Trading Places Workshop with Markus Lake and Ari Swan

NOW Improvisation Workshops
Fall 2024 at 8EAST
FREE with NOW Membership,
Donations gratefully accepted (here).
for up to 15 participants

Since 1978, the New Orchestra Workshop Society (NOW) has presented music improvisation workshops, offering space for exploration and participation. Our workshops are for improvisers of all levels of ability and ranges of experience, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, age, race or religion. We protect privacy in our workshops and adopt the We Have Voice Collective Code of Conduct. Read more about NOW workshop policies here.

These workshops will be presented in person at 8EAST. Find out more about each workshop facilitator below.

September 28 – Markus Lake and Ari Swan
2pm – 3:30pm

Markus Lake is a Montréal/Tiotia’ke based musician and composer. Lake’s albums, live shows and soundtrack work explore themes of attention, obscurity, visibility and repetition through the use of a constantly expanding palette of digital instruments and samples. He released his juno nominated fourth LP, “Fourth Album” on Constellation Records in October 2023. He is a graduate of the Electroacoustics program at Concordia University and has played bass in the Montréal bands Elle Barbara’s Black Space, Egyptian Cotton Arkestra, and Silver Dapple.

Ari Swan is a violinist, composer and music educator. Through her work she attempts to create spaces that prioritize BIPOC and Queer voices and explores how art can cause a social reckoning/social healing. She is a founding member of Egyptian Cotton Arkestra, an all-POC free improvisation group, and has performed with a number of Montreal bands. She holds a masters in music education and has been a community educator (albeit off and on) for many years. Like many musicians she maintains a day job. In hers she is a fundraising professional.

Please do not come to this event if you are unwell. 8EAST ventilation: open windows and door, three air purifiers, updated HVAC system with UV lights. Please see below for the 8EAST Access Statement.

Trading Places: Un Échange

Trading Places: Un Échange is a vibrant residency program begun in 2016 that takes place in Montréal and Vancouver, two of Canada’s foremost centers of improvised music. The NOW Society, Suoni Per Il Popolo, and the Trading Places: Resident Coordinators curate in collaboration, providing support for artistic practice and cultural exchange.

Trading Places: Un Échange est un programme de résidence dynamique qui a débuté en 2016 et qui se déroule à Montréal et à Vancouver, deux des principaux centres de musique improvisée au Canada. Le  NOW Society, Suoni Per Il Popolo, et les coordonnateurs résidents organisent en collaboration un soutien à la pratique artistique et le biais d’échanges culturels.

Chaque année, les artistes résidents sont choisis pour représenter leurs communautés dans ces résidences. Les artistes créent de nouvelles œuvres, assistent à des rassemblements musicaux, dirigent des ensembles, présentent des concerts, dirigent des ateliers et réalisent des enregistrements, formant de nouveaux liens avec des artistes locaux. Les échanges culturels comprennent des marathons continus d’une vingtaine de musiciens dans chaque ville, cette année à Vancouver, un partenariat avec Barking Sphinx pour présenter le marathon à The Hargrove.

Each year the resident artists are chosen to represent their communities in these residencies. The artists premiere new works, attend musical gatherings, perform in concerts, facilitate workshops and make recordings, forming new connections with local artists. Cultural exchange include expansive continuous marathon events involving as many as twenty musicians in each city. This year’s program in Vancouver we co-present the Marathon in partnership with Barking Sphinx at the Hargrove.

Full program Trading Places: Un Échange 2024

Montréal: how to survive a high rise hotel fire

Nikko Whitworth (bass) and Haley Bird (oboe)

Juin:                Suoni Per Il Popolo Festival

16   16:30        La Sala Rossa: Being Five + Hand to Earth

                        + how to survive a high rise hotel fire

21   13:00        Casa Del Popolo: Mardi Spaghetti Marathon

22   18:00        La Sala Rossa: The End + how to survive a high rise hotel fire

Vancouver: Markus Lake (bass) Ari Swan (violin)

September:      8EAST Social Space for New Culture and The Hargrove

22    7pm         Marathon at The Hargrove

24    8pm         8EAST Improv

26    8pm         8EAST Improv

27    8pm         8EAST Improv

28    2pm         Workshop at 8EAST

29    4pm         Community Gathering at 8EAST

A partenrship with the NOW Society, Suoni Per Il Popolo and Barking Sphinx Performance Society

details/détails   nowsociety.org   suoniperilpopolo.org

~8EAST ACCESS STATEMENT ~

The 8EAST social space for new culture is a project of the NOW Society, located on the Territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm, Skwxwú7mesh and səlil̓wətaʔɬ Peoples, in Chinatown, in the DTES, in Vancouver.
We are committed to making 8EAST a safe(r), welcoming and more accessible space. We do not tolerate discrimination based on age, gender, neuro a-typicality, disability, place of origin, cultural background, religious beliefs, or sexual orientation. We do not tolerate racism, sexual aggression, assault, or harassment which can include unwanted touch or comments that objectify or sexualize. We adopt and follow the We Have Voice Collective Code of Conduct.

We can accommodate a variety of needs, including assistance dogs, walkers, wheelchairs, scooters, and strollers. To arrange for American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation, please contact now@nowsociety.org.
We recognize that access is an ongoing and evolving discussion, and acknowledge that this statement may be insufficient. Concerns or suggestions can be addressed, discussed or expressed anonymously by emailing safety@nowsociety.org. 8EAST ventilation: Open windows and door, 3 HEPA air purifiers and UV lights on return air in the HVAC system. Mask wearing is recommend and masks will be available. Seating, wooden stackable chairs without armrests, is movable.

Seating is generally arranged in groups of two or threes with 1 meter between groups for easy mobility. Wheelchair seating is easily accommodated. The 34 inch wide main entrance to 8EAST has a threshold of approximately 0.5 inches high. There is no door automation. During events, the door is open or can be opened by the Front of House person. There are no ramps or stairs to navigate. Internal floors are smooth concrete. Outdoor plaza events are held on concrete pavers, some are uneven. Paths and hallways are kept free of impediments.

8EAST has a wheelchair accessible, non-gendered toilet on site with a door width of 35 inches. Additional public toilets, not wheel chair accessible, are located in the adjacent hallway. The NOW Society emergency evacuation procedures are in place for all individuals. The Front of House person or a staff member onsite is trained in naloxone administration and will be the contact person in case of emergencies.

GETTING THERE AND PARKING:

8EAST is located within 50 meters of buses 004, 007, 019, 022, 209, and N19 on Pender Street. Stops for buses 003, 008, 014, 016, 020, N8, N20, and N35 are located within 250 metres on Hastings Street. Stadium–Chinatown SkyTrain Station is approximately 400 metres away. General metered street parking is available on surrounding streets. A passenger drop-off zone without a curb is located within 50 metres at 531 Carrall Street. To arrange for HandyDART transportation and accompanying assistants, please contact now@nowsociety.org.

There is a bike rack on the SW corner of Pender and Carrall Street, viewable while inside 8EAST and on the Plaza. Covered bike parking is available at the Main Street – Science World Skytrain Station. From there, one can take the #3 bus, then walk West down Pender to 8EAST (c. 5 mins), walk to 8EAST (c. 15 mins) or ride one skytrain stop to Stadium – Chinatown and walk Northwest to 8EAST (c. 5 mins). The closest Bike Locker to 8EAST is located at VCC Clark. From there, one can take trains to Stadium – Chinatown Skytrain Station and walk NorthWest to 8EAST