PuSh Community Questions with Board Member Tory Ross
February 13, 2020
1) For how long have you been involved with PuSh? Since when have you been attending the festival?
I first attended the PuSh Festival in 2016 as a guest of my friend and neighbour Michael Heeney who was a then-Board member and is now a keen member of the PuShOvers (Board Alumni). I joined the Board in the fall of 2017.
2) What do you most enjoy about PuSh?
The chance to purchase a whole slew of tickets, put my show list out to my friends, and see who picks which ones to attend with me. It’s a great opportunity to spend an evening or afternoon together and share a performance experience.
3) Can you tell us about a show at this year’s festival that has particularly resonated with you?
Little Volcano – Veda just put herself out there – sharing her very personal experience in an entertaining and accessible format.
4) Has anything you’ve seen at PuSh 2020 surprised or challenged you?
The Fever stands out for its blurring of the lines between artists and audience – it was both intriguing and initially somewhat unsettling.
5) If you could take any 3 PuSh 2020 artists to dinner who would you choose and where would you take them?
That’s an easy one – Veda Hille (Little Volcano), Ben Caplan (Old Stock) and d’bi young anitafrika (She, Mami Wata …). I’d be proud to host them at Burdock & Co. because like them, Chef /Owner Andrea Carlson is a bold, inspiring and talented artist.
With over 30 years experience in the areas of administration, sales, event management and communications in both the non-profit and corporate sectors, Tory has held positions with the Vancouver International Wine Festival, the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, the Vancouver Aquarium, Culinary Capers Catering, Sport BC, and VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation. She is currently the executive assistant at the Value Property Group, a commercial property development and management company.
Tory has served on the boards of VanDusen Botanical Garden Association, the Performing Arts Lodge Vancouver (PAL), the False Creek Racing Canoe Club, Carousel Theatre for Young People, and the False Creek Community Association.
She has also volunteered as a committee member for the YWCA Women of Distinction Awards, the Vancouver Lawn Tennis and Badminton Club’s food and beverage committee, and the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ national philanthropy day committee. Her hobbies include dragon boat paddling and coaching, gardening, and piano.