Over 250 puppets, old and new, from 15 countries, are illuminated in MOA’s new exhibition. These exquisite puppets—sometimes charming, sometimes a little bit scary, and always entertaining—come together and reveal our enduring fascination with storytelling. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience this theatrical world of puppets with the exhibition’s curator. She will take you through many rich and diverse puppetry traditions of the world, and outline the role they’ve played in transmitting cultural knowledge, stories, and values, from generation to generation.

Free with museum admission. Space is limited. Admission to the tour will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

Bring your family, a blanket and a picnic and enjoy a concert by the Vancouver Concert Band as they perform jazz, swing and big band medleys. Come early to find that perfect spot outside and enjoy MOA’s indoor and outdoor exhibitions.

The Vancouver Concert Band is a community band in every sense of the word, with members ranging in age from mid-teens to over 75. This year’s band comprises over 55 members under the directorship of Frank Ludwig.

Please note that the performance will move into MOA’s Great Hall in the event of rain. No food, drinks, backpacks or large items are permitted inside the Museum. Should the event be moved indoors, there are small lockers available for $0.25 to store your items, or we encourage you to leave them in your vehicles.

At MOA’s Puppet Extravaganza, enjoy live theatrical puppet acts, interactive play, wandering giant puppets and guided tours of MOA’s new exhibition—Shadows, Strings and Other Things: The Enchanting Theatre of Puppets. The family-friendly afternoon features marionette and hand puppet performances by local puppeteers Viktor Barkar and Kellie Haines. Visitors of all ages will have the opportunity to engage with the professional puppeteers who will share their rich knowledge of diverse puppetry traditions.

Program Schedule

Great Hall

Opening remarks | 12 pm
Marionette performance by Viktor Barkar | 12:15 pm
Hand puppet performance by Kellie Haines | 2:00 pm
Hand puppet demonstration with Kellie Haines | 2:30 pm
Q&A with Kellie Haines and Viktor Barkar | 2:45 pm

Audain Gallery

Curator tours of Shadows, Strings and Other Things with Curator Nicola Levell | 12:30 pm, 1 pm + 1:30 pm

Presentation Circle

Interactive puppet play with Kellie Haines + Julia Farry | 12:40 pm + 1:10 pm

Full Museum

Roving puppets and marionettes | 1–2 pm

_________________________________________________________________________________

About the Artists

Viktor Barkar was born and raised in Minsk, Belarus. He became interested in puppetry at the age of nine when he attended the State Puppet Theatre of Belarus for the first time. Ever since he has been captivated by this art form. Viktor is constantly looking for a new forms in puppetry. He has designed and made over 35 puppets for his own puppet plays.

Kellie Haines started talking to her puppets at the age of eight and when they started talking back, she knew she was hooked. “Puppets have stories to tell,” she says, “and they can bring out voices and characters from inside us that we didn’t know were there.” Kellie’s love for storytelling and different types of puppets from across the world has brought her to Shadows, Strings and Other Things at MOA.

The author and artist will be on hand to sign copies of the book at the MOA Shop.

The signing is free and open to the public (does not include museum admission).

For those who would like to skip the line in advance of the book signing — ‘People Among the People’ is currently available for purchase at the MOA Shop ($50).

Enter into a theatrical world filled with extraordinary stories and fantastical characters to discover more about how puppets have been delighting, entertaining and educating audiences of all ages for thousands of years. Focused on cultural traditions from 15 countries in Asia, Europe and the Americas, the exhibition features a broad array of both historical and contemporary puppets, and spotlights works by artists who frame their cultural traditions through the lens of contemporary culture.

Shadows, Strings and Other Things is an immersive experience that illuminates how puppetry continues to evolve and innovate in the hands of artists and performers who keep the tradition alive. Join us for a unique and magical experience for visitors of all ages.

Free admission | 6 pm
Opening remarks | 7:15 pm

The final Sound House of the season in May brings the unique and powerhouse sounds of The History of Gunpowder, led by local musician Alex Morison. With his deep, growly voice reminiscent of Tom Waits, Morison leads this dynamo ensemble from order to chaos and back again. Inspired by blues, soul, jazz, funk and punk, the band’s hypnotic sound defies convention and their performances push the envelope on stage and in studio. A staple of the Canadian scene, the band is soon to embark on their European and North American tour for their upcoming album, The Epileptic. The band features Alex Morison on guitar/vocals; Nik Focht on drums/samples; Franki lemon on cello; Mike Allen on baritone sax and Cole Tinney on organ/synth.

Opening the night is up-and-coming Vancouver folk singer Chaya Harvey, whose haunting vocals, minimalist style and exquisite songwriting will wow you.

From folk to funk, hip hop to jazz, Sound House is a celebration of culture and music, brought together by Northwest Coast art and architecture. Enjoy genre-bending performances in a setting unlike any other—inside the Haida House, overlooking ocean and forest.

Doors | 7 pm
Performances | 7:30 pm

Using the plants and minerals that were harvested and prepared by Jessica Silvey herself, participants will learn how to make natural plant dyes and earth pigments. Participants will gain hands-on experience working with these dyes to paint onto cedar bark.

Jessica is a self-taught weaver and dyer of Coast Salish and Portuguese descent of the Silvey family in Egmont, BC. Many of her childhood hours were spent with her paternal grandmother in the forest where she learned many of the techniques she will be sharing. Combined with her natural curiosity for experimentation, she has mastered the delicate science of dyeing.

Workshop fee includes all materials and light lunch.

The April edition of Sound House is a unique treat: the extraordinary music of Kin Balam (The Path of the Jaguar), which uniquely blends Indigenous Central American music, hip hop, Flamenco guitar and Afro-Latin jazz. The six-piece band is led by Balam S. Antonio, a Nahua Pipil Lenca Salvadoran-Canadian, whose music portrays the struggles, beauty, history and warrior spirit of his Indigenous community.

Sound House is a monthly music series that celebrates culture and music, set against a stunning backdrop of Northwest Coast art and architecture. Enjoy genre-bending performances in a setting unlike any other—inside the Haida House, overlooking ocean and forest. Gather around the toasty bonfire outside with friends, and let the picturesque views and scent of cedar inhabit your senses. Sound House delivers surprises and delights on the first Thursday of each month. Book your calendars for February 7, March 7, April 4 and May 2.

Doors | 7 pm
Performance | 7:30 pm

Tickets: $10 (includes museum admission)

Take a guided tour of the exhibition and learn about the stories and inspiration behind these incredible works of art and the nine Aboriginal women from who created them. Then experience a sonic journey of discovery, reflection and meditation as RumSalt—a seven-piece ensemble of accomplished and innovative Vancouver musicians—create music in real time in response to the art.

RumSalt was especially assembled for this exhibition by Alex Morison, a composer and multi-talented musician (The History of Gunpowder). This newly formed eclectic ensemble features critically acclaimed and envelope-pushing musicians:  JUNO-award winner Meredith Bates on violin; prolific multidisciplinary artist Genevieve Mackay on viola; classically trained, folk musician Franki Lemon on cello; award-winning composer and musician Mike WT Allen on baritone saxophone; experimental blues rocker Nik Focht on percussion; and contemporary improvised music specialist, Lyle Hopkins on double bass.

Program Schedule

Tours of Marking the Infinite | 12:30 pm + 2 pm
Performance by RumSalt Ensemble | 1 pm