Through the voices of women from a wide variety of cultural backgrounds, we explore what it means to be a woman—in this time, in this city, in this world. This special night at MOA features dance, rap, song, poetry, improvisation and powerful words by Vancouver’s emerging and established women artists. The night showcases the diversity, strength, breadth and depth of women’s experiences, their resilience and unique voices through the power of the arts.

International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women and also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity.

Co-curated with dancer, rapper and community organizer, Kayla Vargas; JUNO-winning violinist and community organizer, Meredith Bates and singer/songwriter and musician, Chelsea D.E. Johnson.

Program schedule

Musqueam Welcome + Opening Remarks | 7 pm

Zahra Shahab | 7:10 pm
An exploration of spirituality, sexuality, and the veil through movement. Zahra looks to her Islamic past and plays with the burqa as a site of amorphous transformation.

Vancouver Improvised Arts Society | 7:25 pm
A jazz performance that celebrates the intersections of gender, race, and social status by encouraging the mingling of mediums and genres.

With Barbara Bourget (Kokoro Dance), dancer; Olivia C. Davies (O.Dela Arts), dancer; Johanna Hauser, clarinet; Andromeda Monk, bass clarinet; Marina Hasselberg, cello; Lisa Miller, keys

Kathara Pilipino Indigenous Arts Collective Society | 8:10 pm
A traditional Filipino dance performance by a community-based company dedicated to the promotion of the cultural arts and history of the Philippines Indigenous peoples.

Kaya Ko (Kayla Vargas) and Her Tribal Roots | 8:25 pm
A rap, music and dance performance from Vancouver’s powerhouse community builders and cultural connectors.

With vocalist and MC, Kaya Ko; Alyssa Amarsi, dancer; Ariane Custodio, dancer; Marisa Gold, dancer

Chelsea D.E. Johnson + Friends | 8:40 pm
Soul, funk and poetry from a Vancouver veteran musician who will also lead an interactive, soul-rising choir of women and audience in song.

With Vitoria Monterio, Corina Keeling, Desiree Dawson, Jillian Christmas, Lola Whyte, Jasmine Liddel and Ana (Nasti Weather)

All ages welcome!

In contemporary Western cultures, there is a tendency to avoid the subject of death until it touches us, but learning about other cultures can help us pause to reflect on our own attitudes and practices. In this workshop, participants will explore the spiritual significance of funerary objects in the collections and then create a personal work inspired by these ideas in self-drying clay and paint.

Holly Ratcliffe is currently ceramic artist-in-residence at MOA.  She brings a unique combination of anthropology and theology to her own ceramics and her ongoing explorations of funerary art and practice. Before she became a potter, Holly earned an MA in anthropology and a PhD in the history of Christian spirituality. In this workshop, she shares her passion for investing clay with personal sacred meaning.

All supplies and materials included.

She brings a unique combination of anthropology and theology to her own ceramics and her ongoing explorations of funerary art and practice. Before she became a potter, Holly earned an MA in anthropology and a PhD in the history of Christian spirituality. Holly enjoys sharing her passion for investing clay with personal sacred meaning.