Rethink Asia - Dialogue through Comedy
TAIWANfest presents its very first live comedy event “Rethink Asia: Dialogue through Comedy”. Comedy, in its various forms, has always been an honest reflection of the world around us. Inspired by stories of immigration and celebrations of the Canadian cultural mosaic, join us for an evening of laughter as we step into a new world.
“Rethink Asia: Dialogue through Comedy” is making its premiere with hilarious performances by award-winning Taiwanese Canadian stand-up comedian, Ed Hill, and Vancouver’s best all-Asian improv group, Fistful of Kicks. Hosted by seasoned Chinese Irish Canadian improviser Aidan Parker, “Rethink Asia: Dialogue through Comedy” is a transcendent event that bridges all people through the commonality of laughter, and ultimately, serves as a reminder that life is most precious during moments of levity.
About The Artist / Ed Hill
Originally from Taiwan, Ed is an award-winning comic who moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, thinking he was on vacation at his father’s discretion.
Since then, Ed has performed all over the world. He was voted “Best Vancouver Comedian of 2016” by Vancouver Courier Magazine, and “Best Vancouver Comedian of 2015” by Vancouver Courier Magazine and The Georgia Straight, and named “Comic to Watch” in 2018 by Reader’s Digest Magazine and in 2015 by Canadian Immigrant Magazine.
In 2021, Ed became the first comedian of Taiwanese Canadian descent to release a full one hour comedy special titled “Candy & Smiley” with Comedy Dynamics. The special was named “Top 10 Comedy Specials of 2021” by Paste Magazine. The special is currently streaming on Amazon Prime and Apple TV.
About The Artist / Aidan Parker
Aidan Parker is a Vancouver-based writer, improvisor, and actor. He holds a BFA from the School of Creative Writing at the University of British Columbia. He’s performed across the continent with the Canadian Improv Games, UBC improv, Instant Theatre, Tightrope Improv Theatre, and the Asian Canadian improv troupe Fistful of Kicks. Parker was the co-founder and director of Instant Theatre’s diversity initiative Colour Commentary, which aims to bring more representation to improv classrooms and stages. He teaches improv to students aged 6-70 for institutions including the East End Boys Club Network, the Vancouver School Board, Improvcamp, Tightrope Impro Theatre, and The Arts Club Theatre Company. He is also the Co-Host of the podcast Model Mythology with comedy partner Ed Hill, which highlights the diversity among Asian voices.
About The Artists / Fistful of Kicks
Fistful of Kicks features Vancouver’s funniest Asian-Canadian improvisers creating an original East Asian-inspired legend on the spot from a single audience suggestion. This show weaves together spectacular storytelling skills, an amazingly talented cast, and most importantly, wild stage combat action to create a show truly unlike any other. Their current form explores the fantastical world of legends from Ancient China/Japan, full of magic and wonder and fuelled by our shared cultural upbringing. Fistful of Kicks is one half comedy, one half epic storytelling, one half kick-assery, for three halves of an amazing show that you won’t want to miss.
Community Partner
TAIWANfest presents its very first live comedy event “Rethink Asia: Dialogue through Comedy”. Comedy, in its various forms, has always been an honest reflection of the world around us. Inspired by stories of immigration and celebrations of the Canadian cultural mosaic, join us for an evening of laughter as we step into a new world.
“Rethink Asia: Dialogue through Comedy” is making its premiere with hilarious performances by award-winning Taiwanese Canadian stand-up comedian, Ed Hill, and Vancouver’s best all-Asian improv group, Fistful of Kicks. Hosted by seasoned Chinese Irish Canadian improviser Aidan Parker, “Rethink Asia: Dialogue through Comedy” is a transcendent event that bridges all people through the commonality of laughter, and ultimately, serves as a reminder that life is most precious during moments of levity.
Ed Hill
Comedian
Originally from Taiwan, Ed is an award-winning comic who moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, thinking he was on vacation at his father’s discretion.
Since then, Ed has performed all over the world. He was voted “Best Vancouver Comedian of 2016” by Vancouver Courier Magazine, and “Best Vancouver Comedian of 2015” by Vancouver Courier Magazine and The Georgia Straight, and named “Comic to Watch” in 2018 by Reader’s Digest Magazine and in 2015 by Canadian Immigrant Magazine.
In 2021, Ed became the first comedian of Taiwanese Canadian descent to release a full one hour comedy special titled “Candy & Smiley” with Comedy Dynamics. The special was named “Top 10 Comedy Specials of 2021” by Paste Magazine. The special is currently streaming on Amazon Prime and Apple TV.
Aidan Parker / Fistful of Kicks
Writer, improvisor, and actor
Aidan Parker is a Vancouver-based writer, improvisor, and actor. He holds a BFA from the School of Creative Writing at the University of British Columbia. He’s performed across the continent with the Canadian Improv Games, UBC improv, Instant Theatre, Tightrope Improv Theatre, and the Asian Canadian improv troupe Fistful of Kicks. Parker was the co-founder and director of Instant Theatre’s diversity initiative Colour Commentary, which aims to bring more representation to improv classrooms and stages. He teaches improv to students aged 6-70 for institutions including the East End Boys Club Network, the Vancouver School Board, Improvcamp, Tightrope Impro Theatre, and The Arts Club Theatre Company. He is also the Co-Host of the podcast Model Mythology with comedy partner Ed Hill, which highlights the diversity among Asian voices.
Fistful of Kicks
Improv Group
Fistful of Kicks features Vancouver’s funniest Asian-Canadian improvisers creating an original East Asian-inspired legend on the spot from a single audience suggestion. This show weaves together spectacular storytelling skills, an amazingly talented cast, and most importantly, wild stage combat action to create a show truly unlike any other. Their current form explores the fantastical world of legends from Ancient China/Japan, full of magic and wonder and fuelled by our shared cultural upbringing. Fistful of Kicks is one half comedy, one half epic storytelling, one half kick-assery, for three halves of an amazing show that you won’t want to miss.
Community Partners
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