IGNITE! 2026 is almost here!
IGNITE! returns to The Cultch from May 13–17, 2026
For five nights, IGNITE! Youth-Driven Arts Festival transforms The Cultch into a space for bold performance, emerging voices, experimentation, and celebration. Curated entirely by The Cultch’s Youth Panel, this year’s festival traces cycles of creative growth through theatre, film, music, stand up comedy, drag, dance, visual arts, and more.
From GERMINATE to BLOOM, each night offers a completely different experience while remaining deeply connected through themes of transformation, collaboration, and collective expression.
🎟️ Tickets are available on a sliding scale ($15, $18, $21+ and barrier-free tickets as well)
📍 Historic Theatre at The Cultch, May 13–17, 2026 shows at 8:00pm
GERMINATE
MAY 13, 2026 | 8:00 PM
HISTORIC THEATRE
The festival opens with the IGNITE! Visual Arts Exhibition in The Cultch lobby, featuring works by Shivangi Singh and Carmen Toledo Bores, followed by the Telling It Bent Showcase in collaboration with Frank Theatre Company, uplifting queer, trans, and Two-Spirit youth artists from across BC.
The night closes with an Stand-Up Comedy Showcase featuring Kendall Clark and Erin Purghart.
✨ Plus: Join us before the show for the IGNITE! Opening Party from 6:00–8:00 PM in The Cultch Lobby.
Special thanks to Grounds for Coffee for supporting Opening Night programming, as well as the Vancouver Art Gallery ❤️
RECOMPOSE
MAY 14, 2026 | 8:00 PM
HISTORIC THEATRE
Stories shift. Memories reshape. Identity evolves.
RECOMPOSE brings together theatre, film, and live jazz through Papa’s Phở by Alycia Rose, short films by Nushi Sharma and Paul-Daniel Torres, and a live performance by the Harmeet Kaur Virdee Quartet.
Thank you to Rain or Shine Ice Cream, our featured Community Supporter for Thursday evening, alongside the Vancouver Fringe Festival and 4Cats for helping make this night possible 🍦
POLLINATE
MAY 15, 2026 | 8:00 PM
HISTORIC THEATRE
Ideas collide. Genres blend. New worlds emerge.
POLLINATE celebrates artistic cross-pollination through theatre, short films, and live music, featuring Baby by Silken Lawson, films by Rylie Siraj, and Eila Horne, Olivia Ponton and Maggie Perreault, performances by NicoLottie and Left Pinky Toe.
Special thanks to the Rio Theatre, Painted Lady Records, and Theatre Under The Stars for supporting Friday’s programming 🎶
ENTANGLE
MAY 16, 2026 | 8:00 PM
HISTORIC THEATRE
Messy. Layered. Interconnected.
ENTANGLE embraces the tangled nature of creativity through surreal cinema, theatre, dance, and jazz, featuring works by Abby Ridd and Mimi Huszti, Marcos Aburto, Daisy de Kroon, Ethan White, and Allison Louis.
Huge thanks to Arts Umbrella and Grandview Lanes for supporting Saturday’s festival programming 🎳
BLOOM
MAY 17, 2026 | 8:00 PM
HISTORIC THEATRE
We end in full expression.
BLOOM closes IGNITE! with a vibrant celebration of rhythm, movement, drag, and dance floor energy featuring Salseo Queer Dance, drag performers Malandro and Cataleya, DJ Alyssa JB, and dancers Ysa Dias, and Rodrigo Hervert.
We also want to shout out Banda Volpi (Pepino’s Spaghetti House and Caffe La Tana), Rolla Skate Club, The Improv Centre and Slice of Life for making tonight a finale to remember!
❤️LOCAL LOVE ❤️
A special thank you to Caffe La Tana and Banda Volpi for supporting IGNITE! 2026 with a meal for our artists and staff on closing night, and for offering 15% off food for IGNITE! audience members dining before or after the festival.
Show your same-day Cultch or IGNITE! ticket at Caffe La Tana to receive the discount 🍝
(Discount applies to food only and excludes drinks, groceries, and retail purchases.)
IGNITE! 2026 is made possible through the support of our sponsors, community partners, artists, audiences, and Youth Panel members. Thank you for helping us uplift emerging artists and youth-driven performance in Vancouver.
See you at the festival 