Vancouver's Off Key Improv Comes to NYMIF, Now thru 10/19

Vancouver musical improv group Off Key Improv will be heading to the Big Apple this October to take the stage at the New York Musical Improv Festival, which runs from today, October 16-19, 2014.

Founded in 2012, Off Key is a group on the rise, having steadily gained a loyal following attracted by its unique blend of music, improvisation and comedy. Following a successful run at Vancouver's 2014 rEvolver Theatre Festival, Off Key continues to build momentum with an upcoming appearance at the Vancouver International Improv Festival on October 7th, and will also be headlining Pacific Theatre's "Sideshow" series beginning on October 21st and continuing into 2015.

Performing in New York City, however, takes this local group's success to another level entirely. Now in its sixth year, the New York Musical Improv Festival brings together acts from across the United States and around the world. The festival describes the popularity of musical improv as "exploding", with the art form having become a staple at New York's major comedy theatres. The festival itself takes place at the Magnet Theatre, a comedy theatre and training centre which boasts no fewer than seven musical improv house teams.

Jennifer Pielak, co-founder and artistic director of Off Key, looks forward to the opportunities for artistic development that the festival will create. "Musical improv remains relatively unknown in Vancouver," says Jennifer. "The New York festival presents a tremendous opportunity for us to collaborate with other musical improvisers and exchange ideas. We are always looking for ways to develop our craft, and we can't wait to incorporate what we learn into our upcoming Vancouver shows."

To help fund their New York appearance, Off Key has launched an Indiegogo campaign with the aim of raising $5,000 by October 15 to put towards trip expenses. Contributors have available their choice of various perks of a wide range of prices, including souvenirs from New York City, musical improv workshops run by Off Key, as well as private performances suitable for holiday or corporate events.

"The campaign response so far has been terrific," says Jennifer. "We want to give back as much as we can to our campaign supporters. We think that the workshops and other perks accomplish that, and we're hoping that we can sustain our campaign momentum right up until the start of the festival."

With Off Key on the edge of big things coming, New Yorkers and Vancouverites alike should look forward to some excellent entertainment from these local rising stars.

For more about Off Key, visit www.offkeyimprov.com. To visit their Indiegogo Campaign page, click here.

DATES:

VANCOUVER

VIIF - Oct. 7th, 9:30pm, Performance Works on Granville Island | $12 | www.vancouverimprovfest.com
Pacific Theatre - Oct. 21, Dec. 7 (matinee), Jan. 20, Mar. 10, May 5, 7:30pm | $26.25 | www.pacifictheatre.org

NEW YORK

NYMIF - Oct. 17th, 8:30pm, Magnet Theatre, NYC | $15 | www.nymif.com