How to PuSh
The Georgia Straight called PuSh “Vancouver’s best festival to give you that Berlin feeling.” We think that’s a spot-on description of the kind of programming PuSh offers. Edgy, controversial explorations of the new frontiers of performance in the blended arts.
We are thrilled to welcome you to in-person performances for the 2024 PuSh International Performing Arts Festival. We have established our COVID-19 and Communicable Disease Prevention safety policies in accordance with the current recommendations of BC’s Provincial Health Orders.
Please help us ensure the safety of our audience, staff, volunteers, and artists by thoroughly understanding these guidelines prior to attending a performance.
Masks
PuSh strongly encourages wearing masks at indoor events, except while eating or drinking.
Capacity
All audiences will be at the appropriate full capacity for the show and venue, unless public health orders change.
Please do not attend a performance if any of the following are true
- You have newly experienced any of the following symptoms in the past 10 days: fever, chills, cough, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, shortness of breath.
- You have tested positive for COVID-19, or come in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
Tickets are non-refundable, with the exception of being unable to attend due to experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. Please contact tickets@pushfestival.ca at least three hours before your scheduled performance to arrange a refund or exchange. Please contact us if you have questions regarding our COVID-19 policies.
Thank you for your cooperation and patience, and we look forward to seeing you at the 2024 PuSh Festival!
- In the Box Office bar on most PuSh pages, click Add and choose Gift Card.
- Specify the gift card amount and complete your purchase.
- Gift cards are processed by the next business day. Once processed you’ll receive an email with your gift card redemption numbers.
- When you receive the gift card email, you can deliver it to the recipient however you like:
- By simply forwarding the email
- By writing the numbers on your own custom card
- Another creative method all your own
Thank you for your support! You can make a donation or learn more about our fundraising campaign in the Donate section of our website.
The Volunteer Coordinator will be contacting those currently in the volunteer pool as needed. There will be some limited opportunities for ushering.
If you are interested in becoming a new volunteer at PuSh, please check our volunteer information and contact page.
Due to timed entries and a quick turnaround between time slots, we are unable to accommodate latecomers.
The board does not play a role in determining PuSh programming. Specific programming and presenting decisions, as well as the artistic direction the organization takes, are determined by the Artistic and Administrative Teams.
Tickets
Of course! Please contact Patron Services by:
- Email (fastest service)
- Phone: 604.449.6000
- Toll-free in North America: 1.866.608.8284
Patron Services Support Hours:
Monday-Friday 11am-5pm, closed December 22-Jan 1
Online sales close 3 hours prior to the performance start time. Please note that tickets must be purchased in advance of each event as a Box Office may not be available at all in-person events.
Visa, Mastercard, and American Express are the only forms of payment accepted online.
There are two options available when buying tickets through the PuSh website:
Print at home/Show on mobile
Tickets can be emailed to you when you complete your booking, and print at home/show on mobile is the default option for most shows. You’ll present your tickets (printed or on your mobile screen) at the venue when you arrive.
Pick up tickets at the box office/will call
Tickets will be available for pick up at the venue box office on the day of select performances. Venue box offices generally open one hour prior to showtime. You must select this option when booking for printed tickets to be saved for you. The person who purchased the tickets must always be present with valid photo ID to pick up tickets.
Note that all digital streaming performances have limited availability windows to watch the show.
- Sign in to your PuSh Ticketing Account, and then choose Your Tickets & Streams.
- Click Watch Stream to view your digital show.
- Add a PuSh Pass to your cart, then check out and pay.
- Pick the shows you want to see and add tickets to your cart.
- In the Cart, click Redeem Pass or Gift Card and then click Activate.
Types of Passes
Four and Six Show Passes for In-Person Shows: enables you to book 1 ticket per show for four or six different shows.
Digital Pass: enables you to book 1 ticket per show for each of our streaming performances. Note that digital shows have a limited viewing period, see individual show pages for details.
Looking for a different Pass?
For more information see our Pass Terms and Conditions.
The PuSh Youth Pass gives people aged 16-24 the chance to see four shows for just $20. You can book all four Youth Pass shows at one time, or in different transactions.
To Buy and Use a Youth Pass
1. Your pass must be purchased before it can be used to book tickets. Add the Youth Pass to your cart and check out.
2. When you’re ready to book, add the show tickets you want to buy to your cart.
3. When you’re ready to check out, from your cart click Redeem Gift Card & Passes. Beside your Youth Pass, click Activate.
4. You’ll see the discounted price and the number of shows remaining on your pass. Finish check out and you’re ready to go. Show your confirmation email and photo ID to pick up your tickets at will call.
If you have trouble redeeming your Youth Pass, please contact Patron Services for assistance. Youth Passes are subject to Terms & Conditions.
To purchase tickets, register for PuSh free events, or make a donation you’ll need to sign into your ticketing account.
Forgot your password or not sure if you have an account? You can reset your password here. If you get an error that no e-mail address can be found, you’ll need to register for a new account.
If you’re a new customer, you can register here.
To reset your PuSh password you’ll need to remember the email address for your account. If you remember your email address, you can reset your password. If you don’t remember your email you will need to create a new account when checking out.
Single tickets are non-refundable but can be exchanged for another eligible and available performance up to 72 hours prior to showtime by contacting Patron Services. A rebooking fee of $2.25 per ticket will apply for any ticket changes.
Tickets booked on a PuSh Pass can be exchanged for another eligible and available performance, up to 72 hours prior to showtime by contacting Patron Services.
Missed performances or rebooking requests made within 72 hours of showtime are non-refundable.
If you are unable to attend because you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, contact Patron Services at least three hours before the performance to receive a refund or exchange.
Contact Patron Services for assistance with rebooking or cancellations.
If an event for which you have bought a ticket(s) is cancelled, you are entitled to a full refund of the paid value. We will automatically issue you a refund of the paid value to the method of payment used to make your original purchase. Please allow 5 business days for the refund to post to the original form of payment.
Tickets are non-refundable, with the exception where a guest is experiencing Covid symptoms and contacts Patron Services at least two hours before the showtime.
Share the PuSh Festival with a group of friends, colleagues or clients! Parties of 10 or more save up to 20% off single ticket prices to select shows.
About Group Tickets
- Tickets are subject to availability
- Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. They cannot be exchanged or re-booked.
- Unused tickets are non-refundable.
- Most shows are general admission, seating is on a first-come-first-served basis.
- Select shows are reserved seating. Ticket holders can select their seat from the available selection.
- Valid photo ID must be presented by the original purchaser at each venue box office to pick up tickets.
- Lost or stolen tickets will not be replaced.
- Additional service charges and telephone order fees may apply in addition to the advertised ticket price.
- Programming, artists, dates and prices are subject to change.
For group bookings, please contact Patron Services.
- Tickets are subject to availability.
- Tickets must be purchased in advance of each event.
- Online sales close 3 hours prior to the performance start time.
- The Shadow Whose Prey the Hunter Becomes and Pli are reserved seating shows. All other shows are general admission and seating is on a first-come-first-served basis.
- Visa, Mastercard and American Express are the only forms of payment accepted.
- Tickets are non-refundable, with the exception where a guest experiencing COVID-19 symptoms contacts Patron Services at least three hours before showtime.
- Tickets can be exchanged for another eligible and available performance up to 72 hours prior to showtime by contacting Patron Services. A rebooking fee of $2.25 per ticket will apply for any ticket changes.
- Unused tickets are non-refundable.
- If an event for which you have bought a ticket(s) is cancelled, you are entitled to a refund of the paid value. We will automatically issue you a refund of the paid value to the method of payment used to make your original purchase. Please allow 5 business days for the refund to be posted to the original form of payment.
- Additional service charges may apply in addition to the advertised ticket price.
- Programming, artists, dates, and prices are subject to change.
- PuSh Passes are limited quantity.
- Limit of two (2) PuSh Passes per order.
- PuSh Passes are non-refundable and non-transferable.
- Tickets allotted for Passholders for each performance are limited, so book early and at least 72 hours before showtime.
- Select shows or performance times may not be eligible to book on a PuSh Pass: Digital Streams and Dear Laila
- Additional charges apply for the following reserved seating shows: Pli (Seating Zones A and B)
- The Shadow Whose Prey the Hunter Becomes and Pli are reserved seating shows. All other shows are general admission and seating is on a first-come-first-served basis.
- Please note that with the exception of Pli, specific assigned seating information is not available in advance. If you have accessibility seating needs (such as wheelchair seating), please make a note in the “Order Notes” field at the time of booking.
- Tickets booked on a PuSh Pass can be exchanged for another eligible and available performance, up to 72 hours prior to showtime by contacting Patron Services.
- Missed performances are considered redeemed on your Pass and are non-refundable.
- Passholders must always be present, and be prepared to show valid photo ID, at the venue box office to pick up tickets. For select performances, print-at-home tickets may be emailed to you in advance; please present your tickets (printed or on your mobile screen) at the venue.
- PuSh Passes must be presented by the passholder at the door for free entry to Club PuSh events.
- Programming, artists, dates, and prices are subject to change.
- We apply quantity limits for Passes to each patron in order to discourage unfair ticket buying practices. We reserve the right to cancel or modify orders if limits are exceeded, or under other circumstances including fraudulent activity.
- Youth Passes are limited quantity.
- Limit of one (1) Youth Pass per person.
- Youth Passes are non-refundable and non-transferable.
- Must be 16 to 24 years old (on February 4, 2024) to be eligible for a Youth Pass.
- The Youth Pass entitles the Passholder to book one (1) ticket per show, up to four (4) shows at the 2024 PuSh Festival.
- Tickets allotted for Youth Passholders for each performance are extremely limited, so book early and at least 72 hours before showtime.
- The Youth Pass cannot be redeemed for seats in Zone A or Zone B of Pli.
- The Shadow Whose Prey the Hunter Becomes and Pli are reserved seating shows. All other shows are general admission and seating is on a first-come-first-served basis.
- Please note that with the exception of Pli, specific assigned seating information is not available in advance. If you have accessibility seating needs (such as wheelchair seating), please make a note in the “Order Notes” field at the time of booking.
- Tickets booked on a Youth Pass can be exchanged for another eligible and available performance up to 72 hours prior to showtime by contacting Patron Services.
- Missed performances are considered redeemed on your Pass and are non-refundable.
- Passholders must always be present, and be prepared to show valid proof-of-age photo ID, at the venue box office to pick up tickets.
- Advertised Pass prices include service fees and taxes.
- Programming, artists, dates, and prices are subject to change.
- We apply quantity limits for Passes to each patron in order to discourage unfair ticket buying practices. We reserve the right to cancel or modify orders if limits are exceeded, or under other circumstances including fraudulent activity.
Providing transformative performing arts experiences to as broad an audience as possible is a PuSh core value. We try to remove physical, social and financial barriers wherever possible to ensure everyone has an opportunity to experience the performing arts.
Our approach is based on consultations with members of the community and collaborating with them on making our festival accessible and on educating our artists, staff, volunteers and partners.
Please see Accessible PuSh for general information and common questions. You can talk to the Accessibility Coordinator to discuss specific inquiries, needs, or give feedback through our contact form, by phone at 604.605.8284 x 204, or access@pushfestival.ca.
For assistance with ticket bookings, contact Patron Services.
We are thrilled to welcome you to in-person performances for the 2024 PuSh International Performing Arts Festival. We have established our COVID-19 and Communicable Disease Prevention safety policies in accordance with the current recommendations of BC’s Provincial Health Orders.
Please help us ensure the safety of our audience, staff, volunteers, and artists by thoroughly understanding these guidelines prior to attending a performance.
Masks
PuSh strongly encourages wearing masks at indoor events, except while eating or drinking.
Capacity
All audiences will be at the appropriate full capacity for the show and venue, unless public health orders change.
Please do not attend a performance if any of the following are true
- You have newly experienced any of the following symptoms in the past 10 days: fever, chills, cough, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, shortness of breath.
- You have tested positive for COVID-19, or come in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
Tickets are non-refundable, with the exception of being unable to attend due to experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. Please contact tickets@pushfestival.ca at least three hours before your scheduled performance to arrange a refund or exchange. Please contact us if you have questions regarding our COVID-19 policies.
Thank you for your cooperation and patience, and we look forward to seeing you at the 2024 PuSh Festival!
We partner with a Deaf advisor to offer the best possible experience to patrons who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (DHH).
We provide the following for performing arts lovers who are DHH:
- ASL general informational vlog
- Vlogs for all DHH-friendly shows (on show pages)
- ASL-interpretation at select performances and events
- ASL-interpretation can be requested for non-performance events, subject to availability Request ASL interpretation.
- Captions or surtitles for select performances
- Written introductions for DHH-friendly can be downloaded on show pages, and paper copies are available at the box office
- Training in basic ASL for our accessibility volunteers
We encourage Deaf and hard of hearing arts lovers to volunteer and see shows for free. Register as a volunteer.
Each year, we work closely with consultants with lived experiences to determine shows as low vision friendly.
Our low-vision-friendly programming includes:
- Live audio description by VocalEye at select performances to describe the visual elements in real-time.
- Performance introductions for all shows that are low vision friendly
- A complimentary ticket for companions to any show
- A sighted guide who meets the patron at the nearest transit stop and guides them to and from the venue (available for any show)
All PuSh facilitated events have gender-inclusive washrooms and inclusion of systemically underrepresented sexual and gender minorities is at the heart of PuSh’s organizational core values. Presenting partners are strongly encouraged to follow suit.
Some performances without ASL-interpretation, captions, or live description are still accessible. For the elements that are essential to appreciate or follow the show, we provide a written introduction. These introductions are written by or with artists specifically for audience members who are Deaf, hard of hearing, blind or live with vision loss.
Introductions can be downloaded from the show page directly and a printed version will be at the venue’s box office the night of the performance.
PuSh selects performances to welcome patrons who may benefit from a more casual or low sensory environment. Relaxed Performances can be for anybody and maybe more welcoming/comfortable for people on the autism spectrum and people with sensory and communication disorders or learning disabilities.
Extra live shows are shows that are always relaxed, so each performance of that show is relaxed. Relaxed performances are created to ensure people feel welcome. This does not mean people are not welcome to attend other shows. Everyone is welcome at any show.
Relaxed Performances include:
A visual story for the venue sent before the performance:
- The visual story is a guide with lots of pictures to help people envision the experience and prepare for it.
A visual story of the show:
- A show guide with pictures of performers & sets
- What to expect of intense or shocking moments
- A complete breakdown of the show
Adjusted Show Environment:
- The auditorium lights are never completely off, meaning the audience is never in complete darkness.
- The show’s sound and light levels are reduced to make them less intense.
Suspended theatre audience norms:
- No shushing; it is ok to make noise.
- Outward reactions are welcome
- Ok to move around and fidget
Chill-out space to relax if the show is too intense:
- A video feed of the show is provided where possible
- You can re-enter the theatre whenever you are ready.
Support persons accompanying patrons who require assistance to attend a show receive a complimentary ticket. PuSh participates in Easter Seals Canada’s Access2 program, partners with VocalEye, and Canucks Autism Network. Even if you are not part of any of these partner programs, please reach out to us about a support ticket.
Need support but don’t have a support person? We can provide one. Specially trained PuSh volunteers are available to assist patrons to attend shows, meeting you at nearby public transit stops, guiding you to and from venues and supporting you at the shows.
For support ticket requests or sighted guide requests, please contact us through our contact form, or reach out to our Accessibility Coordinator directly at 604.605.8284 x 204 or access@pushfestival.ca.
Please submit sighted guide requests 72 hours in advance as these are subject to availability.
Performances that use spoken languages other than English may have surtitles [ST]. This can make the show accessible to Deaf and hard of hearing patrons, especially when offered in combination with a performance introduction.
Detailed audits are conducted for all venues, providing technical specifications about a range of accessibility considerations. Consult the accessibility audits online to find out more about each venue.