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June 3-13, 2021 NEXTFEST.CA

Contents Click underlined text to navigate!

WELCOME! 4 HOW TO NEXTFEST 8 ACCESSILITY INFORMATION 10 SUPPORT NEXTFEST 12

PROGRAMING SCHEDULE 14 ALL FESTIVAL LONG 16 THURSDAY, JUNE 3 29 FRIDAY, JUNE 4 37 SATURDAY, JUNE 5 43 SUNDAY, JUNE 6 49 TUESDAY, JUNE 8 54 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9 59 THURSDAY, JUNE 10 65 FRIDAY, JUNE 11 70 SATURDAY, JUNE 12 76 SUNDAY, JUNE 13 80

STAFF + VOLUNTEERS STAFF/VOLUNTEERS 86 fesitval image by Taylor Danielle publication design by Steven Teeuwsen

Welcome! Nextfest marks the beginning of a long creative journey for a huge array of artists. For 26 years, we have fostered the growth and learning of thousands of artists who continue to practice and create on Treaty 6 land. We embody the spirit of newness and growth while respecting the deep roots planted by those who came before us. We are a platform for emerging artists, a meeting ground for community, a springboard for creative invention. Mentorship, inclusion, learning, creative risk, and vulnerability are at the core of everything we stand for. And so, we embrace the spirit of Tatawaw: a Cree phrase meaning “welcome, there is room.” The Nextfest Arts Company acknowledges that we are situated on Treaty 6 territory, the home of the Nations of Cree, Nakota-Sioux, Blackfoot, Dene, Tsuu T’ina, Metis, and other Indigenous peoples who call this land home, who have created and gathered on these lands for thousands of years.

At Nextfest, everyone is welcome exactly as they are. Our circle continues to grow and evolve with our artists as they grow and evolve, too. We are still learning, and promise to continue learning from past and future generations of artists who make Nextfest possible. We recognize and value that we are at the end and the beginning of a long line of artists, creators, and people living on and benefiting from this land. Nextfest takes responsibility for this ongoing relationship as we strive to listen, learn, and continually do better as an organization and community. We are committed to creating new beginnings, supporting revival, and providing community for everyone, as we are all Treaty People.

BLACK LIVES MATTER

We at Nextfest support Black Lives Matter. We express our commitment to this movement and condemn police brutality and systemic racism in Edmonton, Canada, and the world. We say this loudly, as silence is violence. We commit ourselves to learning, listening, and growing as we stand with BIPOC artists throughout and beyond our festival. We are currently working with our team to plan genuine action to address our role in supporting raising the voices of BIPOC artists. Our team commits to updating our festival policies and is currently working with our BIPOC stakeholders, curators, and artists to form meaningful action. We want to get this right, so these actions may take time – stay tuned. Our festival and our community stand with you. Learn how the Nextfest Arts Company is taking action by visiting nextfest.ca/ black-lives-matter-statement/

NEXTFEST PROUDLY SUPPORTS THE 35//50 INITIATIVE

Representation matters. In order to create a more representative community, we must look to our arts leaders, mentors, and staff to create that change. We, as a leader in Edmonton’s arts community, will be a part of that change. This is why we are committing to shifting our organization’s training, education, staffing, and projects to ensure that we can help create an equitable, diverse, inclusive, and accessible future in the professional landscape of the arts. The Nextfest Arts Company is committed to the 35//50 Initiative, a coalition of IBPOC artists across Alberta who believe in representation and leadership as an actionable plan. Over the next three years, the 35//50 Initiative is committed to seeing our civic landscape more equitably reflected in our professional landscape: a minimum of 35% IBPOC and 50% women and gender minorities in paid, professional positions. Nextfest is committed to curating our festival along with the guidelines of 35//50 and gathering data over the next three years (and beyond) to monitor concrete progress in the percentages of IBPOC and women/non-binary artists we include in our curation and programming. For more information about our pledge to 35//50, please visit nextfest.ca/35-50-statement/

How to NextFest Welcome to Nextfest 2021. This program is your guide to the next eleven days of action-packed emerging art. WE’RE ONLINE

Another fantastic year of COVIDsafe risk-taking art is here as Edmonton’s emerging arts festival returns to its online stage. Nextfest has always been about pushing the boundaries. As we usher in the 26th year of our festival, we’re excited to keep creating and supporting the next generation of artists through digital means. Learn how to connect with Nextfest this year at nextfest.ca.

CHECK IT OUT

Since our festival is now online, you get to see everything for free - EVERY. SINGLE. THING. That means that in the first week of June, something new and exciting is just a click away. Visit us at nextfest.ca/nextfesttv or NextfestTV on Twitch every night for emerging arts like you’ve never seen before.

TAKE A CHANCE

Every night will feature a digital cabaret that will encourage you to take a leap of artistic faith. Check the schedule in this handy online program and take a chance on us! Nextfest 2021 has more than 400 artists and 90+ different events, performances, showcases, and parties - you never know what will make you say “wow!”

GET EXPERIMENTAL

What is more experimental than creating art online? Nextfest 2021 has been programmed for online viewing by a group of curators who believe in creating opportunities for emerging artists to experiment, grow, and produce art without censorship. Embracing the experimental with us means you will see work that moves you in unexpected ways. It also means you might see work that includes adult content, sexuality, and strong language. So put on your comfiest PJs (or your Sunday best), grab a beverage, and settle in for a night (or eleven nights) of experimental fun.

JOIN IN & SPREAD THE LOVE It is more important than ever to stay connected and share your Nextfest experiences on the interwebs. Find us on Twitter and Instagram at @NextfestArtsCo, Facebook as The Nextfest Arts Company, or just hashtag #nxtfst. Support each other online and look out for what other artists are up to. This is the perfect time to show extra love to our community on social media and beyond. Also, remember to post your #nxtfst from home couture - we’re sure to throw some hearts your way.

Accessi lity Information Our festival is for everyone, and we are continually working to improve the accessibility of our events. Have feedback? We want to hear from you. Find us at hello@nextfest.ca. For any questions about accessibility, please contact the Theatre Network Box Office by calling (780) 453-2440 or emailing us at hello@nextfest.ca. SAFE(R) SPACES

Nextfest is for all to grow, learn and inspire each other for years to come! We invite you to be part of the movement and celebrate! Our Safe(r) Spaces policy has been constructed to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all persons involved with The Nextfest Arts Company and develop a culture of mutual respect throughout the organization.

The Nextfest Arts Company adheres to Safe(r) Spaces Policies. To read our full Code of Conduct and Safe(r) Spaces policy, please visit nextfest.ca/safer-spaceand-code-of-conduct-policy/.

ASL ACCESSIBILITY

Our entire festival live stream will feature open captions. Have questions? Email us at hello@nextfest.ca.

Support Theatre Network’s Presentation of NextFest In the midst of the pandemic, Nextfest 2021 offers early-career artists a paycheque, the opportunity for connection amongst their peers, a place to present their work, and a host of socially distant training and mentorship opportunities. Taking Nextfest online again in 2021 meant creating another free festival experience for all. There is no ticket revenue for this year’s festival, and so we are asking you to support Nextfest & Theatre Network in other ways.

Here’s how you can help:

1. ADOPT AN ARTIST

2. DONATE A TICKET OR PASS

Adoption: $100/artist

Suggested Donation Amounts: • Ticket Donation: $12 • Day Pass Donation: $20 • Festival Pass Donation: $40

Hurray! We are continuing the long-standing Nextfest tradition of pairing artists with generous donors. You choose the artist you adopt or let us choose. Your donation ensures the next generation of emerging artists can find their foothold in the Edmonton arts community.

Benefits: • Your name displayed alongside your artist(s)’ name(s) on our digital Adopt-an-Artist wall • An exclusive Nextfest t-shirt A tax receipt for the full donation amount. Visit theatrenetwork.ca/adopt, mail a cheque to “Theatre Network” at 8529 Gateway Blvd, Edmonton, AB T6E 6P3, or call (780) 453-2440 to Adopt an Artist.

This year, our festival is free to enjoy. In lieu of ticket and pass sales, we are encouraging Nextfest supporters to donate based on a level that best reflects their usual Nextfest experience.

Benefits: • Listing during the evening performances for all donations • Donations $20 and above will receive a tax receipt. Visit theatrenetwork.ca/donate, mail a cheque to “Theatre Network” at 8529 Gateway Blvd, Edmonton, AB T6E 6P3, or call (780) 453-2440 to donate. The Nextfest Arts Company & Theatre Network are committed to developing the next generation of artists and your donation is an endorsement of this commitment.

Schedule THURSDAY, JUNE 3

FESTIVAL OPENING MUSIC

CHRISTINA HOLLINGWORTH DIGITAL THEATRE

THE LIGHT FILM

HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE

WHO’S HOLDING ALL OF THE CARDS? SHOWCASE

THE TNT SESSIONS VALKYRIE SHOWCASE

SAPIKANEW DJ

DJ GULZAR

SARA HAS A FEVER HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE

A CHILD AND A WEDDING DRESS FILM

HAPPINESS DIGITAL THEATRE

THE SPACE BETWEEN SHOWCASE

THE TNT SESSIONS FAVES HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE

ESTRANGEMENT CAFE DANCE

THE DEBATE NITE CLUB

PEPPER’D VARIETY SHOW

FRIDAY, JUNE 4

SATURDAY, JUNE 5

NIGHTLY WELCOME FILM

THE SPECTRE HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE

EVERYONE KILLS AT NIGHT HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE

BROWN KIDS, SLAY MONSTERS FILM

HUNGRY FOR HEARING FILM

FLORICIDE DIGITAL THEATRE

ARKANGEL SHOWCASE

NIGHTLY WELCOME FILM

SKETCH SHOWCASE

TANTA SARAÑANI

PASS THE PODIUM

DANCE

HIGH SCHOOL MUSIC

KAIYA: MUSIC IN MOTION DANCE

INVISIBLE THREAD (EPISODE 2) DANCE

SEAN BEAVER

WORKSHOP READING

BEATRICE AGAIN AND AGAIN POETRY

PLINKO MUSIC

STEM CHAMP SHOWCASE

A POET’S WORK

TUESDAY, JUNE 8

NIGHTLY WELCOME FILM

THE LINE HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE

AVA AND NATALIE’S PUPPET SHOW DELIGHT DIGITAL THEATRE

SOS CULTURA HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE

A FOOL’S ERRAND DANCE

BREAK-ing UP HIGH SCHOOL MUSIC

DANCE

LIGHTS OF HOPE

THE NOCTURNE OF THE END

HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE

SHOWCASE

LUCID

NIGHTLY WELCOME

IN THE AFTER

THE TNT SESSIONS VNTGE

INVISIBLE THREAD (EPISODE 1)

SUNDAY, JUNE 6

CLICK/CLACK: CLOWNS AT THE KEYBOARD

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9 NIGHTLY WELCOME

DANCE

AND ALONG CAME TOMORROW SHOWCASE

FILM

WITH LOVE, TOMMY

THE TNT SESSIONS MAD JOHN

WORKSHOP READING

SHOWCASE

THE WARNING MONUMENTS DANCE

INVISIBLE THREAD (EPISODE 3) DANCE

THE SPACE BETWEEN US DANCE

SHOWCASE

THE TNT SESSIONS JAYDEN PAZ SHOWCASE

52 WEEKS LATER: THE COVID SQUEAKQUEL: LOST IN NEW YORK EDMONTON

THURSDAY, JUNE 10

NIGHTLY WELCOME DIGITAL THEATRE

HOMEGROWN

DIGITAL THEATRE

LA SANGRE LLAMA DJ

DJ POP-A-Z

FRIDAY, JUNE 11 NIGHTLY WELCOME

SATURDAY, JUNE 12

NIGHTLY WELCOME DIGITAL THEATRE

THE INVISIBLE PRACTICE: GRIEF ON THE HANDS WORKSHOP READING

KIT AND LENA’S SENIOR YEAR DIGITAL THEATRE

PRAIRIE DYKES DIGITAL THEATRE

DANCE

A PLACE WHERE LAUGHING’S EASY

BUTTERFLIES: A BROADCAST FROM THE DIGITAL NEON JUNGLE

FILM

NITE CLUB

TIDINGS

HOT MUSTARD

WORKSHOP READING

REWINDING ROMANCE DIGITAL THEATRE

...THE BORN AGAIN CROW PROLOGUE

SUNDAY, JUNE 13

NIGHTLY WELCOME

HIGH SCHOOL FILM

HIGH SCHOOL RADIO PLAY

THE SOMETHING

LIFELINE

VISUAL ART

DANCE

GALLERY TOUR

WIRES

MUSIC

DANCE

D’ORJAY THE SINGING SHAMAN

EX DUCERE SHOWCASE

OVERWHELMED: DECOLONIZING MENTAL ILLNESS

SHOWCASE

THE LAND OF ODD

THE TNT SESSIONS TREBLA VISUAL ART

DANCE

JAY SLAY

UNTITLED LETTERS TO THE WOMEN I HATED WITHOUT KNOWING WORKSHOP READING

STONE AND SOIL

LOWLANDS GALLERY TOUR HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE

SMOKE IN MIRRORS PODCAST

RUN AND HIDE MUSIC

ELECTRIC RELIGOUS DJ

MUSTAFA RAFIQ

All Festival long A new age of art is here! These innovative pieces will take your breath away on any festival day. Beyond the livestream, here are some incredible new works that you can click and enjoy. Read on for more details on how you can support these artists and experience their art.

RETURN TO TABLE OF CONTENTS

MUSIC

EXPERIENCE POINTS Experience Points (EXP) is a video game party band combining funk, jazz, and groove-based music with classic video game soundtracks. Based in Edmonton, this dynamic group of musicians performs unique and clever arrangements of video game music. Their repertoire consists of more than 40 tunes from over 30 video games ranging from retrolike classics to modern video game favourites. When Experience Points performs, audience members can expect a high-energy show that will keep you dancing all night long.

HIGH SCHOOL POETRY

LACK SALT AND LOOD written by Zachary Ding visual art by Stella Drinkwater

Black Salt and Blood is a poetry collection that will show you the dark underside of growth. Follow the spiral through poetic iterations of classic myths and legends, and see the stories of Icarus and a newly created siren through the eyes of a queer trans student. featuring Logan Sunquist and Carissa Edmonds Please view this work at thespiralsystem.wordpress.com

EXP will be popping in for surprise interludes and introductions. Look for them throughout the festival livestream at twitch.tv/nextfesttv

SheFromTheSea Productions presents

ARTISTS & LOVE

(THE INSTAGRAM MINISERIES) by Emily Anne Concoran

A three-part miniseries to be viewed on Instagram “stories.” Each episode offers a glimpse into a moment in the life of an artist, exploring the complicated relationships they have with those with whom their paths have crossed. featuring Emily Anne Corcoran, Braden Butler, Kael Wynn, and Jackson Card

HOW TO WATCH:

Artists & Love can be viewed on the Instagram page @shefromtheseaproductions on the "story" feature each day of the festival. It can be found by clicking on the profile picture on the Instagram page or by accessing the archives of each episode (which will be featured on the profile of @shefromtheseaproductions). Still unsure? Go to the Instagram page for @ shefromtheseaproductionsand click on the post that says "How To Watch.”

PODCAST Dawn Productions presents

WOULD YOU WANDER created by Sam Jeffery

Would you wander with us? Part storytelling, part nature exploration, Would You Wander is a decide your own adventure podcast that integrates knowledge-sharing, story-telling, and natural discovery. So take a wander with us - and discover the ground living beneath your feet, the story around the corner, the fruit tree you never noticed before, and the heartbeat nature shares with all of us. Whether you’re looking for discovery or a story, you’ve come to the right place: exactly where you are.

HOW TO WANDER:

1. Go to anchor.fm/wouldyouwander or search for “Would You Wander” wherever you find your podcasts. 2. Choose a Wander - no need to go in order, just pick whatever calls to you! You can do one or line up a bunch for a longer journey. 3. We recommend downloading your chosen Wander(s) before you start for an interruption-free time. 4. That’s it! Grab your headphones and take a wander with us. Prefer transcription? Want to learn more about something you listened to? Hop on over to Would You Wander's website wouldyouwander.wixsite.com/podcast for transcripts, resources, and more.

PLEASE READ:

While we encourage those to wander near and far, please ensure that you keep an eye on your surroundings when venturing through nature. By taking on this journey you agree that your wandering experience is at your own risk, and it is your responsibility to maintain such health, liability, hazard, personal injury, medical, life, and other insurance policies as you deem reasonably necessary for any injuries that you may incur while in the listening experience. Remember safety first: Mask up, listen to your gut, and watch your step. This art is best enjoyed responsibly.

HIGH SCHOOL DANCE

PHENOMENON

A MEANS OF KNOWING

choreographed and performed by Abigail Fiddler and Rowan Stephans videography by Jace S, Lynea R, and Alyssa J

This piece takes you on a journey to another dimension. “An area just beyond ordinary legal and ethical limits.” A dimension of sound, sight, and mind. A dimension of shadow and substance, things and ideas. A hidden paradise full of the essential truths of humanity. You’ve just crossed over into another dimension. Please view this work at nextfest.ca/on-demand/

choreographed by Aly Turgeon

our openness to others is evident in our bodies before words leave our mouths. knowing another person transcends conversation, it’s how we sense one another, how we make space, and how we hold one another. this piece serves as an expression of the complexities of touch. featuring Maria Morin, Sandry Obando Ruiz, Rowan Stephens, Morgan Turgeon, Serejane Walls, Sydney Wright, Stephanie Schnarr, and David Bowden Please view this work at nextfest.ca/on-demand/

HIGH SCHOOL DANCE

10 UNFORGIVA LE SINS OF USINESSMEN choreographed and performed by Julianna Bryson and Aly Turgeon videography by Morgan Turgeon

A regular day in the office… Please view this work at nextfest.ca/on-demand/

HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE

ESCAPE by Simone Gosselin

This piece follows two stories of hardship where the characters cope with by creating their own worlds through the escapism of music. featuring Isabella Hudson, Logan Bloedel, Ella Raven-Jackson, Simone Gosselin, Rachel Conklin, William McIntosh, Alyson Opatril, and Amanda Yim Please view this work at nextfest.ca/on-demand/

DANCE

THE TIME IS NOW choreographed by Quincy Pipella

Life is precious and time is a key element. Every moment counts. Let us be awake and live every moment of our loving, abundant and spontaneous path. The time is now. featuring Leah Born, Meghan Moody, Anna Johnson, Stephanie Schnarr, Ana Murgu, Kevin Hoang, Dana Magus, Aly Turgeon, Julianna Bryson, Kylie Sichkaryk, Chiara Funaro, Tamar Kaye Adler, Brooke Larratt, Samantha Puth, Jasmine Camus, Trinity Beattie, Morgan Turgeon, Sydney Wright, and Sandry Obando Ruiz Please view this work at nextfest.ca/on-demand/

VISUAL ART

VISUAL ART GALLERIES This year we are happy to showcase nine emerging visual artists in a very diverse collection of works ranging from ceramics, paintings, installation art, and 3D printed conceptual art. A Note About Each Space: We adhere to all covid safety measures. Please wear a mask while accessing the NextFest galleries and maintain social distance protocols.

HANNA DOTZENROTH NEXT ACT PUB 8224 104 Street NW

11am - 10pm Mon-Fri 10am - 10pm Sat & Sun *Currently, works are on display for folks to go in and view (6 ppl max), but there is no dine-in. All dining must be done on the patio, making it feel more like a gallery space. I'm not sure what things will be like in June.

HEATHER SAVARD, CONNOR MACKINNON, RYAN ANDRADE, AND AM AR AZCORRA LOWLANDS PROJECT SPACE 11208 65 Street NW

Wednesday-Sunday, Noon-8pm *Indoor gallery open to single-household groups by appointment only. Email steven.teeuwsen@gmail.com to book.

MV, KATIE HARTWIG, OYD WE AND TRACY RADLEY

ER, ARMY AND NAVY DEPARTMENT STORE WINDOWS 10411 82 Ave NW, Edmonton Street View 24/7

Committed to artful engagement. MacEwan University’s new Bachelor of Fine Arts prepares graduates to contribute to the arts landscape and hone their craft through four distinct majors: > Arts and Cultural Management > Music Theatre Performance

> Studio Arts > Theatre Production

Applications open October 1, 2021. Visit MacEwan.ca/BFA for details.

VISUAL ART

ACKSTAGE THEATRE MURAL 10330 84 Ave NW

Nextfest is excited to have Haylee Fortin painting this year’s bold new mural on the Backstage Theatre! Haylee is a painter, new media artist, and printmaker that pursues art as a means of community engagement. Haylee will be painting the mural throughout the festival, so stroll by the Backstage to see her progress! Nextfest will also be updating our social channels with her progress, so stay tuned. This project is made possible with funding from the Old Strathcona Business Association and Capital City Clean-Up. *Please keep a respectful distance from the artist while she is working.

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Thursday June 3 6:00 pm - 10:30 pm

FESTIVAL OPENING hosted by Dill Prusko

Artists! Audiences! Volunteers! Nextfest super fans! Everyone is welcome. Join the virtual party and help start the festival off with a bang! The Nextfest Opening Ceremonies features a warm welcome from our host as we usher in our 2021 festival. Ratings and content warnings for the evening’s performances will be shared.

RETURN TO TABLE OF CONTENTS

JUNE 3 - MUSIC

JUNE 3 - DIGITAL THEATRE

CHRISTINA HOLLINGWORTH:

THE LIGHT

MUSIC’S MY CALLING Christina Hollingworth is a multitalented and award-winning fourteenyear-old singer-songwriter. She plays both piano and the ukulele. On top of that, she is an honour student and a member of the Enoch Cree Nation. She holds several records and is a multi provincial champion in the sport of track & field. Christina has sung at many events, including Hometown Hockey in Enoch, the World Indigenous Nation Games 2017, and the Alberta Indigenous Games, to name a few. She has used music and songwriting as a way to express her life stories and the way she views the world.

created and performed by Laura Donaldson

A film featuring tap dance by Laura Donaldson. The Light considers the changed perspectives, priorities, feelings, and evolving relationships that one is faced with when life has been flipped upside down. The Light is here to remind you of the good that is coming and the good that perhaps has been here the entire time.

JUNE 3 - HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE

A CHILD AND A WEDDING DRESS by Quinn Woodruff directed by Quinn Woodruff and Von Andrew Collado

JUNE 3 - FILM

SARA HAS A FEVER created by Amy Lee and Mariam

Sara has to miss school because she has a fever.

Accidents happen. When two children are left alone with their mother’s dress, creativity takes over. In this play, the audience is led down a wild path of laugher, absurdity, and problem-solving through the eyes of a child. featuring Rhiannon Lewis, Arabella Spence, Ngila Stone, and Stella Drinkwater

JUNE 3 - DIGITAL THEATRE

THE SPACE ETWEEN created and performed by Lebogang Disele JUNE 3 - FILM

HAPPINESS created by Jack Belhumeur

A man is in search of happiness when he is confronted by a man offering just that in the form of a package. But can happiness be given and received? In this new short film Director Jack Belhumeur challenges the nature of happiness.

The Space Between is a solo performance that fuses movement and poetry to reflect on the performer’s experiences of being Black, African, and a woman. It is a meditation on the loss of loved ones as a loss of personal history and culture, how to live up to our responsibilities, and on selfacceptance in the face of perceived failure. The Space in Between is a physical exploration of the limits and possibilities of growing up and living in-between spaces.

JUNE 3 - SHOWCASE iHuman Studios presents

THE TNT SESSIONS - FAVES performed by FAVES

Albert Favel, also known by Faves (an acronym for “Favorite Adolescent Voice’s Everyone’s Silenced”), is a Poetry/Hip-Hop Artist originally from Regina, Saskatchewan. Faves moved to Edmonton, Alberta, at the age of 15 to create a better life for himself, where he was introduced to Poetry and Hip-Hop. Since then, vocal expression has allowed him to share his own adversities through word-play.

iHuman Studios is amped to present the first season of TNT with six episodes spotlighting the iHuman music artists: Valkyrie, Vntge, Mad John, FAVES, Jayden Paz, and Trebla. iHuman Studios is a collective of young multidisciplinary artists between the ages of 12 and 24 years who constitute the members of iHuman Youth Society. iHuman’s mission is to invite young people to transform their experiences of personal and systemic trauma through acts of expression & creativity into experiences of Purpose, Self-worth, Identity, and Belonging.

JUNE 3 - HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE

JUNE 3 - DANCE

ESTRANGEMENT CAFE

THE DE ATE

by Isabella Hudson directed by Will McIntosh

Estrangement Cafe is a two-character play about a young adult, Sam, who left their home and childhood behind. Years later, their mother turns up, seemingly out of the blue, to ask Sam to have coffee with her. As the two sit and talk, the complexities of their relationship start to unfold through both what is said and left unsaid. featuring Tess Valentine, Ella Raven-Jackson, Simone Gosselin, Logan Bloedel, Alyson Opatril, and Raye Mitchell

directed and choreographed by Allison Elizabeth Burns direction of photography by Izabel Barsive camera operation and editing by Allison Elizabeth Burns composed and music performed by Tristan Henry video production mentored by Izabel Barsive

We are growing apart, movements contrasting between us, carving out our territory. We attempt to convert one another, our differences get in the way. We are curious about the other, suspicious of the other. We mirror behaviour on opposite sides of the battle. Motifs become conversations, and conversations become motifs. featuring Sarah Hopkin and Geoffrey Dollar special thanks to Adrie Sustar and Carolyn Lecorre

Learn more at theatrealberta.com

JUNE 3 - NITE CLUB

PEPPER’D VARIETY SHOW featuring collaboration with ICYT, Musical Performances, Good Information, and more

For one night only, Pepper’d and I’ll Call You Tomorrow (ICYT) are bringing all the boys to the yard for The Pepper’d Variety Show. Exstepmom will be your host for an evening of spilling T with the boys at ICYT, drag, sketch, and musical performances. Late-night television could never.

Friday June 4 6:00 pm - 10:30 pm

NIGHTLY WELCOME hosted by Dill Prusko

Night two of Nextfest 2021 opens with a warm welcome from our host and some discussion of what to expect this evening. Ratings and content warnings will be shared.

RETURN TO TABLE OF CONTENTS

JUNE 4 - FILM

TANTA SARANANI created by Paxsi

Part poem and part music video, Tanta Sarañani is a celebration of IBPOC queer and trans identities and expressions. It was conceived as a love letter to QTBIPOC community members, offering tender moments of affirmation and honesty.

JUNE 4 - DANCE The Hidden Neighbourhood presents

JUNE 4 - DANCE

INVISI LE THREAD

choreographed and performed by Janita Frantsi

produced by Caitlin Kelly, Braden Butler, Christina Nguyen, and Kaeley Jade Wiebe

Right now, our city is a little quieter—even a little empty and lonely. But there is still light – light that pops up in the darkness, light that opens up a new day, light that can be found around us.

(EPISODE 1)

choreographed by Emily Anne Corcoran, Meegan Sweet, and Braden Butler

LIGHTS OF HOPE

The Company would like to thank the Government of Alberta/Ministry of Culture, Multiculturalism, and Status of Women for the funding that made this piece possible to come to life. featuring Jon Guenter, Janita Frantsi, and Julia Barsukova

featuring Kaeley Jade Wiebe, Caitlin Kelly, Emily Anne Corcoran, Christina Nguyen, Meegan Sweet, Holly Wandler, Beverley Rockwell, Braden Butler, and Jackson Card

JUNE 4 - HIGH SCHOOL FILM

JUNE 4 - HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE

LUCID

WHO’S HOLDING ALL OF THE CARDS?

directed and written by Laura Cervera-Fuentes cinematography and lighting by Sara Sheydwasser makeup, costume, and set design by Brooklynn Soppet direction of photography by Amelie Lang-Muller assistant directed by Elise Leske

“lucid dream (‘lu:sıd dri:m) NOUN //psychology// A dream in which the dreamer is aware that they are dreaming and can sometimes influence the course of the dream. Are YOU really in control?” featuring Emma Kinasevich, Laura Cervera-Fuentes, and Elise Leske

by Maria Morin

After her untimely death, Andy’s four friends receive a letter informing them that Andy was an undercover intelligence agent and that she has some unfinished spy business. They must retrieve a deck of UNO cards and deliver it to their science teacher, but they’re not the only ones who need that deck. featuring Ava Countryman, Arthur Traynor, Grace Vandermeulen, Liam Witte, Marharyta Tsiatserskaya, Sam Michaelchuk, and Maria Morin

JUNE 4 - SHOWCASE iHuman Studios presents

THE TNT SESSIONS -

VALKYRIE performed by Valkyrie

iHuman artist Valkyrie is a Cree & Ojibwe hip-hop emcee from Edmonton, Alberta. In her midtwenties, she began writing at a very young age and started performing and recording at age 14. She was a part of the hip-hop crew Collective Conscience for a few years and has now gone solo driving her own projects. Her flow is the flow of feathers, straight-up fiery, straightup fierce. You should check out her latest album, Postponed, on your favourite music streaming service. iHuman Studios is amped to present the first season of TNT with six episodes spotlighting the iHuman music artists: Valkyrie, Vntge, Mad John, FAVES, Jayden Paz, and Trebla. iHuman Studios is a collective of young multidisciplinary artists between the ages of 12 and 24 years who constitute the members of iHuman Youth Society. iHuman’s mission is to invite young people to transform their experiences of personal and systemic trauma through acts of expression & creativity into experiences of Purpose, Self-worth, Identity, and Belonging.

JUNE 4 - SHOWCASE iskotêw iskwêwak presents

JUNE 4 - DJ

SAPIKANEW

DJ GULZAR

curated by Shir Modesty

This burlesque cabaret will showcase and honour the vitality that iskwewak brings into this world. Our bodies contain embers that sustain our communities with heat and protection. The expression that we offer is a gift for healing and rebirth. We know that the stories that lay behind our expressions of sexuality embody the power within our iskwewak. featuring Alicia Chevonne Cardinal, Nipi Iskwew, Shir Modesty, and more

Piyush Patel aka DJ Gulzar is IndoCanadian and is an active member of the Edmonton music community. When he is not busy attending live gigs, he can be found hosting a weekly radio program called “From Here We Go Sublime” on Tuesdays from 7-8 pm on CJSR 88.5 FM. He blends diverse musical genres such as post punk, indie rock, synthwave, electronic and world music in his musical sets.

6:00 pm - 10:30 pm

NIGHTLY WELCOME hosted by Dill Prusko

Night three of Nextfest 2021 opens with a warm welcome from our host and some discussion of what to expect this evening. Ratings and content warnings will be shared.

RETURN TO TABLE OF CONTENTS

JUNE 5 - HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE

EVERYONE KILLS AT NIGHT JUNE 5 - FILM

written by Danica Friss Wilson

THE SPECTRE

directed by Morgan Tiley

created by Sara Campos-Silvius

THE SPECTRE is a horror-themed poetry film featuring the voice of someone (or something?) from beyond the grave.

Everyone Kills at Night is a play about Amelia, an average woman who's been listening to a lot of true crime podcasts. One night she’s awakened by a sound in her room. That sound: an up-and-coming killer trying to make a name for himself, who'd like to kill Amelia and get on with it. After being convinced not to kill her, Amelia takes this strange man under her wing, mentoring him on death, perfection, fame, murder, and most importantly, true crime podcasts. featuring Amanda Bertrand, Tarren Vercholuk, and Danny Domahidi

JUNE 5 - HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE

ROWN KIDS, SLAY MONSTERS written by Abhay

When Varun is outed to his family, he has two choices: leave in exile or marry a girl. As he embarks on a journey to find a wife, he is trapped in Swayamvara Resort, a place that claims to help South Asian singles find matches — however, little meets the eye here. Varun meets and falls for Dhruv, another gay man trapped in the resort, and together they learn its dystopian and kyriarchal secrets. This makes Varun’s choice increasingly difficult—that’s on top of being stuck in the resort with a tentacle monster after them. featuring Prishita Harikant, Vanessa Rasie, Attikah-Naz Kayani, Nico Maiorana, and Seraphim Rosenfeldt

JUNE 5 - FILM

HUNGRY FOR HEARING created by Tara Mitrovic

One Human Brain. One Zombie. One Giant Learning Curve.

JUNE 5 - FILM

JUNE 5 - DIGITAL THEATRE Hypothetical Bad Idea presents

FLORICIDE

ARKANGEL

created by David Alejandro Gigena-Kazimierczak

by Liam Salmon

After being wrongfully stabbed over the murder of a female, a teen is haunted by the traumatic event. As he fights with his PTSD, we find out that he may not be so innocent after all…

A Father has been taken in by a faceless organization, recalling his time at the church and trying to make up for 'time lost' during one fateful night. Something has happened to the church. Something's terribly wrong with the pastor. Maybe something's always been wrong with the small town of [REDACTED]. This is a workshop production/ experiment of a sci-fi/horror play. In this digital format, we are experimenting with recorded video and a long-distance rehearsal process.

JUNE 6 - SHOWCASE iHuman Studios presents

THE TNT SESSIONS -

VNTGE performed by Vntge

Somebody say, 'Different'? Vntge is the alias of Nigerian born / Canadian based rising star Gibson Wali, whose musical fusions of Afro beats, RnB, soul, pop, dance, and other elements have translated into modern-time bangers. With songs like "In Da Morning", "Odeshi", "Kilode", "Lowkey Man", and other Vntge has vehemently proven that his vibes are killer vibes, or like he calls them 'Vibes on Killi Killi". Stay tuned for more Vntge. Love. iHuman Studios is amped to present the first season of TNT with six episodes spotlighting the iHuman music artists: Valkyrie, Vntge, Mad John, FAVES, Jayden Paz, and Trebla. iHuman Studios is a collective of young multidisciplinary artists between the ages of 12 and 24 years who constitute the members of iHuman Youth Society. iHuman's mission is to invite young people to transform their experiences of personal and systemic trauma through acts of expression & creativity into experiences of Purpose, Self-worth, Identity, and Belonging.

JUNE 5 - SHOWCASE Fear the Festival presents

JUNE 5 - DJ

PASS THE PODIUM:

SEAN

Sean Beaver (stylized as sean beaver), an independent techno/ electronic Indigenous artist based in Calgary, Alberta and from the Driftpile Cree Nation. Sounding of a cross between Teenage Mutants, Chemical Brothers, and Richie Hawtin. Incorporating his indigenous heritage into the music, with select Pow Wow elements. Sober since 2006. With four albums released, and another two albums set to release in 2021. Sean is nominated for the best Rap/Hip Hop/Electronica Album of the Year at the 2021 Summer Solstice Indigenous Music Awards and was nominated Best Instrumental Album at the Indigenous Music Awards in 2015, and 2017, and won in 2015.

IPOC COMEDY SHOWCASE

curated Isabella Derilo and Eunice Gatama

Fear the Festival is back again for our second curation of IBPOCcentred stories. Pass the Podium is a gritty satirical sketch show seeking to address the vital voices of the 20s notably. featuring Eunice Gatama, Isabella Derilo, Fatmi El Fassi El Fihri, Dayna Lea Hoffmann, and Alice Wordsworth

EAVER

SUNday June 6 6:00 pm - 10:30 pm

NIGHTLY WELCOME hosted by Dill Prusko

Night four of Nextfest 2020 opens with a warm welcome from our host and some discussion of what to expect this evening. Ratings and content warnings will be shared.

RETURN TO TABLE OF CONTENTS

JUNE 6 - HIGH SCHOOL MUSIC

June 6 - HIGH SCHOOL VISUAL ART

KAIYA: MUSIC IN MOTION

TYLER LOUTITT

Kaiya: Music in Motion is a piece that embodies who I am as an artist. Being a songwriter, my original music is a part of me. This set is all songs I’ve written from the heart. It will include the official music video for my debut single “Speak Out” and footage from an online benefit concert Kaiya Live, all about spreading love and light during COVID. I want to introduce people to my sound, my style, and my soul.

JUNE 6 - DANCE The Hidden Neighbourhood presents

JUNE 6 - DANCE

INVISI LE THREAD

IN THE AFTER

(EPISODE 2)

produced by Caitlin Kelly, Braden Butler, Christina Nguyen, and Kaeley Jade Wiebe choreographed by Emily Anne Corcoran, Meegan Sweet, and Braden Butler

Invisible Thread is a three-part, episodic dance series created by The Hidden Neighbourhood. Three choreographers digitally reimagine work they originally created on stage and prior to the pandemic, weaving an invisible thread through remotely filmed and separately devised choreographic impressions of our present lives. featuring Caitlin Kelly, Kaeley Jade Wiebe, Emily Anne Corcoran, Christina Nguyen, Meegan Sweet, Holly Wandler, Beverley Rockwell, Braden Butler, and Jackson Card

created and performed by Kristie Enns, Naomi Wiebe, and Hilary James videography and editing by Laina Brown

Created entirely in accordance with social distancing, In The After is a meditation on change, a collective examination of self, and a call to listen and to grow. It explores the hope that having endured separation and fear, we will not return to what once was, but dare to build a better tomorrow. Excerpts from Poem Perhaps, In the After by Jessica Williams Read by Charis Wiens

JUNE 6 - WORKSHOP READING Persistent Myth Productions presents

JUNE 6 - POETRY Love in the Digital Age presents

EATRICE AGAIN AND AGAIN

PLINKO

by Hayley Moorhouse

Great Aunt Beatrice died a long time ago. It’s a sad story. But Lyra, generally speaking, isn’t content with sad stories. Each night, Lyra goes walking. Always the same path, always with the same mission she can’t quite articulate. In a moonlit alley, she encounters Beatrice. As the ghostly figure recounts the events of her tragic life, Lyra becomes determined to imagine a different story for her. Beatrice sees only futility, but Lyra sees the potential for a resolution eighty years in the making. Audiences are invited to a Zoom room after the performance to join a talk back about the play. featuring Sarah Emslie, Hillary Warden, and Kaeley Jade Wiebe

created and performed by Jonah Angeles

Plinko is an experimental spoken word poem that aims to challenge our linguistic notions of infinity, artificial intelligence, Dubstep songs, turtles, and vacuum cleaners, among other things. It is a playfully meandering and discursive poetic exploration of where humanity is headed, the purpose of our existence, and the ultimate meaning of life. featuring Jeffrey Paul Kelly, August Auseil, and Jonah Angeles

JUNE 6 - MUSIC

JUNE 6 - SHOWCASE

STEM CHAMP

A POET’S WORK

After spending their younger years filling notebooks with poetry, Sare uncovered a fascination with the energy created through live music and started finding a place for their poems through writing music of their own. Under the moniker Stem Champ, Sare makes punk-influenced antifolk music about the weirdness of growing up and learning to be ok with who you’ve been and who you are.

curated by Nisha Patel

In this three-performer show, the poets will bring forward their all-encompassing works to share what has moved them to words, inspired their emotions, and allowed them to reclaim the space they are owed for their stories and truths. Join emerging poet Danita Kirumira, multi-talented artist Lady Vanessa, and Poet Laureate Nisha Patel as they explore and journey live with the audience. featuring Nisha Patel, Lady Vanessa Cardona, and Danita Kirumira

Tuesday June 8 6:00 pm - 10:30 pm

NIGHTLY WELCOME hosted by Dill Prusko

Night five of Nextfest 2021 opens with a warm welcome from our host and some discussion of what to expect this evening. Ratings and content warnings will be shared.

RETURN TO TABLE OF CONTENTS

JUNE 8 - HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE

AVA AND NATALIE’S PUPPET SHOW DELIGHT by Jacquelyn Routledge and Grace Young JUNE 8 - FILM

THE LINE created by Anthony Goertz

Real community in an unlikely place: Edmonton's waste management centre.

A tight-knit pair of sisters prepare their yearly puppet show as they make the move from homeschooling to public school. The eldest sister embraces the changes around them, but the youngest fears letting go of the past. As the worlds of fantasy, reality, school, and homelife collide-the girls find themselves in places that test their limits and the strength of their bond. featuring James Dorward, Lyndsay Williams, Lexi Ericson, Aaron Yakimchuck, Hyerin Song, Erica Norton, Ellena Jin, Olivia Weimann, Haeyeon Cho, and Ethan Long

JUNE 8 - HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE

A FOOL’S ERRAND by Charlotte Thompson

JUNE 8 - DIGITAL THEATRE LA BATEA TÍTERES presents

SOS CULTURA created by Herbert Poll Gutierrez

Coco Grafitti. Grafitti because he writes and does a little bit of everything. Coco because he makes you use your coconut, your brains. Coco Graffiti is an artist who recently arrived in Canada. Today is a special day, Coco Grafitti and his friends, half-crazy puppets because they have covid 21 6G, will show why theater is and will be an instrument of social change. featuring Dario Diblasi, Karina Cruz, and Herbert Poll Gutierrez

These four jesters are fed up with the way the king is treating them, so they’re forming a union! And they want you to join! As an audience member, your input is greatly appreciated - these clowns don’t have many ideas of their own. Expect intellectual conversation, donuts, and a little bit of interpretive dance. Just make sure that you don’t tell any of the king’s spies, or things could go south... featuring Asha Polard, Alix Way, Kateryna Vyshkulatova, Brooke Deya, Jorja Tupper, and Olivia Cai

JUNE 8 - DANCE

REAK-ing UP choreographed, directed, performed, edited, and sound design by Lauren Brady filmography and lighting design by Thomas Kassian

We live in an ever-changing world where the only way we can stay connected to our friends, family, and loved ones is through our devices. Technology is forever evolving, but will we grow with it or get consumed? BREAKing up explores clown in relation to contemporary dance.

JUNE 8 - HIGH SCHOOL MUSIC

THE NOCTURNE OF THE END performed by Kristina Gao

A piano is one of the most beautiful instruments to display one's talent in a musical art. Classical elements combined with a tone of modern-day rhythmic structure, and you have the piece titled 'The Nocturne of the End,’ symbolizing a calm yet raging battle between forces left for interpretation. Welcome to the battle of the End.

JUNE 8 - SHOWCASE re:Create Theatre presents

CLICK/CLACK: CLOWNS AT THE KEY OARD - ANOTHER WE CAM CA ARET curated by Philip Hackborn

Clowns, still separated from their beloved audience. What does it take to reach through the network of wires, cords, and cables to make a genuine connection? The red-nosers, physical comedians, and mask characters of the world search still to break through the boundaries of telecommunications technology. This has come easier to some, but we all must keep exploring, experimenting, venturing into that great digital beyond with nothing but curiosity and surprise behind our eyes. Once more, must we interface with our modems, grasping for connection that isn’t just of the dial-up, high-speed-satellite, or new-fangled-fiber varieties.

Wednesday June 9 6:00 pm - 10:30 pm

NIGHTLY WELCOME hosted by Dill Prusko

Night six of Nextfest 2021 opens with a warm welcome from our host and some discussion of what to expect this evening. Ratings and content warnings will be shared.

RETURN TO TABLE OF CONTENTS

JUNE 9 - WORKSHOP READING

THE WARNING MONUMENTS by Madison May JUNE 9 - FILM

WITH LOVE, TOMMY created by Cassandra Paige and Jordan Norn

A heavy-hearted Tommy flees an unfulfilling relationship to see the world.

Is it better to forget the past or attempt to recreate it? In a postapocalyptic world, three communes grapple with this question as they attempt to move on from only focusing on survival. Caesar, a leader of one of the communes, decides that forgetting and moving on from the past is the only option. Her commune is left in the dark, as Caesar is the sole person who knows a past exists. Tensions mount when her granddaughter, Napoleon, begins questioning the mythology Caesar has given her, all while the Warning Monuments loom overhead. Audiences are invited to a Zoom room after the performance to join a talk back about the play.

JUNE 9 - DANCE The Hidden Neighbourhood presents

INVISI LE THREAD (EPISODE 3)

produced by Caitlin Kelly, Braden Butler, Christina Nguyen, and Kaeley Jade Wiebe choreographed by Emily Anne Corcoran, Meegan Sweet, and Braden Butler

JUNE 9 - DANCE

THE SPACE ETWEEN US choreographed by Deviani Andrea

The Space Between Us explores how distance, closeness, attraction, and repulsion shape the way people connect to each other. Inspired by the physical interactions of bodies in public spaces during a health crisis, this piece digs into the limits of distance within a group exploring the dichotomy of isolation-ensemble between dancers and in relation to spatiality. performed by Janita Frantsi, Skye Demas, and Deviani Andrea

JUNE 9 - SHOWCASE iHuman Studios presents

THE TNT SESSIONS -

JAYDEN PAZ performed by Jayden Paz JUNE 9 - DANCE

II choreographed by Katie Cassady composed by Stefan Nazarevich, with "Luft" by H.Takahashi

II focuses on a relationship between two women. This work explores the strange and incongruent ways people connect and support each other and how power dynamics exist and shift in the context of intimacy.

Never have folk and blues met in a sweeter union as now. With just a guitar and soaring vocals, Jayden brings emotions to life while making you tap your feet. Drowned in sweeping melodies, his lyrics both move and challenge the listener. Jayden represents the very best of talent and resilience that Edmonton can offer.

featuring Sarah Wong and Sophie Mueller-Langer

iHuman Studios is amped to present the first season of TNT with six episodes spotlighting the iHuman music artists: Valkyrie, Vntge, Mad John, FAVES, Jayden Paz, and Trebla. iHuman Studios is a collective of young multidisciplinary artists between the ages of 12 and 24 years who constitute the members of iHuman Youth Society. iHuman's mission is to invite young people to transform their experiences of personal and systemic trauma through acts of expression & creativity into experiences of Purpose, Self-worth, Identity, and Belonging.

JUNE 9 - SHOWCASE Don't Not Talk To Strangers presents

RETURN OF THE SKETCH COMEDY SHOWCASE: 52 WEEKS LATER: THE COVID SQUEAKQUEL:

LOST IN NEW YORK EDMONTON We’re back for another year of quarantine funnies! Join Don’t Not Talk to Strangers as we host a night of the best and brightest in Edmonton’s sketch comedy scene. There will be hilarity, solidarity, ambidexterity, insincerity, polarity, irregularity, interdisciplinarity, unclarity, dragons, and more… Are you intrigued? See you at the Nextfest Sketch Comedy Showcase 2021. Boom.

Thursday June 10 6:00 pm - 10:30 pm

NIGHTLY WELCOME hosted by Dill Prusko

Night seven of Nextfest 2021 opens with a warm welcome from our host and some discussion of what to expect this evening. Ratings and content warnings will be shared.

RETURN TO TABLE OF CONTENTS

JUNE 10 - DIGITAL THEATRE 2nd Summit presents

JUNE 10 - DIGITAL THEATRE

HOMEGROWN

OVERWHELMED:

created by Rochelle Laplante

An audio-visual exploration of the connections between my natural hair and different plant life. A celebration through movement of growth, beauty, colour, and diversity. featuring Rochelle Laplante and Jasper Poole

DECOLONIZING MENTAL ILLNESS performed and created by Sissy Thiessen Kootenayoo

Join dancer, spoken word & multimedium artist Sissy Thiessen Kootenayoo as she walks through what it’s like living with mental illness and trying to find meaning to the terms “healthy coping mechanisms” as an Indigenous person through characterization/ lip-syncing, body movement, Powwow dance, spoken word & storytelling.

JUNE 10 - DANCE

JUNE 10 - WORKSHOP READING

UNTITLED LETTERS TO THE WOMEN I HATED WITHOUT KNOWING

STONE AND SOIL by Gabby Bernard directed by Julie Murphy

The female dynamic is based on scarcity, a constant battle to occupy the limited space we feel is available that is fueled by fear and comparison, anonymity, and disconnection. This work is my own scarcity complex shouting out loud, a letter of acknowledgment, and a resolution for change.

Camille Claudel was a brilliant sculptor, remembered more for a tragic love affair than her own ground-breaking work as an artist in 19th century France. Her ghost, tortured and furious, haunts the ruins of her final studio – and today, she receives a visit from an unexpected guest. Stone and Soil examines art and womanhood, genius and madness, and what it really means to give up a grudge.

featuring Michaella Haynes, Alyssa Maturino, Julianna Barwick, and Gia Margaret

Audiences are invited to a Zoom room after the performance to join a talk back about the play.

directed and created by Michaella Haynes

JUNE 10 - DANCE

AND ALONG CAME TOMORROW choreographed and performed by Shannon Lin filmography by Tino Dumec

An exploration of the comforts and discomforts of lonesomeness, augmenting the curiosities that emerge from this state of being. Inspired by the conflicting desires of vulnerability and resiliency, the piece navigates through the contemplation of human connection that captures the essence of a chaotic mind from every angle.

JUNE 10 - SHOWCASE iHuman Studios presents

THE TNT SESSIONS -

MAD JOHN performed by Mad John

You don't know Mad John, yet. And Mad John don't know you, yet. We are really excited for you to meet. Mad John wants you to know that Mad John really really likes Winehouse, Joplin, and Joni.

iHuman Studios is amped to present the first season of TNT with six episodes spotlighting the iHuman music artists: Valkyrie, Vntge, Mad John, FAVES, Jayden Paz, and Trebla. iHuman Studios is a collective of young multidisciplinary artists between the ages of 12 and 24 years who constitute the members of iHuman Youth Society. iHuman's mission is to invite young people to transform their experiences of personal and systemic trauma through acts of expression & creativity into experiences of Purpose, Self-worth, Identity, and Belonging.

JUNE 10 - SHOWCASE Remix the Ritual presents

JUNE 10 - DJ

LA SANGRE LLAMA

POP-A-Z

curated by Lady Vanessa Cardona

“La Sangre Llama" is a collection of poems and stories about my relationship to my blood. La sangre llama can be directly translated as 'the blood calls'; however, I do not believe that this gives the title full credit for all that it encompasses. A saying, a way of life, and a calling. La sangre Llama in a remembering journey into the self. Re-calling DNA, unashamedly, proudly confronting and embracing all my ancestors and lineage, and the reasons my blood has brought me here today. The memory in our veins is powerful and some memories are meant to be kept private, some memories are meant to be told. A hope, a prophecy, an old wives’ tale, an oral story asking to be remembered. Here we dive into the trans-parent world of becoming.

Pop-A-Z first emerged popping off songs from all ages that had the chance to be recorded. After much dancing and DJ electro-swing became favoured with its genre jumping way of merging melody and peoples movement. A monumental moment everyone can share over generations. Gapping the simplicities of a washtub bass to the massive momentum of bass bins. Playing songs from A to Z in any location plausible from art galleries to zoo's. Come join us on the dance floor to hear some fresh oldies with a very lively crowd ready to throw around, up and down, frequency expression.

Friday June 11 6:00 pm - 10:30 pm

NIGHTLY WELCOME hosted by Dill Prusko

Night nine of Nextfest 2021 opens with a warm welcome from our host and some discussion of what to expect this evening. Ratings and content warnings will be shared.

RETURN TO TABLE OF CONTENTS

JUNE 11 - DANCE

JUNE 11 - FILM

A PLACE WHERE LAUGHING’S EASY

TIDINGS

choreography and performed by Jerica Hoskins-Turenne and Declan Baker

“A place where laughing’s easy” is inspired by late 90’s videography. Our goal was to create a sense of authenticity in order to create a relationship with you. We invested all of our creative outlets into one piece to show, not only for you but for ourselves, that the possibilities are endless.

created by Marko Boychuk, Sarah Dickson, Olivia Menard, and Julia Stanski

"Tidings" is the video result of a recording project that took place in the fall of 2020. This song is an adaptation of a number from our musical-in-progress. It’s an amalgamation of Christmas carols sung by a host of characters, expressing their numerous individual experiences. While each line expresses joy, once layered over each other, they create a haunting and complex musical entity. The unique sonorities of traditionally orchestral instruments are highlighted and offer a characterization of the melodies; seven singers come together to deliver "Tidings."

JUNE 11 - WORKSHOP READING E.A.B.T presents

JUNE 11 - DIGITAL THEATRE Thumbs Up Good Work Theatre presents

REWINDING ROMANCE

THERE IS VIOLENCE, THERE IS RIGHTEOUS VIOLENCE, AND THERE IS DEATH OR;

by Emily Todd

Rewinding Romance is a one-act play that shows a glimpse into the lives of Charlie and Alice. A married couple in their seventies trying to find ways to connect with their family during a global pandemic. The couple decides to film themselves telling the story of how they fell in love in order to give their children and grandchildren a way to feel close to them while isolated to their own homes. The story is told in a lighthearted and comedic way that teaches the audience that humor and romance doesn’t go away with age. Audiences are invited to a Zoom room after the performance to join a talk back about the play.

THE ORN AGAIN CROW PROLOGUE by Caleigh Crow

A bird flies into Beth's window one afternoon. That's a bad omen, right? Beth can't remember either, so she plans a funeral and takes it to Google - just in case. featuring Caleigh Crow and Sacha Crow

JUNE 11 - HIGH SCHOOL FILM

JUNE 11 - VISUAL ART

THE SOMETHING

GALLERY TOUR

by Brooklyn Soppet

The Nothing has generously decided it is going to be a host to Indigo and Lavender, who desperately want to find a way out. But, there's The Something that's been trying its very hardest to keep them in. It has not a lot of success in doing so. But he'll get them this time, for sure, no more re-dos, he's got a fool-proof crayon box of a plan.

A round-up of some of the visual art pieces in Nextfest 2021 will be shown. featuring Hanna Dotzenroth, MV, Katie Hartwig, Boyd Webber, and Tracy Bradley

featuring Mars Palmer, Kira Slator, Abby Nixon, Amelie Lang, and Ceili Lesko

JUNE 11 - MUSIC

D’ORJAY THE SINGING SHAMAN Emerging country music artist D’orjay The Singing Shaman’s voice is like the crisp, comforting scent of a cool summer evening. Her songs have been in hibernation long enough and are ready to awaken with the changing season. D’orjay The Singing Shaman was a late bloomer stepping onto the stage. Helping her clients and students heal to their most authentic selves and navigating years of her own personal limiting beliefs and experiences meant that she was 35 years old when she finally grabbed the microphone in a professional capacity. D’orjay’s most authentic self-expression and healing comes from writing songs and sharing those stories with vulnerability and emotion to the audience. Her style of country music continues to evolve, honouring the classic country music she grew up on living in Rural Alberta while also colouring outside the lines of what current mainstream country music has to offer. As a Black Queer woman, D'orjay is passionate, vocal, and committed to bringing diversity and inclusiveness to country music. D’orjay released her debut album “New Kind of Outlaw” in November 2020.

JUNE 11 - SHOWCASE Party Queens presents

JUNE 11 - DJ

THE LAND OF ODD

JAY SLAY

curated by Gemma Nye

Jay is known in the Edmonton music scene for his electro and dance tracks with local vocalists. Beatport Staff Picks, FM radio play and chartings all over North America, and a music video that’s an official selection at film festivals including Toronto and New York, speak to the level of artistry. His favourite DJ sets are energizing and feelgood with some originals. You can catch him at venues like Y Afterhours or his annual Vibe Raiders Velvet & Velour Valentine’s event. Next release on June 18 will be “Love Your Guts” with Edmonton duo The Sissy Fits. Connect at jayslay.ca!

After a year of quarantine brought the live entertainment scene to a halt, Edmonton's up-and-coming drag performers reflect on how the pandemic has affected them professionally and personally through personal monologues and surrealist dream sequences. Close your eyes and take a trip to the Land of Odd, as we explore the past, present, future, dreams, nightmares, growth, and setbacks through the art of drag! featuring Emmonia, LaDonna Stone, Cedar Wildcat, Andrea Mercury, Billie Eyelash, Mars Dawn, Severina, Gabe Itch, and Gemma Nye

Saturday June 12 6:00 pm - 10:30 pm

NIGHTLY WELCOME hosted by Dill Prusko

Night ten of Nextfest 2021 opens with a warm welcome from our host and some discussion of what to expect this evening. Ratings and content warnings will be shared.

RETURN TO TABLE OF CONTENTS

JUNE 12 - DIGITAL THEATRE

JUNE 12 - WORKSHOP READING

THE INVISI LE PRACTICE:

KIT AND LENA’S SENIOR YEAR

GRIEF ON THE HANDS created and performed by Connor Yuzwenko-Martin

A continuation of Connor’s Invisible Practice 2020, this improvised version digs deeper into the inherent magic of American Sign Language itself. Using various mediums on his hands, Connor attempts to map the paths of grief and reckoning across his own body. Are these contours signposts of our individual invisible practices?

directed by Abigail LaForest written by Rae Organ

Kit and Lena grew up as best friends and neighbours, and over time their friendship strengthened. Now in their senior year of high school, Kit feels something more… something different. Can they ever confess their feelings, or are they doomed to graduate and forget Lena and their small-town life? Audiences are invited to a Zoom room after the performance to join a talk back about the play. featuring Rae Organ and Michelle Jolly

JUNE 12 - DIGITAL THEATRE The Hidden Neighbourhood presents JUNE 12 - DIGITAL THEATRE

PRAIRIE DYKES created and performed by Spinelli Terleski

Prairie Dykes is an ongoing collection of poems and pieces created during the pandemic as a way of coping with isolation. This is an autobiographical account, born out of necessity. Containing stories of the lives of prairie dykes, tales of borderline and bipolar, love and loss, nightlife, queer joy, drugs, Edmonton culture, and heartbreak. featuring Rhiannon K. Levesque and Spinelli Terleski

UTTERFLIES: A ROADCAST FROM THE DIGITAL NEON JUNGLE created and performed by Caitlin Kelly

“So many digital butterflies visit us every day. It is up to us to listen”... Welcome to the Digital Neon Jungle. Tune into this one-person digital theatre broadcast and follow Fern, an intergalactic explorer and the caretaker of the Digital Neon Jungle. Learn about the wonders of the digital butterfly as Fern recounts the story of two young queer people who are influenced by the butterfly’s powers in ways they never expected. featuring Caitlin Kelly and Matthew Cardinal

JUNE 12 - NITE CLUB Hot Girl Accounting presents

HOT MUSTARD A greasy yet delicious participatory Pride Nite Club. As the veil thins at the close of a night out, we find ourselves in booths and drive-thrus, in glitter and denim, or on the clock. Over the sumptuously deep fried, we reflect on our evenings' triumphs and disappointments and what awaits us in the morning. Join us on Zoom to see if the ice cream machine is finally running.

Sunday June 13 6:00 pm - 10:30 pm

NIGHTLY WELCOME hosted by Dill Prusko

Night ten of Nextfest 2021 opens with a warm welcome from our host and some discussion of what to expect this evening. Ratings and content warnings will be shared.

RETURN TO TABLE OF CONTENTS

JUNE 13 - HIGH SCHOOL RADIO PLAY

JUNE 13 - DANCE

LIFELINE

WIRES

by Amanda Yim

choreography by Rumi Jeraj

stage-managed by Will McIntosh

directed by Bobby Markov

Lifeline is a radio play about a teenage girl, Emilia, and a 911 operator, Lambert. Emilia has been kidnapped, and her only chance of survival is with the help of Lambert on the other side of the phone. However, as the night progresses, Emilia and Lambert discover that this is not the first time their fate crossed paths.

composed by Gareth Gilliland

featuring Ella Raven-Jackson, Logan Bloedel, Mehmet Dede, Simone Gosselin, Kateline Narayan, and Kennedy Sembaliuk

music by Holly Sangster, Zane Baker, and Kessler Douglas

This work is an exploration of process and space. Inspired by the location it’s shot in, WIRES began with a curiosity to create architecture to be danced in. From here, the work took on the narratives of the dancers to become the final product. featuring Ethan Kim, Moira Humana-Blaise, Rumi Jeraj, and Gareth Gilliland

JUNE 13 - DANCE

JUNE 13 - SHOWCASE iHuman Studios presents

EX DUCERE

THE TNT SESSIONS -

choreographed by Jordan Samonas

TRE LA

ex ducere, latin for "to lead out of," is an experimental, structured improvisation in contemporary rhythm tap dance and percussion on sand and water.

performed by Trebla

space. silence. small, simple, sounds. tiny events, amplified. let's tune and turn our ears, finding and creating sounds we enjoy. let us become hyper listeners. featuring Carmelle Cachero and Jordan Samonas

Trebla has been rapping since he was 13 - mostly free styling for fun - but really started taking it seriously around 16. Trebla's style matches catchy melodies and 'singalong' hooks with sarcastic/aggressive lyrics over boombap/poppin’ beats. His lyrics are filled with messages of accountability and owning your mistakes. TREBLA can be searched anywhere you stream music (iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, Napster, deezer, tidal, etc.) or on YouTube = TREBLA_Music). iHuman Studios is amped to present the first season of TNT with six episodes spotlighting the iHuman music artists: Valkyrie, Vntge, Mad John, FAVES, Jayden Paz, and Trebla. iHuman Studios is a collective of young multidisciplinary artists between the ages of 12 and 24 years who constitute the members of iHuman Youth Society. iHuman's mission is to invite young people to transform their experiences of personal and systemic trauma through acts of expression & creativity into experiences of Purpose, Self-worth, Identity, and Belonging.

JUNE 13 - VISUAL ART

LOWLANDS GALLERY TOUR A round-up of the 2021 Nextfest Visual Art exhibited at Lowlands Project Space. featuring Heather Savard, Connor MacKinnon, Ryan Andrade, and Ambar Azcorra

JUNE 13 - HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE

SMOKE IN MIRRORS

JUNE 13 - PODCAST Ghostlight Theatre Projects presents

by Liam Witte

RUN AND HIDE

directed by Erin Harvey

by Leila Raye-Crofton

Helen, a reclusive widow, cares about her daughter Phoebe's safety more than anything in the world. But when Phoebe brings home her new boyfriend Janus, who appears to be two entirely opposite men at once, Helen is faced with her own paranoia and trauma as she tries desperately to keep her daughter safe.

Beth meets Allie one night while writing her thesis on a new true crime podcast, Run and Hide. After listening to a new episode on local killer John Browne, they find he recently escaped from a nearby prison. Will Beth's love of the genre prepare her for what might await them outside? Run and Hide is an exploration of the true crime fascination sweeping the world.

featuring Emily Brinco, Jayden Leung, Arthur Traynor, and Serejane Walls

This is a play about a podcast, so we're very excited to be presenting it in radio play format during Nextfest! featuring Priya Narine, Meegan Sweet, Jackson Card, and Daniela Fernandez

JUNE 13 - MUSIC

JUNE 13 - DJ

ELECTRIC RELIGIOUS

MUSTAFA RAFIQ

Electric Religious is the project of Edmonton-based Métis singersongwriter, Brandon Baker, whose guitar-driven music has been described as “bursting with inspiration, insight, and hope.” Deeply influenced by the psychedelic sounds of Jimi Hendrix, Baker took his moniker from a Hendrix quote: “When I get up on stage, that’s my whole life. That’s my religion. My music is electric church music. I am electric religion.”

Mustafa Rafiq, known under many aliases, will be presenting a mix of eclectic sounds of Turtle Island and Black Electronica. All music played will have been purchased or gifted.

Electric Religious recently received a nomination for Métis Artist of the Year from the Summer Solstice Indigenous Music Awards, to be held in June 2021. His new full-length album, Tragic Lover, releases in September 2021. The previous Electric Religious album, Yeah, Yeah, No (2018) featured “Revolution,” which achieved a spot in CBC Searchlight's Top 100 (2019), and spent multiple weeks at #1 on the Indigenous Music Countdown.

STAFF/VOLUNTEERS NEXTFEST STAFF Festival Director: Ellen Chorley Festival Producer: Simone A. Medina Polo Festival Producer Mentor: Maggie Baird Communications Manager & Artist Liaison: Reanna Pilkington Graphic Designer and Ad Sales: Steven Teeuwsen Production Manager: Scott Peters Associate Producer: Melanie Bahniuk

NEXTFEST CURATORS Dance Curators: Becky Sadowski and Ainsley Hillyard, Good Women Dance Collective DJ Curator: Kim Dooshima Jev Film Curator: Katie Cutting High School Curator: Jennifer Peebles Music Curator: Olivia Street Associate Music Curator: Crystal Eyo Theatre Curator: Ellen Chorley Visual Art Curator: Rebecca Pickard

MENTORS High School Mentors: Jameela McNeil, April Killins, Cameron Freitas, James Higuchi, Bevin Dooley, and Jen Peebles Girls in Film and Television (GIFT) Mentors: Elise Graham, Aimbree Bystrom, Elise Leske, Tamarra Lessard, Holly Mazur, and Margaux McWatt Talk Back Facilitator: Taylor Chadwick

MULTIMEDIA Technicians: Alana Rice and Hanna Ferguson Festival Image: Taylor Danielle Nightly Host: Dill Prusko Festival Photographer: Jennifer Galm

THEATRE NETWORK STAFF Artistic & Executive Director: Bradley Moss Production Manager: Scott Peters Business Development Director: Jill Roszell Operations Manager: Harley Morison Theatre Network Communications & Social Media: Crystal Eyo Roxy 124 Street Communications & Social Media: Ellie Heath Bookkeeper: Shelley Martin Follow the Progress on The New Roxy Theatre Facebook/Instagram: @roxy124street theatrenetwork.ca/roxy

CONSULTANTS Deaf and HOH Consultant: Connor Yuzwenko-Martin Accessibility Consultants: Allison Neuman and Kelsie Acton

NEXTFEST

OARD OF DIRECTORS:

Bradley Moss, President Andy Laskiwsky, Treasurer Kevin Hendricks, Director Murray Utas, Director Michael Kennard, Director

THANKS To our artists, curators, technical team, and our family at Theatre Network for continuously learning, adapting, and creating in this digital space with us.

THANK YOU TO OUR 2021 SUPPORTERS!