Femme Folks Fest was founded upon principles and hard data from the national Equity in Theatre Initiative. Dr. Michelle MacArthur’s study, Achieving Equity in Canadian Theatre: A Report with Best Practice Recommendations (2015) remains the most recent study on Gender Equity in Canadian Theatre. It was commissioned by Pat the Dog with support from Canada Council for the Arts.

MacArthur’s study included a series of recommendations – key of which is to promote, platform and present femme works. We took this to heart, founding both our Women’s Room (2015-2022) which folded into Femme Folks Fest (2020 ongoing).

These are challenging times for those of us who look beyond simple binary understandings of life and who think with complexity and intersectionality.

We take heart that it’s a new day in Waterloo Region with a fresh group of exciting, talented, nationally recognized local artists who have something to say and a provocative, intriguing, ever-entertaining way that they say it.

Over 9-days of our 6th Annual Femme Folks Fest we will present over 25 new art imaginings in five venues throughout Kitchener and Waterloo, including: Performance, Public Creation, Incubation, Installation, Conversation Cafés, and Professional Development for Creators.

We do so in the knowledge that our interconnected lives are equally valuable.

We’re rested and ready. Join us.

 

FESTIVAL PASSES NOW ON SALE

Festival pass includes one ticket to one performance of each show at Studio Theatre, Centre in the Square (4 tickets), priority access to all events requiring registration (limited seating), plus entrance into the daily draw for Femme Folks Fest Swag Bags ($50 value).

Festival pass $90.00 (20% SAVINGS)

Festival Pass sales end Thursday, February 13 at 11:59PM.

All Performance, Public Creation, Incubation, Installation, Conversation Cafés, and Professional Development for Creators events announced February 13.

PERFORMANCES AT STUDIO THEATRE
CENTRE IN THE SQUARE

QUARTET FOR GARLIC, CELLO, MOUTH & TELEPHONE

Created and performed by Ben Gorodetsky & Miriam Stewart-Kroeker

March 8 (OPENING NIGHT PREMIERE) + March 12 
7:30 PM
Studio Theatre, Centre in the Square

Last year’s workshop presentation was the most talked-about, unforgettable presentation at FFF24. Now we are ready to present to full production – Quartet.

An interdisciplinary performance experiment from cellist Miriam Stewart-Kroeker and performer Ben Gorodetsky. These two powerhouse artists bring their distinct styles to a piece that explores memories, melodies, smells and fragments of grandmaternal love and trauma exploring Ben’s relationship with their maternal grandmother, Raiya. Her experiences with starvation, survival, and transformation are told through phone calls, live cooking, movement and translation. A delicious and nutritious mix of music, memory, telecommunication, and fragrant garlic. (…more)

Opening Night Premiere is presented with a themed tasting prepared by Chef Julie Hall inspired by meals made by Raiya herself.

VALUE

Created and Performed by Amy Neufeld.

March 11 + 13
7:30 PM
Studio Theatre, Centre in the Square

Aspirational financial motivational speaker Richie Dinero conducts his dazzling Losers Be Losin’ Tedx Talk. A fresh and comic take on money, time, and more. A workshop presentation.

Thousands caught the research phase of this piece at LUMEN Festival last September at Penny for Your Thoughts where a toss of the lucky penny prompted one of two questions: What is your time worth? + What is worth your time? As promised, were delighted to share this workshop production.

You get to choose how you chose to “pay” for your admission: $20/Festival Pass or by bringing an item/object of value to exchange for a ticket. What you value is up to you! These items become part of the show. (…more)

MICROSOFT OFFICE SUITE PRESENTS: I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING BACK

Created and Performed by Lauren Prousky

March 14
7:30 PM
Studio Theatre, Centre in the Square

Part job interview, part poetry reading, Microsoft Office Suite Presents: I Look Forward to Hearing Back is a bright new one-woman comedy show by multidisciplinary artist, Lauren Prousky with wit and bite. Using her extensive poetry archive and the full potential of PowerPoint, Lauren crafts a show that explores personal mythologization as a coping mechanism in the face of uncertainty, crappy entry-level jobs and high and low cultural criticism. Her references are available upon request. (…more)

FEMME AND FRIENDS DRAG SHOW

March 15
7:30 PM
Studio Theatre, Centre in the Square

Our host extraordinaire, Sasha Tease, will guide the audience through an evening of exploring femininity, masculinity, and all the space between through the beautiful art of drag. Sasha has assembled a cast of incredible local drag talent to take to the big stage and make you marvel at their moves! The cast includes Ciggy Stardust, Peach Blossom, Elixxirr, Dr. Dirty Digoonious, & Charlize Angel. This is not a show to miss, as our drag performers are ready to level up their performances to match the magnitude of the Studio Theatre at Center in the Square! (…more)