Concurrence Gathering #13
Monday November 10 @ 6:00 and 7:30 pm
At 8EAST, 8 East Pender Street
By Donation $10 /$20 / FREE
6 PM LACE NOIR FASHION SHOW accompanied by DJ SABA.
18+ DOORS 5:45
7:30 PM IMPROVISED SOUND.
All ages welcome DOORS 7
Donate at the door
$xx/$20/$10/FREE
Concurrence Gatherings are concerts, talks and story-sharing events, featuring Indigenous Artists and improvising NOW Society Musicians. Presented and hosted by the NOW Society at the 8EAST Social Space for New Culture since 2019, the 2025 Gatherings were curated by Tʼuyʼtʼtanat-Cease Wyss, Sophie Dow and Lisa Cay Miller.
Concurrence Gathering #13 Program:
LACE NOIR FASHION SHOW
Featuring the designs of PRETTYEASTVAN + DJ Saba
IMPROVISED SOUND Featuring
JARRETT MARTINEAU – electronics and live samples
CORDELIA M’SODOQUES - voice and electronics
FRANCIS BAPTISTE – original songs, voice and guitar
T’UY’T’TANAT CEASE WYSS – synthesized plant sounds
SOLOMON CHINIQUAY – electronics and live samples
DARIA PASQUA-WHITESTAR – electronics and live samples
RYAN CLOUGH-CARROLL – guitar and voice
Indigenous creations:
Self-care and wellness products - Sister Sage
T-shirts - PrettyEastVan
Amazing Refreshments - Jesi Whitton
Artist Bios
PrettyEastVan is an Indigenous-owned fashion brand that sells screen-printed clothing, masks, and other designs in vivid colours and prints. The name PrettyEastVan itself comes from the designer and advocate's love for East Vancouver, a part of the city that is dear to her heart, and her desire to help people. The brand name embodies her mission to raise awareness and bring people together with her designs.
DJ Saba Saba Amrei began their musical career at the age of 15 with the Iranian Symphonic Orchestra, establishing a foundation in classical Persian music. In 2018, they relocated to Canada, where they discovered the world of jazz and immersed themselves in its rich traditions and modern expressions. Since then, Saba has become a dynamic presence in Vancouver’s jazz scene. A versatile artist, Saba has showcased their talents at multiple festivals, including the Robson Folk Festival in 2023, and has been a recurring performer at the Vancouver Jazz Festival, playing both traditional Iranian music in 2023 and freeform improv jazz in 2024. They also took centre stage at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts in 2024 in the Jazz at the Bolt festival.
Jarrett Martineau is a creative multi-hyphenate and a leading voice in Indigenous music, media, and cultural production. He has worked extensively across the arts in music, radio, television, and digital media in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Berlin, and New York. Jarrett is a practicing sound artist and musician and one half of the electronic music duo CHXMERAS. They released their debut album Terminal City in 2024 and made their national live debut at the 25th Anniversary Edition of acclaimed electronic music festival MUTEK Montréal. Jarrett is nêhiyaw (Plains Cree) and Denesųłiné from Frog Lake Cree Nation in Alberta and he is currently based in Vancouver on the traditional, unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. He holds an M.A. and a Ph.D. in Indigenous Governance from the University of Victoria, he has been a Fulbright Visiting Scholar at Columbia University and CUNY's Center for Place, Culture and Politics in New York City, and his academic research explores the role of art and creativity in advancing Indigenous resurgence and decolonization at the intersections of art, media, technology, and social movements.
Cordelia M'Sadoques is the vocalist and a member of the Vancouver-based art-rock band, Cordie M. Sad (formerly Cordelia M. Sad). Also known as Cordelia Donovan M'Sadoques, she is an Indigenous artist from the Odanak First Nation. She also performs in other musical projects and has hosted live karaoke events in the Vancouver area.
Francis Baptiste is an Indigenous songwriter who covers topics of cultural reclamation, addiction, and fatherhood. CBC has said "Francis Baptiste is unsparingly candid." Of the single Lazy Lake, CBC called it "lushly hypnotic."
T’uy’t’tanat Cease Wyss (Skwxwu7mesh, Sto:lo, Hawaiian, Swiss) is an educator, interdisciplinary artist and Indigenous ethnobotanist engaged in community-based teaching and sharing. Throughout Wyss’s 30-year practice, Wyss’s work encompasses storytelling and collaborative initiatives through their knowledge and restoration of Indigenous plants and natural spaces. Wyss has been recognized for exchanging traditional knowledge in remediating our relationship to land through digital media, site-specific engagements and weaving. Wyss has participated and exhibited at galleries, museums, festivals and public space such as Vancouver Art Gallery, Morris, Helen Belkin Art Gallery, Contemporary Art Gallery and the PuSh Festival to name a few. Their work can be found in various collections such as the National Library of Canada, Special Collections at the Walter Phillips Gallery, and the Vancouver Public Library. They have led the transformation of Semi-Public (半公開) during their Fellowship at 221a and they are the 2021 ethnobotanist resident at the Wild Bird Sanctuary. They have assisted in developing an urban Indigenous garden currently showing at the 2021 Momenta Biennale in Montreal.
Hot Snack is a modular synthesizer/vocal duo created by Sol Chiniquay and Ryan Clough-Carroll. Drawing from the repetitive phasing of Steve Reich and Suicide, Hot Snack embraces technical obstruction and lyrical prostration as a means of piloted improvisation.
Soloman Chiniquay is an afro indigenous documentary photographer and filmmaker from the Stoney Nakoda and Pomo tribes living between xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, səl̓ilwətaɁɬ territory and his homelands of Treaty 7 territory. His lens-based work witnesses expressions of Indigeneity, creating imagery that attempts to candidly explore the land and the people, the ways people use and connect to the land, and the artifacts they leave on it. Chiniquay was a 2021 Wedge Artist in Residence, exhibitions include Queen’s University Racism is Garbage and New Growth 221A.
Daria Pasqua-Whitestar (ANTI-NOTHING) the fiery DJ who fearlessly embraces her provocative persona, crafting cacophonous beats that defy convention and cater to the delightfully disruptive. With an avant-garde edge, her music is a bold fusion of chaos and rhythm, irresistibly drawing in those who revel in the unconventional. Unapologetically catering to the audaciously annoying, ANTI-NOTHING's sets are a magnet for those who dare to dance on the fringes of societal norms.
Sisters Sage is a Tsimshian-owned wellness brand founded by Lynn-Marie Angus from the Gitxaala, Nisga’a, and Métis Nations. Based in Vancouver, BC, Sisters Sage creates self-care products with First Nations knowledge and traditional ingredients like Sage, Cedar, and Sweetgrass. Since its start in 2018, Sister Sage has grown into an award-winning brand, recognized as Indigenous Business of the Year 2022, BC Small Business Best Community Impact 2022, and First National Winner of Pow Wow Pitch 2020. Lynn-Marie is more than a business founder—she’s an activist and community builder. With her new storefront at 1312 Kingsway, she has created a dedicated space for culture, celebration, and community, supporting other Indigenous entrepreneurs by giving them a platform to showcase their products. She also mentors youth, guiding them to take on leadership roles and explore entrepreneurship. As a fierce advocate for the Downtown Eastside, Palestine, and human rights, Lynn-Marie uses her platform to stand up for justice and equity.
~8EAST ACCESS STATEMENT ~
The 8EAST social space for new culture is a project of the NOW Society, located on the Territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm, Skwxwú7mesh and səlil̓wətaʔɬ Peoples, in Chinatown, in the DTES, in Vancouver.
We are committed to making 8EAST a safe(r), welcoming and more accessible space. We do not tolerate discrimination based on age, gender, neuro a-typicality, disability, place of origin, cultural background, religious beliefs, or sexual orientation. We do not tolerate racism, sexual aggression, assault, or harassment which can include unwanted touch or comments that objectify or sexualize. We adopt and follow the We Have Voice Collective Code of Conduct.
We can accommodate a variety of needs, including assistance dogs, walkers, wheelchairs, scooters, and strollers. To arrange for American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation, please contact now@nowsociety.org.
We recognize that access is an ongoing and evolving discussion and acknowledge that this statement may be insufficient. Concerns or suggestions can be addressed, discussed or expressed anonymously by emailing safety@nowsociety.org. 8EAST ventilation: Open windows and door, 3 HEPA air purifiers and UV lights on return air in the HVAC system. Mask wearing is recommend and masks will be available. Seating, wooden stackable chairs without armrests, is movable.
Seating is generally arranged in groups of two or threes with 1 meter between groups for easy mobility. Wheelchair seating is easily accommodated. The 34 inch wide main entrance to 8EAST has a threshold of approximately 0.5 inches high. There is no door automation. During events, the door is open or can be opened by the Front of House person. There are no ramps or stairs to navigate. Internal floors are smooth concrete. Outdoor plaza events are held on concrete pavers, some are uneven. Paths and hallways are kept free of impediments.
GETTING THERE AND PARKING:
8EAST is located within 50 meters of buses 004, 007, 019, 022, 209, and N19 on Pender Street. Stops for buses 003, 008, 014, 016, 020, N8, N20, and N35 are located within 250 metres on Hastings Street. Stadium–Chinatown SkyTrain Station is approximately 400 metres away. General metered street parking is available on surrounding streets. A passenger drop-off zone without a curb is located within 50 metres at 531 Carrall Street. To arrange for HandyDART transportation and accompanying assistants, please contact now@nowsociety.org.
There is a bike rack on the SW corner of Pender and Carrall Street, viewable while inside 8EAST and on the Plaza. Covered bike parking is available at the Main Street – Science World Skytrain Station. From there, one can take the #3 bus, then walk West down Pender to 8EAST (c. 5 mins), walk to 8EAST (c. 15 mins) or ride one skytrain stop to Stadium – Chinatown and walk Northwest to 8EAST (c. 5 mins). The closest Bike Locker to 8EAST is located at VCC Clark. From there, one can take trains to Stadium – Chinatown Skytrain Station and walk NorthWest to 8EAST.