A season of bold acts of imagination, dynamic talents and magical stories await the audience in the Massey Theatre 2024/2025 Mainstage and Eighth & Eight Creative Spaces Studio Series presentations. The season’s journey unfolds with Kid Koala’s multi-disciplinary world of wonder, international guitar mastery, a reimagining of Sleeping Beauty the Ballet, a cinematic retrospective series, global music collaborations, and adventures in our dance hall styled Concert Series. This is the Massey Theatre 2024/2025 season. A season of incredible performances to bring in our 75th Anniversary of shared memories and community connections.
“The power of the arts and the energy of the audiences as they gather to experience performances never ceases to amaze me,” said Jessica Schneider, Executive Director, Massey Theatre Society, “We are passionate about bringing high quality, incredible performances to our stages. This is your chance to see something new. It is our true passion to provide so much for you to discover and make the Massey and Eighth & Eight your go-to venues for the arts.”
The Massey Presents 2024/2025 Season:
Massey Mainstage Performances:
November 15, 2024 at 7:30pm and November 16, 2024 at 4pm and 7:30 pm
Kid Koala’s Nufonia Must Fall
This production is a live multi-disciplinary stage adaptation of Kid Koala’s graphic novel Nufonia Must Fall. A team of fifteen puppeteers, musicians, cinematographers and technicians bring the story to life at each performance. The stage is set up with over 20 miniature sets and 8 cameras. Under the direction of Oscar-nominated production designer K.K. Barrett (Her, Where the Wild Things Are, Adaptation, Being John Malkovich), each scene is performed, filmed and projected in real time onto a large screen above the stage. Kid Koala, accompanied by the Afiara String Quartet, performs his original score on piano and turntable. This is a dialogue-free, timeless love story that’s fun for the whole family.
February 1, 2025 at 7:30pm
International Guitar Night
For the 25th International Guitar Night, Brian Gore has assembled a lineup of three exciting new guitarists making their IGN debuts to join one of IGN’s all-time favourites. Lulo Reinhardt is well known to IGN audiences. The grand-nephew of legendary Django Reinhardt, Lulo plays in the style of Latin Swing. Alexandra Whittingham is a dynamic classical guitarist with a repertoire ranging from the classics to contemporary composers. Niwel Tsumbu has kept his unique Congolese percussive style alive over the past twenty-five years living in Ireland. Sönke Meinen is a leading Contemporary Fingerstyle guitarist, mixing the incredible dexterity of his high-speed compositions with sensitive ballads.
February 8, 2025 at 4:00pm
Ballet Jörgen: Sleeping Beauty the Ballet
Sleeping Beauty is one of the world‘s most famous classical ballets and holds a place in the repertoire of virtually every major company. Ballet Jörgen’s interpretation tells the enchanting story of Aurora and her prince complete with its inherently magical qualities and dazzling choreography.
Artistic Director and award-winning choreographer Bengt Jörgen focuses on the magical elements and the interpretation of the ballet as a nature allegory: The young woman represents nature, the wicked fairy is winter, who deadens life with pricks of frost until a young man, spring, cuts away the brambles to allow the sun to awaken sleeping nature. Sleeping Beauty by Ballet Jörgen draws on the traditional choreography by Marius Petipa to spin a tale of nature and love that will inspire young and old alike.
The delightful story will be danced to the original 1890 score by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, set to a libretto based on Charles Perrault’s story La Belle au bois dormant. In ensemble with stunning costumes and captivating lighting design, Sleeping Beauty by Ballet Jörgen is guaranteed to provide an evening of entertaining and inspiring live performance.
The Eighth & Eight Creative Spaces Studio Series
The programming team at Massey Theatre is activating the spaces in Eighth & Eight Creative Spaces with performances and events to offer artists and community a facility as well as new and inclusive opportunities for creation, presentation, development and community engagement.
Old School Music Hall Series in Studio 1C
The Old School Music Hall series harkens back to the days of community Music Halls, filled with music, dancing and vibrancy. This series celebrates musical artistry, diversity and sharing musical experiences with friends, neighbours and friends you haven’t met yet.
October 11, 2024 at 7:30 pm
Beau Wheeler
Studio 1C
Beau Wheeler is a queer non-binary singer and songwriter based on the unceded lands of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh peoples known as Vancouver. Beau recently released a new album called Flying Colours and has another one produced by Jason Corbett of Actors on the way. Beau’s dynamic range can lift an audience to its feet in a moment and in the next, stop your heart so the whole room could hear a pin drop.
October 25, 2024 at 7:30 pm
Krystle Dos Santos with Marie Hui
Studio 1C
Get taken back to the glory days of music and dance the night away with Krystle Dos Santos and her three-piece band joined by guest artist Marie Hui. With classic soul, funk, R&B and much more, Krystle will get you moving and grooving to songs from Stevie Wonder to Chaka Khan. Put on your dancing shoes and get ready for a party!
March 21, 2025 at 7:30 pm
Krystle Dos Santos with Bradley Barkman
Studio 1C
Experience an electrifying journey down memory lane with Krystle Dos Santos and her dynamic three-piece band, joined by guest artist Bradley Barkman! Prepare to dance the night away as they deliver an irresistible mix of classic soul, funk, and R&B hits. From Sam Cooke to the Supremes, their infectious rhythms will have you moving and grooving all night long. Grab your dancing shoes and join the ultimate party!
April 12, 2025 at 7:30 pm
Ndidi O
Studio 1C
Ndidi O is an award-winning Contemporary Roots & Blues singer-songwriter. For nearly two decades she has carved out an adventurous career that deftly moves between soul, blues, contemporary roots, folk and Americana. A two-time JUNO award nominee and the 2019 Western Canadian Music Awards winner for Blues Artist of the Year, Ndidi O has released seven solo albums to date with her newest album released in April 2024 (produced by Steve Dawson, Hen House Records).
May 3, 2025 at 7:30 pm
Roots ‘N’ Wings
Studio 1C
Roots ‘n’ Wings is a 45-voice, soulful women’s choir under the direction of Dawn Pemberton who sings a collection of songs that speak to the heart, celebrate home and connectedness, and call for unity.
Roots ‘N’ Wings sings music that moves you and grooves you, from Stevie Wonder to Voco, Blues to Bach and everything in between. They explore the world’s music and experience the wonder and deep delight that comes from a community of voices soaring together. They strive to take their audiences on a musical adventure guaranteed to stir your heart, fire you up and leave you wanting more! Joining Roots ‘N’ Wings is Artistic Director Dawn Pemberton, steadfast and talented accompanist Mark Wilson, and special guests!
Michael van den Bos Film Clip Show Series in Studio 1B
This series offers a look at some of the very best in cinema, music and dance. With presenter and classic film scholar Michael van den Bos, this series of film clip shows celebrate classic movies, performers and directors, all through the lens of the movie loving host’s scholarly eye. The perfect series of events for film buffs, classic movie fanatics and fans.
September 26, 2024 at 7:00 pm
All That Bob Fosse!
Presented by Michael van den Bos
Studio 1B
Sexy, sassy and snazzy describe the dynamic dance work of choreographer, stage and film director Bob Fosse, one of the most important and influential figures in 20th century American dance. Bob Fosse’s vivacious approach to choreography on stage and in film, along with his cinematic techniques, are the topics of this presentation by classic film scholar and movie musical maven, Michael van den Bos. This entertaining evening looks at all that Fosse flash, steam heat and razzle dazzle dance from his early movie appearances, his choreography for classic film musicals and television work, and his years directing stylish, mature musical films, including the Oscar-winning Cabaret and Fosse’s own semi-autobiographical All That Jazz. Michael also shines a bright spotlight on Fosse’s wife, muse and dancer extraordinaire, the glorious Gwen Verdon.
Feb 20, 2025 at 7:00 pm
Razzle Dazzle Divas
Presented by Michael van den Bos
Studio 1B
All Singing! All Dancing! All Women Who Wow! Classic film scholar Michael van den Bos swings his spotlight onto the sensational ladies of song and dance who lit up movie screens with their powerful and breathtaking talents. From the legendary stars to the talents deserving rediscovery, Michael illuminates these wonder women of musical movies from the golden era of Hollywood to contemporary cinema with a super-charged collection of performance clips.
March 20, 2025 at 7:00 pm
The Flair of Fred Astaire
Presented by Michael van den Bos
Studio 1B
Fred Astaire—the greatest of all movie dancers—takes the spotlight in this show presented by classic film scholar Michael van den Bos. Illustrated with a rich bounty of film clips, Michael explores the distinctive diversity and invigorating inventiveness of Fred Astaire’s considerable dance work in classic Hollywood movies. Also highlighted is Astaire as a vocalist, favoured by many famous songwriters of his era as the best interpreter of their tunes, who introduced more songs that became standards than any other 20th-century musical performer. So, what do you say . . . shall we dance?
April 17, 2025 at 7:00 pm
Gene Kelly: Hollywood’s Dashing Dance Auteur
Presented by Michael van den Bos
Studio 1B
He danced with his ghostly alter-ego, with a cartoon mouse, through French impressionist paintings, on roller skates, while singing in the rain, and partnered with some of the most talented women in the movies. Hollywood musical superstar Gene Kelly did it all. Not only was he a dazzling dancer, Kelly was a charismatic actor, a spirited singer, a creative choreographer and a fine film director. Classic film scholar Michael van den Bos explores the ebullient and buoyant work of the multi-talented Gene Kelly with an abundance of astounding performances from his classic movie musicals.
Global Tea Series in Studio 1C
The always engaging and magnanimous musician and host Cassius Khan and a variety of highly accomplished musicians and tea specialists take the audience on a musical journey around the world, bringing you connection to generations past through songs and experiences that have endured for thousands of years.
Global Tea Series performances are by Pay-What-You-Can admission. Audience is encouraged to pay what they are able-there is no minimum or maximum amount-in order to keep the arts accessible for all.
December 8, 2024 at 3:00 pm
Tabla with Hari Pal
Hosted by Cassius Khan
Studio 1C
Hari Pal plays tabla in traditional North Indian as well as his own contemporary style. He has developed an unconventional style of tabla solo, where he uses seven tablas to amalgamate Eastern classical rhythms with melody and popular rhythms. His six tablas are usually tuned to a pentatonic scale and when played with a bass tabla (bayan), he creates an expression of rhythm in melody.
His exposure to the music of different continents has had a deep influence on his creative rhythmic impulses. Parallel to his proficiency in North Indian style of tabla, he also plays dumbek and djembe. He has conducted several percussion concerts in Canada and USA to emphasize inter-cultural fusion of rhythms with African, Latin American, Middle Eastern and North American drummers.
January 26, 2025 at 3:00 pm
Music and Dance with Angelique Muhorakeye and Edward Sembatya
Hosted by Cassius Khan
Studio 1C
Angelique Muhorakeye is one of the founding members of Indangamirwa traditional dance group based in Lower Mainland and is the current chairlady of the group. Born with a natural inclination towards movement and expression, Angelique began her dance journey at a young age. She explored various dance styles as a member in different dance groups, including Rwandan traditional, hip hop and afro fusion; honing her skills and cultivating a deep appreciation for the art form. Driven by a desire to share her passion for dance with others, Angelique embarked on a career in teaching dance to different community groups, children’s summer camps with African Friendship Society and university students at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU).
Edward Sembatya is a versatile Ugandan dance practitioner, choreographer, educator, and drummer (Ugandan drums). He is currently pursuing his practice-based Ph.D. at Simon Fraser University, School for Contemporary Arts (dance major). His artistic works and research draw inspiration from contemporary everyday life and the rich knowledge and skills embedded in indigenous East African dances (Ugandan in particular), music, and narratives. He specialized in indigenous Ugandan dances, jazz dance, and African aesthetics-based contemporary dance (his styles). He has had the pleasure to perform, choreograph, and teach dance and drums in many countries, including but not limited to Norway, the UK, France, and Hungary.
March 23, 2025 at 3:00 pm
Guitar Music and Tea with Dave Martone
Hosted by Cassius Khan
Studio 1C
Dave Martone is a performer, touring musician, recording engineer, music producer and educator. His discography is large with seven studio albums out and three live concert DVD’s as well as countless compilation albums to his credit. He toured and produced music with Juno Award Winning band Bif Naked and has been on the cover of many Canadian Music Magazines as well as having major features in Guitar Player, Guitar World and Guitar One Magazine where Dave was voted one of the top four underground shredders in North America.
His latest rock record “Clean” has been signed to New York record company Magna Carta and finds some of the most talented guitarists of our time on it as special guests including Joe Satriani and Jennifer Batten who has performed with Michael Jackson for over a decade.
Dave’s work goes far also as a session guitarist for major record companies such as Island Def Jam as well as owning his own production facility in Vancouver Canada “Brainworks”.
Tickets and more information available at www.masseytheatre.com and www.eighthandeight.com
The Massey Theatre Mainstage and Small Stage Series presentations are made possible with funding support from the Province of British Columbia and the City of New Westminster.
About Eighth & Eight Creative Spaces
Eighth & Eight Creative Spaces comprises over 75,000 square feet of dynamic and creative spaces in the Massey Theatre Arts Complex which includes the Massey Theatre, Plaskett Gallery, two multipurpose studios, two performance studios, a dance studio, digital labs and the Garden/Gathering Space. The expanded spaces are programmed, operated and powered by the Massey Theatre Society in an effort to offer artists and community a facility as well as resources and support for their work, creating new and inclusive opportunities for artistic creation, presentation, development, community engagement, wellness practices, and workshopping. Within Eighth & Eight Creative Spaces, the Massey Theatre activates the Massey Theatre Mainstage season, Studio 1B and 1C Performance Series, Gallery programming, Community Nights, Artist Access and more.
About Massey Theatre Society
The Massey Theatre opened in 1949 as British Columbia’s largest theatre, at the time, with 1,260 seats. Since then, its lights have shone on thousands of performances and has become a cherished space to experience the arts. The Massey hosts large scale musicals, international music and dance performances, symphonies, choirs, ballets and more. With a commitment to the cultural life of the community, it supports programs for emerging artists and community groups as well as new creation and production residencies. The theatre is a key gathering place with over 100,000 visitors and hosting over 200 events/performances each year. The Massey Theatre Society operates Eighth & Eight Creative Spaces and is a catalyst for a vibrant, expressive community and a stage where any dream is possible.
