Robert Kuang

Documentary filmmaker & Cloudstreet Media founder Rheanna Toy joins Side by Side. We talk early influences, balancing business + creativity, and staying with the unknown. Her debut short won Audience Choice, and her first feature made history at VQFF.

Full Episode: tinyurl.com/2v7stjax

Theatre review: Everything Has Disappeared explores what we owe to the Filipino diaspora — Stir In The Cultch, PuSh Fest, and Live Biennale copresentation, technicolour visuals complemented Hazel Venzon’s larger-than-life energy in a ride that spoke directly to today’s global economy

Thanks to a well-conceived production and Venzon’s tour-de-force effort, Everything Has Disappeared was an artistic and collective achievement at this year's @pushfestival.bsky.social.

My review for @createastir.ca: www.createastir.ca/articles/eve...

It was a pleasure speaking with drag artist Wet Mess ahead of their sold-out Canadian premiere of TESTO at @pushfestival.bsky.social.

My latest for @createastir.ca:

Nina Davies’s dance-focused show Image Syncers explores blurry boundaries between reality and simulation — Stir After years in the U.K., the Vancouver-born artist returns home with a deeply speculative work at Western Front

www.createastir.ca/articles/nin...

It was a great opening night!

What makes a love story universal, and who decides?

On Side by Side, we talk about Heated Rivalry, situationships, queer representation, and why audiences often get there first.

Full Episode: sidebysidepodcast.podbean.com/e/the-rise-o...

At grunt gallery, Jenie Gao transforms paper, wood, and familial lore into reimagined keepsakes — Stir In Where Mountain Cats Live exhibit, Kansas-raised printmaker and installation artist illuminates Taiwanese-Chinese American experience through everything from a “lazy Susan” to jade pendant prints

It was a pleasure attending artist Jenie Gao's opening of their exhibition, Where Mountain Cats Live, at grunt gallery.

Check out my preview for @createastir.ca, alongside some of Jenie's brilliant words about the exhibition, available until January 17.

www.createastir.ca/articles/gru...

Let's talk about sex Photo Courtesy of Kelsey Savage & John Woods, Real Talk On paper, Alison Klein is a serious academic with a master’s in interdisciplinary studies focused on adult education and disability. Meet her a...

“Step zero is the general population believing that folks with intellectual disabilities have a sexuality at all,” explains Real Talk project developer Kelsey Savage. Writer @robertkuanghome.bsky.social tells us about a group advocating for disability-inclusive sex ed:

this.org/2025/11/24/l...

Children’s TV writer Margaret Hoffman joins Side by Side to trace her path to creating for Sesame Workshop, Netflix, and more. We explore her journey, puppetry work, and her insights for creatives navigating transitions and uncertainty.

Here's a sneak peek. Full Episode: tinyurl.com/54ffpaf4

Today on Side by Side: Mordy Levine, co-author of The Beginner’s Guide to Karma with Lama Lhanang Rinpoche. We explore how karma shapes daily life, ways to create positive karma, and Buddhist insights on peace and purpose.

Full episode: tinyurl.com/yc6yu7sk

Today’s Side by Side guest is Léa Taranto, a disabled Chinese Jewish Canadian writer and author of A Drop in the Ocean. We discuss her path from diaries to autofiction, challenge mental health tropes, and preview her upcoming projects.

Hear more in the full episode: tinyurl.com/4c7fs54u

Music review: VSO launches 107th season with long-awaited Alexander Malofeev debut — Stir Program mixed monumental moments with the rising star pianist’s gift for light, crystal-clear intonation

It was a pleasure attending Vancouver Symphony Orchestra's 107th season opener.

My latest for @createastir.ca:

www.createastir.ca/articles/ale...

Ahead of VSO Beethoven program, Anne-Marie McDermott reflects on freedom won through discipline — Stir Star pianist looks back on ambitions and accomplishments as a performer, artistic director, and mentor, and sees a new career chapter opening

It was a pleasure connecting with master pianist Anne-Marie McDermott ahead of her Beethoven Concerto performances with Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.

My latest for @createastir.ca:

www.createastir.ca/articles/ann...

Archie Barry channels testimony and trans history in Western Front exhibition — Stir In their exhibition Try Keeping an Open Channel, the Melbourne-based artist explores selfhood, mortality, and the monumental significance of the everyday

It was a pleasure seeing and writing about interdisciplinary visual artist Archie Barry's first solo exhibition in Canada, now on exhibit at Western Front.

My latest at @createastir.ca:

Film reviews: Vancouver Queer Film Festival tells fearless stories full of empathy, humour, and music — Stir Through intensely personal perspectives and sharp detail, audacious new features and short films throw light on culture-spanning issues

I had the pleasure of previewing Starwalker, Pride & Prayer, Jeez Louise, Sorry for Your Cost, and The Palace for the Vancouver Queer Film Festival.

My latest for @createastir.ca:

www.createastir.ca/articles/van...

In this Side by Side episode, returning guest and pop culture commentator Tara Edwards joins to unpack Sinners and K-Pop Demon Hunters, exploring demons, music, spirituality, and their cultural impact.

Full episode: tinyurl.com/5f6382aw

Nebula Performances Society brings Carmen up close and personal — Stir Group’s first full-scale opera production aims to provide a new, intimate platform for established and emerging artists

It was a pleasure connecting with stage and opera director David Walsh to discuss Nebula Performances' first full-scale opera production, "La Tragédie de Carmen."

My latest for @createastir.ca:

www.createastir.ca/articles/dav...

Today’s returning Side by Side guest is Paul Silva, aka the Creative Alchemist: A coach, guide, and artist who helps multi-passionate creatives move from stuck to in-motion. We explore change, sobriety, and the evolving creative journey.

Full episode: tinyurl.com/58c6vyva

Today’s "Side by Side" guest is the late multidisciplinary artist Diana Oh, known for blending theatre, art, and ritual in works like My Lingerie Play and The Infinite Love Party. This 2016 conversation explores artistry and sustaining creativity.

Full episode: tinyurl.com/2h79jvzz

Queer Arts Festival opens Portals for emerging artists and contrasting journeys — Stir With its complex searches for identity, the celebratory exhibition at Centre A reflects the unifying theme of QAF’s latest edition

It was a pleasure connecting with it Mark Takeshi McGregor (artistic director of the Queer Arts Festival) and Diane Hau Yu Wong (artistic director of Centre A) about the upcoming QAF visual exhibition, Portals.

My latest for @createastir.ca:

www.createastir.ca/articles/que...

Rick Maddocks’s Blue Horse Opera brings a spaghetti western song cycle to the Pi Theatre stage — Stir Inspired by Spanish desert and old Italian soundtracks, the writer and composer calls on a creative group of friends to help realize his multidisciplinary vision

It was a pleasure connecting with Rich Maddocks ahead of the live debut of his spaghetti western song cycle, "Blue Horse Opera," presented by Pi Theatre.

My latest for @createastir.ca:

www.createastir.ca/articles/blu...

Healing Isn’t Linear with Life Coach, Musician, & Writer Robert Kuang - The emPOWERed Half Hour What if healing isn't about fixing what’s broken, but honoring what’s true?In this deeply reflective episode of The EmPOWERed Half Hour, Becca sits down with life coach, writer, and musician Robert Ku...

I recently joined best-selling author Becca Powers for a powerful conversation on her podcast, where we explore the messy, magical, nonlinear process of healing, and how music, writing, and coaching can help us navigate it.

www.buzzsprout.com/2112753/epis...

Toby Thompson's poetry takes jazz-infused solo at the Vancouver International Children’s Festival — Stir In renowned one-man show I Wish I Was a Mountain , the award-winning British poet leans on rhythm of deep musical influences

It was a pleasure connecting with @tobythompson.bsky.social ahead of his Vancouver premiere of "I Wish I Were a Mountain" as part of this year's Vancouver International Children's Festival.

My latest for @createastir.ca:

www.createastir.ca/articles/tob...

Today’s "Side by Side" guest is writer and editor Tara Edwards. We dive inside the medical drama “The Pitt” and analyze storytelling elements that make the show one of the television breakout hits of 2025.

Here’s a sneak peek of our “Side by Side” conversation. Full episode: tinyurl.com/2s42mbtd

Comedy review: Love You Wrong Time takes down stereotypes with laughter and song — Stir Multitalented team of Deanna H. Choi and Maddie Bautista turns a satirical spotlight on the destructive ideal of the perfect Asian woman

It was a pleasure seeing "Love You Wrong Time," conceived and performed by Deanna H. Choi and Maddie Bautista, and one of five shows joining The Cultch's inaugural Warrior Festival.

My latest review for @createastir.ca:

www.createastir.ca/articles/lov...

On this "Side by Side" episode, meet Aisha Josiah: award-winning playwright, screenwriter, and editor of Fringebiscuit. We explore her multicultural roots, postcolonial themes, and the art of dramaturgy in this conversation.

Full episode: tinyurl.com/yz33fz5b

Every Day She Rose confronts echoes of 2016 in Vancouver premiere at The Cultch — Stir Codirectors Cameron Mackenzie and Diane Roberts unpack the story of two friends struggling with political differences after the Black Lives Matter protest at a Toronto Pride Parade

It was a pleasure connecting with Cameron Mackenzie and Diane Roberts, co-directors of the upcoming Vancouver premiere of "Every Day She Rose." The production is presented by The Cultch and produced by Zee Zee Theatre.

My latest for @createastir.ca:

www.createastir.ca/articles/eve...

Diverse experiences and shifting pressures of Syrian refugee crisis converge on The Frontliners — Stir Enriched by a team of cultural consultants, Zahida Rahemtulla’s new play offers new insight on an urgent chapter of recent Canadian history

It was a pleasure connecting with playwright Zahida Rahemtulla and members of the cultural consulting team for her upcoming show, The Frontliners, presented by @blackouttheatreco.bsky.social.

My latest for @createastir.ca:

www.createastir.ca/articles/rah...

It was a pleasure catching up with @elenaarmijo.bsky.social on her podcast "The Collective Corner."

Check out the episode below:

061: Building a Life That Honors Both Structure and Soul url:https://www.elenaarmijopodcast.com/061-building-a-life-that-honors-both-structure-and-soul/

With Erick Lichte leading the charge, Chor Leoni celebrates 10 years of The Big Roar — Stir The choir’s long-time artistic director hopes the upcoming concert will open new ears to choral music’s powers to heal and create community

It was a pleasure connecting with Erick Lichte, artistic director of Chor Leoni, about their upcoming choral festival The Big Roar. My latest for @createastir.ca:

www.createastir.ca/articles/cho...