BeatRoute Magazine BC Edition - October 2019

CHUTZPAH! FESTIVAL Oct 24 to Nov 24
I
n
Hebrew,
chutzpah
means “brazen
audacity.”
As such, it’s fitting
that the term would
be the namesake of
a Jewish performing
arts festival that has
always championed
fearlessness. Since
2001, the Chutzpah!
Festival has welcomed
artists from
around the world to
stage provocative
presentations of
music, dance, theatre,
film, and comedy in a
celebration of cultural
and creative diversity.
This year also
marks artistic
managing director
Mary-Louise Albert’s
final season with
Chutzpah! after
15 years. A former
professional dancer,
Albert had specific
goals she wanted
to meet during her
tenure, particularly
seeing the festival
reach an international
standard in the performing
arts scene.
With the annual
event consistently
presenting substance-rich
works
that challenge the
status quo, Albert’s
goal has been more
than surpassed. 2019
continues to carry
that torch forward,
featuring artists from
Israel to Canada that
dive headfirst into
subject matter ranging
from conflicted
identity to generational
trauma — and all
with a healthy dose of
chutzpah.
“You definitely do
not need to be Jewish
to enjoy,” Albert adds.
“You just need to like
good art!”
by YASMINE
SHEMESH
Sandra Bernhard
October 31, Vogue Theatre
From her pioneering one-woman stand-up show to her portrayal of Nancy
— one of American television’s first openly gay characters — on Roseanne,
Sandra Bernhard is a queer comedy trailblazer. She’ll be performing
her cabaret show, Quick Sand, with a three-piece backing band.
October 24-November 24, 2019 / Various Locations / Tix: chutzpahfestival.com
Daniel Cainer
October 24, Norman Rothstein Theatre
In his musical cabaret, Gefilte Fish and Chips,
songwriter and storyteller Daniel Cainer
explores what it means to be both Jewish and
British. Both poignant and funny, Cainer searches
for a sense of identity in a re-discovered
heritage and the unconventional antics of his
relatives.
ProArteDanza
October 26-28, Norman Rothstein Theatre
The Toronto-based ballet company brings
Beethoven’s 9th Symphony to life with the world
premiere of the 9th! Breathtaking choreography,
epic music, and themes such as freedom
also serve as an intentional tribute to the 30th
anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Tamara Micner
October 27-28, Wosk Auditorium
at the Jewish Community Centre
In her one-woman show, Holocaust
Brunch, Tamara Micner tells the
true story of Bluma and Isaac
Tischler — Holocaust survivors
who met in medical school during
World War II and went on to
become successful doctors. With
comedy and courage, Micner
reflects on trauma and how to sort
through painful memories that have
extended through generations.
Gary Lucas
October 30,
Norman Rothstein Theatre
The avant-garde guitarist, composer,
and Lou Reed collaborator
will perform a live score to two
classic 1930s horror films: Drácula
(in Spanish) and Frankenstein.
Gary Lucas spent his formative
years playing guitar at the Jewish
Community Centre in Syracuse,
New York, and his roots continue
to play an important role in both his
life and work.
OCTOBER 2019 BEATROUTE 45