
IGNITE! Youth Arts Festival turns 21 in 2023, while the festival may have left its youth behind, the eclectic festival is still programmed and curated entirely by members of The Cultch’s Youth Panel.
When the Femme Festival comes to a close on May 14th, it makes way for IGNITE!, Western Canada’s largest youth-run arts festival, to take the stage from May 17-20, 2023. The festival features theatre performers, filmmakers, writers, poets, dancers, musicians, VR and visual artists — all aged 13-30 — as well as participants from The Cultch mentorship programs. The festival also includes the production of three new One Act Plays by local emerging playwrights and a VR and Visual Arts exhibition.
Each of the main festival nights present a diverse spread of performances in a variety-show style under a theme; Solstice, Daybreak, High Noon, Golden Hour & Solar Flair, this year IGNITE! is rising up and celebrating the sunny days ahead! Performances this year include short plays, monologues, poetry, live music, traditional dance and voguing, a short films program, and a lineup of three phenomenal drag performers. IGNITE! will have an opening show at Vancity Culture Lab on May 15th with a live electronic music set, so make sure to check our Instagram to get tickets while you can!
In the Cultch Historic Theatre Lobby, the IGNITE! Visual Arts Exhibition runs April 25 – May 21, with Merch on Sale from May 17-20. Visit every night of the festival from 7-8pm to enjoy a drink from the bar, while viewing the artworks, some of the pieces will be on sale, enquire with any Youth Panel Member or bar staff to purchase.
For festival line up, more information and purchase tickets online at ignite-youth-festival.com