TRANSFORM Festival

November 6-9 at the Vancouver Playhouse!

TRANSFORM Festival returns for its fifth year, featuring four nights of incredible performances all centrestage at the iconic Vancouver Playhouse! Co-curated by Corey Payette and Heather Redfern, with the support of Protocol Keeper, Quelemia Sparrow, the 2024 festival continues to focus on empowering Indigenous artists and encouraging collaboration with non-Indigenous artists. Featuring local and international Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists in a variety of performance styles including theatre, music, drag, circus, comedy and everything in between.

This year, our artists will be taking over the Playhouse for four explosive nights of bold, sexy, and uncompromising performances that you won’t want to miss! Now, more than ever, this festival is a platform for IBPOC artists to self-determine the stories they share and how they want to share them with the world. We can’t wait for you to join us!

Check back soon for festival artist announcement!

A four-night talent extravaganza includes:

Opening Night Bash – November 6 at 7:30pm

Kick off TRANSFORM Festival with a bang at our epic Opening Night Bash! This is not your ordinary opening party—prepare for an electrifying fusion of dance, circus, comedy, drag, and mind-blowing performances that will defy your expectations. The night promises to showcase the dazzling intersection of these incredible artists in a way you’ve never seen before.

Featuring first-ever Indigenous winner of Canada’s Drag Race Season 4, VENUS; circus sensation Sido Adamson; Vancouver dance and ballroom star Ralph Escamillan; traditional hoop dancer Notorious Cree, Métis dancer and choreographer Jera Wolfe; musicwithInuit throat singing duo PIQSIQ; and much more!

Circus Ball – November 7 at 7:30pm

Get ready for an unforgettable night at the Circus Ball, a thrilling new spectacle that blends jaw-dropping acrobatics and dynamic dance with delightfully odd and eccentric performances. Featuring circus artist Sido Adamson, and performances by local stars Ralph Escamillan, this is an event you won’t want to miss. Join us for an evening of extraordinary entertainment that promises to be both fun and fabulously entertaining!

Hosted by Ralph Escamillan, and featuring award winning dancer and choreographer, Jera Wolfe, as well as hooping sensation Lola Loops, circus artist Matt Bagshaw, drag star Batty Banks, and a fabulous performance from the Kiki House of Siriano.

In Spirit – November 8 at 7:30pm
A Concert for Heroes

Honour National Indigenous Veterans Day with profound respect and gratitude at TRANSFORM: A Concert for Heroes! On November 8, join us for an evening of poignant music and heartfelt tribute. Prepare to be captivated by a concert that honors our heroes through a moving musical journey, leaving you deeply touched and inspired.

Featuring Chor Leoni, Vancouver Youth Choir, Corey Payette, Kaitlyn Yott, Dillan Chiblow, Julie McIsaac, and Alex Vollant

Lead Sponsor – Rob McAllister and James Emery

On Native Land

A new musical by Corey Payette – November 9 at 7:30pm

Dive into the heart of contemporary Indigenous narratives with On Native Land, an electrifying new musical by Corey Payette. This compelling production intertwines the lives of three seemingly disparate characters—a lawyer, a Chief, and a rising singer-songwriter—whose paths converge in a powerful tale of identity, land disputes, and the struggle against accusations of Indigenous identity fraud. This musical is a vital call to action, revealing the profound impacts of forced displacement on Indigenous peoples across Turtle Island.

On Native Land is a sweeping, emotive love story that illuminates the universal experiences of urban Indigenous communities, offering solace and solidarity. Join us as we close the festival with this development workshop piece and look forward to the future of Indigenous storytelling!

Featuring Jesse Alvarez, Zac Bellward, Sarah Cantuba, Dillan Chiblow, Winona Myles, Jordan Stanley, čačumḥi – Aaron M. Wells, Cathy Wilmot, Jera Wolfe, Nathan Coburn, Taninli Wright, and Kaitlyn Yott.