The Performing Arts and Technology Festival at Massey Theatre in New Westminster runs from November 14 to 17. This four-day event is packed with live performances, workshops, and activities for people of all ages. It focuses on the combination of music, animation, dance, and film, using both traditional and modern technology to create fun and unforgettable experiences.
Do you know any youths who want to learn hip hop or popping? How about seeing a free dance performance, or watching street dance battles? Join us on Nov 17 at the Performing Arts & Technology Festival, and it’s filled with dance!https://t.co/EBMc49qTi3#newwest #yvrdance pic.twitter.com/BooR921jxY
— Massey Theatre (@Masseytheatre) November 9, 2024
Jessica Schneider is the executive director of Massey Theatre, she explains that the festival is all about connecting different generations and showing how performing arts and technology can tell stories in unique ways. The event features a mix of old and new technologies, from classic theatrical tools like ropes and pulleys to modern tech like audio, video, and cinema. There will also be workshops and talks where artists explain how they use these technologies in their work. The festival will showcase a wide range of performers, including DJs, film composers, animators, and break dancers, all showing how creativity and technology come together.
One of the main attractions is Kid Koala’s Nufonia Must Fall, a live performance based on his graphic novel. The show will be performed using over 20 small sets and eight cameras, with the action filmed and projected in real-time onto a big screen above the stage. Kid Koala, along with the Afiara String Quartet, will perform his original score live on piano and turntables. The story is a silent love tale between a lonely office girl and a struggling robot. This show will be performed at Massey Theatre on Friday, Nov. 15 and Saturday, Nov. 16, and it’s the only stop in B.C. for this show.
In addition to the Nufonia Must Fall performance, Kid Koala will host several fun events throughout the weekend. These include Music To Draw To, where attendees can work on their own creative projects while listening to Kid’s favorite relaxing music, a special board-game event featuring his Creatures of the Late Afternoon game, and a Robot Dance Party for kids to enjoy.
The festival also offers hands-on workshops, such as animation sessions with Jeff Chiba Stearns, Street Dance workshops with Battle Zone Canada, and a music-for-film class with composer Cameron Catalano. These workshops are a great chance to learn new skills or get creative.
On Saturday night, the festival will hold an “after dark” Pecha Kucha event, where 10 speakers will each give a short presentation. Each speaker will present 20 slides, with 20 seconds per slide, for a total of six minutes and 40 seconds. It’s a fast-paced and exciting way to hear from different people about their passions.
The Performing Arts and Technology Festival offers a great chance to see how art and technology come together in fun and inspiring ways. With something for everyone, it’s an event you won’t want to miss!