As the air turns crisp in early February, Vancouver’s artistic heart will beat louder than ever with the return of HOLD ON LET GO, Theatre Replacement, and Company 605’s experimental performing arts festival. In its 15th edition, this independent event promises to be a bold exploration of unconventional narratives, intimate performances, and immersive storytelling. Running from February 4 to 8 at the historic Russian Hall in East Vancouver, the festival’s 2025 lineup is an exhilarating invitation to reconsider what theatre can be.
This year’s program brings together seven dynamic works by Canadian artists, two in-development presentations, and a series of gatherings designed to spark dialogue and community. It’s a convergence of artistry, collaboration, and cultural exchange that puts cutting-edge experimental work right at the centre.
Stories That Push the Limits
Each year, HOLD ON LET GO challenges audiences to see the world through new lenses, and 2025’s lineup is no exception. The festival’s hallmark this year is its ability to tell difficult stories in startlingly creative ways, blending ritual, intimacy, and playfulness.
The festival opens with Keely O’Brien’s “Secret Ingredients”, an ambitious project that began in Theatre Replacement’s COLLIDER artist residency. This interactive performance invites the audience into the vulnerability of unspoken emotions. Visitors can submit messages they’ve struggled to say to loved ones, which O’Brien transcribes onto cakes and shares during the live show. Equal parts sweet and stirring, the piece transforms confection into confession, with a tasting experience that reveals the fragile beauty of human relationships.
Other main-stage highlights include Raven Mother, a multimedia dance piece from the Dancers of Damelahamid. This tribute to the late elder Margaret Harris not only celebrates her legacy in revitalizing Gitxsan song and dance but also redefines storytelling through movement. Kyle Loven’s “Loss Machine” takes experimental puppetry to a new level with a hauntingly detailed miniature installation, unpacking the weight of progress and personal grief in a surreal landscape.
Provocative New Voices
True to its commitment to nurturing emerging talent, HOLD ON LET GO also spotlights works in progress and voices breaking through the conventional mould. Anjela Magpantay’s “it is for when you meet me” presents an intimate, interactive theatre experience, while FakeKnot’s “MY HOUSE” reimagines ballroom culture through a contemporary lens. Both pieces offer glimpses into raw creative processes that are sure to intrigue and inspire audiences.
One of the most provocative performances is “Sex, Drugs and Criminality” by Mammalian Diving Reflex. This daring Toronto-based group uses conversations between Vancouver teens and well-known actors to tackle taboos society often avoids. Themes of intimacy, substance use, and youthful defiance come alive in a work designed to challenge preconceptions and stir dialogue long after the curtain falls.
For those seeking immersive, boundary-breaking theatre, Halifax’s Zuppa Theatre Company delivers “The Archive of Missing Things”, a web-based mystery game that invites audience members to bring their own laptops. Played collectively in the Russian Hall, it’s a piece that merges digital and physical realms in an innovative, participatory experience.
HOLD ON LET GO 2025 Schedule
As the festival unfolds over five days, HOLD ON LET GO offers a meticulously curated schedule of performances, artist discussions, and community events. Here’s what to look forward to during this boundary-pushing week:
February 4: Opening Night
- 7:00 PM – Secret Ingredients (Mainstage Presentation)
Keely O’Brien’s world premiere takes the stage, blending culinary artistry with emotional storytelling in an interactive theatre piece. - 8:30 PM – Launch Party (Main Hall)
Celebrate the festival’s kickoff with this lively gathering, where audiences and artists connect.
February 5: Emerging Artists in Focus
- 5:00 PM – Emerging Artist Talk (Lower Hall)
A dialogue spotlighting fresh talent curated by Amanda Sum. - 6:00 PM – Emerging Artist Mixer (Lower Hall)
A networking event inviting artists and attendees to mingle. - 7:00 PM – Loss Machine (Mainstage Presentation)
Kyle Loven’s evocative performance using experimental puppetry and miniature installations. - 8:30 PM – The Archive of Missing Things (Lower Hall)
Halifax’s Zuppa Theatre Company invites audiences to unravel a web-based mystery in this immersive digital theatre experience.
February 6: In-Development Projects
- 5:00 PM – Accelerator Lab Community Conversation (Main Hall)
Insights from the Accelerator Lab International Fellowship program. - 7:00 PM – My House (In-Development Presentation, Lower Hall)
FakeKnot’s exploration of ballroom culture through a contemporary lens. - 8:00 PM – Raven Mother (Mainstage Presentation)
The Dancers of Damelahamid pay homage to Margaret Harris in this multimedia dance piece. - 9:00 PM – Looping (Lower Hall)
An intimate late-night performance exploring cyclical narratives.
February 7: Diverse Dialogues
- 7:00 PM – it is for when you meet me (In-Development Presentation, Lower Hall)
Anjela Magpantay’s interactive theatre project. - 8:00 PM – Sex, Drugs and Criminality (Mainstage Presentation)
A provocative exploration of taboo topics through conversations between teens and actors. - 8:30 PM – Dancers of Damelahamid Artist Talk (Main Hall)
A chance to hear from the creators of Raven Mother.
February 8: Closing Day Highlights
- 1:00 PM – Kinderpocalypse Now (Main Hall)
A matinee performance sure to engage and challenge. - 2:00 PM – Emerging Artist Talk (Lower Hall)
Another chance to hear from this year’s emerging voices. - 3:00 PM – Accelerator Lab International Mentors Panel (Main Hall)
Learn from leading mentors about fostering innovation in the arts. - 7:00 PM – Secret Ingredients (Mainstage Presentation)
A second chance to catch Keely O’Brien’s celebrated work. - 8:30 PM – Loss Machine (Mainstage Presentation)
Kyle Loven closes the festival with another performance of his deeply moving piece.
With a schedule that promises bold experimentation and intimate storytelling, HOLD ON LET GO 2025 is poised to be a landmark event for Vancouver’s arts scene. Mark your calendars and prepare for an unforgettable journey into the avant-garde.
The Invitation
Festival passes are on sale now, and this year’s offerings promise something for everyone—from longtime fans of experimental art to newcomers curious about theatre’s power to transform. In a world where boundaries often feel rigid and unyielding, HOLD ON LET GO invites us to step into the unknown, explore uncharted narratives, and discover the intimate truths that lie within.
To learn more or secure your spot at this unparalleled event, visit holdonletgo.ca. February is fast approaching, and Vancouver is ready to experience an art festival like no other.
Teresa is a dedicated storyteller rooted in the Downtown Eastside, reporting on local art, cultural events, and community initiatives. Her work highlights the creativity and resilience of the neighbourhood, amplifying voices that often go unheard. Believing in the power of art to connect and inspire, Teresa focuses on the people and projects that shape the vibrant DTES community.
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