The Chutzpah! Festival welcomes the change of seasons with a special spring edition of the festival – The Chutzpah! Plus Spring Edition runs March 19-23.
Audiences can expect a vibrant lineup of performances of music, theatre, comedy, dance, and family entertainment showcasing exciting international artists through a multicultural Jewish lens. The artists will grace the stages of the Norman & Annette Rothstein Theatre at the festival hub at the Jewish Community Centre, as well as at the Vancouver Playhouse.
For twenty-five years the Chutzpah! Festival has been a highlight of Greater Vancouver’s arts season, growing to deliver audiences programming throughout the year. The Chutzpah! Plus Spring Edition welcomes concerts ranging from middle eastern world music to family entertainment, innovative dance work, theatre, hilarious comedy, as well as workshops, stimulating conversations, and opportunities to interact with the creative artists from around the world.
“The Chutzpah! Festival is delighted to launch our new format,” says Jessica Mann Gutteridge, Artistic Managing Director. “It has been a goal of the festival to bring our mix of diverse, global professional programming to the community throughout the year, and the new Spring Edition is sure to offer something for everyone.”
The Chutzpah! Plus Spring Edition lineup includes:
THEATRE
Stories From the Brink: My Festive Near-Death Adventures (USA/Israel)
March 19 @ 7pm at Norman & Annette Rothstein Theatre
From actress/director/writer Iris Bahr (Curb your Enthusiasm, Hacks, Friends…) comes one woman’s true tales of near death, unfiltered and in snackable form. Including, but not limited to: war zones, elder caregiving, a white water disaster, incompetent Scottish physicians, and a childhood in the Bronx that involved a Yeshiva by day and bacon and the Guggenheim by night.
COMEDY
Talia Reese (USA)
March 20 @ 7pm at Norman & Annette Rothstein Theatre
Talia Reese is an accomplished stand-up comedian who regularly performs at New York City’s most famous comedy clubs and events throughout the U.S. and Canada. Last seen on the Chutzpah! stage in 2022 as a special guest with Joel Chasnoff, Talia returns by popular demand to headline this festive lineup.
DANCE
Universus
March 21 & 22 @ 8pm at Vancouver PlayhouseDance Double-Bill by Belle Spirale Dance Projects & Fernando Hernando Magadan (Canada/Spain)
Presented in partnership with VIDF (Vancouver International Dance Festival) and New Works Dance, Chutzpah! is the Creation and Presenting Partner for the World Premiere of two new dance works from resident artists Belle Spirale Dance Projects.
Internationally celebrated choreographer Fernando Hernando Magadan and Belle Spirale Directors Alexis Fletcher & Sylvain Senez reach for questions of cosmic significance: is connection to earth achievable on a chaotically changing planet? Will human resilience be enough for our uncertain future?
Brought to life by a company of eight powerful dancers, choreography, spoken word, and technical design interweave on an adventurous, interdisciplinary journey into purpose, creation, and our place among the stars.
photo: Michael Slobodian
MUSIC
Yamma Ensemble (Israel)
March 22 @ 7pm at Norman & Annette Rothstein Theatre
“Yamma” means “toward the sea” in Hebrew. In Arabic it means “mother.” Since 2010, the five members of the Yamma Ensemble have made their mark sharing Hebrew and Jewish music with international audiences. With influences including ancient traditions, tribal singing, sacred and secular Jewish chants, the ensemble brings virtuosic Middle Eastern and world instrumentation on unique instruments such as the dudek, ney, shofar, bansuri, didgeridoo, fujara, kopuz, and oud.
March 21 @ 10am Yamma Ensemble will also present an intergenerational matinee performance geared to school and senior’s groups. A workshop exploring Middle Eastern instruments and rhythms will be available following the performance.
Presentation supported by the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver and the Ronald S Roadburg Foundation.
FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT
City Birds (USA/Israel)
March 23 @ 11am at Norman & Annette Rothstein Theatre
City Birds is a new project in the tradition of Americana by Tamar Eisenman and Sagit Shir, two prominent musicians combining their 20 years of writing and touring to create a collection of songs which bring families together and celebrates childhood through songs that reflect inclusivity and love. The duo weaves a musical tapestry that captivates the imagination of the youngest ones while also resonating with the hearts of parents and siblings. Their work is a celebration of families and about telling stories where children find comfort, joy and inclusion.
For more details on the Chutzpah! Plus Spring Edition artists and program visit chutzpahfestival.com
Single tickets for most of Chutzpah!’s live performances are on sale now for $ 34 (students/seniors) & $40 (adults) (+ gst/sc). Youth tickets for the Yamma Ensemble’s intergenerational matinee are $18 and ALL tickets for City Birds are $18. Tickets can be purchased online at chutzpahfestival.com or by phone at 604-257-5145.