Photo: pushfestival on Instagram 

For Canadian arts lovers who are currently in Van City, Vancouver’s annual PuSh Festival may be worth a visit. The performing arts festival, which was launched in 2003, officially opened on January 16 and runs until February 5 this year.

PuSh focuses on contemporary performance, diversity and creative expression, and highlights Canadian and global talent in the live performing arts. For 2017, the event features a theatrical production of As I Lay Dying, which is adapted from the classic novel by William Faulkner. Meanwhile, Italian choreographer Alessandro Sciarroni also presents his dance performance of Folk-s, Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?, which features a traditional Bavarian folk dance.

International influences are certainly the key, with Colombian-born and Toronto-based musician Lido Pimienta singing on February 4. The songstress is set to perform tunes which may tribute to nature, and also explore the themes of ethnicity and gender.

For those who are serious about the arts, PuSh also includes an industry brunch, a series of industry talks from artists and a Human Library where visitors can listen to stories. If you want to catch a free performance, Vancouver-based Theatre Replacement is also unveiling a Town Choir, featuring the voices of the Vancouver Youth Choir.

As well, the festival’s Film Series includes Australian director Lisa Nicol’s Wide Open Sky, the tale of youth in New South Wales who are auditioning for a choir. Whether your personal passion is theatre, dance or film, PuSh promises to offer plenty of creativity, from homegrown talent to exotic influences.