PuSh Festival

Join Squamish cultural leader Xwechtaal (Dennis Joseph) and Scottish-Canadian multidisciplinary artist Claire Love Wilson as they walk and sing together at Sen̓áḵw. This journey brings you to the edge of what is presently known as Kitsilano, on the unceded territories of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil- Waututh) Nations, where you can listen alongside Claire as Xwechtaal shares stories of the land, his grandfather, and his visions for the future of Sen̓áḵw.

Audio editing by Ashley Daniel Foot

A creative producer sits between the creative process and the operational process in a project, orchestrating ideas, resources, and people to turn the seed of an idea into reality. Creative producers shape how a work is realized, which often impacts how the work is experienced. While it can be a difficult role to define, the Digital Cultures Research Centre (UK) describes it as one that combines attention to detail with an ability to see the big picture and make connections between the two, realizing the vision of a project and making it possible for a creative team to achieve their best. In this panel discussion, Rob Thomson (Full Circle: First Nations Performance and the Talking Stick Festival), Bek Berger (New Theatre Institute of Latvia and International Festival of Contemporary Performance, Homo Novus), and Anthony Gray (Fuel Theatre) share how they got into producing and what they’ve learned along the way. Moderated by Gabrielle Martin (PuSh Festival).

This panel brings together performance curators who are leading initiatives in supporting artistic practice, from establishing co-production networks to creating hubs of exchange; from hosting residencies and taking on production risk to sharing curation, and more. In conversation, these curators will share their perspectives on the role of presenters within the ecosystems of local and international artistic communities. Speakers include Martine Dennewald (Festival TransAmériques, Canada), Quito Tembe (International Contemporary Dance Platform KINANI, Mozambique), Erin Boberg  (Portland Institute for Contemporary Art, USA), Daniel Blanga Gubbay (KUNSTENFESTIVALDESARTS, Belgium), and Fernando Zugno (Porto Alegre em Cena, Brazil). Moderated by Gabrielle Martin (PuSh Festival).

Listen in while old friends, interdisciplinary artist and composer Ruby Singh, and PuSh’s director of Programming Gabrielle Martin, stroll around their old East Van stomping grounds at Trout Lake. 

The conversation begins with revelations about the youthful duo meeting at a poetry slam; a friendship which extended into adventures in fire dancing at the lost and lamented Illuminares Festival – one of the most popular festivals in Vancouver, until its untimely demise in 2013. This eclectic arts background and love of performing has informed both Singh and Martin’s careers since. As they traverse the muddy path around the lake on this winter walk, Singh talks about his interdisciplinary work, ambi-sonic installations and the inception and evolution of his work Vox.Infold into the compelling and exhilarating sound production it is today. 

PuSh Festival presents Vox.Infold from January 20-30 at Lobe Studio.

Brave the weather alongside PuSh’s Gabrielle Martin and Theatre Replacement’s James Long as they defy the elements on a stormy day to take a stroll around historic Strathcona; or have a listen to this fascinating conversation from your sofa, either way, it’s an interesting ride. Beginning at the Russian Hall, James recounts the backstory behind the Soviet film reels that were discovered in an old closet next to the Russian language classroom which now serves as the Theatre Replacement office and studio. These films, sent between the 1950s and the 70s, are an upbeat promotional campaign for The Soviet Union intended to lure back Russians who had fled Stalin, and they are the inspiration for Theatre Replacement’s newest work, Do you mind if I sit here? Other topics include the gentrification and cultural history of the neighbourhood, explored while walking in some very Vancouver weather. Do you mind if I sit here? Will be performed at The Russian Hall January 26-29 as part of the PuSh Festival.

“I am here. I am now. I am grateful.” Those soothing words mark the beginning of a journey through Pacific Spirit Park with musician, writer, and self-described “natural-born clown” KhattieQ. As the artist moves through the entrance and into the forest, the ambient wash of traffic noise recedes and the sounds become fewer, softer, and more soothing, neatly complementing her gentle voice. Full of happy musings and punctuated by KhattieQ’s rousing Latinx music, this Walk is perfect for a beautiful late summer day.

Jean Abreu and Naishi Wang are the dance artists behind Deciphers, currently being created as part of the PuSh In Development program supported by CDm2 Lightworks. Here, they invite you to join them in the “nowhere space” of the digital world, as they walk through their own nighttime spaces (one in London, the other in Toronto) while sharing the third, and most crucial, location with the listener. Set against a backdrop of piano, synth chords, and experimental vocals, this a haunting and moody excursion.

Theatre artist Jesse Del Fierro starts their Walk with a powerful acknowledgment and concludes on a note of uplift; in between, there’s a trip down memory lane, a romantic reminiscence, reflections on dealing with adversity, and tips on how to “exist as you are.” Del Fierro speaks to their listener as a close friend would, leaving space for curiosity and offering sympathy, advice, and inspiration.

Inspired by Every Brilliant Thing by Duncan Macmiller and Ep. 692 The Show of Delights by Ira Glass and Bim Adewunmi. Constantly inspired by Natalie Tin Yin Gan, Jenna Rodgers, Jivesh Parasram, Dominique and Emilyn, and Ate Julie & Ate Jacquie.

While travelling from a transit station to the Downtown East Side, Q Lawrence recites their harsh, imagistic, creatively profane poetry and plunges the listener into darkness. Follow the route Q takes in their wheelchair and hear their morbidly beautiful musings, which have the power to disturb, but also to provoke empathetic reflection. This work may be brief, but in its density and suggestive force, it contains volumes.

Njo Kong Kie takes a walk through the streets of Toronto, and invites you to share his journey in a place of your own choosing. The musical accompaniment is drawn from the artist’s own Picnic in the Cemetery, and it’s a delight for the ears. Interspersed with the melodic interludes are Kong Kie’s musings on ideology, interpersonal connections, Kung-Fu flicks, ambition, and more, including the true cost of our smartphones.

Text by Njo Kong Kie except the poem 一颗螺丝掉在地上 "A single screw fell to the ground" by Xu Lizhi, translated into English by Derek Kwan

Music by Njo Kong Kie, performed by Simon Claude, Alexandre Castonguay and Njo Kong Kie

Track details:

Moments Cinématiques no 1
Quatrième Confession
Ljubljana
Moments Cinématiques no 11
Sweet
Toujours

Join artists Ralph Escamillan and Kimberley Wong for a stroll through Vancouver’s Chinatown area. While journeying to New Town Bakery & Restaurant, Ralph and Kimberley share personal memories, historical reflections, and thoughts on the diasporic experiences that define the city. Topics include family dynamics and immigration. The walk concludes at the famous eatery, where you too can grab a delicious snack.

An adventure with dual destinations, this Walk guides listeners through East Vancouver and Amherst, Massachusetts simultaneously. Artists Caroline Shaw and Vanessa Goodman converse in real-time as they travel through a graveyard and a stretch of local forest. The dialogue is accompanied by ambient sounds—both natural and electronic. There’s a strong spectral tone to the journey(s), with memory and the knowledge of unceded land looming large.

Featuring:
Caroline Shaw, composer, voice & violin
Vanessa Goodman, choreographer

PuSh Walks is produced by Ben Lange, Audio editing by Ashley Daniel Foot