| Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity

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Logan Staats hails from Six Nations of the Grand River and has earned a reputation as one of Canada’s cultural tastemakers, a land defender and one of our premiere storytellers. As an artist, he pairs gritty and compelling songwriting with raw, authentic and high energy performances that electrify the audience. Weaving his way through the sounds of Folk, Rock, Roots and Americana music, Staats powerful voice has become a fan favorite across the country, and around the world.

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Evalyn Parry is a Canadian theatre-maker working as a director, writer, performer and collaborator with a focus on the creation of new work. Recent projects include directing The 52 (Luminato / Museum of Toronto); Why It’s Possible by Sophia Fabiilli (GCTC); The Piano Teacher by Dorothy Dittrich (Thousand Islands Playhouse / GCTC), The Dialysis Project by Leah Lewis (RCAT Newfoundland), and composing music for A Midwinter’s Night Dream (Caravan Theatre). She has been the recipient of numerous awards, including Dora Awards for playwriting and composing; The KM Hunter Award for Theatre, The Ken McDougall Award for Directing, and Colleen Peterson Songwriting Award. Her genre-defying, documentary shows Kiinalik: These Sharp Tools and SPIN have both toured nationally and internationally. She is a founding member of Independent Auntie Productions (shortlisted for a Governor General Award for their play Gertrude and Alice) with Anna Chatterton and Karin Randoja. Evalyn served as Artistic Director of Buddies in Bad Times Theatre in Toronto from 2015 to 2020.

Dolson Rhona

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One of Canada’s most popular playwrights, Mark’s work has been produced across the country and internationally. He is the author of nine plays: Stag and Doe; Bed and Breakfast; The Birds and the Bees; Boys, Girls, and Other Mythological Creatures; The New Canadian Curling Club; Chase the Ace; The Gig; The Golden Anniversaries; and Ruby and the Reindeer. Many of Mark’s plays are published by Scirocco Drama. He has been nominated for the Playwrights Guild of Canada Comedy Award and long-listed for the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour. Also an actor, Mark has performed on stages from coast to coast. He grew up on his family’s farm in Southwestern Ontario, studied at the University of Toronto and Sheridan College, and now lives in Stratford.

https://www.markcrawfordplays.com/

Dolson Rhona

Description

The Spring Writers Literary Cabarets conclude with Chapter 3.

This final evening features another distinct group of writers-in-residence presenting original work across genres, marking the closing gathering of the Spring Writing Residency at Banff Centre.

The evening is hosted by Haisla/Heiltsuk author Eden Robinson, Banff Centre alumna and returning faculty member. Her story collection Traplines won the Winifred Holtby Memorial Prize, and her novel Monkey Beach was shortlisted for the Giller Prize and the Governor General’s Literary Award for Fiction. She will guide the evening and close with a reading from her own work.

Settle in at CLVB ’33 for an evening of new writing and conversation.

Doors open at 6:15 p.m., with readings beginning at 7:00 p.m. Informal mingling continues until 9:30 p.m.

Page Summary

Haisla/Heiltsuk author Eden Robinson, shortlisted for the Governor General’s Literary Award, hosts readings from the Spring Writing Residency at Banff Centre.

Exhibition

Banff Centre Artist/Practicum/Staff Only

Off

Licensed

Off

Age Restrictions

Ages 14 and over

Event Tags

Literary Cabaret

Performance Date

Date

Thursday, March 26, 2026 - 19:00

Extra Description

Doors open at 6:15 p.m.

Location

CLVB '33

Computed Sort Date

1774573200

Event Subtitle

Hosted by Eden Robinson

Description

The Spring Writers Literary Cabaret continues with Chapter 2.

This evening brings together a new group of writers-in-residence sharing original work across genres. Each chapter offers a different program, reflecting the range of voices participating in the Spring Writing Residency at Banff Centre.

Hosted by poet Nicole Sealey, author of The Ferguson Report: An Erasure, winner of the 2024 OCM Bocas Prize for Poetry, from which an excerpt was awarded the Forward Prize for Best Poem. She is also the author of Ordinary Beast, a finalist for the Hurston/Wright Legacy Award, and The Animal After Whom Other Animals Are Named, winner of the Drinking Gourd Chapbook Prize. She will guide the evening and conclude the program with a featured reading.

Enjoy a drink from the bar and the warm, intimate setting of CLVB ’33.

Doors open at 6:15 p.m., with readings beginning at 7:00 p.m. Stay afterward for an informal conversation with writers and faculty until 9:30 p.m.

Page Summary

OCM Bocas Prize winner Nicole Sealey hosts readings by writers-in-residence from the Spring Writing Residency at Banff Centre.

Exhibition

Banff Centre Artist/Practicum/Staff Only

Off

Licensed

Off

Age Restrictions

Ages 14 and over

Event Tags

Literary Cabaret

Performance Date

Date

Tuesday, March 24, 2026 - 19:00

Extra Description

Doors open at 6:15 p.m.

Location

CLVB '33

Computed Sort Date

1774400400

Event Subtitle

Hosted by Nicole Sealey

Description

A new season of voices opens at Literary Cabaret.

Part of the Spring Writing Residency at Banff Centre, Chapter 1 features original work from this season’s writers-in-residence across genres, including poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and hybrid forms. Each chapter in the series presents a distinct lineup, offering a window into the breadth of practices gathered this spring.

The evening is hosted by poet and critic Vidyan Ravinthiran, born in Leeds to Sri Lankan Tamil parents. His debut collection Grun-tu-molani was shortlisted for the Forward Prize for Best First Collection, and The Million-petalled Flower of Being Here was shortlisted for the T.S. Eliot Prize. He will guide the program and close the evening with a reading from his own work.

Settle in with a drink from the bar, browse a curated selection of books from Pages, and experience the creative atmosphere of CLVB ’33.

Doors open at 6:15 p.m., with readings beginning at 7:00 p.m. Informal mingling continues until 9:30 p.m.

Page Summary

Forward Prize–shortlisted poet Vidyan Ravinthiran hosts readings by writers-in-residence from the Spring Writing Residency at Banff Centre.

Exhibition

Banff Centre Artist/Practicum/Staff Only

Off

Licensed

Off

Age Restrictions

Ages 14 and over

Event Tags

Literary Cabaret

Performance Date

Date

Thursday, March 19, 2026 - 19:00

Extra Description

Doors open at 6:15 p.m.

Location

CLVB '33

Computed Sort Date

1773968400

Event Subtitle

Hosted by Vidyan Ravinthiran

Language English

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Darcy Hennessey is a leading voice in action sports cinema, known for fusing the visceral thrill of adventure with the artistry of experimental film. Her work has screened at hundreds of festivals worldwide, including JAMIE (Telluride Mountainfilm, Banff Mountain Film Festival, Vimeo Staff Pick), THE MOMENT (Santa Barbara International Film Festival, Banff Mountain Film Festival), and ELLE AIME (Whistler Film Festival, Vimeo Staff Pick). Her films have won a plethora of festival awards and have been featured in Vimeo’s “Best of the Year” collections.

A former world class professional mountain biker, Darcy brings an insider’s lens to the high-stakes world she captures on screen. She was selected for the Reykjavik International Film Festival Talent Lab, where she was mentored by Darren Aronofsky—an experience that helped solidify her reputation as a bold, visionary director unafraid to push cinematic boundaries.

Known for her whimsical visuals and nuanced storytelling, her interests and scope as a director span from narrative to fiction, documentary, and everything (weird and wonderful) in between. Darcy is now a director member of the DGC, a graduate of the IDC (Intimacy Directors and Coordinator) accelerator program, and despite her many adventures, she regards giving birth to her sons as the craziest thing she’s done to date. Currently she has two narrative feature films in development that she has written, and plans on directing.

Faculty

Language English

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Rajni Perera explores issues of hybridity, futurity, ancestorship, migrant and marginalized identities/cultures, monsters and dream worlds in her work. These themes converge and converse within a multimedia practice that includes drawing and painting, clay and new media sculpture, lanterns and lights, textile and embroidery, dance and costume, smoke and incense burners, and most recently, synthetic taxidermy and speculative nature dioramas.

Perera seeks to open and reveal the dynamism of the icons, beings and objects she creates by means of a subversive aesthetic that counteracts antiquated, oppressive discourse, and acts as a restorative force. Her work shows internationally in commercial, biennial and museum contexts. She was shortlisted for Canada’s Sobey Art Award (2021) and was the recipient of the MOCA Toronto Award (2023).

She is the founder and artistic director of Capsules Artist Resources, a nonprofit dedicated to solving the problem of studio spaces for artists in the Greater Toronto.

Faculty

Language English

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Marigold Santos pursues an inter-disciplinary art practice that includes painting, drawing, sculpture, tattoo, and sound. Her work examines notions of heritage and cultural identity, folklore, motherwork, and decolonization, and are presented within the otherworldly. Her paintings, drawings, sculptures, and tattoo work explore self-hood and identity that embraces multiplicity, fragmentation and empowerment, as informed by diasporic experiences. She holds a BFA from the University of Calgary, and an MFA from Concordia University. She is a recipient of grants from the Canada Council for the Arts, the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, and the Conseil des Arts et des Lettres du Québec, and was long-listed for the prestigious Sobey Art Award in 2023 and 2024. She continues to exhibit widely across Canada and internationally and is represented by Patel Brown Gallery in Toronto and Norberg Hall in Calgary. She maintains an active studio practice and gratefully resides in Treaty 7 Territory, in Mohkinstsis/Calgary.

Faculty

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Banff International String Quartet Festival

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World-class string artists, cross-disciplinary performances, and collaborative concerts anchor four days at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity from September 3-6, 2026. Subscription package renewals begin February 25, 2026, and general package sales begin March 11.

BANFF, AB, FEBRUARY 13, 2026 — Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity is thrilled to announce the full lineup for the Banff International String Quartet Festival (BISQFest) 2026, taking place September 3–6, 2026, in Banff, Alberta.

Occurring in the years between the triennial Banff International String Quartet Competition (BISQC), BISQFest has immersed chamber music lovers in a long weekend of intimate performances and picturesque mountain views on Banff Centre campus since 2017.

Much like the world-renowned Competition, which named Cincinnati’s Poiesis Quartet as their reigning winners in 2025, the 2026 edition of BISQFest champions the best in chamber music by celebrating cherished contemporary performers, highlighting new artforms within the genre, and offering BISQC alumni a platform to share with peers, mentors, and passionate audiences.

Across eight concerts and other events curated by Director Barry Shiffman, BISQFest 2026 showcases internationally renowned soloists, ensembles, and interdisciplinary artists in performances spanning classical works, contemporary repertoire, and innovative cross-artform collaborations.

2026 BISQFest Artists

This year’s festival features an exceptional roster of artists, including:

Jan Lisiecki, internationally celebrated pianist from Calgary, Alberta, and Banff Centre alumnus, performing with the Banff Festival Orchestra
Steven Isserlis, legendary Grammy Award and Gramophone Award-winning cellist
Mark Applebaum, composer and multimedia artist, featured in performances and artist talks
Acclaimed harpsichordist Mahan Esfahani
Canadian violinist Jonathan Crow
BISQC 2^nd place laureates Afiara String Quartet (2016) and Opus13 String Quartet (2022)
Champions of Latin chamber music, Dalí String Quartet
Connie Shih, Canadian pianist and chamber musician of international distinction
Choreography and Strings, an interdisciplinary evening exploring movement and music with dancer and choreographer Neshama Nashman
Calgary, Alberta-born accordionist Michael Bridge
A screening of the documentary FOUR RATIONAL PEOPLE, following the Emerson String Quartet on their final tour
Banff International String Quartet Competition and Festival Director Barry Shiffman

Concerts take place in Banff Centre venues, including Rolston Recital Hall, Jenny Belzberg Theatre, Kinnear Centre for Creativity and Innovation, and Margaret Greenham Theatre. For the full schedule of events, visit banffcentre.ca/bisqfest.

Quotation

Over four days in September, Banff will be bursting at the seams as we celebrate chamber music and community with over 40 artists, including string quartets, soloists, composers, dancers, and more. I’m so excited about the lineup we’ve created—with legends like Jan Lisiecki and Steven Isserlis, but also filled with surprises and new experiences. I hope you join me this summer!

Source

Barry Shiffman, Director, Banff International String Quartet Competition and Festival

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Subscription Packages

Often called “music of friends” due to its intimate settings, chamber music is not just a performance but a conversation between musicians and audience members. To celebrate the strong sense of community at BISQFest, there are several package options to create an immersive experience at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity.

BISQFest 2026 is available through two curated subscription options. The BISQFest FULL Festival Package offers reserved seating for all festival concerts, along with access to exclusive package-holder events and talks throughout the weekend. The BISQFest LITE Festival Package provides a shorter festival experience, including select concerts and access to special events.

On-site accommodation and meal plans are available as optional add-ons for festival subscribers, allowing audiences to fully immerse themselves in the artistic community of Banff Centre and BISQFest. Visit banffcentre.ca/bisqfest for details.

Ticket Information

Festival packages are available by advance booking request, with additional details to be released ahead of the festival. Subscription package renewals begin on February 25, 2026, and general package sales open March 11, 2026. Single tickets will be available this spring.

Banff International String Quartet Competition and Festival are supported by the Azrieli Foundation, David and Christine Anderson, the Jenny Belzberg Future Fund, Sandra Green, and Anonymous.

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See Banff Centre’s Media Room here.

For photos, information, or interview requests, please contact:

Carly Maga
Director, Communications
Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity
tel: +1.403.763.6210
cell: +1.403.431.3423
carly_maga@banffcentre.ca

About BISQFest

The Banff International String Quartet Festival (BISQFest) is a signature festival experience of the Banff International String Quartet Competition, offering audiences an intimate encounter with leading artists in chamber music today. Set against the backdrop of Banff National Park, the festival reflects Banff Centre’s commitment to artistic excellence, experimentation, and creative collaboration.

About Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity

Founded in 1933, Banff Centre is a post-secondary institution built upon an extraordinary legacy of excellence in artistic and leadership development. What started as a single course in drama has grown to become a global organization leading in arts, culture, and creative decision-making across dozens of disciplines, from the fine arts to Indigenous Wise Practices. From our home in the stunning Canadian Rocky Mountains, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity aims to move everyone who attends our campus - artists, leaders, thinkers, and audiences - to unleash their creative potential and realize their unique contribution to build an innovative, inspiring future through education, performances, convenings, and public outreach. banffcentre.ca

Banff Centre
107 Tunnel Mountain Drive
Banff, Alberta
Canada
T1L 1H5
403.762.6100
www.banffcentre.ca

We recognize, with deep respect and gratitude, our home on the side of Sacred Buffalo Guardian Mountain. In the spirit of respect and truth, we honour and acknowledge the Banff area, known as “Minihrpa” (translated in Stoney Nakoda as “the waterfalls”) and the Treaty 7 territory and oral practices of the Îyârhe Nakoda (Stoney Nakoda) – comprised of the Bearspaw, Chiniki, and Goodstoney Nations – as well as the Tsuut’ina First Nation and the Blackfoot Confederacy comprised of the Siksika, Piikani, and Kainai. We acknowledge that this territory is home to the Shuswap Nations, Ktunaxa Nations, and Métis Nation of Alberta, Rockyview District 4. We acknowledge all Nations who live, work, and play here, help us steward this land, and honour and celebrate this place.

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