An innovation for these times of COVID, and an invitation: walk safely with artists through the urban spaces that have given them inspiration. The artists have recorded audio for walks of 1-2 km, with given starting and ending points; armed with a pair of headphones, audiences can journey through the city at a time of their choosing, experiencing the terrain from fresh perspectives.
Think of it as a form of interior urban renewal, with streets, parks, and other stretches of land given new dimensions and imbued with new meanings. It’s a chance to hear the artists’ voices, directly and without mediation; it’s also a way to connect people across time and space, on the common grounds of geography, history, and art.
Latest releases
Sound in Space – A PuSh Walk with Ruby Singh and Gabrielle Martin
Listen in while old friends, interdisciplinary artist and composer Ruby Singh, and PuSh’s director of Programming Gabrielle Martin, stroll around their old East Van stomping grounds at Trout Lake.
The conversation begins with revelations about the youthful duo meeting at a poetry slam; a friendship which extended into adventures in fire dancing at the lost and lamented Illuminares Festival – one of the most popular festivals in Vancouver, until its untimely demise in 2013. This eclectic arts background and love of performing has informed both Singh and Martin’s careers since. As they traverse the muddy path around the lake on this winter walk, Singh talks about his interdisciplinary work, ambi-sonic installations and the inception and evolution of his work Vox.Infold into the compelling and exhilarating sound production it is today.
PuSh Festival presents Vox.Infold from January 20-30 at Lobe Studio.
A Community Evolves: A PuSh Walk with Gabrielle Martin and James Long from Theatre Replacement
In a Brave the weather alongside PuSh’s Gabrielle Martin and Theatre Replacement’s James Long as they defy the elements on a stormy day to take a stroll around historic Strathcona; or have a listen to this fascinating conversation from your sofa, either way, it’s an interesting ride.
Beginning at the Russian Hall, James recounts the backstory behind the Soviet film reels that were discovered in an old closet next to the Russian language classroom which now serves as the Theatre Replacement office and studio. These films, sent between the 1950s and the 70s, are an upbeat promotional campaign for The Soviet Union intended to lure back Russians who had fled Stalin, and they are the inspiration for Theatre Replacement’s newest work, Do you mind if I sit here? Other topics include the gentrification and cultural history of the neighbourhood, explored while walking in some very Vancouver weather.
Underground Absolute Fiction: a musical wandering between East Van and Poland, memory and fantasy
In a journey that begins on Victoria Drive, Anais West uses story and song to transport you to her mother’s homeland, Poland. From a punk concert in Praga to the bloc apartments of Communist Gdansk, she searches for queer belonging and family history. The through-line is a protest anthem, “Rota,” written by lesbian Polish poet Maria Konopnicka and then re-appropriated through the centuries by revolutionaries, nationalists, and now queer punks.
The songs and narration are part of Underground Absolute Fiction, a docu-fantasy film Anais has been writing and developing with the support of the Canada Council, the BC Arts Council, the frank theatre, Rumble Theatre and the Queer Arts Festival.
Text by Anais West Performed by Anais West and Julia Siedlanowska
Musical credits:
“Przemoc, twoja przemoc” Vocals: Julia Siedlanowska Guitar & Back Up Vocals: Sara Vickruck Keyboard & Back Up Vocals: Claire Love Wilson Drums & Music Direction: khattieQ Lyrics by Anais West Translation by Łukasz Wojtysko Arrangement by Sara Vickruck Recording, Mixing and Mastering: Piotr Wieczorek Adapted by Sara Vickruck, khattieQ, Julia Siedlanowska & Claire Love Wilson from the folk song “Biedoż moja, biedo,” author unknown.
“Rota” Sung by Julia Siedlanowska| Written by Maria Konopnicka Composed by Feliks Nowowiejski
Here, now, and grateful: a walk through Pacific Spirit Regional Park with KhattieQ
“I am here. I am now. I am grateful.” Those soothing words mark the beginning of a journey through Pacific Spirit Park with musician, writer, and self-described “natural-born clown” KhattieQ. As the artist moves through the entrance and into the forest, the ambient wash of traffic noise recedes and the sounds become fewer, softer, and more soothing, neatly complementing her gentle voice. Full of happy musings and punctuated by KhattieQ’s rousing Latinx music, this Walk is perfect for a beautiful late summer day.
Here, they invite you to join them in the “nowhere space” of the digital world, as they walk through their own nighttime spaces (one in London, the other in Toronto) while sharing the third, and most crucial, location with the listener. Set against a backdrop of piano, synth chords, and experimental vocals, this a haunting and moody excursion.
CREATORSJean Abreu & Naishi WangMUSIC AND SOUNDSJean Abreu and Naishi Wang AUDIO EDITINGAshley Daniel Foot PRODUCERBen Lange
DECIPHERS CREDITS Deciphers is a co-production of the National Arts Centre (NAC) Visiting Dance Artist programme a joint initiative of Canada Council for the Arts and NAC, The CanDance Network small scale Creation Fund supported and presented by Montreal Arts Interculturels, The Harbourfront Centre, the National Arts Centre and PuSh Festival.
Ulksen Spirit: a westward walking sonic experience with Jeanette Kotowich
A layered walking experience of land, water, body, histories, futures and Spirit of Ulksen: Squamish place name referring to the Burrard Peninsula, colonially known as Spanish Banks. Allow yourself to be guided by the narration, encompassed in the present moment, witnessing as much of your surroundings as possible, while simultaneously giving over to your imagination.
The sonic environment for this piece was crafted and composed by Matthew Morrish: A tapestry of field recordings, imagined spaces, echoed memories, and rhythms of the earth. Matthew creates visual, sonic, and poetic art with his ongoing Futurhythms project. He also occasionally releases electronic music under the alias Owlform.
Jeanette Kotowich is a Vancouver-based, independent, dance artist and choreographer of mixed Cree/Métis and European ancestry. Jeanette creates work that reflects protocol, ritual, relationship to the natural/spiritual world, and Indigenous futurism. Learn more about Jeanette on her website.
FEATURING Jeanette Kotowich IN CONSULTATION WITH Squamish Elder S7aplek (aka. Bob Baker) CREATED FOR the PuSh Festival’s PuSh Walks Series
Finding Delight in Heartbreak: An audio walk with Jesse Del Fierro
Theatre artist Jesse Del Fierro starts their Walk with a powerful acknowledgment and concludes on a note of uplift; in between, there’s a trip down memory lane, a romantic reminiscence, reflections on dealing with adversity, and tips on how to “exist as you are.” Del Fierro speaks to their listener as a close friend would, leaving space for curiosity and offering sympathy, advice, and inspiration.
Inspired by Every Brilliant Thing by Duncan Macmiller and Ep. 692 The Show of Delights by Ira Glass and Bim Adewunmi. Constantly inspired by Natalie Tin Yin Gan, Jenna Rodgers, Jivesh Parasram, Dominique and Emilyn, and Ate Julie & Ate Jacquie.
PuSh Walks is produced by Ben Lange, Audio editing by Ashley Daniel Foot
Listen on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcast.
DTES suite / burials underfoot — a furious journey with Q Lawrence
While traveling from a transit station to the Downtown East Side, Q Lawrence recites their harsh, imagistic, creatively profane poetry and plunges the listener into darkness. Follow the route Q takes in their wheelchair and hear their morbidly beautiful musings, which have the power to disturb, but also to provoke empathetic reflection. This work may be brief, but in its density and suggestive force, it contains volumes.
The following audio might contain content that may be harmful or traumatizing to some audience.
PuSh Walks is produced by Ben Lange, Audio editing by Ashley Daniel Foot
Listen on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcast.
“Of peanuts and screws”, an audio walk with Njo Kong Kie
Njo Kong Kie takes a walk through the streets of Toronto, and invites you to share his journey in a place of your own choosing. The musical accompaniment is drawn from the artist’s own Picnic in the Cemetery,and it’s a delight for the ears. Interspersed with the melodic interludes are Kong Kie’s musings on ideology, interpersonal connections, Kung-Fu flicks, ambition, and more, including the true cost of our smartphones.
Text by Njo Kong Kie except the poem 一颗螺丝掉在地上 “A single screw fell to the ground” by Xu Lizhi, translated into English by Derek Kwan
Music by Njo Kong Kie, performed by Simon Claude, Alexandre Castonguay and Njo Kong Kie
Track details: Moments Cinématiques no 1, Quatrième Confession, Ljubljana, Moments Cinématiques no 11, Sweet, Toujours
Listen on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcast.
Procession to New Town: an audio walk through Vancouver’s Chinatown
Join artists Ralph Escamillan and Kimberley Wong for a stroll through Vancouver’s Chinatown area. While journeying to New Town Bakery & Restaurant, Ralph and Kimberley share personal memories, historical reflections, and thoughts on the diasporic experiences that define the city. Topics include family dynamics and immigration. The walk concludes at the famous eatery, where you too can grab a delicious snack.
Starting point:
Main & Georgia, Vancouver, BC
Featuring:Ralph Escamillan, performance artist, and Kimberley Wong, writer, facilitator, and community organizer.
Accessibility: All crosswalks on this route have ramps.
PuSh Walks is produced by Ben Lange, Audio editing by Ashley Daniel Foot
Listen on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcast.
Graveyards and Gardens: A walk through Mountain View Cemetery and the back alleys of Massachusetts
An adventure with dual destinations, this Walk guides listeners through East Vancouver and Amherst, Massachusetts simultaneously. Artists Caroline Shaw and Vanessa Goodman converse in real-time as they travel through a graveyard and a stretch of local forest. The dialogue is accompanied by ambient sounds—both natural and electronic. There’s a strong spectral tone to the journey(s), with memory and the knowledge of unceded land looming large.
Starting point:
If you are experiencing this walk in Vancouver, please visit Mountain View Cemetery.
If you are in Massachusetts, please take a walk in the forest.
Accessibility: The East Vancouver route goes into the graveyard over a grassy patch and a curb with no ramp but if you enter from 33rd in the middle of the graveyard there is a ramp and the sidewalk turns into a driveway with no gradient adjustment.
PuSh Walks is produced by Ben Lange, Audio editing by Ashley Daniel Foot
Listen on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcast.
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