Vancouver’s Transform Festival returns Thursday

Music, theatre, dance, and drag will collide in an explosive cabaret-style festival returning to Vancouver this week.

Weaving together the distinct voices and perspectives of Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists alike, Urban Ink’s Transform Festival starts at the Vancouver Playhouse Thursday night.

Artistic Director Corey Payette says the event features its biggest and boldest line-up in all six years.

“We have Rebecca Strong, who was just the winner of Canada’s Got Talent. She’s headlining our closing bash on Nov. 15. And so, it’s just that paired with someone like Jaylene Tyme, who was on Canada’s Drag Race, who is hosting our opening bash and closing bash. And so it’s a great mix of both local and national stars,” said Payette.

He is also directing a night called the ‘Starwalker Experience.’

“It’s a mashup with a live band of the music from the musical Starwalker that I wrote a number of years ago. So, it’s a mashup of the live band with the feature film that’s been in film festivals across the country and around the world with local drag superstars,” he described.

Payette says the festival is a chance to come together and see something you might otherwise never see.

“A lot of what’s happening at Transform you will only be able to see at Transform, and so that’s really the best thing for people — is just to expect the unexpected.”

The Transform Festival is on from Nov. 6 to Nov. 8, and again on Nov. 14 and 15 at the Vancouver Playhouse.

Tickets and showtimes can be found on the festival’s website.