(Or listings for: All Artists involved in QAF 2011 | Facilitators | Performers | Visual Artists | Writers)
Exhibiting in Games People Play curated exhibition July 26-August 13
A true polymath, !Kona has been actively involved in her local and international communities since 1998. Earning her lucre as a bureaucrat in the arts and culture sector, she is also a professional film and TV actor, a writer, an event producer, an educator/advocate, a singer, and a media commentator/ socialite.
Abegail JacksonExhibiting in Games People Play curated exhibition July 26-August 13
I was born on the west coast of British Columbia and spent my early years being educated barefoot by the natural wonders of the rain-forests of the Sunshine Coast. At age 13 I moved east with my mother where I remained until 2007 when at age 27 I returned to British Columbia. Most of my life has been spent below the poverty line except in 2009 when I spent a year living as an immigrant in a small Dutch city; welcomed into an affluent family as a partner to their youngest.
Born and grew up locally in a blue-collar family. Returned to school to get my BFA, and have always been gifted/cursed with inspiration and ideas that cannot be resisted. I work in any media and medium that I encounter, and often overlap my projects. Met a great man 12 years ago, and married to him for 7. The days fly by.
Afuwa Granger self-portrait
Afuwa Granger is a visual artist, youth art facilitator and writer who uses myth and constructions of identity to question just about everything. She started out by writing all over her canvases, and finally stopped painting over the words.
Al CannonPerforming in the opening night Art Party, July 26
Alexander Cannon, trumpet soloist, chamber musician, and educator, is a dedicated student of music and committed advocate of the Arts. Al has performed at the International Trumpet Guild Convention in Dallas, TX (2003), Las Vegas Music Festival (2003), Lake Placid Institute in New York (2003), Dublin International Festival in Ireland (2004), International Trumpet Guild Convention in Bangkok, Thailand (2005), Chaiyi International Band Festival in Taiwan (2006), Coleman Chamber Ensemble Competition in Pasadena, CA (2006), Pierre Monteux School in Hancock, ME (2007), Fischoff Chamber Music Competition in South Bend, IN (2008), and with the National Youth Orchestra of Canada (2008). From 2007-2009, Al was the Acting Principal Trumpet with the Prince George Symphony Orchestra, and he has appeared as a soloist across North America and in various parts of Asia.
Read more on Alexander Cannon…
Writer Amber Dawn
Amber Dawn is a writer, filmmaker and performance artist based in Vancouver. She is the author of the novel Sub Rosa (Arsenal Pulp Press, 2010), editor of the Lambda Award-nominated Fist of the Spider Woman (Arsenal Pulp Press, 2008) and co-editor of With a Rough Tongue: Femmes Write Porn (Arsenal Pulp Press, 2005).
Amy DameExhibiting in Games People Play curated exhibition July 26-August 13
i love typewriters, glitter, doilies, black lace, grain elevators, swearing, people who fuck with gender, modern quilting, thrifting, anti-oppression politics, fishnets, chipped nail polish, sewing machines, collections, pompom trim, needlework, flocking, mail love, subversive crafting, my tuxedo kitty sofie-bean, and so much more. i spend most of my time making stuff. and sleeping. and cuddling sofie the kitty baby. all good things.
Angelina CantadaExhibiting in Games People Play curated exhibition July 26-August 13
Angelina Cantada is a visual storyteller based in Vancouver. She uses photography and filmmaking to tell stories that are thoughtful, inspiring, and always, personal. With over 15 years experience in the art of image-making, Angelina knows she will always tell her stories in pictures.
Read more on Angelina Cantada…
Composer Barry Truax
Barry Truax is a Professor in the School of Communication at Simon Fraser University where he teaches courses in acoustic communication and electroacoustic music. He worked with the World Soundscape Project, editing its Handbook for Acoustic Ecology, and has published a book Acoustic Communication dealing with sound and technology. As a composer, Truax is best known for his work with the PODX computer music system which he has used for tape solo works and those with live performers or computer graphics. In 1991 his work, Riverrun, was awarded the Magisterium at the International Competition of Electroacoustic Music in Bourges, France.
Belle AncellExhibiting in the Pride in Art Community Visual Art Show, July 26-August 13
Born and raised in the Kootenays, Belle Ancell currently lives in the beautiful city of Vancouver, BC.
Berend McKenzie
Berend McKenzie lives in Vancouver, British Columbia Canada. He is an award winning actor, writer and producer. Berend’s film and television credits include Andromeda, Cold Squad, Catwoman with Halle Berry and Life or Something Like It with Angelina Jolie.
Beth Allen
Beth “Buzy B” Allen moved to Vancouver 9 years ago to pursue music.
Since her move she has completed a Jazz/contemporary vocal diploma from Vancouver Community College. She has held weekly DJ night’s around Vancouver at Lick nightclub and currently at The Reef resturant. Also she has been involved with great festivals such as the Sista’ Hood festival and The International Queer Flim festival.
Read more on Beth “Buzy B” Allen…
Writer Bill Richardson
Bill Richardson is a writer and broadcaster. He lives in Vancouver where he hosts weekend classical music programming for CBC Radio 2. “Do You Want What I Have Got?” a revue he co-wrote with Veda Hille, will be performed at the Arts Club Revue stage early in 2012. He was recently fired as a columnist (not communist) by Readers Digest.
Bluelight
Electronic duo Bluelight formed in 2008, releasing their debut four track EP on Boomsmack Records. A string of live shows and periods of concentrated song-writing saw the band intensify momentum culminating in their full length album ‘On The Edge’ set for release in July 2011. The band is elated to be releasing their first video ‘I See Fine’, directed by Lorna Richards of All Out Media to coincide with their new website and album release.
Writer C.E. Gatchalian
C. E. Gatchalian has been Playwright-in-Residence at the Playhouse Theatre Company and the Firehall Arts Centre in Vancouver, and Writer-in-Residence at the Berton House Writers’ Retreat in Dawson City, Yukon. His plays, which include Broken, Crossing, Claire and Motifs & Repetitions, have appeared on stages nationally and internationally, as well as on radio and television. His play for young audiences, People Like Vince, commissioned by Green Thumb Theatre, is touring schools next spring, and the world premiere of his play Falling in Time will be produced by Screaming Weenie Productions this November. His latest book, Crossing & Other Plays, was published earlier this year by Lethe Press. A Lambda Literary Award finalist in 2003, he is currently Producer at Neworld Theatre.
Read more on C. E. Gatchalian…
Writer Carol Guess
Guess is the author of seven books of poetry and prose, as well as four forthcoming collections: Darling Endangered, Doll Studies: Forensics, Willful Machine, and My Father In Water. She is Associate Professor of English at Western Washington University, and lives with her spouse, Elizabeth J. Colen, on the Washington coast. Follow her here: www.carolguess.blogspot.com
I have always loved to make things! Having been engaged in the DIY queer craft scene since moving to Vancouver in 2000, I was one of the founding collective members of Seamrippers Craft Collective and I also organized ‘I Heart Crafts Bazaar’ for several years. Currently, I am working as a Education Assistant in a wonderful inner city school where, among other things I get to teach art to 6 and 7 year olds. In contrast, with this body of work I am excited about the adult’ness’ of the theme. I enjoy working with textiles and paper – creating works that bring you in close to examine the details.
Read more on Charlotte Hewson…
Christopher CookAuthor, Clean Sheets 2011: The Better Parts of Mourning
For 69 seconds with Christopher Cook, go to gayvancouver.net
Christopher is a Vancouver based writer and performer. He received his theatre training from Concordia University and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.
Read more on Christopher Cook…
Daelik has been performing for over 20 years. He began acting in Toronto in the mid 1980s, performing in Grotowski-inspired physical theatre productions. In 1990 he moved to Vancouver where dance through Contact Improvisation. Daelik has performed across Canada and internationally, spending two years living in Berlin.
Dana Ayotte – UnspeakableArtist Statement:
With this body of work I aim to represent the idea of all that is left unsaid in our day to day lives and in our society. Like an elephant in the room, at times I sense an almost palpable presence of the unspoken. Growing up in a religious family meant that many subjects were considered taboo, particularly any discussion of sex or sexuality. In my daily life I am aware of what I choose to reveal or not to reveal in certain situations; by agreeing to the rules of this game I collude with unseen forces that define acceptable subject matter. What I choose to keep hidden can give me power, but when I am unable to express myself fully my human experience is limited. These paintings are motivated by both the joy of self-expression as well as the struggle to overcome the fear of vulnerability.
Reading in Queerotica, August 8
Daniel Zomparelli is the editor of Poetry Is Dead magazine. He writes and works with magazines across Vancouver including Geist, Megaphone Magazine, Sad Mag, Granville Online and formerly Adbusters. His first book of poems Davie Street Translations is forthcoming from Talonbooks. You can email him at editor@poetryisdead.ca.
Read more on Daniel Zomparelli…
Darah TietelAuthor, Clean Sheets 2011: Marla’s Party Aug 2
Darrah Teitel is an award winning playwright, whose work has been produced nationally and internationally. Teitel is also performer, dramaturge and community theatre facilitator. She is the founder of Rabiayshna, a company dedicated to radical theatre and community projects. She is a graduate of the University of Toronto and the National Theatre School.
Darcy MichaelPerforming in Darcy Michael: The Gayest Show on Earth; Part Deux, Even Gayer – July 26
Darcy Michael is considered one of Canada’s rising stars. Coming off his wildly successful debut at the prestigious Just for Laughs festival in Montreal, where the Montreal Gazette pegged him as one of their favorites; Darcy went on to film his first national stand up special for CTV and The Comedy Network which aired in June 2010. Darcy was also featured on a pre-taped segment for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Shortly after Darcy filmed a Gala set for the Winnipeg Comedy Festival in which he was nominated for a 2010 Canadian Comedy Award for Best Televised Performance. April 2010 saw Darcy featured as one of the final 8 in the Comedy Networks Great Canadian Laugh Off. In the fall of 2008 he recorded his first CD in conjunction with XM Radio called: “You’re Gay Now.”
David Bloom
Playwright, director, actor and fight choreographer David Bloom is co-artistic director (with Linda Quibell) of Felix Culpa. Last season he performed in Tanya Marquardt’s Transmission for Chrysalis/Proximity Arts and Frost/Nixon for The Playhouse/Canadian Stage.
David SandfordExhibiting in the Pride in Art Community Visual Art Show, July 26-August 13As a kid I always drew, so it was only natural for me to go to art school. In the late 80′s I attended Emily Carr where I studied film and animation.
Dawn Pemberton, of the No Shit Shirleys
Dawn Pemberton is a dynamic and soulful singer who firmly believes that everyone can sing. She loves to help others discover their voices through embodied singing that is soulful, groovy and fun. She is a deeply passionate and versatile musician who loves to explore music with others. Dawn is currently based in Vancouver where she teaches voice and piano, facilitates community singing, leads workshops, performs with many musical groups and works as a session singer for studio and live performances.
Delia Brett
Before professional dance, Delia worked as an actress in film and television.
Dianna DavidPerforming in the opening night Art Party! July 26
Born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, this first generation Filipino-Canadian started her performing career at the early age of 6 years old. Dianna has been actively involved for twenty years as a performer, choreographer and artistic director for the dance group The Philippine Barangay Performing Arts Society.
DJ Tapes is a project by Aja Rose Bond (Diadem, HerJazz Noise Collective) that utilizes cassette tapes as a musical and conceptual basis for new sonic explosions. Performances vary greatly, covering territory as diverse as live DJ sets at dance parties, Harsh Noise experiments, and highly developed compositions.
DJ Tapes’ source materials range from original and dubbed cassettes including everything from pop music, noise, ambient field recordings and “books on tape” to her own original compositions. She is inspired by an endless fascination with the tactile, analog nature of cassettes, the visceral, mechanical experience of handling them, and the intrinsic value of the mixtape as art object.
DJ Tapes has performed as a part of the Utopia Women’s Electronic Music Festival, Vancouver New Music’s Copyright/Copyleft Festival; Her Jazz Noise Collective’s Women’s Studies; Fuck Off and Dance; and This Summer’s Going to Be a Girl Riot at VIVO Media Arts Centre.
credit: Dzee LouiseExhibiting in Games People Play curated exhibition July 26-August 13
Dzee Louise is a Vancouver based artist with a particular interest in biology, health and holistic perspectives. In her practice, she works in a variety of mediums including drawing, painting and installation. She is interested in how we are constructed and how we create ourselves. Her investigations have focused on the subtleties of the body and human experience, creating spaces that slowly reveal their subjects, referencing both the internal, external and their interactions.
So, I write for money. I string words together for cash. I also type for joy. I refuse to admit that I’m procrastinating a novel.
I worked as Xtra West newspaper’s monthly queer and kinky sex columnist 2002 – 2006. I wrote several full length feature articles on sexuality during that time, plus other articles and columns.
Writer Elizabeth Colen
Elizabeth J. Colen is the author of Lambda Literary Award-nominated prose poetry collection Money for Sunsets (Steel Toe Books, 2010) and flash fiction chapbook Dear Mother Monster, Dear Daughter Mistake (Rose Metal Press, 2011). She lives on the Northwest coast of Washington State, serves as poetry editor of Thumbnail Magazine, and occasionally blogs at elizabethjcolen.blogspot.com.
Read more on Elizabeth J. Colen…
Exhibiting in Games People Playcurated exhibition July 26-August 13
Emma Kivisild is an artist, writer and performer living in Vancouver. In 2004, she participated in curating two shows: Ripping it Up at the Interurban Gallery in May was a collectively organized group show by artists with disabilities, protesting the provincial government’s review of disability benefits; and Extraordinary Lives is the visual art component of the KickstART2 Festival of Disability Arts, at the Roundhouse in September. She is new to curating, but a very experienced collaborator and art group member (Kiss & Tell, Vancouver Association for NonCommercial Culture)
Author, Clean Sheets 2011: Unstuck, Aug 9
Evan trained at York University, Sheridan College, and has his professional Training Certificate in Theatre of the Oppressed from Cardboard Citizens in London, England, where he trained with Augusto Boal himself (still one of his favourite experiences). He is also an alumni and member of the Lincoln Center Theater Directors Lab, the Tarragon Playwright’s Unit and the Co-founder/Artistic Director of the Directors Lab North.
Tenor Frédérik Robert
At only 24 years old, Vancouver based tenor Frédérik Robert has already sung over 20 roles and many concerts with professional companies and orchestras across Canada including: The Opera Project (Winnipeg / Edmonton / Vancouver), Edmonton Opera, Calgary Opera, Opera Nuova, Opera Saskatoon, Prince George Symphony, Dawson Creek Symphonette, Winnipeg Symphony, and National Arts Symphony Orchestra. Recent credits include Ferrando in Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutte with The Opera Project, Tenor Soloist in Saint Saens Christmas Oratorio, Monostatos/Armed Guard/First Priest/ and Tamino (Understudy) with National Arts Center Orchestra, and counter-tenor debut as the mischievous Oberon in Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream with Opera NUOVA.
www.garthandpierre.com
Over the last ten years they have been working side-by-side on topics ranging from domestic motifs to immigration and identity politics. Their work primarily uses hundreds of vintage photographs found in thrift stores and antique shops as well as personal snapshots that have been collected for the past 25 years.
Read more on Garth Amundson & Pierre Gour…
HECTOR
HECTOR is a fracas of vigorous bass and drum grooves, mixed with digital din. Old-school rock and electro-pop meet with inexpungible lyrical hooks and melodies, the clamour is it’s own perpetual opiate. With re-enactments of affliction and anguish, HECTOR’s minimalistic rogue continues to engage longtime fans and win new ones.
Hiromi GotoReading in Queerotica, August 8
Hiromi’s first novel, Chorus of Mushrooms (1994), received the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for Best First Book in the Caribbean and Canada region and was co-winner of the Canada-Japan Book Award. Her short stories and poetry have been widely published in literary journals and anthologies. Her second novel,The Kappa Child (2001), was a finalist for the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for Best Regional Book, and was awarded the James Tiptree Jr. Memorial Award. Her first children’s novel, The Water of Possibility, was also published that year. Hopeful Monsters, a collection of short stories, was released in 2004. Her latest novel, Half World, received the 2010 Sunburst Award and has been longlisted for the IMPAC Dublin Literary Award. Her long poem, co-written with David Bateman, came out in Fall 2009. Wait Until Late Afternoon is her first book-length poetry publication.
Exhibiting in the Pride in Art Community Visual Art Show, July 26-August 13
James Sullivan“A Thought, Painted” –
“My work is inspired by a quest to create visions that are arresting yet pleasing. I have struggled with the same things that many abstract artists do, Form, Colour, and Design; yet my muse for the abstract will not let go of me. Many times people look at my art and say, “Oh, I could do that really easily.” I create abstract art for many reasons. I find it very challenging. My challenge is to create unity and harmony in objective and some non-objective forms. It fully engages my imagination.”
Jef LeppardDJ for the opening gala Art Party!
For over two years, JEF LEPPARD has found a home in the dimly lit rooms ofVancouver’s East Side ever-growing queer scene as resident deejay of parties likeSPIT, QUEER BASH, and APOCALYPSTICK (East Van’s Drag Show). He’s shared thedecks with the likes of DJ’s Lady Starlight and Colby B (NYC) and DJ Kasey Riot(Vancouver), specializing in songs that encourage arm-waving, sweat-producing andbooty-popping.
During his sets, disco-funk, electro-house, throwback tracks and hip-hop mergeharmoniously to leave you reaching for a throat lozenge while simultaneouslywondering why the night has to end.
He hopes that you like him.
Jen Crothers and Kona Katranya, photo by Sarah RaceExhibiting in Games People Play curated exhibition July 26-August 13
Jen Crothers is a film maker, artist and organiser. Hailing from Tasmania she has lived in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand and Canada.
Writer Jen Currin
Jen Currin was born and raised in Portland, Oregon, and did her schooling at Bard College (B.A.), Arizona State (M.F.A.) and Simon Fraser University (M.A.) Jen currently lives in Vancouver, B.C., where she teaches writing and literature at Vancouver Community College and creative writing at Kwantlen University and for Simon Fraser University’s Writer’s Studio. Jen has published three books of poetry: The Sleep of Four Cities (Anvil Press, 2005); Hagiography (Coach House, 2008); and The Inquisition Yours (Coach House, 2010), which is shortlisted for the 2011 Dorothy Livesay Poetry Prize (B.C. Book Prizes), the Lambda Literary Award in Poetry, and the Audre Lorde Award.
Photo Credit: Melissa Baker, courtesy of Vancouver Art GalleryPerforming in Glitter and Be Gay, August 6
Bass-Baritone Joel Klein most recently sang the role of Bart in Edmonton Opera’s February production of The Barber of Barrhead, a role he created in Vancouver Opera’s 2007/8 touring production of The Barber of Barkerville. Other recent performances include City Opera Vancouver`s Curlew River (Britten), Burnaby Lyric Opera`s Barber of Seville and Italian Girl in Algiers (Rossini), Thais (Massenet), Martha (Flotow), Manon (Auber), Bohemian Girl (Balfe), two Mozart Masses and Handel`s Messiah for the Handel Society, and world premieres of Poema Letkoho Mista (opera) (Jerry Senchychyn), Lake of Souls (oratorio) (Lloyd Burritt), and Au Revoir Maria Callas (Rodney Sharman). After recent success in France, Joel has been invited to return for a series of concerts throughout the Rhône-Alpes and Bordeaux regions.
Writer John Barton
John Barton has published nine books of poetry, most recently Hymn (Brick, 2009). In 2012, JackPine will release his chapbook, Balletomane: The Program Notes of Lincoln Kirstein and Nightwood Editions will publish a selected poems. His writing has won three Archibald Lampman Awards, the Patricia Hackett Prize (University of Western Australia), an Ottawa Book Award, a CBC Literary Award, and a National Magazine Award.
KallistoPerforming at the opening night Art Party, July 26
This incredible trio sings a brand of a cappella that by far outstrips any other performers in recent memory. A wide and eclectic repertoire makes this an amazingly engaging group that keeps audiences spellbound.
Pianist Karen Lee-Morlang
Performer, educator and impresario, Karen Lee-Morlang has been recognized and remembered for her exquisite playing, boisterous stage presence as well as her freshly innovative programming. Karen taught as a Sessional Lecturer at the UBC School of Music for four years. During that time, she also won numerous international and local awards that enabled her to travel to Europe, Asia and other parts of North America. She has continued her work producing creative performances that incorporate music appreciation, theatrical elements and multi-disciplinary fields.
Read more on Karen Lee-Morlang…
Katherine AtkinsExhibiting in Games People Play curated exhibition July 26-August 13
Katherine has always needed to create. Up until about 15 years ago she satisfied this need with endeavors such as ‘arts & crafts’ projects as a child, drawing & painting as a teen, making sculptural center pieces for buffets, costumes for the stage or a decadent events and flashy leather work as an adult. Then, a tragic family illness propelled her into asking herself, “if I was on my deathbed, what would I regret no having done?” Within a heartbeat she knew that she had to go to art school and immerse herself in art making. At the time she had no other intent but to gain creative technical skills and be open to the process of learning about visual culture. Without really planning it, she ended up earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts at Emily Carr University.
Read more on Katherine Atkins…
Writer Kevin Dale McKeownReading in Queerotica, August 8
Vancouver-born (1950) Kevin Dale McKeown has enjoyed a varied career in journalism, media relations and event management, a career launched in 1970 when, at 19, he became the Georgia Straight’s gay columnist and Canada’s first “out” gay journalist. Titling the column “Q.Q. Writes … Page 69”, his pseudonym quickly became a nickname as Q.Q. began appearing under his own name on radio talk shows and at public events. By the summer of 1971 any thoughts of anonymity were dispelled when his image and name appeared with his column in a photo taken with a well-known gay clown in the PNE Parade!
Read more on Kevin Dale McKeown…
water – Kimberley FrenchExhibiting in Games People Play curated exhibition July 26-August 13
kimberley’s new body of work is an evolution of her photographic series “surface”. both ethereal and painterly, her work expresses the soul of her urban and natural landscapes.
Read more on Kimberley French…
Queer Arts Festival proudly presented by the Pride In Art Society. 