Living Things Festival showcases international talent

For the last eight years, the Living Things Festival has become a fixture in Kelowna’s art scene during the winter.

The festival, which got underway Saturday, has gained a devoted following for its focus on contemporary art.

The festival is known for its groundbreaking theatre, art, and performances that inspire, entertain, and spark meaningful conversations, and has made a name for itself as a distinctive cultural experience.

“We have music, puppetry, theater and dance, and installation works in the Alternator gallery and in the Black Box Theatre,” Founder Neil Cadger told Kelowna10. “We cover a little bit of everything. It's an international arts festival and all of the work in the festival is celebrated internationally, touring smaller performances.”

He noted the festival centers around the concept of living things, with a focus on performance art that explores the human relationship with the non-human. The core philosophy of the festival is providing public pleasure, beauty, and thought-provoking experiences that are surprisingly unexpected.

When it came to setting this year’s line-up, Cadger highlighted the acts are selected from various festivals across Canada that he has seen. He then has the challenge of coordinating and organizing the schedule for the performances.

“I look at what's available and then I find what connects to what I think is the public interest here. And I think we like a spectacle, we like entertainment,” he said. “It's important to distinguish between entertainment, which just holds your attention for a bit, gives you a little bit of amusement, and something that engages at a deeper level."

The festival runs until Jan. 28 at various locations in Kelowna's Cultural District: Mary Irwin Theatre, Black Box Theatre, and Kelowna Community Theatre Main Stage.

This years line up also features Ramanenjana, Dog Rising, Marina Hasselberg, Canary Objects in Motion, Plastique, Playbook The Noisebau, 8th Continent.

Tickets can be purchased online.