Blackout Art Society's third annual STAND Festival centres on immigrant and refugee artists, November 2 to 12

Several impactful theatre, dance, and music performances are on the lineup, along with workshop, art exhibition, and live podcast offerings

SPONSORED POST BY Blackout Art Society

KIN. Photo by Andria Ortega.

The STAND Festival returns for its third consecutive year from November 2 to 12, promising an awe-inspiring celebration of art, culture, and diversity.

The festival transforms the cities of Vancouver and North Vancouver into a vibrant hub of artistic expression, inviting audiences to immerse themselves in the rich stories and talents of immigrant and refugee artists. Performances and events are held across three distinct venues this year: the Annex, the Scotiabank Dance Centre, and the Presentation House Theatre.

The STAND Festival is presented by Blackout Art Society, with the Theatre Series co-presented by Presentation House Theatre. A platform where often-marginalized voices find resonance and recognition through a dynamic fusion of theatre, music, and dance, the festival has quickly become a beacon of unity and inclusivity for the community.

Performance highlights are abundant. In theatre, there’s a diverse lineup of thought-provoking plays that explore the complexities of immigration, identity, and belonging. On November 11 at 7:30 pm, The Emigrants centres two immigrants in a democratic land who share a unique bond. One aspires to literary greatness, while the other longs to improve his family’s life back home. On a transformative New Year’s Eve, they face hopes and realities, navigating the complexities of immigrant life.

Two one-woman dramedies take place: Grace Chin’s A Funny Thing Happened On My Way To Canada on November 4, and Behtab Behseta’s She Planted, You Watered, and I Grow on November 10. Elsewhere, The Body of a Woman as a Battlefield in the Bosnian War, written by Matei Vișniec and directed by Sara Poursorkh, tells a story of female resilience.

A contemporary dance work in store on November 2 at 7:30 pm, KIN, features two performers from Brazil exploring themes of belonging, intergenerational memory, and kinship through an emotive world.

On November 7 at 7:30 pm, the Naadaleela Ensemble performs The Last Dance Ballet, a multicultural concert. Musicians from Iran, India, China, and North America create a unique fusion that celebrates centuries of cultural exchange.

The festival lineup also features a variety of workshop, art exhibition, and live podcast offerings. A complete schedule, ticket information, and updates are available at standfestival.com.

Post sponsored by Blackout Art Society.

Grace Chin, A Funny Thing Happened On My Way To Canada.