Chutzpah! Festival announces stacked 2023 lineup

by Chandler Walter on September 13th, 2023 at 11:23 AM

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The Chutzpah! Festival is coming back for its 23rd year.

Also known as the Lisa Nemetz Festival of International Jewish Performing Arts, the festival brings dance, comedy, music, theatre, film, and more to the screens and stages of Vancouver in celebration of Jewish culture and the art that it creates.

The festival unveiled its full lineup of events today, and is chock-full of performances and programming that will have audiences laughing, crying, dancing, or simply sitting on the edge of their seats. The festival runs from November 2 to 23, but tickets have officially gone on sale today for anyone who wants to secure their spots ahead of time.

“This year’s Chutzpah! Festival is filled with artistic experiences from around the world, offering work that is joyful, moving, thrilling, and thought-provoking,” says Jessica Mann Gutteridge, Chutzpah! Festival’s artistic managing director, in a statement. “We will explore multiple facets of our stories and history, including how we show resilience in the face of difficult experiences. With opportunities to join together as a community across generations and cultures, participate in dancing, music, and art-making, and connect with internationally-acclaimed artists, there is so much to experience for everyone.”

The 2023 edition includes goodies such as a Klezmer Dance Party (yes, you can join in), a multi-day multimedia performance about the ways we hold onto trauma, a dance double-bill featuring some up-and-coming talents, and an international musical performance incorporating Sephardic Jewish, Syrian, and Roma traditions.

Last year’s iteration saw the expansion of programming for families, which continues for the 2023 festival. Works from Israel, The Netherlands, Japan, Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom will be presented alongside Canadian performances.

Find the full lineup of Chutzpah! Festival 2023 events, workshops, and performances here.