The International Institute for Critical Studies in Improvisation (IICSI) at the University of Guelph is thrilled to announce the fourth annual edition of their 24-hour festival of improvised arts: IF 2023.

From Oct. 21 to 22, this free festival will feature improvised performances in Guelph’s newest state-of-the-art performance space, ImprovLab, as well as arts events and installations in other venues across the University of Guelph campus and online through an all-night digital livestream.

Curated by IICSI director Ajay Heble, founder and former artistic director of the Guelph Jazz Festival and 2023 Killam Prize winner, IF 2023 will feature a spectacular range of creators showcasing original, spontaneous works (full lineup announcement forthcoming).

Centred on the theme Restless Imagination: Improvising the New Normal, IF 2023 will showcase legendary and emerging improvisational performers mixing skill, vulnerability, and daring to make meaning out of this moment.

IF 2023 will dovetail with two other events at the University of Guelph: an exhibition showcasing and celebrating 15 years of research findings (installed in Massey Hall at the University of Guelph and open to the public Oct. 16 to 22) and the Sound Meaning Education academic conference, Conversations and improvisations (Oct. 20­ to 22, registration is open).

For IF 2023 updates, including the forthcoming lineup announcement, follow IICSI’s social media accounts, subscribe to the Institute’s newsletter, and visit the Festival website at improvfest.ca.
Attendees will be able to secure their free tickets online once the festival lineup is announced.

IF 2023 is presented by IICSI, with support from Musagetes, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, the Art Gallery of Guelph, CFRU 93.3FM, the College of Arts at the University of Guelph, and Lost Aviator Coffee.