Spring Free: Taipei Vancouver Roberts Creek 春遊  臺北、溫哥華、陽光海岸

May 2  | 7pm  |  Performances at xwesam-Roberts Creek Hall (1309 Roberts Creek Rd) 

Co-Presented by NOW Society & Sound of Dragon Society

We are hosting the visit of Taiwanese musicians Shih-Yang Lee 李世揚 – Piano 鋼琴, Fan-Qi Wu 吳凡棋 – Pipa 琵琶, Hsiao-Feng Lin 林小楓 – Dizi 笛子, and visual artist Li Tung 董籬 in May of 2025. On May 2, acclaimed Sunshine Coast musicians join the guest artists at xwesam-Roberts Creek Hall for an evening of performances and improvisations. On May 3, the Guest Artists meet the Vancouver 8EAST Collective in impromptu groupings. The Spring Free Marathon brings together over 20 musicians on May 4 at 8EAST in an evening of non-stop improvisation. There will be a participatory improvisation workshop for musicians of all levels of experience the afternoon of May 3, from 2 – 3:30 pm, facilitated by the Taiwanese guests.

In Vancouver:
May 3  | 2pm  |  Improvisation workshop at 8EAST (8 East Pender St. Vancouver)
May 3  | 8pm  |  Taiwan meets 8EAST (8 East Pender St. Vancouver)
May 4  | 7-10pm  |  Spring Free Marathon at 8EAST (8 East Pender St. Vancouver

Featuring:
Lan Tung – Erhu, Voice

Special Guests from Taiwan:

Fan-Qi Wu 吳凡棋 – pipa 琵琶
Award-winning pipa player from Taiwan. Influenced and inspired by minimal music, Scandinavian jazz, and Asian traditional music, she has absorbed different vocabularies and developed her sound in an eclectic, poetic, and spacious way. Holding her master degree at Högskolan för scen och musik in Göteborg, Sweden, Fan-Qi has performed worldwide in many international festivals and concert series, such as Babel Sound Festival (Hungary), IMPRA Jazz Festival (Sweden), Klänge aus Ostasien (Germany), Building Bridges (Switzerland), Arena:Klassik (Norway), Red Light Jazz Festival (Netherlands). Fan-Qi’s honors include OneBeat 12 – selected by U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (2023). Besides her own project, she is also a member of Wooli Duo, Mykorhiza, and PIPA-ensemble.

Hsiao-Feng Lin 林小楓 – Dizi 笛子

Born in Taipei, Taiwan. He is an active Chinese flute virtuoso/soloist/improviser, he plays Chinese traditional music, world music, free improvisation, and experimental avant-garde in the contemporary music world. In recent years, he is committed and a variety of artistic collaboration include poetry, calligraphy, painting, dance, Chinese martial arts, electronic music, experimental music, free improvisation and so on. In addition to performing, he often come and go in all kinds of arts and cultural activities. He has received awards of Best Asian Flute Recording and World Flutist of the Year in World Flute Society Music Awards 2024.

Shih-Yang Lee 李世揚 – Piano 鋼琴

Accomplished Taiwanese pianist, composer, and curator Shih-Yang Lee works primarily in improvised music. As a performer, he has toured widely in Europe and Asia in festivals: Météo Festival (France), All Ears Festival (Norway), Jazz Improvise Meeting Festival (China), Freespace Jazz Fest (Hong Kong), KLEX Festival (Malaysia). He has collaborated with dance productions and founded music improvisation ensemble Ka Dao Yin to win prestigious awards, such as the Taishin Art Award, Golden Melody Award, and the Golden Indie Music Award. As a curator, he is known as a leading organizer for the burgeoning improvisation scene in Taiwan.

Li Tung 董籬 – Projections
Born in 1971 in Taipei, Li graduated from the School of Visual Arts at the National Taiwan University of Arts. An artist crossing many genres, he is a painter, media artist, writer, performing artist, installation artist, curator, and graphic designer. Since 2010, Li started to perform live painting with improvising musicians and dancers. He joined the acclaimed MAFIA Ensemble, the leading force in Taiwan’s experimental and improvisational arts scene, with a particular focus on interdisciplinary practices. Li has collaborate with numerous Taiwanese and Japanese artists at “Create Music” festival. In the past 30 years, his artworks has been exhibited at various galleries in Taiwan, including the Taipei Arts Gallery. He is a member of “May Artists Collective”, Taiwan’s most influential and longstanding artists collection. Li’s novels and short stories have won numerous awards. He has been published in Taiwan and China.

James Meger – Bass
Graham Ord – Saxophone
Anna Lumiere – Piano
Stefan Smulovitz – Viola, Electronics

Advance Tickets (click here):
$20 General
$10 students/seniors/musicians

Available @ nowsociety.org & soundofdragon.com

Tickets at the door by donation

~ 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 recommended and masks will be available. Seating, wooden stackable chairs without armrests, is movable.

Seating is generally arranged in groups of two or threes with space 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.