This year, I had the incredible opportunity to volunteer at the Vancouver’s PuSh Festival as it celebrated its 20th anniversary. The experience was beyond words, leaving me with a profound appreciation for the arts and a deep sense of gratitude.
Rose, the volunteer coordinator, made it all even more special – not only because she was personable & professional, but because she was kind, responsive, and incredibly supportive. Oh, and she remembered my name after only meeting me once! this is very impressive if you consider that she was dealing with over 150 volunteers during the festival.
The performances I witnessed were quite something. From my first show – a mesmerizing and hilarious French theatrical piece to experimental performances that pushed creative boundaries, I felt like I got more than my money’s worth. Oh wait, I didn’t have to pay for any of the shows! One of the most amazing things about volunteering for PuSh is how generously they treat their volunteers. As a thank-you, they gift volunteers tickets to a performance (or two) depending on the number of hours we contribute. That meant me and my spouse (or our PADS puppy) scored a date night and got to watch the provocative show, La Bogota.
To continue the trend of making their volunteers feel like gold, PuSh also offers volunteers the opportunity to line up for shows we may want to see and, if there’s space, we get in! With this in mind, on the second night of the festival, I decided to try my luck in what they call ‘the Rush Pass’ line, hoping to see L’Addition, even though it was a sold-out play. And believe it or not, but I got in once the organizers realized that a couple of ticket holders didn’t and wouldn’t show up. It was a win-win-win-win for everyone – great for me, great for the artists (who performed to a packed house), great for the producers, and great for the organizers who want the magic of live performance to reach as many people as possible.
This was my first time volunteering for PuSh, and let’s just say it won’t be my last. Every year, we try to attend at least one show, but this time, I managed to see seven – with five of them truly unbelievable. I now feel so connected to the festival and can’t wait to return. Next year, I might just camp out in our Chinatown studio so I can attend a show every night! (Okay, maybe not…..but I would if I could!)
For now, my heart is full, and I’m beyond proud to have taken part in this experience in a more meaningful way – giving back through my time while immersing myself in the magic of this very special Festival that features audacious, innovative and contemporary works of live arts.
