Western Front

09/02/2024

Join us on Saturday, Sep 14, 2024, between 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. for the opening reception of our upcoming exhibition "Lovers' Wind".

"Lovers' Wind" is a multi-channel video installation by the Toronto-based artists Parastoo Anoushahpour, Faraz Anoushahpour, and Ryan Ferko whose collaborative filmmaking practice engages speculation, historical fiction, and documentation to excavate existing narratives, and uncover the power relations and subjectivities shaped by them.

Developed over three years of archival and community research, the exhibition circles around the story of the French filmmaker Albert Lamorisse and his last film, "Bād-e Sabā" (The Lovers’ Wind) (1978). Commissioned by the Imperial State of Iran to document the country’s history and modernization, Lamorisse’s film was largely shot from a helicopter to produce sweeping views of Iran’s natural and built environments, and narrated by a voiceover personifying its winds. Unhappy with the original edit, the monarch Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi requested Lamorisse return to film additional sequences emphasizing the industrialization of Iran, which ultimately led to the filmmaker's death in 1970 when his helicopter crashed at Karaj Dam near Tehran during production.

Created a half-century later, Parastoo Anoushahpour, Faraz Anoushahpour, and Ryan Ferko’s exhibition both continues and deconstructs Lamorisse’s project.

"Lovers’ Wind" was commissioned by Mercer Union, a centre for contemporary art, Toronto, 2024, and originally curated by Aamna Muzaffar.

Western Front is a non-profit multidisciplinary artist-run centre located in Vancouver.

08/25/2024

Join us this Thursday, Sep 5, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. for the next event in Western Front and The Capilano Review's monthly reading series Dear Friends &. The evening will feature poetry by Tina Do, Rhoda Rosenfeld, and Gerry Shikatani and is hosted by Deanna Fong.

Western Front is a non-profit multidisciplinary artist-run centre located in Vancouver.

08/08/2024

Toque Craft Fair is an annual community event and fundraiser hosted by Western Front. It showcases a curated selection of BC-based artists, craftspeople and designers who make textiles, ceramics, jewelry, accessories, stationery, and home and body products. This year Toque will take place from November 29 - December 1, 2024.

Do you want to participate as a vendor?

We are inviting new individuals or groups to join our existing roster of vendors, and welcome your expression of interest via an open call. All ages are welcome to apply.

For details of the application process visit toquecraftfair.com and follow

07/25/2024

On Jul 30, 2024, at 8:15 p.m. we are pleased to present a showing of a performance in development by Bhenji Ra and Tati au Miel. Taking shape while in residence at Western Front, the performance accompanies the presentation of Ra’s new moving image commission "Biraddali Dancing on the Horizon", which features an original score by au Miel.

The work-in-progress invites audiences to collaborate in the making of a sonic environment where ritual, attention, and play coalesce. Further info and tickets below.

Western Front is a non-profit multidisciplinary artist-run centre located in Vancouver.

07/03/2024

On Saturday, Jul 13, 2024, we're pleased to celebrate the opening of "Biraddali Dancing on the Horizon", a new moving image commission and the first solo exhibition in Canada by Filipina-Australian artist Bhenji Ra. Join us between 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. for the opening reception.

"Biraddali Dancing on the Horizon" (2024) documents a process of ancestral, intergenerational learning. Its starting point is a ritual journey taken by Ra with her teacher and collaborator Sitti Airia Sangkula Askalani-Obeso. A Tausug elder, Obeso is a cultural bearer of the pangalay, a pre-Islamic dance of the Tausug people of the Sulu Archipelago and the eastern coast Bajau of Saba in the Philippines.

"Biraddali Dancing on the Horizon" is co-commissioned by Auto Italia and Western Front.

Western Front is a non-profit multidisciplinary artist-run centre located in Vancouver.

07/03/2024

Join us this Thursday, July 4, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. for the next event in Western Front and The Capilano Review's monthly reading series Dear Friends &. The evening will feature poetry by Elisa Ferrari, River Halen, and Kaie Kellough, and is hosted by Deanna Fong.

Western Front is a non-profit multidisciplinary artist-run centre located in Vancouver.

06/11/2024

There are still tickets available for the screening of Miko Revereza's "Nowhere Near" this Thursday, Jun 13, 2024 at 8:00 p.m. Admission by donation, with tickets and further infomation available here: https://westernfront.ca/events/nowhere-near

06/07/2024

If you can't make it to "Dear Friends &" in person tonight, tune into the livestream below to enjoy readings by Francesca Bennett, Yoon Sook Cha, and Zoe Imani Sharpe.

CART captions: https://www.streamtext.net/player?event=Wavefront_Western_Front Western Front and The Capilano Review are pleased to invite you to the first event…

06/06/2024

Join us on June 13, 2024, at 8:00 p.m. for a screening of Miko Revereza's feature-length film "Nowhere Near".

Partially developed while in residence at Western Front, "Nowhere Near" is a poetic memoir exploring stateless identity through the lens of an exile returning to an estranged homeland. Culminating several years of shooting, editing, relocation, and contemplation, Revereza traces his disillusionment and likely permanent departure from the United States, eventually making his way to Oaxaca by way of Manila. In each locale, he experiences and deliberates on a complicated and at times contradictory sense of home, navigates relationships with loved ones, and tests the limits of art to represent such monumental transitions. Presenting a rhythmic, kinetic, and near free-form assemblage, abetted by a rich score, "Nowhere Near" speaks to the fragmentary nature of living between worlds.

"Nowhere Near" runs for 95 minutes. Following the screening, Revereza will be joined in conversation by Western Front executive director Susan Gibb.

Western Front is a non-profit multidisciplinary artist-run centre located in Vancouver.

05/30/2024

Don't miss the opportunity to experience José Maceda's "Ugnayan", a 51-minute composition for twenty radio frequencies. Presented as an installation in our Grand Luxe Hall, the work is on view until Saturday, Jun 1, 2024, from 1 - 6 p.m.

05/27/2024

Western Front and The Capilano Review are pleased to announce the return of our monthly reading series "Dear Friends &". Please join us on Jun 6, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. for an evening of poetry by Francesca Bennett, Yoon Sook Cha, and Zoe Imani Sharpe. The evening will be hosted by Jacquelyn Zong-Li Ross and Kiel Torres. More details below.

Western Front is a non-profit multidisciplinary artist-run centre located in Vancouver.

05/21/2024

We've extended the deadline for expressions of interest for The New Improvisers Studio to May 31, 2024!

The New Improvisers Studio is a free week-long educational initiative for young musicians aged 17 to 24. The Studio supports collective explorations in musical improvisation through the mentorship of a world leading improviser and invited guests from the Vancouver International Jazz Festival.

This year the Studio will be led by the acclaimed multi-instrumentalist Shahzad Ismaily, with invited guests Sakina Abdou, Matthew Ariaratnam, Meredith Bates, Claire Devlin, Aviva Endean, Mili Hong, Sunny Kim, and Peggy Lee.

The Studio will take place daily June 24 - 28, 2024, from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Western Front, with the final session being open to the public.

For further information: https://westernfront.ca/announcements/the-new-improvisers-studio-with-shahzad-ismaily

05/06/2024

Thanks to all the community members who signed up to learn and perform José Maceda's "Udlot-Udlot"; to DB Boyko, Elysse Cloma, and George Rahi who provided instruction; to the Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre who hosted us; and to everyone who came to listen.

It made a very special opening weekend to our current multi-part project "José Maceda: Echoes Beyond the Archipelago", curated by Aki Onda and on view at Western Front until Jul 27, 2024.

05/02/2024

Change of Location Notice

Due to inclement weather, the free performance of José Maceda’s 40-minute composition "Udlot-Udlot" on May 4, 2024, at 4 p.m., will now take place in the Exhibition Hall at the Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre ()

Composed for simple traditional bamboo instruments, wooden percussion sticks, and voices, "Udlot-Udlot" was designed so performers without musical expertise could equally participate. Modelled on tropical rainforest rituals and ceremonies, “Udlot-Udlot” implies a fundamental connection between human activities and nature, and explores how drone, colour, and melody come together as independent elements in performance.

In Vancouver, the work will be performed by community members who responded to an open call.

04/30/2024

Thanks Stir Vancouver for covering our upcoming community performance of José Maceda’s "Udlot-Udlot" in partnership with the Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre. The performance will take place this Saturday, May 4, 2024 at 4p.m. in George Wainborn Park. In the case of inclement weather, the performance will take place in the Exhibition Hall at the Roundhouse Community Centre. Read more about the project below.

In Western Front and Roundhouse copresentation, José Maceda’s work blends traditional bamboo instruments and dozens of voices

04/30/2024

Western Front and Coastal Jazz are pleased to present The New Improvisers Studio, a free week-long educational initiative for up to twelve young musicians aged 17 to 24.

The New Improvisers Studio supports collective explorations in musical improvisation through the mentorship of a world leading improviser and invited guests from the Vancouver International Jazz Festival. This year the Studio will be led by the acclaimed multi-instrumentalist Shahzad Ismaily, with invited guests Sakina Abdou, Matthew Ariaratnam, Meredith Bates, Claire Devlin, Aviva Endean, Mili Hong, Sunny Kim, and Peggy Lee.

The Studio will take place daily June 24 - 28, 2024, from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Western Front, with the final session being open to the public.

For further details, including how to apply, see below.

Western Front is a non-profit multidisciplinary artist-run centre located in Vancouver.

04/25/2024

Thanks to The Source / La Source Newspaper for their coverage of our upcoming performance of José Maceda’s composition "Udlot Udlot". The work will be played by 100 plus community members on May 4, 2024, at 4 p.m. at George Wainborn Park. Read more about the project below.

Drawing from the oeuvre of the Filipino composer José Maceda, the Vancouver-based non-profit Western Front invites the public to gather for a rare event: the opportunity to create a work of musical…

04/22/2024

Join us on Friday, May 3, 2024, between 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. for the opening reception of "José Maceda: Echoes Beyond the Archipelago", a multi-part project about the pioneering work of Filipino composer and ethnomusicologist, José Maceda (1917–2004).

Maceda is a significant yet little known figure within the history of twentieth-century music, both for his fieldwork on Filipino musicality and knowledge of European avant-garde music. In particular, Maceda’s own musical compositions uniquely fused cutting-edge compositional techniques such as spatialization, attention to timbre, and musique concrète with traditional Asian instruments, rhythms, and structures.

Curated by the long-term Maceda expert Aki Onda, the exhibition provides greater insights into Maceda’s life and work through a display of photographs, print ephemera, objects, and scores that recreate Maceda’s archives to explore his work as an ethnomusicologist and his major compositions "Pagsamba" (1968), "Ugnayan" (1974), "Udlot Udlot" (1975), and "Music for Five Pianos" (1993).

The exhibition will be accompanied by a community performance of "Udlot Udlot" at George Wainborn Park on May 4, 2024, at 4:00 p.m., and a month-long installation of "Ugnayan" in Western Front’s Grand Luxe Hall from May 4 – Jun 1, 2024.

Western Front is a non-profit multidisciplinary artist-run centre located in Vancouver.

04/19/2024

Thanks to West Coast Curated for mentioning Western Front as one of seven artist-run galleries to visit in BC!

Artist-run galleries and spaces are unique venues that play a crucial role in nurturing artistic expression and community engagement, here are 7 to check out!

04/12/2024

Join us on Apr 23, 2024 at 2 p.m. PST for an online conversation between artist-in-residence Jay Pahre and professor Stephanie Springgay. The discussion will connect Springgay’s research into critical walking methodologies with "The Weather Report," Pahre’s new series of broadcasted writing developed while in residence. Drawing on a shared interest in shifting q***r ecologies, Springgay and Pahre will embody a meeting of atmospheres where questions of movement, weather, and affect collide.

Western Front is a non-profit multidisciplinary artist-run centre located in Vancouver.

03/27/2024

To close the exhibition "Feral Domestic" by Dani and Sheilah ReStack, Western Front is pleased to present an iteration of the artists’ ongoing performance "Shameless Light" (2016—) on Apr 6, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.. For the performance, q***r-identified women and non-binary community members have been invited to write love letters, which they will read aloud under red neon lights.

The evening will begin with a conversation between the ReStacks and Western Front executive director Susan Gibb, and will be followed by readings from Randy Lee Cutler, Amber Dawn, Sidney Gordon, Ogheneofegor Obuwoma, Jen Sungshine, and Valérie d. Walker.

Western Front is a non-profit multidisciplinary artist-run centre located in Vancouver.

03/21/2024

On Sat, Apr 27 & May 4, 2024, Western Front and the Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre invites community members to learn and perform José Maceda’s composition "Udlot Udlot". The call is aimed at anyone interested in music and does not require knowledge of music theory. Those who register will have the option to choose between vocals and percussion, and will receive instruments and instruction. The process will involve two rehearsals across two consecutive Saturdays, culminating in a public performance of 100 – 150 participants at George Wainborn Park, Vancouver.

Learn and perform José Maceda’s composition "Udlot Udlot" on Apr 27 and May 4, 2024

03/16/2024

Today between 1-5 p.m., pass by to pick up some free books from Western Front co-founder Eric Metcalfe’s personal library. All are new titles not available at our previous giveaway, and include many books related to the history of art, film, literature, and the World Wars.

03/15/2024

Western Front is embarking on an exciting development in the conservation of our iconic heritage building at 303 E 8th Avenue, Vancouver. Across March and April, 2024, we will replace all windows on the south and west façade, repair the siding, and replenish the exterior paint work to ensure the ongoing integrity of our building’s envelope and to improve its energy efficiency.

To assist this work, public activities on our second floor will be temporarily suspended. Our tenant organisation EDAM will also offer reduced programming in their ground floor dance studio, with details about their calendar of activities available EDAM Dance.

Our current exhibition by Dani and Sheilah ReStack, "Feral Domestic", will remain open to the public in our ground floor gallery until April 6, 2024. We also look forward to offering some online programs and other events on our ground floor during this period.

If you would like to support our ongoing work conserving our heritage building, please consider making a donation today. All donations receive a charitable tax receipt. Make your gift here: https://give-can.keela.co/donate-to-western-front

03/05/2024

Western Front is pleased to present "The Weather Report", a new online project by Jay Pahre developed as part of our artists-in-residence program.

"The Weather Report" is a series of broadcasted writing that is tuned to weather formations across gitchi-gami (Lake Superior) and minong (Isle Royale). The lake is as much a place of passage as it is a boundary; in the winter the water freezes, forming an ice-bridge between the archipelago and the mainland. In the summer, the open water gives way for crossing by floating log, boat, or swimming. Drawing from the ways atmospheres collide and shift interactively with the changing ecologies across the region, "The Weather Report" queries these points of connection along the avenue of speculative writing.

Visit the project at https://theweatherreport.ca

02/14/2024

Join us on Saturday, Feb 17, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. to hear Jessika Kenney & Eyvind Kang perform work from their latest album "Azure" (2023). The five compositions experiment with different intensities of pulsation, intoxicating harmonics and vibrato, long-tone vocalizations, drones, and pizzicato tones to propose alternate realities of what ecstatic music might be. Admission by donation, tickets here: https://bit.ly/3OKvEkt

02/08/2024

If you're joining us tonight for Anne Focke and Rhiannon Vogl's talk at 7:30 p.m., we'll have some free books on offer in the foyer from Western Front co-founder Eric Metcalfe's personal library. For those who can't make it tonight, please feel free to pass by between 1-5 p.m. of Friday or Saturday to take a look.

02/08/2024

On Feb 27, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. join us to learn more about Pascal, an enigmatic q***r artist who had a brief but impactful sojourn in the Canadian contemporary art world. Presented on the fiftieth anniversary of Pascal’s last performance at Western Front, the event will feature a lecture by curator Michael Dang interspersed with archival excerpts of Pascal.

Western Front is a non-profit multidisciplinary artist-run centre located in Vancouver.

02/05/2024

Learn more about our upcoming concert on Saturday, February 17 below!

Concert features music from Coast Salish flutist-drummer Wagner, and ethereal cross-cultural sounds from duo Kenney and Kang

01/29/2024

Join us on Saturday, Feb 17, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. for a concert by Paul Chiyokten Wagner and Jessika Kenney & Eyvind Kang.

To open the evening, Paul Chiyokten Wagner will present a number of songs for flute and drum that have come to him with visions of healing and prayer for all relations—tree people, animal people, and human people—from the traditional teachings of his Coast Salish tribal ancestors of the Wsaanich (Saanich) Tribe of southern Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

Collaborating over two decades, Jessika Kenney & Eyvind Kang have developed ethereal and transcendental music based on their study of cross-cultural and pan-musical traditions, forms of ritual, and their connection to lands. At Western Front, the duo will perform selections from their recent album "Azure" (2023), which comprises five new compositions recorded in Seattle during the spring of 2022.

Join us for performances by Paul Chiyokten Wagner, and Jessica Kenney & Eyvind Kang