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IGNITE! 2026
MAY 13–17
May 13, GERMINATE
VISUAL ART EXHIBITION
Possible implicit sexual content, nudity
TELLING IT BENT SHOWCASE
Potential discussion of queerphobia, and how it intersects with race, gender, and mental health.
STAND-UP COMEDY SHOWCASE
Eating disorders, drug abuse
May 14, RECOMPOSE
SHORT FILM: FRIED FISH AND PLANTAIN
covid, death, suicide
May 15, POLLINATE
None
May 16, ENTANGLE
SHORT FILM: GOOSELAND
Themes of Alzeimer’s, Dementia
DANCE: MOB
Use of strobing lights
May 17, BLOOM
None
DAY 1: MAY 13
IGNITE! Germinate
HOST: Nat Chew and Amelia Brooker
STAGE MANAGER: Stacey Kok
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER: Amelia Booker
HEAD ELECTRICIAN: Carlie Yeung
HEAD AUDIO: Neal Miskin
VENUE TECHNICIAN: Adam Prokop
FESTIVAL PHOTOGRAPHER: Bruno Martín del Campo
FESTIVAL VIDEOGRAPHERS: Amé Simard, Ronnie Cheng
FESTIVAL GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Rachel Zhu
FESTIVAL DIRECTOR: Valentina Acevedo Montilla
IGNITE! YOUTH PANEL: Valentina Acevedo Montilla, Nat Chew, Shruthi Budnar, Amelia Brooker, Amé Simard, Ronnie Cheng, Stacey Kok, Madeline Cheung, Nico Pante, Jai Kumar, Stella Chen, Isabella Buonaiuto, Kringe, Trevor Stewart.
Visual Artist: Shivangi Singh
Shivangi Singh (Shivi), is a visual artist and illustrator studying at Emily Carr University of Art + Design. My practice is rooted in storytelling, exploring themes of nostalgia, memory, time, and emotional experience through imagery drawn from personal and cultural histories. I work across gouache, ink, mixed media, clay, and digital illustration, embracing texture, imperfection, and experimentation as part of my visual language. Alongside narrative and picture book work, I create art prints, handmade stationery, and small sculptural objects that bring storytelling into everyday life. Through both intimate illustrations and tactile objects, I aim to spark reflection, curiosity, and quiet wonder.
Visual Artist: Carmen Toledo Bores
Carmen Toledo Bores (ellx/she/they) is a Mexican interdisciplinary artist based in so-called Vancouver, Canada. Her work inhabits the space between the human and the more-than-human, looking for mirrors between lived experience and the ones of other abject bodies. By looking closely at other monstrous, animal, and non-human corporealities, she turns her practice into an exploration of embodied systems of knowledge, calling to reclaim and transform identity labels historically used to surveil, oppress and contain bodies like hers. She is currently pursuing a BFA in Visual Arts at The University of British Columbia.
Through engagement with different types of media, such as painting, printmaking and writing, my work seeks to look closer into alternative knowledge production. My practice is a result of embodied labour and gaze, of shapeshifting and transmutating in an attempt to imagine realities outside our current systems of power.
CONTENT FORECAST: Possible implicit sexual content, nudity
Exhibition’s First Response: Gooseland, by Abby Ridd and Mimi Huszti
Abby Ridd and Mimi Huszti are filmmakers based in Vancouver BC. They were born in the Sunshine Coast and Calgary respectively, but came together at SFU Contemporary Arts school and immediately noticed overlaps in their filmmaking styles. Their practices both stem from visual arts, inspiring them join forces to create artistic, surreal works together. They have collaborated on multiple projects in the past, including a collage film titled “Send Me a Postcard When You Find Me” and a full-length comic book titled “The Interdimensional Adventures of Gurgle and Georgie”.
Telling it Bent is an interdisciplinary writing workshop for queer, trans, Two Spirit and questioning BC youth ages 14 to 25. Throughout the program, participants explore poetry, playwriting, and interdisciplinary creation through a queer, decolonial, future building lens. Participants build connections with other young queer creatives, liberate their sense of imagination and play, and gain a deeper understanding of themselves, their artistic practice, and the possibilities of the stories they can tell.
CREDITS:
Produced by the frank theatre company
Facilitator: Anjalica Solomon
Producer: Karter Masuhara
Stage Manager: Bernice Paet
Youth participants: Lauren Han, Hawk, Dora Zhang, Viviane Wu, Jai Kumar, Vanessa Lazare, Mythili Garkiparthi
Fay Nass – Artistic & Executive Director the frank theatre
Mateusz West – Artistic Producer the frank theatre
CONTENT FORECAST: Potential discussion of queerphobia, and how it intersects with race, gender, and mental health.
Kendall Clark is a cult heroine from the rainforest enclave of Prince Rupert, BC who has plied her craft as a comedienne all over the province before settling in Vancouver a few years ago. Kendall brings a scrappy, dive-bar mentality to the stage as she navigates retail, beer league hockey and male-dominated comedy venues with the same unwavering authenticity she displays on the mic
SHOW DESCRIPTION: Kendall Clark will make the most of a challenging existence as she takes to the stage to navel gaze like no comic ever has. Please come to the show, this is all she has.
CONTENT FORECAST: Eating disorders, drug abuse
Erin Purghart is an actor, comedian, producer & middle child based in Vancouver, BC. Erin received their BFA in Acting from the University of British Columbia in 2021, and has been using it for evil on comedy stages ever since. They are the host and producer of forever sold out That’s gay! comedy show which has been presented by Just For Laughs VANCOUVER, and featured in the Georgia Straight, the Tyee, the Ubyssey and Vancouver Magazine.
SHOW DESCRIPTION: Picture this: Erin Purghart, one microphone and a bunch of jokes. Need we say more? It’s stand-up comedy, baby!
CONTENT FORECAST: NA
DAY 2: MAY 14
IGNITE! Recompose
HOST: Shruthi Budnar
STAGE MANAGER: Stacey Kok
HEAD ELECTRICIAN: Carlie Yeung
HEAD AUDIO: Neal Miskin
VENUE TECHNICIAN: Adam Prokop
FESTIVAL PHOTOGRAPHER: Bruno Martín del Campo
FESTIVAL VIDEOGRAPHERS: Amé Simard, Ronnie Cheng
FESTIVAL GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Rachel Zhu
FESTIVAL DIRECTOR: Valentina Acevedo Montilla
IGNITE! YOUTH PANEL: Valentina Acevedo Montilla, Nat Chew, Shruthi Budnar, Amelia Brooker, Amé Simard, Ronnie Cheng, Stacey Kok, Madeline Cheung, Nico Pante, Jai Kumar, Stella Chen, Isabella Buonaiuto, Kringe, Trevor Stewart.
Fresh with grief, Hoa insists that Mai give up her dreams of becoming an actress in order to take over the family business: Papa’s Phở. Mai caught between her dead father’ dreams and her own must grapple with disappointing her mother or finally carving out a life for herself.
Content forecast: N/A
DIRECTOR: Alycia Rose
PLAYWRIGHT: Alycia Rose
STAGE MANAGER: Canice Hong
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER: Cordelia Durand
PERFORMERS:
Hoa: Sue Chan
Mai: Mika Bantog
Officer: Rankin Stewart
CREW:
Stagehand: Kristie Lind
Lighting Designer: Chloris Au
Sound Designer: Stacey Kok
Scenic Design & Set Dresser: Charmaine Adrina
Technical Director & Props: Taryn Jiang
Costume Designer: Jenna Lee
Assistant Costume Designer: Emma McDonald
Make-Up Artist: Stephanie Romano
Graphic Designer: Madeline Cheung
Illustrator: Yael Yurman
Alycia Rose is a writer/director and current UBC undergraduate, studying Creative Writing and English Literature. Alycia wrote and directed her first full-length play “Method for Madness” in collaboration with the residency program at the UBC Player’s Club. You can find her film credits on IMDB.
Sahana follows a young Filipino tap dancer who meets a no-face figure in the crowd of her dance recital. Knowing in her gut that it is her father, she meets him face-to-face at home. Sahana is an experimental take on lack of presence with nodes of immigration, and how it can manifest into fear and anxiety during childhood.
Nushi Sharma. Nushi’s work is rooted in interpersonal relationships, community, and bringing her cultural heritage into Western storytelling spaces. Devoted to building long-term relationships in Vancouver’s film and arts ecosystem, she is a passionate, supportive and powerful collaborator. Within two years of relocating to Canada, she wrote and directed Apoy, a Filipino short thriller that premiered at the 2023 Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival. She went on to direct The Archipelago (2024), followed by SAHANA (2025), which screened at the 2025 MAMM Gala and continues its festival journey.
CREDITS:
Stella Merkel (Producer)
KR Gonzales (Director of Photography)
Chris Berry (Editor, Sound Designer & Location Sound Mixer)
Elena Bañares (Cast – Sahana)
Carlo Fortin (Cast – Papa)
AP – Riki
Bernadette Bañares – Dance Teacher
Tiffany Guo – Dancer #1
Emily Smith – Dancer #2
Wren Elliot – Dancer #3
Annika Louie – Dancer #4
Aylin Birlik – Dancer #5
Julz LaBrash – 1st AD
Justin Macken – 1st AC
Kristne Padua – 2nd AC
Andrew Lee – Gaffer
Jaida Sanada – Key Grip
Lauren Berg – Grip
Angela Mrozowski – Grip
Kaitlyn Fernandes – Theatre Lighting Consultant
Helena Miranda – Production Designer
Nada Alsaka – Art Director / Set Dresser
Clara Salameh – Set Dresser / Transportation
Maria Renee Rosales – Key Makeup/Hair
Riley Skworoda – Choreographer
Gavin Moya – Stills/BTS
CONTENT FORECAST: NA
After years apart, Willie and Marisol adventure through Toronto on their first “real” date after lockdown. Setting on a journey to discover who they’ve become, why they ghosted each other, and if they’re more than just a “situationship.
Paul-Daniel Torres is a director, writer, actor, and community worker from Toronto and the son of Ecuadorean immigrants. His visually and sonically eclectic work is shaped by the city’s multicultural mosaic and the Latine diaspora. His films explore the promises and contradictions of the immigrant dream and the intersections of race, class, education, mental health, and identity within neo-colonial systems—while remaining rooted in entertainment. His shorts have screened at festivals including TIFF Next Wave and NFFTY. He also teaches guerrilla filmmaking and media literacy to underserved youth through Vibe Arts.
CAST:
Emma Ferreira
Paul-Daniel Torres
CREW:
Loveleen Kaur – Producer
Sylvia Naomi Hernandez – Picture & Sound Editor
Dylan Broda – Composer & Sound Mixer
CONTENT FORECAST: covid, death, suicide
The Harmeet Kaur Virdee Quartet presents a unique interpretation of modern jazz music focusing on the performance of original compositions written by the ensemble members. Harmeet is a Surrey based composer, and bassist that brings together rising musicians from across Canada. While continuing her music studies at the University of Toronto she met Cale Fladager (harmonica), Ian Spring (guitar), and Aidan Miller (drums). After the four started playing together there was an instant connection. Together the group has developed a distinctive modern sound drawing from their unique instrumentation and features original compositions by Harmeet and her bandmates.
Harmeet Kaur Virdee is a double bassist, composer, and arts administrator from Surrey, BC. She is currently pursuing her studies in Jazz at the University of Toronto where she met her bandmates Cale Fladager (harmonica), Ian Spring (guitar), and Aidan Miller (drums). Together the group has developed a distinctive modern sound drawing from their unique instrumentation and features original compositions by Harmeet and her bandmates.
Harmeet Kaur Virdee Quartet is:
Harmeet Kaur Virdee (double bass)
Cale Fladager (harmonica)
Ian Spring (guitar)
Aidan Miller (drums)
DAY 3: MAY 15
IGNITE! Pollinate
HOST: Nico Pante and Jai Kumar
STAGE MANAGER: Stacey Kok
HEAD ELECTRICIAN: Carlie Yeung
HEAD AUDIO: Neal Miskin
VENUE TECHNICIAN: Adam Prokop
FESTIVAL PHOTOGRAPHER: Bruno Martín del Campo
FESTIVAL VIDEOGRAPHERS: Amé Simard, Ronnie Cheng
FESTIVAL GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Rachel Zhu
FESTIVAL DIRECTOR: Valentina Acevedo Montilla
IGNITE! YOUTH PANEL: Valentina Acevedo Montilla, Nat Chew, Shruthi Budnar, Amelia Brooker, Amé Simard, Ronnie Cheng, Stacey Kok, Madeline Cheung, Nico Pante, Jai Kumar, Stella Chen, Isabella Buonaiuto, Kringe, Trevor Stewart.
Baby is a tender and comedic one-person puppet show that takes place in the unforgiving setting of the first job interview. Baby may be new to this world, but they are wise beyond their years, and ready to climb the corporate ladder – maybe all the way to transcendence.
Content forecast: N/A
DIRECTOR: Silken Lawson
PLAYWRIGHT: Silken Lawson
CAST: Laine Gillies and Ben Brown
Sound Design by Silken Lawson
PERFORMERS:
Ben Brown is a Vancouver-based theatre artist, originally from St. Albert, Alberta. Ben has worked as an actor with the Arts Club, Gateway Theatre, Firehall Arts Centre, Neworld Theatre, and most recently in East Van Panto: West Van Story, with Theatre Replacement. As well, Ben wrote and produced the one-act comedy, BFF-Less for the 2025 Vancouver Fringe Festival. Ben is a graduate of Studio 58, and a current student at SFU’s School for the Contemporary Arts.
Laine is a multidisciplinary artist based in “Vancouver”. Growing up dancing and painting, once she found her true passion of theatre, she never looked back. She graduated Studio 58 in 2022, with recent credits including: It’s Not The End of the World (Sophia Saugstad Theatre/Vancouver Fringe Festival), Oliver! (Gateway Theatre) The Hobbit (Theatre Under The Trees), It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play (Western Canada Theatre), The Rocky Horror Show (Studio 58), Everybody (Studio 58) and more. Laine is so excited to be trusted with Baby, and finally let her “inner” toddler out to play!
Silken Lawson is an interdisciplinary artist, actor and writer based in the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil Waututh First Nations. A graduate of Studio 58’s acting program and a current student at SFU’s School of the Contemporary Arts, Silken’s work reflects her interest in devising interdisciplinary and experimental theatre.
Recent works include Coming of Rage (Theatre Under The Wire, 2026) It’s Not The End Of The World (Vancouver Fringe Festival 2025), Portrait Of A Witch On Fire (Vancouver International Puppet Slam, 2025) and their original short screenplay, Ferment (Old Bank Studios, 2024).
Post Haste is a film about a rushing mailman who keeps getting held back on his shift. Why is he in such a hurry?
We are three high school film makers who worked together at the Cinematheque’s camp, Cinelab: Eila Horne, Olivia Ponton, Maggie Perreault.
CREDITS:
Isaac Fairbridge
Elliot Dekerf
Cole Winny
Journey Benson
Abby Chan
Leila Lammam
Sam Mason
Abby Kubyshyn
CONTENT FORECAST: NA
When Richie answers a suspicious house sitting call, he finds himself faced with his greatest fear. His beloved cat Elliot has been kidnapped and he must work with the perpetrator to get him back.
Rylie Siraj is an amateur filmmaker from Chilliwack, BC. They work as a photographer with Out Of Step Productions and spend the rest of their time creating. They’ve been working with digital media since they were 13, and their goal is to make things that make people happy the way making them makes them happy.
CREDITS:
Rylie Siraj
Britain Gill
Kael Gough-Johnson
Victoria Walker
Jared Magale
Mason Fraser
Kyonna Clarke
Adam Crystal
CONTENT FORECAST: NA
Drawing from doo-wop girl group nostalgia and cinematic pop, NicoLottie delivers a romantic, slightly theatrical set. An alto with range, she blends alternative-R&B with her sultry vocals and playful expression into a performance that feels magnetic and feminine.
NicoLottie crafts a cinematic performance for the daydreamers, the feelers, and the deeply romantic. Blending sultry vocals, expressive theatrics, and playful, intimate storytelling — she is a little diva, a lot of heart.
NicoLottie is:
NicoLottie (vocals)
Thaddée Bergler (bass)
Jim Magnawa (keys)
Raiden Coloma (electric guitar)
CONTENT FORECAST: NA
left pinky toe will be performing a set of progressive rock, heavy metal, and jazz fusion songs with some of our own originals thrown in. We hope to take you on a somewhat pleasant ride that will explore the possibilities of our genre bending band.
left pinky toe is a progressive rock band based in British Columbia. We started out as a silly little middle school band just jamming in our schools band room but we have come quite a long way since our early days. We currently Consist of River Del Rosario (age 13) on vocals and guitar, Jayden Lim (age 13) on bass, Darius Miat (age 14) on Drums and Oliver Jarvis (age 14) on keyboards.
left pinky toe is:
Oliver Jarvis (keyboards)
River Del Rosario (vocals and guitar)
Jayden Lim (bass)
Darius Miat (drums)
CONTENT FORECAST: NA
DAY 4: MAY 16
IGNITE! Entangle
HOST: Trevor Stewart
STAGE MANAGER: Stacey Kok
HEAD ELECTRICIAN: Carlie Yeung
HEAD AUDIO: Neal Miskin
VENUE TECHNICIAN: Adam Prokop
FESTIVAL PHOTOGRAPHER: Bruno Martín del Campo
FESTIVAL VIDEOGRAPHERS: Amé Simard, Ronnie Cheng
FESTIVAL GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Rachel Zhu
FESTIVAL DIRECTOR: Valentina Acevedo Montilla
IGNITE! YOUTH PANEL: Valentina Acevedo Montilla, Nat Chew, Shruthi Budnar, Amelia Brooker, Amé Simard, Ronnie Cheng, Stacey Kok, Madeline Cheung, Nico Pante, Jai Kumar, Stella Chen, Isabella Buonaiuto, Kringe, Trevor Stewart.
Frank has a nagging memory of someone calling her on the phone, though she cannot recall who. In an effort to get to the bottom of who the mystery caller was, she decides to take a trip through her own brain, which is a surrealist wasteland, to locate the memory.
Abby Ridd and Mimi Huszti are filmmakers based in Vancouver BC. They were born in the Sunshine Coast and Calgary respectively, but came together at SFU Contemporary Arts school and immediately noticed overlaps in their filmmaking styles. Their practices both stem from visual arts, inspiring them to join forces to create artistic, surreal works together. They have collaborated on multiple projects in the past, including a collage film titled “Send Me a Postcard When You Find Me” and a full-length comic book titled “The Interdimensional Adventures of Gurgle and Georgie”.
CREDITS:
Directors: Mimi Huszti, Abby Ridd
Cast: Ximena Baeza
Assistant Directors: Anneliese Wong, Kimia Moayyed
Gaffers: Marcela Echevarria Garcia, Anneliese Wong
Director of Photography: Carlo Marchet
Sound: John Stewart, Chaucer Gilson
CONTENT FORECAST: Themes of Alzeimer’s, Dementia
Two siblings, Peter and Andy, are interrupted by stapling noises from an unknown source. Upon investigation, they find an old man, stapling leaves to a tree. A rift between the siblings grows as Andy finds meaning where Peter can find only leaves and staples. The old man isn’t helping.
Content forecast: N/A
DIRECTOR: Addison J. Forster
PLAYWRIGHT: Marcos Aburto
PERFORMERS:
Andy – Lauren Ohh
Peter – Reverie Chan
Old Man – Jenna Lee
CREW:
Sound design and live folly by Sofia Vanegas
Costumes by Myunghun Lee
Practical effects, wind and Assistant stage manager by Daliah Currie
Marcos Aburto is an emerging writer studying English Literature at the University of British Columbia. Often, he writes around whatever he means, so much so that he frequently confuses himself in the process—he means to say ‘I write about my shame, regret, or melancholy’. It appears, for the time being, that he lacks in previous credits, so this festival makes him, to be quite honest, rather nervous, but excited nonetheless. And finally, he would like to extend his thanks to family, friends, lovers, and the ones in the back.
Addison J. Forster is a queer, disabled writer and director working in so-called Vancouver. Their work typically explores themes of absurdity, masculinity, and queer comedy. When not in a writers’ room or theatre, Addison can be found learning to juggle, sword fight, and advocating for at-risk autistic youth through their role as a behavioural interventionist at Arcus Community Resources.
Addison has a passion for movement theory and aims to bring each play to life through the language of physicality and care.
Here’s your text with all extra spaces between lines removed — the lines are now tightly joined with no unnecessary whitespace:
Lauren Ohh (they/them) is a Korean-Canadian multidisciplinary artist based in Toronto and Vancouver. Following their graduation from the University of British Columbia’s acting program, Lauren is spending the summer on set for MUSE, marking their first leading role in a feature film! Recent theatrical credits include Big Break (Festival Dionysia), The Last of the Pelican Daughters (UBC), and The Very Book Indeed (UBC). Lauren is thrilled to be a part of IGNITE! and wants to thank their friends & family for their unwavering support.
Originally from Hong Kong, Reverie Chan came to Vancouver to study at the University of British Columbia and hasn’t looked back since. A veteran of high school theatre, this is their first time returning to the stage after an extended hiatus. This is also their first time at IGNITE! and they are super excited to rekindle their love for theatre in all its many shapes and forms. When not relaxing at home or at work, Reverie is a student of historical fencing and can often be found sparring with a longsword in ways both choreographed and otherwise.
Jenna Lee is a passionate Theatre & Film artist. Her recent works include Co-Assistant Directing for ‘The Arsonists’ (UBC Theatre), Stage Managing ‘Pyper’ (UBC Theatre), appearing as C2 in ‘Bus Stop’ (Short Film, dir. Jason Cloutier), and as Louise in ‘Head Over Heels’ (UBC Players Club 2023). She is also the Costume Designer for another IGNITE! 2026 production, ‘Papa’s Pho’. She is excited to be working with the amazing team of ‘Regarding Old Wollemia’ and is grateful for this opportunity. Jenna is enthusiastic to continue working and growing in this field.
Bodies merge, patterns contain us, self and system blur. Through morphing formations and gestures, mob negotiates rhythm inside the current, drawing from the way people cluster in crowds. Exploring how we exist, shift, and move within structures that may or may not change.
Daisy de Kroon (she/her) is a choreographer and performer working, learning and creating on the traditional unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. She is finishing her BFA in contemporary dance at SFU. Her practice seeks space for community and individuality. She considers energy and vibe; in space, in body, between body and space and bodies. Her work is grounded in connections that are both specific and universal-ish. Through patterns, structure, and flow, she investigates how we move and coexist within systems. Some moments she creates are not meant for everybody to understand.
CREDITS:
“Daisy de Kroon (she/her), Choreographer
Lauren Butterfield (she/her), performer
Vivien Dang (she/her), performer
Sonja Kwantes (she/her), performer
Soleil Mousseau (she/her), performer
Jeya Thiessen (she/her), performer
Sarah Wilson (she/her), performer
Sascha O’Neill (she/her), Sound Designer
Maddy Woodley (she/her), Lighting Designer
Vania Ming Yui Ngok (she/her), Stage Manager
CONTENT FORECAST: Use of strobing lights
A lonely Witch attempts to brew a love potion to enchant their lover, but disaster strikes when their fantasy gets out of hand — or does it?
Ethan White is a non-binary artist based in Vancouver, BC who hails from Amiskwaciwâskahikan (Edmonton, Alberta–Treaty 6 Territory). Their work spans the mediums of film, photography, dance, digital art, drawing, and tackles subjects of humanity’s relationship with technology, gender identity, and the intersections these topics share with spirituality. Ethan believes in the ability of art to affect social change, and strives to side-step the obtuse pretentiousness of gallery culture by creating works that are both covertly challenging, yet entertaining enough to remain widely accessible. Ethan aspires to lend helping hands in amplifying the marginalised voices on Turtle Island and beyond.
CREDITS:
Nicolàs Serrano de la Paz
Sierra Quinton
Sarah Suhail
Bronwyn Rollins
CONTENT FORECAST: NA
Bud Powell’s “Hallucinations” is a testament to the jazz icon’s resilience and embodies the bebop style he pioneered. Connected through shared musical roots and rhythmic innovation, Allison’s original “Spy Games” features a bossa nova rhythm with flowing melodic runs and improvisation.
Allison Louis has never met a chord she didn’t love. Classically trained but inspired by jazz greats such as Bud Powell, Allison is developing her own musical voice rooted in her Vancouver and Asian upbringing. As a multi-instrumentalist, composer and songwriter, she has brought jazz, pop, musical and soundtrack compositions to life on stages in Vancouver, Toronto and New York. She has been honoured with multiple national awards including the Toronto Musicians’ Association Denny Christianson Award.
DAY 5: MAY 17
IGNITE! Finale: Bloom
HOST: Jai Kumar and Isabella Buonaiuto
STAGE MANAGER: Stacey Kok
HEAD ELECTRICIAN: Carlie Yeung
HEAD AUDIO: Neal Miskin
VENUE TECHNICIAN: Adam Prokop
FESTIVAL PHOTOGRAPHER: Bruno Martín del Campo
FESTIVAL VIDEOGRAPHERS: Amé Simard, Ronnie Cheng
FESTIVAL GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Rachel Zhu
FESTIVAL DIRECTOR: Valentina Acevedo Montilla
IGNITE! YOUTH PANEL: Valentina Acevedo Montilla, Nat Chew, Shruthi Budnar, Amelia Brooker, Amé Simard, Ronnie Cheng, Stacey Kok, Madeline Cheung, Nico Pante, Jai Kumar, Stella Chen, Isabella Buonaiuto, Kringe, Trevor Stewart.
Join us for a short trip to the heart of Mexico City, where we will briefly experience one of the most iconic and vibrant cumbia parties of the region: a Fiesta Sonidera. In this interactive showcase, the audience will join us in a joyful night of rhythm, movement, and community.
For queer folks and allies in Vancouver, Salseo is a latinx collective that builds connection and joy through Afro-Latinx dance and community. We organize culturally-rooted, welcoming, economically-accessible events where everyone can learn how to dance and practice freely, without judgment or financial barriers.
CREDITS:
Fernando Rodriguez
Iyol Martinez
Erick Navarro
Angie Jaimes
Cesar Baltazar
Mya
CONTENT FORECAST: N/A
MALANDRO
In the Air Tonight – Phil Collins
This show is about working through life while being pulled between what we want to do and what we must do. Sometimes the tension between these two forces becomes uneven, but in the end, i’It’s a tie!’
Precious – Annie Lenox
This show is about embracing inner demons and finding freedom in uncertainty. It explores accepting difficult emotions, recognizing that not everything uncomfortable is bad, but that it is not necessarily good either. The piece plays with the idea of letting these feelings exist without fear and lots of fun.
Malandro is a drag performer from Mexico City, shaped by the city’s cabaret stages and underground techno nights. Somewhere between music, stories, and late-night dance floors, “Malandro” began to take form. On stage, his weapons are sensuality, charm, and a playful sense of curiosity. Sometimes it’s a story, sometimes it’s a dance, sometimes still. Through humor and performance, he speaks about love and transformation, creating sparks of magic even in the darkest times. And he has always loved clowns.
CREDITS:
Daniel Vargas – Costume Design
Content forecast: N/A
CATALEYA
Cayaleya will be performing two drag numbers. One sure to get you in your feels and another to get you on your feet! Her acts are complete with amazing dancing and outfits to match. Her ability to bring bits of her culture into her drag is truly something special to watch on stage.
Cataleya is the new rising act in Vancouver’s Drag scene. She combines her training in cosmetics, fashion, and dance to deliver a show you will never forget.
Alyssa’s DJ set will be movement driven. Higher beats, and rhythm focused songs will keep your body moving.
AlyssaJB is an indigenous queer DJ and event producer based in so-called “Vancouver”.
Playing all across the lower mainland area including for Normie Corp, The Birdhouse, The Deli, The Pearl, and having her event sell out at Davie Street’s most iconic gay bar “Numbers”. Alyssa’s style is heavily influenced by music that curates rhythm. She blends styles of Jersey Club, Brazilian Funk, Ghetto Tech, and Baltimore Club. Expect her energy to keep you hot, sweaty, and keep you moving. After making remarks in her local queer scene, expect to see her play for FVDED 2026.
Ysadora Dias is a Brazilian dance artist based in so-called Vancouver, whose cultural heritage deeply informs her movement and creative practice. She has collaborated with numerous artists across the city and performed with companies including Co. Erasga, Raven Spirit Dance, Inverso Productions, and Action at a Distance. Ysa has also toured with MascallDance throughout Canada and New Zealand. In 2024, she participated in Dance West Network’s Re-Centering Margins Residency and was an artist-in-residence for Co. Erasga’s Salon Series fall 2025.