3 shows that bend genre at the interdisciplinary PuSh International Performing Arts Festival
Soliloquio, Selfie Concert, and The Seventh Fire are just some of the dynamic productions at the 2023 fest, January 19 to February 5
Selfie Concert. Photo by Emilia Milewska
Soliloquio. Photo by Luciana María Iovane
The Seventh Fire. Image by Brent Hardisty Niiwin Binesi
The PuSh International Performing Arts Festival is known for its innovative, experiential, creative risk-taking, and dynamic interdisciplinary programming. Bringing world-class performances in theatre, dance, multimedia, music, and circus to Vancouver stages (and libraries, cafés, and phone booths). PuSh has, over the past 18 seasons, created a platform for multidisciplinary artists to showcase their works, some that don't fall into the scope of genre at all, or that fall into many genres all at the same time. With PuSh entering its 19th annual festival (January 19 to February 5), here are just a few of the genre-bending shows to be excited about:
Soliloquio (I woke up and hit my head against the wall) — Tiziano Cruz, Argentina (January 27 to 29 at the Roundhouse Performance Centre, presented with the frank theatre co.) In this Canadian premiere, Tiziano Cruz puts himself front and centre for a performative monologue based on a series of letters he wrote to his mother in 2020. They’re the starting point for a critique of economic, racial and institutional oppression in contemporary Argentina and elsewhere.
The Seventh Fire — Delinquent Theatre / Unceded Coast Salish Territory, MST, (January 25 to 29 and February 1 to 5 at Lobe Studio). This world premiere is an immersive audio performance inspired by ceremony and created by Lisa Cooke Ravensbergen, sourcing traditional, oral Anishinaabe stories as a way to evoke ceremony in the everyday. Cooke Ravenbergen’s creation blurs time and space, bringing emotional and ancestral connection into being through deep collaboration with sound designer Mishelle Cuttler and a matriarchal creative team.
Selfie Concert — Ivo Dimchev, Bulgaria (February 2 to 3 at 7:30pm at Left of Main, presented with plastic orchid factory) In this Canadian premiere, Ivo Dimchev invites you to a casual, communal concert—one which blithely steps over the traditional boundary between artist and audience. There is no stage, there is no hierarchy, and there is no performance from the synth-playing singer-songwriter unless people are taking selfies with him. The concept may be simple, but the motivation is not: Dimchev has evoked sculpture and choreography in defining it.
Post sponsored by PuSh International Performing Arts Festival.