The youth of The Cultch’s Youth Panel are thrilled to announce that this year’s IGNITE festival will be taking over The Cultch’s Historic and Vancity Culture Lab — with youth led programming and new work by local youth playwrights— from May 8-19.
IGNITE! is an eclectic festival, programmed and curated entirely by members of the Youth Panel at the Cultch. It features theatre performers, dancers, and visual artists —all aged 11-26— as well as participants in the Cultch mentorship programs. In its 19th year, this year’s festival will be headlined by a May 8th performance of The Chemical Valley Project from Broadleaf Theatre (Toronto) — a co-presentation with Intrepid Theatre’s UNO Festival. The festival also includes the production of two new One Act Plays by local youth playwrights. In addition, each of the main festival nights offer a diverse spread of performances in a variety-show style under a theme; from Avocado Toast to Floral Friday. Performances this year include spoken word, contortion, live music, short plays, and original contemporary dance, among many others.
THE CHEMICAL VALLEY PROJECT
Touring show
May 8th 7:30pm
Vancity Culture Lab
This year, join us for a special one night performance of The Chemical Valley Project, a show created by youth-run Toronto company, Broadleaf Theatre centering themes of environmental racism in Canada, and presented in partnership with Intrepid Theatre’s UNO Festival.
ONE ACT PLAYS
May 11th and 12th 7:30pm
Vancity Culture Lab
Two new short plays by local youth playwrights are showcased in the intimacy of the smaller Culture Lab Venue.
IGNITE! FESTIVAL MAIN EVENTS
May 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th 7:30pm
Historic Theatre
Five nights featuring a diversity of young performers and participants in the Cultch Mentorship Program. Enjoy five-six performances per night in this eclectic format.
Each night’s artists are loosely assembled into a category and audiences are invited to dress according to the theme!
May 15th – Avocado Toast
Can't afford a house? Can't afford avocados? Can't even afford toast? The IGNITE! Youth Panel are here to help you reclaim everything millennial! Join us for a showcase of millennial art, from circus to Craigslist.
May 16th – Cozy Campfire
The world getting you down? Come curl up by the fire for an evening of acoustic and s’mores. Camping gear encouraged.
May 17th – Dapper Flapper
Get out your top hat and tails, and enjoy a night of mystery and class ranging all the way from saxophone to contortion, and starring a baby Michael Buble.
May 18th – Floral Friday
We're ready to bloom! Enjoy the garden of young local artists Vancouver has to offer. Dress as your favourite flower.
May 19th – Dynamite Night
The explosive end to a high energy week. Don't miss this special finale evening.
WHEN: May 8-19, 2018
WHERE: HISTORIC THEATRE AND VANCITY CULTURE LAB
1895 Venables St.
TICKETS: Tickets $2 in advance, $4 at the door for youth and seniors, $10 in advance and $15 at the door for adults. Single tickets on sale now through The Cultch’s Box Office: 604-251-1363 or tickets.thecultch.com.