” says TUTS General Manager Kevin Woo. “This year’s season is full of heart, hope, mischief, and merriment, featuring two of Broadway’s smash hits: the big-hearted comedy, The Prom, and the fast-paced family adventure, Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical. Audiences will be moved by both musicals’ warmth and optimism – and their ultimate promise that love always prevails.”

Set at a small-town high school, The Prom masterfully balances unabashed hopefulness, heartfelt vulnerability, and hard-hitting hilarity. Desperate to improve their public image, four down-on-their-luck Broadway actors rally behind Emma, a teenager whose prom has just been cancelled because she planned to attend with her girlfriend. But their scheming quickly goes sideways, and they ultimately come to learn what everyone is searching for – a place to belong.

The Prom will be directed and choreographed by Tracey Power, who makes her TUTS debut. A revered director and choreographer, Power has worked with numerous theatre and opera companies, including Vancouver Opera, Bard on the Beach, Arts Club Theatre, Firehall Arts Centre, and Citadel Theatre.

Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical takes place in a small English village, where a brilliant little girl with a lively imagination is bullied by her self-absorbed parents and tyrannical headmistress. Through the strength of her whimsical storytelling abilities, she uses her newfound magical powers to ‘fight for the right to be a little bit naughty.’ With toe-tapping songs and outstanding dance numbers featuring a talented cast of young people, this family-friendly stage phenomenon is the perfect TUTS introduction for young audiences.

Also making her TUTS debut is Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical director Stephanie Graham. Graham’s directing credits include Chicago, Beauty and the Beast, and Mamma Mia for Globe Theatre and Anne of Green Gables for Thousand Islands Playhouse.

TUTS offers its two-show subscription pack – allowing audiences to secure their seats to both productions for one great price – on sale now through May 17. Subscriptions are $90 for adults and $60 for youth ages 5-12, and include premium tickets to both productions, souvenir programs, and exchange insurance for both nights.

Subscriptions are available by visiting tuts.ca or by calling 1-800-514-3849 until May 17. Early bird single tickets, from $20, will go on sale May 25.

Theatre Under The Stars’ 2023 season is presented by RE/MAX.

About Theatre Under the Stars (tuts.ca)
Theatre Under the Stars celebrates 83 years of theatre in the crown jewel of Vancouver – Stanley Park. So much more than just a night at the theatre, TUTS interweaves a kaleidoscope of elements – setting, scenery, concessions, and quality art – into a fun, encompassing experience that is much greater than the sum of its parts. Nestled among awe-inspiring Douglas Firs, the company is uniquely suited to Vancouver and reflects some of the city’s most collectively embraced values: exuberance, expression, nature, and youth. The latter is especially important to the organization, as it is not only a presenter of shows, but a creator of opportunities for young performers. The number of careers and life-long relationships with art fostered on the Malkin Bowl stage are countless.

---

LISTING INFORMATION	TUTS presents The Prom and Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical
Dates:	July 6 to August 26, 2023 Previews: July 6-9, 2023 Opening Nights: July 11 & 12 All shows at 8pm, except on Fireworks Nights (July 22, 26 & 29) when shows begin at 7pm
Ticket prices:	Adult Subscriptions: $90 Youth Subscriptions (Ages 5-12): $60 Regular Tickets $30-$65 (On Sale June 21)
Address:	Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park 610 Pipeline Rd.
Box Office:	tuts.ca or 1-800-514-3849
Website:	tuts.ca

Bill Reid Gallery Celebrates 25-Year Living Legacy of Bill Reid with Canadian Premiere of Group Exhibition Bright Futures

Fourteen emerging and established Northwest Coast artists to be exhibited alongside iconic works by Bill Reid in examination of the artist’s lasting impact

Maynard Johnny Jr.
Protector, 2023
Silkscreen print
35 x 35 inches
Courtesy of the artist

VANCOUVER, BC — Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art presents the Canadian premiere exhibition of Bright Futures from April 26, 2023–January 14, 2024. Co-curated by Bill Reid Gallery Curator Beth Carter, Assistant Curator Aliya Boubard, and in consultation with Jordan Wilson (Musqueam), Bright Futures examines the lasting influence of Bill Reid’s iconic art on the development and creation of contemporary Northwest Coast art today, 25 years after his death in 1998. Alongside a selection of works from Bill Reid Gallery’s permanent collection, the group exhibition showcases a broad variety of disciplines and cultures from throughout BC and the Yukon, including surrealist painting, classic weaving, wearable art, conceptual installation, modern carving, metalwork, and abstract photography.

“Central to Bright Futures is how contemporary Indigenous artists of the Northwest Coast seize new materials and interpret Bill Reid’s legacy today,” says Beth Carter, Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Curator. “Bill Reid was a leader and influencer in building a broader understanding of Northwest Coast art, and combining traditional Haida elements with new techniques and materials. In the examination of traditional culture and familial lineage within his own works, coupled with those of his fellow artists, Bill Reid found inspiration and opportunities for an innovative and bright future.”

The exhibition’s works were selected from an open call for submissions, based on the question: “How does Bill Reid’s work continue to influence contemporary Northwest Coast art being produced today?” The 14 selected artists interweave excellence and traditional knowledge with contemporary topics, such as reconciliation, urban issues, modern creativity, environmental concerns, and intergenerational healing, which fuel their practice and push the boundaries of their art.

Selected artists, many of whom will make their debut with Bill Reid Gallery, include: Tamara Bell (Haida), Sherri Dick (Haida), Rebecca Baker-Grenier (Kwag’ul/Squamish), Shoshanna Greene (Haida), Maynard Johnny Jr (Kwakwaka’wakw/Salish), Keith Kerrigan (Haida), Cody Lecoy (Sylix/Lekwungen), Latham Mack (Nuxalk), Calvin Morberg (Teslin Tlingit), Kelly Robinson (Nuxalk), Natasha Seymour (Tahitan/Tsimshian/Nisga’a), Yolonda Skelton (Gitxsan), Krystle Silverfox (Northern Tutchone/Selkirk) and Dustin Sheldon (Teslin Tlingit).

Artists’ works will be displayed throughout the main floor of the gallery, in conversation with key pieces by Bill Reid, curated to illustrate the legendary artist’s wide range of media throughout his career arc, including metalwork miniatures, jewelry, drawings, prints, wire sculptures, carvings, and monumental sculptures. Each of the selected works will respond to one or more of Bill Reid’s pieces, which developed and transformed greatly over the course of his career, from copying traditional Haida designs to later re-interpreting Haida stories and aesthetics in his unique vision.

Of particular interest are Natasha Seymour’s beaded Button Blanket Earrings, an intricate and modern take on the traditional button blanket, shaped by her deep knowledge of Tahltan, Tsimshian and Nisga’a traditions and cultures; Maynard Johnny Jr’s Protector, a silkscreen print which combines his distinct Salish style, connection to ancient ideologies, and a vibrant colour palette that resonates with freedom and hope; and Yolanda Skelton’s contemporary Chilkat Dress with Eagle Train – a modern day robe of power that acts as a symbol of decolonization and celebration of Indigenous culture.

A series of ancillary events will support Bright Futures, including an opening celebration on April 25 at 6pm, several workshops, a panel discussion, artist talks, curatorial tours and a contemporary Indigenous artist market event. Events will be offered in-person, with some additional activities available online.

Admission information and a full list of events and registration details at: billreidgallery.ca

Yolonda Skelton
Chilkat Dress and Eagle Train, 2022
Pleated Chiffon and Ponti Dress with Beaver fur trim. Ultrasuede Appliqued Cuffs
and Removable Wool Suiting Appliqued Eagle Train
Courtesy of the artist

About Bill Reid Gallery (billreidgallery.ca)
The Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art is a public gallery nestled in the heart of downtown Vancouver. It was named after acclaimed Haida artist Bill Reid (1920–1998), a master goldsmith, carver, sculptor, writer, broadcaster, and spokesman. 

Since opening in May 2008, the Bill Reid Gallery has remained the only public gallery in Canada devoted to contemporary Indigenous art of the Northwest Coast, and is home to the Simon Fraser University Bill Reid Art Collection, as well as special exhibitions of contemporary Indigenous art of the Northwest Coast of North America. Through his art, Bill Reid continues to inspire emerging and established contemporary Indigenous artists. His legacies include infusing the art traditions of the Haida with modern forms of expression, influencing the next generation of artists, and building lasting bridges between First Nations and other peoples

The Bill Reid Gallery offers public programs including artist talks and artist-led workshops which provide a greater awareness and appreciation of Indigenous values and cultures. Find public programs at billreidgallery.ca.

The Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art is an initiative of the Bill Reid Foundation. Established in 1999 as a non-profit charitable organization, the Foundation’s mission is to preserve the art and perpetuate the legacies of Bill Reid.

LISTING INFORMATION	Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art presents Bright Futures
Dates:	April 26, 2023 – January 14, 2024
Hours:	Current Winter Hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 11am to 5pm Beginning May 10, 2023: Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm
Address:	Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art 639 Hornby Street Vancouver, BC  V6C 2G3
Website:	billreidgallery.ca

DanceHouse presents North American premiere of Dada Masilo’s The Sacrifice

South Africa’s award-winning choreographer examines universal cry of sacrifice in her intoxicating vision of Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring

Dada Masilo and company members in The Sacrifice, Photo credit: John Hogg, Photo Courtesy of: DanceHouse, One-Time Use

Vancouver, BC – DanceHouse presents the exhilarating North American premiere of Dada Masilo’s The Sacrifice, on stage May 5 and 6, 2023 at 8pm at the Vancouver Playhouse. Inspired by Igor Stravinsky’s The Rite Of Spring, South Africa’s award-winning choreographer Masilo roots her powerful rendition in the rituals, rhythms, and sounds of Botswana. Together, the cast of ten dancers and four musicians interacts to explore the intricate symbiosis of community, sacrifice, and renewal in a riveting fusion of Tswana, the traditional dance of Botswana, and contemporary dance performed to a live original score.

“We’re thrilled to introduce Vancouver audiences to Dada Masilo’s innovative and intoxicating vision in The Sacrifice,” says Jim Smith, Artistic and Executive Director of DanceHouse. “Masilo combines the European heritage of The Rite of Spring with the uniquely rhythmic and expressive movements of Tswana to examine the universal cry of sacrifice for the greater good, and the need to give back to help something grow. It is a timely call to all of us.”

As a choreographer, Masilo has steadily pushed against the Eurocentric storytelling and representation common in renowned ballet classics, instead infusing her works with contemporary and southern African dances and fearless, culturally relevant narratives of her choosing. She is known internationally for reinterpreting classics such as Giselle and Swan Lake to speak to black identity and feminism. In The Sacrifice Masilo pushes further into firsts by centering and naming the African dance style Tswana as the main dance form of inspiration, giving it equal billing to ballet. Tswana is the traditional dance of Botswana.

While closely studying Tswana dance and rituals, Masilo and the company explored what sacrifice meant and still means to the Tswana people. This preparation and understanding have resulted in a “deeply moving and astonishingly fresh” (The Observer) narrative rich in culture, tradition, and meaning as we follow the chosen maiden and her surrounding community through “a journey of celebration to sacrifice, joy to sorrow, humour to fear and defiance to acceptance” (Lost in Theatreland).

Masilo became intrigued with the complex rhythms and discordance of Stravinsky’s score after dancing an extract from Pina Bausch’s Rite while a student at the P.A.R.T.S. school for contemporary dance in Brussels. She asked The Sacrifice musicians to listen to the Stravinsky for inspiration, then collaborate with the cast to create a new composition rooted in southern African rhythms, music, rich vocals, and even bird songs.

In performance, the dancers interact throughout, “teasing the musicians as they clap and stamp in time, the call and response between players and dancers setting up a vibration of movement and sound that seems to ripple through every muscle of their bodies” (The Guardian).

Vancouver is the first North American stop in the highly acclaimed international tour of The Sacrifice. Following its DanceHouse performances, the production continues to Ottawa, Toronto, and the United States.

Masilo is Artist-in-Residence at The Dance Factory in Johannesburg. Her awards include a nomination for a Bessie Award (Swan Lake) in 2016, Danza&Danza Award for ‘Best Performance in 2017’ (Giselle), and a Prince Claus ‘Next Generation’ Award in 2018. In May 2017, she premiered her Giselle in Oslo, and in 2021 The Sacrifice in Vienna. Since 2012, her works have been performed in 25 countries and 150 cities around the world.

For tickets and further information, visit: dancehouse.ca

About DanceHouse (dancehouse.ca)
DanceHouse connects Vancouver audiences and the local arts community to the international world of dance by presenting exceptional companies that are recognized for their excellence, innovation, and international reputation. Since 2008, DanceHouse has presented vibrant and inspiring companies from Canada and around the world. In addition to the performances on stage, DanceHouse offers a suite of engagement opportunities and a chance for the general public and local artistic community to engage with the presented artists and their work.

Dada Masilo and company members in The Sacrifice, Photo credit: John Hogg, Photo
Courtesy of: DanceHouse, One-Time Use

LISTING INFORMATION	DanceHouse presents Dada Masilo’s The Sacrifice
Dates:	May 5 and 6, 2023 at 8pm
Price:	From $35
Address:	Vancouver Playhouse 600 Hamilton St, Vancouver
Box Office:	dancehouse.ca or call 604.801.6225
Website:	dancehouse.ca