Vancouver's PuSh Festival: 9 must-see shows
With its daring mix of dance, theatre, music and multimedia, Vancouver's PuSh International Performing Arts Festival been pushing buttons and artistic boundaries since 2003. This year's festival runs from Jan. 20 to Feb 8.
Festival co-founder and current artistic director Norman Armour shared some of his picks with CBC Radio's The Early Edition (in chronological order):
So Blue - Montreal's Louise Lecavalier was the principal dancer for the legendary LaLaLa Human Steps. The Governor General Performing Arts Award winner is known for her fearless, athletic and compelling performances that push the limits of human movement.
Séquence 8 - A riveting contemporary circus/dance production that draws inspiration from Carl Jung's statement: "The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances; if there is any reaction, both are transformed."
Adventures of Alvin Sputnik - Puppetry and animation combine to weave the enchanting tale of a man who braves the deep blue sea in order to save the world from rising waters. Co-presented with the Vancouver International Children's Festival. For children and adults alike.
Le Grand Continental - The free dance show brings dozens of community dancers to the plaza of the Queen Elizabeth Theatre for a joyful celebration of movement, choreographed by Montreal's Sylvain Émard.
Le Cargo - Faustin Linyekula uses his formidable skills as a dancer and storyteller to transport audiences to his homeland, the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
7 Important Things - George Acheson traces his journey from 16-year-old "rebel with a cause" to aging boomer trying to reconcile his dreams with his reality.
Fare Thee Well! - Dutch artist Dries Verhoeven creates a haunting installation that uses a telescope and LED screen to turn the world upside down.
Cineastas - This Argentine production revolves around the lives of four Buenos Aires filmmakers and the four movies they create. The two-level set evokes split-screen movie techniques, and contrasting realities.
The Road Forward - A tribute to Aboriginal women who were murdered or vanished on the Highway of Tears and Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. This multimedia blues/rock musical was created by acclaimed playwright and performer Marie Clement and composer Jennifer Kreisberg.