PuSh International Performing Arts Festival
750 Hamilton St # 110 V6B 2R5 Vancouver, BC, Canada

Our current restricted state has imposed a focus on intimacy with a select few as we face barriers in our routine interactions with others. It has been refreshing to offer my full investment to one creative relationship at a time. Joshua Beamish/MOVETHECOMPANY The Dance Centre recently sat down (virtually!) with Josh Beamish to talk more about the programming of PROXIMITY - a collection of short works, what inspires him, and what awaits him beyond this project. Read more: www.pushfestival.ca/beamish-push-blog

THIS WEEK! Start your weekend right and tune into Gordon Grdina Trio co-presented with Coastal Jazz and supported by Granville Island, Feb 20 at 8 p.m. PST. Enjoy an array of exquisite tunes with bassist Tommy Babin, drummer Kenton Loewen, and of course Gordon Grdina himself. Learn more and register for free at www.pushfestival.ca/grdina-trio.

Free event! We're excited to share another music video teaser from Missy D, coming up next at PuSh co-presented with Coastal Jazz and Granville Island. She is taking the stage this Friday, Feb 19 at 8:45 p.m. PST at Performance Works and you get the chance to tune in virtually for free! Missy D will be accompanied by Dj Kookum and Sierra Tasi Baker as openers starting at 8 p.m. PST. Register now at www.pushfestival.ca/shows/kookum-baker-missy.... Watch Missy D's full music video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbXrhtg-3UM and don't forget to subscribe while you're there.

All five works touch on journeys through solitude, restriction, and contemplation, harnessing a reflection of our collective present, in service of investigation and growth. Joshua Beamish/MOVETHECOMPANY Read Stir Vancouver’s article on how acclaimed B.C. dance artist Joshua Beamish focuses on intimacy in Proximity.

Coming up! We've got some amazing free collaborations coming up with Coastal Jazz supported by Granville Island. First off we have Dj Kookum & Sierra Tasi Baker / Missy D, February 19 at 8 p.m. PST. Missy D, a bilingual emcee born and raised around the Motherland of Rwanda, Côte d’Ivoire, and Zimbabwe. Missy D will be joined for her concert by DJ Kookum with Sierra Baker as openers. Register now at www.pushfestival.ca/kookum-baker-missy. The next day, we are excited to co-p...resent Gordon Grdina Trio, Feb 20 at 8 p.m. PST. Gordon Grdina has performed and collaborated with a wide array of field-leading artists including Gary Peacock, Paul Motion, Marc Ribot, Mark Helias, Mats Gustafsson, and more. The Gordon Grdina Trio, with Tommy Babin bass and Kenton Loewen drums, has been performing together for the last 15 years. Register now at www.pushfestival.ca/grdina-trio. See more

Learn more about Proximity A collection of short works, Joshua Beamish/MOVETHECOMPANY, February 25March 11, 7 p.m. PST This performance includes two of Joshua Beamish's creations the world premiere of Lost Touch, a new solo danced by Renée Sigouin (Kidd Pivot, Out Innerspace Dance Theatre); and Proximity, a duet performed by Beamish and Sigouin together. Part of The Dance Centre’s Global Dance Connection Series.... Tickets & Info: www.pushfestival.ca/shows/joshua-beamish Check out the trailer:

REGISTER NOW! We have 50 free online spots available for a PuSh Community Conversation on Dec 7. Sign up at pushfestival.ca/push-rally. Join Rally Curators Marcus Youssef & Maiko Yamamoto on Monday, Dec 7 from 6:007:30 p.m. PST for a facilitated online Community Conversation. This is an opportunity for you to offer advice for PuSh’s future, as it restructures & revisions, given what has occurred over the last few months, within the organization and the sector as a whole.

As part of our commitment to keeping you informed about the Organizational Review, Nicki Kahnamoui created a summary report about reflections & learning at PuSh during the first phase of our review. Phase one included an assessment of systems, structures, and processes. Read the full report at www.pushfestival.ca/summary-report.

Team Introduction! We are thrilled to welcome Natalie Backerman to the PuSh Team as our new Development Manager. Natalie is a proud mixed-race artist, event specialist, and fundraiser born and raised in Vancouver. Her passion for the arts led her to completing the Musical Theatre program at Capilano University, acting intensives at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, and her Bachelor of Fine Arts from UBC. She was introduced to fundraising when she produced and directed... Eve Ensler’s Vagina Monologues at UBC as part of the VDAY Campaign, a global initiative to end violence against women through raising awareness and funds for local support resources with productions of Eve Ensler’s work. Most recently having been at JDRF, the leading global funder of type 1 diabetes research, she comes with a wealth of experience in peer-to-peer fundraising programs, corporate giving, and volunteer management. Natalie has taken a number of courses in facilitation, leadership, and diversity and inclusion. She is currently sitting on volunteer committees with the UBC Department of Theatre and Film, and the School of Performing Arts at Capilano University to secure anti-racist and anti-discrimination policies and procedures for current and prospective students. Please join us in welcoming Natalie to PuSh. We are excited to see her impact on the organization. She is always happy to hear from you so if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to her. www.pushfestival.ca/natalie-backerman

There’s still lots of work to be done, but to me, it’s important to remember what an important cultural institution PuSh is, Maiko Yamamoto says in an interview with Stir Vancouver. I can't imagine what the city would be without it." Read the full interview with Maiko Yamamoto and Camyar Chaichian about their involvement in our current Organizational Review at www.createastir.ca/arti/push-festival-organizational-review.

Today, we give immense thanks and heartfelt congratulations to Kaen Valoise, our beloved Operations Manager, who will be moving on to a wonderful new career opportunity with Capilano University as Assistant to the Director of the Indigenous Education and Affairs department. "I am not 'moving away' from PuSh, so much as I’m 'moving toward' a tremendous opportunity, to work with Indigenous communities. I remain dedicated to the PuSh Festival, and I am committed to supporting th...e organization I love any way I can. To this end, I will continue my work with the PuSh Advisory Group." Kaen Valoise Her thoughtful, caring, and compassionate personality will be missed at PuSh. She always spread joy and laughter amongst the team and never hesitated to go above and beyond to improve the patron experience. We know she will go on to do incredible things in the community and beyond. Read our full announcement and a blog post from Kaen herself at www.pushfestival.ca/congrats-kaen.

Did you hear? We just announced the newly formed PuSh Rally! In the midst of great uncertainty for the culture sector, for PuSh, and for the world, we are joined by two of Vancouver’s most celebrated theatre artists, Theatre Replacement's Maiko Yamamoto & Neworld Theatre's Marcus Youssef as Curators of the 2021 PuSh Rally. LEARN MORE: www.pushfestival.ca/push-rally