Poster by Popolo Press
Trading Places: Un Échange Vancouver 2025
with guests Allison Burik (saxophone)
Fahmid Elahi Nibesh (guitar, percussion, electronics, voice)
September 2025: at the 8EAST Social Space for New Culture
22 7pm Concurrence Gathering
23 8pm 8EAST Improv
25 7pm The World to Come
26 8pm 8EAST Improv
27 2pm Workshop at 8EAST
27 8pm 8EAST Improv
28 7pm Trading Places Marathon
Trading Places: Un Échange
Trading Places: Un Échange is a vibrant residency program begun in 2016 that takes place in Montréal and Vancouver, two of Canada’s foremost centers of improvised music. The NOW Society, Suoni Per Il Popolo, and the Trading Places: Resident Coordinators curate in collaboration, providing support for artistic practice and cultural exchange.
Trading Places: Un Échange est un programme de résidence dynamique qui a débuté en 2016 et qui se déroule à Montréal et à Vancouver, deux des principaux centres de musique improvisée au Canada. Le NOW Society, Suoni Per Il Popolo, et les coordonnateurs résidents organisent en collaboration un soutien à la pratique artistique et le biais d'échanges culturels.
Chaque année, les artistes résidents sont choisis pour représenter leurs communautés dans ces résidences. Les artistes créent de nouvelles œuvres, assistent à des rassemblements musicaux, dirigent des ensembles, présentent des concerts, dirigent des ateliers et réalisent des enregistrements, formant de nouveaux liens avec des artistes locaux. Les échanges culturels comprennent des marathons continus d'une vingtaine de musiciens dans chaque ville.
Each year the resident artists are chosen to represent their communities in these residencies. The artists premiere new works, attend musical gatherings, perform in concerts, facilitate workshops and make recordings, forming new connections with local artists. Cultural exchange include expansive continuous marathon events involving as many as twenty musicians in each city.
Monday, September 22, 2025
Concurrence Gathering
Doors 6:45pm Music - 7pm
By Donation $10/$20/XX/Free
Tʼuyʼtʼtanat-Cease Wyss - synthesized plant sounds
Soloman Chiniquay - electronics and live samples
Daria Pasqua-Whitestar - electronics and live samples
Cameron Davidson - drums
Allison Burik - saxophone
Fahmid Elahi Nibesh - guitar, percussion, electronics and voice
Tuesday September 23, 2025
8EAST IMPROV
Doors 7:45pm Music - 8pm
By Donation $10/$20/XX/Free
Johanna Hauser - clarinet
Allison Burik - saxophone
Nebyu Johannes - trombone
Parmela Attariwala - viola
Cordelia M'Sodoques - voice
Fahmid Elahi Nibesh - guitar, percussion, electronics and voice
Agnes Persson - guitar
Jesus Caballero - drums
Thursday, September 25, 2025
The World to come
Doors 6:45pm Music - 7pm
By Donation $10/$20/XX/Free
NEW PROJECTS
Gatherings is a project released in released September of 2025, featuring Ron Samworth - Guitar/FX and Jesus Caballero - Drums/Percussion. It was recorded, mixed, and mastered at Garage 236 by Jesus Caballero.
Nibesh/Burik: Joining us from Montréal, Allison Burik and Fahmid Nibesh are the Resident Artists in the 2025 Vancouver Trading Places: Un Échange program, presented since 2016 by the Suoni Per Il Popolo and the NOW Society.
Musicians
Johanna Hauser - clarinets
Allison Burik - saxophone
Cordelia M'Sodoques - voice
Bahar Khazei - piano
Lisa Cay Miller - piano
Emad Armoush - ney and oud
Fahmid Nibesh - guitar, electronics, drums, voice
Ron Samworth - guitar
Clyde Reed - bass
Jesus Caballero - drums
Karl De Jong - drums
Kevin Romain - drums
FUNDRAISER – This event will be a fundraiser for the Heart Tattoo Society https://hearttattoosociety.com/. The Heart Tattoo Society primarily supports marginalized individuals in the Downtown East side through community meal programs.
Curated by Bahar Khazei and Lisa Cay Miller
Image and poster design by Lee Hutzulak
Friday, September 26, 2025
8EAST IMPROV
Doors 7:45pm Music - 8pm
By Donation $10/$20/XX/Free
Allison Burik - saxophone
Ru Ha - saxophone
Dae-Lillee Baillee-McGillivray - trombone
Jarrett Martineau - electronics
Bahar Khazei - piano
Lisa Cay Miller - moog
Fahmid Elahi Nibesh - guitar, percussion, electronics and voice
Saturday, September 27, 2025
8EAST IMPROV
Doors 7:45pm Music - 8pm
By Donation $10/$20/XX/Free
Aidan Edwards - clarinet
Allison Burik - saxophone
Irene Senent - violin
Fahmid Elahi Nibesh - guitar, electronics, percussion, voice
Róisín Adams - piano
Matthew Ariaratnam – guitar
Adrian Avendaño - drums
Sunday, September 28, 2025
Trading Places: Un Échange Marathon
Doors 6:45pm Music - 7pm
By Donation $10/$20/XX/Free
Aidan Edwards - clarinet
Johanna Hauser - clarinets
Allison Burik - saxophone
Bruce Freedman - saxophone
Parmela Attariwala - viola
Lief Hall - voice
Matthew Ariaratnam - guitar
Fahmid Elahi Nibesh - guitar, electronics, percussion, voice
Cole Schmidt - guitar
Jarrett Martineau - electronics
Tʼuyʼtʼtanat-Cease Wyss - synthesized plant sounds
Bahar Kazhei - piano
Lisa Cay Miller - piano
Clyde Reed - bass
Adrian Avendaño - drums
Jesus Caballero - drums
Kevin Romain - drums
John Brennan - drums
Trading Places: Un Échange Montréal 2025
with guests Jarrett Martineau (electronics) and Cordelia M’Sadoques (voice)
Juin 2025: Suoni Per Il Popolo Festival
24 16:30 La Sala Rossa: Ritual Purification + Artist Talk
25 17:00 La Sala Rossa: CHXMERAS
25 18:00 Casa Del Popolo: Cordelia M’Sadoques
26 12:00 daphne: Artist Talk Raven Chacon and Jarrett Martineau
26 17:00 Casa Del Popolo: Get Free! Soirée d’Impro à Casa
~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.