PuSh Assembly – Curatorial Statement
January 20, 2012
By Sherrie Johnson, PuSh Festival Senior Curator
 |
|||||
|
January – the time of Under the Radar in New York and the PuSh International Performing Arts Festival in Vancouver and snow! The events are on opposite sides of North America, one in the USA, the other in Canada, but bound together by their shared history, both 8 years old, and the sharing of some International touring artists who are being presented in North America during this timeframe. This year at PuSh we are sharing three shows with New York presenters: chelfitsch theatre company, Rabih Mroué and Mariano Pensotti. All don’t-miss events which took New York by storm and received rave reviews!
December and January are always filled with energy, enthusiasm and that kind of “back to school” excitement as I prepare for Under the Radar’s Symposium (January 5 – 6) and the 2012 PuSh Assembly (February 2 – 4). Two major networking events for those of us in the performing arts industry.
For the past three years, Under the Radar has brought me into New York to host and prepare the pitch sessions with U.S. based artists. It’s no secret the pitch sessions are one of my favorite events. I thoroughly enjoy spending my time with artists, assisting them in crafting their pitches to my presenting colleagues from around the world.
My pitch expertise all started here in Canada, with my work putting together Industry networking events for the performing arts at Magnetic North Theatre Festival and the PuSh International Performing Arts Festival.
This year’s 2012 PuSh Assembly once again promises to stimulate the local scene. The Assembly is the perfect social setting to get to know some of the worlds most sought after curators!
 |
| Michael Greyeyes will deliver the keynote address. |
At this year’s Assembly we will be joined by International presenting colleagues from Denmark, New Zealand, Germany, U.S.A., Ireland, Macau, Korea and Belgium. The PuSh Assembly kicks off on February 2nd at 6p.m. with a keynote address from acclaimed First Nations actor, choreographer, director and educator Michael Greyeyes. Michael is the director of Almighty Voice and His Wife – a featured presentation in our Aboriginal Performance Series.
The pitch sessions, one of our most popular Assembly events, takes place on February 3rd, 11:30a.m – 1:30p.m. This year’s lineup includes: Small Wooden Shoe (Toronto), Secret Theatre (Halifax), Cathy Gordon (Toronto), Boca del Lupo (Vancouver), The 605 Collective (Vancouver), brokentalkers (Ireland), Raven Spirit Dance (Vancouver), and Full Performing Bodies (Vancouver).
The Assembly Talks on Saturday, February 4th from 1pm. – 3pm has confirmed Taylor Mac as one of our guest artist panelists. For those of you who saw Taylor at Club PuSh in 2009, you won’t want to miss out on hearing from him first hand! A rare treat! You won’t want to miss his new show at Club PuSh either – Ziggy Stardust Meets Tiny Tim Songbook on Feb. 3rd and 4th!
Please join me at the PuSh Assembly – it’s the West Coast’s only annual interdisciplinary forum for the performing arts and great occasion to share ideas, catch up with old colleagues and make new friends.
 |
| Taylor Mac will be a panelist at The Assembly Talks Feb. 4th |
For more information on the PuSh Assembly, click here
PuSh Passes and Industry Passes are SOLD OUT! Advance single tickets may still be available for sale for individual events and Assembly events. Click here and scroll down for venue box office information.