From November 2 to 8, Presentation House Theatre (PHT) and Blackout Art Society co-present the 2nd annual STAND Festival, a celebration by and for immigrant and refugee artists at PHT.
Featuring a diverse line up of 19 performances and free workshops, STAND showcases and amplifies the voices of newcomers to Canada in a global line-up of vibrant music, breathtaking international dance, gripping theatre, and more.
“This is BC’s first festival focused on immigrant and refugee artists,” says Amir Hosseini, Artistic Director and co-founder of Blackout Art Society. “In one week, you’ll travel from Shanghai, South India, Persia to Afghanistan and Nigeria.”
The goal of STAND Festival is to centre and support immigrant and refugee voices while addressing social issues concerning race, class, and gender. The festival’s program offers a mix of intriguing performances, knowledge-sharing workshops, panel discussions, as well as the chance to connect with inspiring newcomer artists who share their stories of survival, courage, failure, and hope.
“You’ll witness a somatic dance theatre that questions belonging in poetry,” adds Hosseini, “and gather in a community talking about the beauty of accents and languages. You’ll learn how to produce and tour shows. It is a chance to get inspired and create together.”
Performance highlights from the program include Bharatanatyam South Asian dance, R&B music inspired by Nigerian culture, classical South Indian Carnatic music, poetry and movement explored in dance, and the original works of four emerging playwrights funded and mentored by Blackout Art Society.
On the learning side of the program, artists can discover more about creation and the business of performance events in free virtual and in-person workshops on topics such as sourcing grants, finding and sharing resources, exploring and understanding the role of the “producer”, and nurturing creative expression.
“PHT is honoured to partner in STAND,” shares Andrea Loewen, PHT Managing Director. “Last year so many immigrant and refugee artists attended workshops to learn everything from how artistic funding works in Canada to professional development of their craft. The showcases were also hugely popular and a wonderful opportunity to share the incredible work of newcomer artists with local audiences.”
STAND Festival takes place at Presentation House Theatre, 333 Chesterfield Ave, North Vancouver from November 2 – 8, 2022. Tickets and registrations are available online at tickets.phtheatre.org. Workshops are free but registration is required. Performance tickets range from $17 – $24. For festival details visit phtheatre.org.