Have You Been PuShed?

Posted on 18th January, by AlyssaBurtt in Community Happenings, News. No Comments

Have You Been PuShed? PuSh Int’l Performing Arts Festival Pushes Vancouver Into its 125th Year With Yesterday Evening’s Opening Gala

This year’s PuSh Festival is a salutation to Vancouver’s 125th birthday celebration, looking at questions of urban experience, the everyday, our history and civic identity. Last night’s gala was a snapshot of what audiences can expect from PuSh this year: diverse, genre-bending, multi-disciplined, startling and original performances from the mysterious ladies in white to flamenco to the charged performance by The Zolas.

We checked out the Vancouver is Awesome installation about Vancouver’s neighbourhoods. Seems like everyone is asking this question these days. What do you love about your ‘hood?

The gala took media one step further with digital and video content lining the walls of Five Sixty, where the event took place. We’re talkin’ walls, photo booths and yes even the bathrooms had video content running next to the mirrors. PuSh is clearly a happenin’ festival that is staying true to its mandate to “engage and enrich audiences with adventurous contemporary works in a spirit of innovation and dialogue.”

We can’t wait to see some of the acts this year with artists from home as well as from Australia, Argentina, France and beyond, from video installations to free dance performances in the street and post-performance talkbacks at Performance Works on Granville Island.

Congratulations to everyone at PuSh from ZenHouse Media, we love what you’re up to. As executive director Norman Armour says, “the arts have always been, and always will be, right here at the centre of civic life. One only needs to look, listen, read.” With the Olympics gone and a significant birthday upon us, Vancouver is craving this stuff and now is the time to remind ourselves what it is at the centre of civic life that makes a city tick. Go get ‘em, PuSh!

For more info, tickets and programming visit http://pushfestival.ca/

About Alyssa Burtt

Alyssa Burtt is Creative Director and Co-Founder of ZenHouse Media. She loves designing for web and usability and helping small business owners find practical strategies for success. An avid iPhone photographer, snowboarder and visual artist, she loves supporting local community and the arts.