Buddies in Bad Times Theatre proudly announces the return of Canada’s longest-running new works festival, back for its 45th edition this February. The Rhubarb Festival challenges conventional notions of art-making and art-watching, offering audiences an immersive experience of the most adventurous ideas in performance.

This year’s two-week festival continues to push boundaries with a curated selection of one-of-a-kind presentations. Programmed by an Artist Committee formed by Jordan Campbell [STARLIGHT] (xLq, SummerWorks), Leelee Oluwatyosi Eko Davis (TO Love-In), daniel jelani ellis (Obsidian Theatre), and Ludmylla Reis (Buddies in Bad Times), and alongside Rhubarb Artistic Producer Sue Balint, this year's Festival promises to be a celebration of experimentation and queer audacity in the true spirit of Buddies.

This year, the Festival’s industry series puts an emphasis on supporting the development of young-in-craft artists, recognizing the challenges for artists entering the live arts industry today. The Young-in-Craft Cohort will have access to networking opportunities, skills development sessions, as well as a showcase slot in the Festival.

The Festival’s 2024 programming includes:

 • A Young-in-Craft cohort including Cloud, Valentine Leger, Anthony (Ani) Palermo, Sindi Pinari, Ashley T, and Evan Webb, who will share works at the Young-in-Craft cabaret hosted by xLq;

 • New works by artists familiar to Buddies and Rhubarb audiences, including Nickeshia Garrick, Stephen Jackman-Torkoff, and Elizabeth Staples;

 • Out of town presentations from Montreal (Michael Martini and Emile Pineault + Gabriel Cholette), Regina (Jaye Kovach), Saskatoon (S.E. Grummett + Sam Kruger), and Glasgow, Scotland (Jian Yi);

 • Installation projects taking over the Cabaret and Antechamber by Tanya Marquardt, Raganathan Rajan, and Brigita Gedgaudas;

 • Two late night events — Thirst Nation, an Indigiqueer and 2-Spirit focused performance party, and Bathhouse and Bodyworks’ Amateur Strip Night Judged by Drag Things — plus a cabaret by west end drag royalty Künst Kids.

Full schedule and programming details are available on the website.

Buddies in Bad Times Theatre presents

THE RHUBARB FESTIVAL

Artist Committee Jordan Campbell, Leelee Oluwatyosi Eko Davis, daniel jelani ellis, and Ludmylla Reis

Festival Artistic Producer Sue Balint

February 8–18, 2024

Back for a 45th year, Rhubarb transforms Buddies into a hotbed of experimentation, with artists challenging our notions of what art-making and art-watching can be. As Canada’s longest-running new works festival, Rhubarb is the place to encounter the most adventurous ideas in performance and to catch familiar and unfamiliar artists venturing into uncharted territory.

 • Throughout the Festival

Tanya Marquardt — Some Must Watch While Some Must Sleep

 • Thursday, February 8, 7PM

isi bhakhomen — Mami

Nickeshia Garrick — Find Your Rhythm

Brigita Gedgaudas — Be Vardų Be Kojų

Stephen Jackman-Torkoff — Die Phantasie

Tanya Marquardt — Some Must Watch While Some Must Sleep - Installation Opening Event

 • Friday, February 9, 7PM

Stephen Jackman-Torkoff — Die Phantasie

Elizabeth Staples — Chez Moi

Young-in-Craft Cabaret (featuring Cloud, Valentine Leger, Anthony (Ani) Palermo, Sindi Pinari + Ashley T, hosted by xLq)

 • Saturday, February 10, 7PM

Nickeshia Garrick — Find Your Rhythm

Michael Martini — What if Hansel Consented to Being Baked Alive?

Emile Pineault + Gabriel Cholette — rock bottom

Thirst Nation: Chill, curated by Tygr Willy, featuring Madam Ode’miin Surprise, Nicole Joy Fraser, Ravyn Wngz, Rhinestone Chickadee, Savage Moon, and more, and music by DJs Yamari and Ayakew (10:30PM)

 • Sunday, February 11, 2PM

Michael Martini — What if Hansel Consented to Being Baked Alive?

Elizabeth Staples — Chez Moi

 • Wednesday, February 14, 1PM

Jaye Kovach — I don't want to see or be seen by cis people (The Workshop)

 • Thursday, February 15, 7PM

Jaye Kovach — I don't want to see or be seen by cis people (The Performance/T4T Party)

 • Friday, February 16, 7PM

S.E. Grummett — Nude Parade (work-in-progress)

Lester Trips (Theatre) — HONEY I’M HOME

Künst Kids (Kurt Cumstain, Full Blown Father, Kasper the Queer Ghost, Baby Bleu, and Ms. G.) and special guests Vridhhi Chaudhry, Jan Jennings + Evan Webb

Tanya Marquardt — Some Must Watch While Some Must Sleep - Digital Experience Day 1

 • Saturday, February 17, 7PM

Amateur Strip Night judged by Drag Things

Lester Trips (Theatre) — HONEY I’M HOME

Ranganathan Rajan — Phase Colloid (4-9PM)

Jian Yi — Magic Theatre – [scenes from the unconscious]

Tanya Marquardt — Some Must Watch While Some Must Sleep - Digital Experience Day 2

 • Sunday, February 18, 2PM

Roberto Soria — Fragrance 0

Jian Yi — Magic Theatre – [scenes from the unconscious]

Tanya Marquardt — Some Must Watch While Some Must Sleep - Digital Experience Day 3

TICKETS:

Thurs-Sat: Sliding scale, $10/$25/$40/$70

Performances at 7PM (Thurs-Sat) and 2PM (Sun)

Late Night Events 10:30PM (Sat)

Box Office buddiesinbadtimes.com or 416-975-8555

Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander Street, Toronto ON