The 2023 Chutzpah! Festival returns November 2-23 with a dynamic program of performances of music, theatre, comedy, dance, multimedia arts, and film.
For over two decades the Chutzpah! Festival has been connecting communities and celebrating our stories. With the festival hub at the JCC, artists will once again share their work and grace the stages of the Norman & Annette Rothstein Theatre, Wosk Auditorium, and the Sidney & Gertrude Zack Gallery, as well as a new Chutzpah! venue, the ie Creative Artworks on Granville Island.
The 23rd Annual Chutzpah! Festival will include an opening and closing night special comedy events, sandwiching concerts, chamber opera, innovative dance works, theatre, storytelling, films, interdisciplinary projects and interactive multimedia works paired with workshops, stimulating conversations and opportunities to interact with creative artists. After a successful debut in 2022, programming for young audiences and families, including special school matinees, will return this year. With an emphasis on artists from across Canada, the Festival will also present works from Israel, The Netherlands, Japan, Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
“This year’s Chutzpah! Festival is filled with artistic experiences from around the world, offering work that is joyful, moving, thrilling, and thought-provoking, says Jessica Mann Gutteridge, Artistic Managing Director. “We will explore multiple facets of our stories and history, including how we show resilience in the face of difficult experiences. With opportunities to join together as a community across generations and cultures, participate in dancing, music, and art-making, and connect with internationally-acclaimed artists, there is so much to experience for everyone.”
The festival begins Opening Night Comedy Special Event on November 7th at 7pm at the Norman & Annette Rothstein Theatre with The Debaters – Chutzpah! Edition.
A special presentation of the comedy debate format made famous on CBC Radio by creator Richard Side. In this special Chutzpah! edition of The Debaters, guest moderator Katie Davis presides as comics Charlie Demers and Jacob Samuel square-off on a debate topic guaranteed to delight festival audiences. To get the evening started, patrons will (hopefully) enjoy stand-up comedy performances from all three of the performers.
Wrapping up the festival is the Closing Night Comedy Special Event; The Best of Israeli Comedy, November 23 at 8pm at Norman & Annette Rothstein Theatre.
Bringing laughter to Vancouver, a side-splitting lineup of some of Israel’s top stand-up comedians (in English) from around the world. Host, Vancouver’s own Kyle Berger.welcomes Israeli-born comics, and newcomers from the US and Australia, who all keep it real and keep it hilarious. Featuring Benji Lovitt, Yossi Tarablus, Deborah Kaye, Dana Perry Segal, and other local guests.
Hosted by Vancouver’s own Kyle Berger.programming of Israeli artists is supported by the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver.
Chutzpah! is a poignant reminder of the power the arts have in bringing communities together. Bring yours together as The Festival runs November 2-23, 2023 at various venues around Vancouver. More information, scheduled and Single tickets and ChutzPacks are available online at chutzpahfestival.com or by phone at 604.257.5145.