Saturdays September 27 to November 1
At 8EAST, 8 East Pender Street, Vancouver
2:00pm - 3:30pm
For up to 25 participants, Free with a NOW Membership
Workshops are drop-in, please bring your instrument (and/or amps) and be ready to play!
Donations gratefully accepted (here).
Since 1978, the New Orchestra Workshop Society (NOW) has presented music improvisation workshops, offering space for exploration and participation. Our workshops are for improvisers of all levels of ability and ranges of experience, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, age, race or religion. We protect privacy in our workshops and adopt the We Have Voice Collective Code of Conduct. Read more about NOW workshop policies here.
September 27 - Allison Burik and Fahmid Nibesh
Allison Burik's work as a leader sees the multifaceted musician-composer blending a plethora of influences and approaches into an engrossing and mythologically informed whole, often inspired by women and non-binary characters throughout folktales, lore, and real-world history. While atmosphere is the clear, driving force behind many of their compositions, they also draw on aspects of free improvisation, the darker end of ambient, and folk musics. Burik superimposes textural phrases of alto sax and bass clarinet, threading in their limpid vocals, field recordings, subtle electronic treatments and even guitar. https://www.allisonburik.com/
Fahmid Nibesh (based in Tiohtià:ke/Mooniyang/Montréal) is an improviser primarily working with guitar, percussion instruments, electronics and voice. Whether alone with his instruments or in tandem with others, somatic attunement with his environment is at the forefront of his practice. Currently, he is fascinated by how feedback (via contact mic) informs and activates the geometry of objects and his real-time interaction with them. album/along-the-seismic-margins
October 4 - Tim Daisy and Fred Lonberg-Holm
Cellist, Guitarist, and Composer Fred Lonberg-Holm enjoys working with a wide variety of musicians in as many situations as possible. He also leads a revolving cast large ensembles under the name Lightbox Orchestra. His extensive discography includes free improvised and free jazz recordings as well as new music, pop, rock and noise. Fred Lonberg-Holm: music
Tim Daisy is a Chicago-based drummer, composer, and presenter who has been an active member of the international improvised music scene since the late 1990s. His move and subsequent immersion into Chicago's fertile creative music scene in 1997 have given him the opportunity to perform, compose, tour, and record with some of the city’s most acclaimed musicians and ensembles. https://timdaisy.wordpress.com/
October 11 - Lisa Cay Miller
Presently living on the unceded Territories of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), Tsleil-Waututh, and Musqueam peoples, Lisa Cay Miller (she/her) is an improvising pianist and composer who loves to create in the moment. Dr. Lisa Cay is the Artistic Director of the NOW Society, and is so honoured to have been part of the NOW workshops for many years. lisacaymiller.ca
October 18 - Mauricio Pauly
Mauricio Pauly is a composer, performer and producer of hybrid (instrumental / electronic / amplified) music. As an active cross-disciplinary collaborator, his work includes numerous projects with writers, coders, designers, choreographers and theatre-makers. Mauricio was born and raised in San José, Costa Rica. Since 2017, his home and studio are in Vancouver, Canada. https://mauriciopauly.com/
October 25 - John Brennan
John Brennan is a sound artist, drummer, and new music curator living in Vancouver, unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations. In 2005 he received a BFA in Electroacoustic Studies from Concordia University. Since 2008, he has toured extensively through Europe, Japan, and North America with different ensembles and solo projects. In recent years, his work on performance and improvisation has expanded to include sound installations and sound sculptures that consider the relationship between the sonic memory of musical instruments, performance, and improvisation. https://www.johnmorleybrennan.com/
November 1 - James Meger
James Meger is a bassist and composer whose work spans jazz, free improvisation, and rock, performing internationally with artists such as Darius Jones (fLuXkit Vancouver), Frazey Ford, Wayne Horvitz, Chris Speed, and Kris Davis. He is an active sideman and collaborator in diverse projects—including Sick Boss, Josh Zubot’s Strings, The Bruno Hubert Trio, La Syrie Libre, NOW Society and Strange Worlds—that showcase his versatility as a player. An interview with James Meger
~ 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. Concernts 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 space 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.
8EAST has a wheelchair accessible, non-gendered toilet on site with a door width of 35 inches. Additional public toilets, not wheel chair accessible, are located in the adjacent hallway. The NOW Society emergency evacuation procedures are in place for all individuals. The Front of House person or a staff member onsite is trained in naloxone administration and will be the contact person in case of emergencies.
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.