Have a Senior Moment Festival 2025
October 3 – 11
PAL STUDIO THEATRE
581 Cardero Street, Vancouver B.C.
JOIN US FOR OUR 2025 FESTIVAL!
Western Gold’s HAVE A SENIOR MOMENT FESTIVAL is an event that turns the notion of “have a senior moment” (normally understood as a moment of forgetfulness, a foolish mistake, or a lack of understanding based on age) on its head!
A multi-disciplinary series of events and gatherings showcasing the performing arts for old folx and/or by old folx, HAVE A SENIOR MOMENT FESTIVAL provides a gathering place for young, old, and those in between. The festival includes theatre, works in development, music, creative workshops, artist salons and more—all celebrating the notion that Creativity Has No Expiry Date!
Artistic Director Tanja Dixon-Warren says, “I wanted to change the perception of seniors “having a moment” and reclaim the term to mean a moment showing older adults living their lives in richness, fullness, and in relationship with their communities and environments. I wanted to do this by giving senior artists a moment and by encouraging the voices of senior artists who, with so much life experience, are daring to be bold and are creating from their hearts!”
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3 – SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5
FESTIVAL HEADLINER
HOME by Melody Anderson
Prepare to be tickled by this broad, farcical revenge comedy!
An On Our Feet (OOF!) Staged Reading
Directed by Roy Surette
Starring: Patti Allan, Sherry Bie, Dolores Drake, Jacob Leonard, Beatrice Zeilinger
TUESDAY OCTOBER 7, 4:00 PM
FRONT PAGE CHALLENGE
AFTERNOON TEA AND ARTIST SALON
with Kevin Dale McKeown, Lin Bennett, Joy Metcalf, Ellie O’Day,
It’s a battle getting on the front page! Hang out with, and eavesdrop on, those who have had their ear to the ground and put pen to the paper as they have advocated for the arts over the past 60 years. Hear about late night high jinx as they wrestle with typewriters, deadlines, and promoting really, really bad plays. Not to mention navigating disgruntled artists! It’s the history of Vancouver theatre through the eyes of those who valiantly battled to put the arts front and center. Keep your ears perked – a name or two might be dropped
Includes tea and scones with cream. No-host bar.
PAY WHAT YOU CHOOSE (Suggested $20)
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 7:00 PM
COME TOGETHER
We launch the second week of the festival by gathering and breaking bread together. Following a Welcome to the Lands, brings Ow-tah-pee-ka-kaw—The Opening—to PAL. The evening ends with feasting, sharing, and celebrating each other.
Ow-tah-pee-ka-kaw—The Opening
In the season of the “falling leaves” our world is going quiet, and this is when we began to share stories and wisdoms to keep our spirits strong. The teaching is that when there is less sunlight, we need to share our love and light with each other to keep our spirits strong.
This ceremonial performance will explore some of the universal themes found in the natural and supernatural world. The Anishinabek knew of the power of our dreams to bring about transformation in our lives and in our world. We revered the sacred gift of dreaming, and we evolved many sacred ceremonies to honour the great mystery and to invite this force to be part of our world. This interactive performance will offer ancient wisdoms, storytelling, drumming, singing, and an interactive experience. In this ceremonial space there will also be opportunity to reflect and share.
In partnership with Full Circle: First Nations Performance and The Talking Stick Festival
PAY WHAT YOU CHOOSE (Suggested $20)
Reserve your seat now
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 8, 1:00 PM
POPCORN & MOVIE
SUPER SENIORS by KATHRYN SHAW
If you missed seeing SUPER SENIORS on the Western Gold stage last year, now is your chance to see the filmed version of this sell-out smash hit! Or, if you loved it, come and catch it again!
Ever wonder what it would be like to be alive and kicking at 105? In this hilarious comedy, Kathryn Shaw takes you to the Fairfield Residence to meet three women over the age of 105 who have differing responses to their extraordinarily long lives. Based on experience with her own ancient family members, the writer brings insight and humour to the conundrum of extreme old age.
PAY WHAT YOU CHOOSE (Suggested $10)
Pay at the door or reserve your seat now
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 4:00 PM
A VIEW FROM THE HOUSE
AFTERNOON TEA & AUDIENCE SALON
Moderated by Bernard Cuffling with Kate Dahlstrom, Jane Dixon-Warren, Malcolm Page, and Timothy Temple
Theatre lovers—share your stories with us! Were you there when the set fell down? What performance left you breathless? Why do you keep coming back to the theatre? Join a panel of audience members (with over 100 years of theatre going collectively under their belts) as they remember, reflect, and recount their theatrical experiences.
Includes tea and scones with cream. No Host Bar
PAY WHAT YOU CHOOSE (Suggested $20)
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2:00 PM
CEDAR BRACELET MAKING WORKSHOP
WITH LEONARD “TIGER” WILLIAMS
Join Leonard “Tiger” WIlliams, a master cedar weaver and member of the Quatsino First Nation, for a hands-on workshop designed to foster deeper understanding and appreciation of First Nations culture through the art of traditional cedar weaving. With over 20 years’ experience, Leonard brings knowledge passed down through generations to guide participants in creating their own cedar pieces while learning about the cultural significance and ecological practices tied to this ancient art form. This workshop is open to all and encourages cultural appreciation and awareness.
In partnership with Full Circle: First Nations Performance and The Talking Stick Festival
Limited spots available | Supplies included
PAY-WHAT–YOU CHOOSE (Suggested $15) at the door or reserve now
NEW PLAY READING #1
Blake Buksa
Tom McBeath
Allan Morgan
Followed by a Talk-With and Q&A with the playwright and creative team.
TICKETS: $20
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2:00 PM
LOVE ROCKS
ROCK PAINTING FUN!
Have you seen painted rocks peppering the city, tucked into shrubbery and lining sidewalks, spreading messages of love, joy, and sunshine? Come and paint your own! Create a gift for yourself or for someone else by joining Allan Morgan in this rock painting workshop.
Supplies included
PAY WHAT YOU CHOOSE (Suggested $15)
NEW PLAY READING #2
Eileen Barrett
Nimet Kanji
Linda Pollard
Followed by a Talk-With and Q&A with the playwright and creative team.
TICKETS: $20
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 9:00 PM
GOLD BINGO!
A FUNdraiser FOR WESTERN GOLD
Stay after the show for a few cards of BINGO! Prizes! Prizes! Prizes!
ENTRANCE: PAY WHAT YOU CHOOSE at the door (Suggested $10)
$2 a card! Fun for all!
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
55+ IMPROV WITH BLIND TIGER COMEDY!
Western Gold Theatre is excited to partner with Blind Tiger Comedy to host an improv jam for folks 55+! Led by Blind Tiger faculty member and professional comedian Kerri Donaldson, this workshop consists of fun games that will give you a taste of the joy, confidence, and discovery that improv can offer. No experience necessary! Whether you are comfortable performing or have never taken the stage, this workshop will make folx feel welcome, laugh, and learn a bit more about improvisation and collaborative storytelling.
Please note, this event is for people 55 and older.
PAY WHAT YOU CHOOSE (Suggested $15)
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11, 3:00 – 6:00 PM
SCRIPTS & SIPS
in partnership with Curious Cats Theatre Collective
Grab a beverage, get social, and be the first to hear cold readings of excerpts from new scripts. Wanna be an actor? Lend your talents by signing up to be a cold reader. It’s fun, informative, and informal. Followed by feedback from established and published playwrights.
PAY WHAT YOU CHOOSE
3:00 PM: Mix and mingle. COLD CASTING BEGINS. Lend us your chops! Sign up to be a reader.
3:30 PM SCRIPT READINGS, FEEDBACK & TALK-WITH
PAY WHAT YOU CHOOSE (Suggested $15)
SATURDAY OCTOBER 11, 7:30 – 10:30 PM
CLOSING CELEBRATION
SPOTLIGHT CABARET & SHOWTUNE “KARAOKE” DANCE PARTY
Join us for a closing celebration of a fabulous festival. Hosted by the incomparable Linda Cullen, enjoy an array of spotlight performances in various disciplines including comedian Janice Bannister, songstress Judy Walchuk, poet and hula hooper Leslie Stark, actor Jennifer Higgin, plus music, dance, and any combination thereof.
Bring your favourite show tune and discover the songster in you! It’s open mic—we provide live “karaoke” accompaniment by pianist Peter Abando. Wrap up the evening by kicking up your heels and dancing the night away! No Host Bar.
TICKETS: $20
Creativity has no expiry date!
Contact Us
Phone: 604-363-5734
Email: [email protected]
Mailing Address:
PO Box 93513,
Vancouver RPO Nelson Park, BC V6E 4L7
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Supported By
The McGrane-Pearson Endowment Fund,
held at Vancouver Foundation
Stewart Fund,
held at Vancouver Foundation
McLean Foundation
Community Partners
We gratefully acknowledge that we are on the traditional and unceded territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam),Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) First Nations. We deeply thank them for so generously allowing us to live, work, and play on their beautiful lands.
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