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Picks of the Week – November 21, 2018

The Holiday Season is in full swing, as we are just a couple weeks away from Hanukkah and a month away from Christmas, there’s plenty of festive fun in this week’s picks.

Ariel: Children’s Theatre of Richmond Association presents Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr a children’s production of Disney’s musical adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s tale, November 24-25 at Massey Theatre

Enemy: The Enemy at The Firehall Arts Centre is a topical, contemporary interpretation of Henrik Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People, running until December 1, 2018

Late-night: Vancouver Art Gallery’s late-night art party returns with FUSE: Object Lessons on Friday, November 23, 8pm – midnight.

Dancers: Dancers of Damelahamid an Indigenous dance company from the Northwest Coast of BC, with a rich history of masked dance performs Thursday at Noon, part of the Discover Dance! series at Scotiabank Dance Centre

Dancer Dennis Alamanos in Chotto Desh.
Photo: Richard Haughton

Dance:  DanceHouse, with SFU Woodward’s Cultural Programs and Théâtre la Seizième, are co-presenting the Vancouver premiere of Akram Khan Company’s award-winning solo, Chotto Desh at SFU Goldcorp Centre for the Arts until November 24th

Jazz: Tyrant Studio’s Friday Jazz finds Jimi James Trip making their way to the Tyrant Studio Lounge upstairs from The Penthouse

Merry Kiss-mas
VTSL

Improv: Vancouver Theatresports presents Merry Kiss-mas – an improvised holiday comedy, parodying all the inane clichés and funny, awkward moments you’d expect to see in a holiday TV special or film at Improv Centre until Christmas Eve

Ice: Join Moana, Belle, Elsa and other Disney favourites as Disney On Ice takes to the Pacific Coliseum until November 25

ASL: Red Gate Revue stage welcomes a world premiere of Albireo: A New Musical, a unique new production by Annahis Basmadjian, featuring ASL (American Sign Language), the story of brothers Wriker and Chambers, half human, half siren, their mythological hypnotic powers only activate when singing together in harmony.

Art: It’s your last chance to visit Kimoto Gallery to view Water, by Vancouver artists David Wilson a series of paintings looking at the natural watery surroundings and rain-soaked city streets of his hometown, closing November 24.

Pi Theatre’s Hir
Photo: Emily Cooper

Gender: Pi Theatre presents the Canadian premiere of American playwright Taylor Mac’s Hir, exploring the dynamics of a family dealing with PTSD, gender politics & more, from November 22–December 8, 2018, at Vancouver Civic Theatre’s Annex.

Drama: Seven Tyrants Theatre presents John Patrick Stanley’s Pulitzer Prize winning drama Doubt : A Parable from November 23 – December 14

Laughs: Saturday nights Tyrant Studio’s Comic Strip brings stand-up comedy to the Studio Lounge Stage with Simon King, Darcy Boon Collins, Ari Matti, and Colin Sharp

Vancouver Christmas Market
Photo: Lindsay Elliott

Market:  The Vancouver Christmas Market celebrates its 9th year as it returns to Jack Poole Plaza, until December 24, 2018

Couture: The Vancouver Art Gallery presents Guo Pei: Couture Beyond is the first Canadian exhibition devoted to the work of Guo Pei, China’s preeminent couturière until January 20, 2019

Shopping: From the West End, to Dunbar, and Delta, Visit one of the many Christmas Craft Markets happening around Metro Vancouver this weekend

BBall: The Vancouver Showcase featuring 4 men’s and 8 women’s U.S. Division I college basketball teams compete until Nov. 24 at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

Festival: Aurora Winter Festival, Canada’s Largest Winter Festival, brings a a skating rink, a tube park, light displays, Christmas Market, amusement rides, food gardens, and many more activities to Concord Pacific Place November 23 – December 30

Candy: Saturday, Yaletown transforms to Candytown, Vancouver’s free Christmas festival filling Hamilton, Mainland and Davie Streets with Holiday fun.

 

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BC Sports Hall of Fame reveals 2019 Inductees

The BC Sports Hall of Fame recently revealed its 2019 Induction Class. The 2019 Induction Class features five athletes, three builder-coaches, one team, one pioneer, one media member and one W.A.C. Bennett award winner.

The 2019 Induction Class includes:

Athlete
Emily Brydon – Skiing
Roy Gerela – Football
Kelly McCallum – Rugby
Daniel Sedin – Ice Hockey
Henrik Sedin – Ice Hockey 

Builder-Coach
Darlene Currie – Basketball
Ken Holland – Ice Hockey
Tony Waiters – Soccer  

Team
1968 New Westminster Salmonbellies Lacrosse
Team Members: Bill Armstrong (general manager), Ray Bennie, Barry Bolton, Albert Brown (honorary president), Barrie Brownlie, Ian Bull, Dan DesLauriers, Steve d’Easum, Ron Flaten, Ed Goss, Wayne Goss, Ken Henry, Larry Henry, Ken Jew, Al Lewthwaite, Mickey Lynch, Gord MacNab (trainer), Ian Matheson (secretary-treasurer), Dave McDonald (president), Bill McMurchie, Doug McRory (playing manager), Ken Mikkelsen (trainer), Les Norman, Ken Oddy, Paul Parnell, Dr. Hugh Radford (team doctor), Bill Scriver, Cliff Sepka (playing coach), John Shmyr, Paul Shmyr, Wayne Shuttleworth, Dave Tory, Ken Tory, Mac Tyler, Don Wallis, Bill Wilkes, Ken Winzoski 

Pioneer
Ralph ‘Hunk’ Henderson – Basketball/Football

Media
Dan Jukich

W.A.C. Bennett Award
Ron Toigo

Tom Mayenknecht, Chair of the BC Sports Hall of Fame said: “Congratulations to this terrific class of 11 individuals and one team spanning eight sports. The Class of 2019 is another tribute to how British Columbia has become one of the most important sport hubs in Canada. These athletes, coaches, builders, pioneers and media will be certain to ‘Inspire the Future’. We look forward to teaming up with our partners to celebrate their achievements at the 53rd BC Sports Hall of Fame Induction Gala presented by Victory Square May 23, 2019.”

The 53rd Induction Class will be honoured at the 2019 Induction Gala, presented by Victory Square, Thursday, May 23rd, 2019 at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

Once inducted, these individuals and team will be officially recognized as Honoured Members and an Honoured Team of the BC Sports Hall of Fame. Since 1966, the BC Sports Hall of Fame has inducted 385 individuals and 60 teams.

Visit the BC Sports Hall of Fame online at bcsportshalloffame.com. 
or in person at BC Place Gate A 

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10 Plays For The Whole Family This Holiday Season

‘Tis the season to gather the family together and enjoy the fun of live theatre.

Align Entertainment started the season off with their, just ended run of, A Christmas Story : The Musical. This holiday season finds theatre offering something for everyone in the family, from romance, to drama, comedy to fantasy.

Check out the list of 10 plays to find something that’s sure to please you and your family or friends this season.

Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley – November 15 – December 30, 2018 Arts Club Theatre Company Granville Island Stage, 1585 Johnston Street, Vancouver
In this modern follow up to Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice, take another trip to Pemberley as romance and comedy mix with Christmas festivities.

Merry Kiss-mas

Merry Kiss-Mas – November 21 – December 24, 2018 – Improv Centre, Granville Island, 1502 Duranleau Street, Vancouver
‘VTS Channel’ presents Merry Kiss-mas – an improvised holiday comedy parodying all the inane clichés and funny, awkward moments you’d expect to see in a holiday TV special or film.

Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr – November 24 – 25, 2018 – Massey Theatre, 735 8th Ave, New Westminster
Children’s Theatre of Richmond Association presents this children’s production of Disney’s musical adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s tale.

East Van Panto – Wizard of Oz

East Van Panto: Wizard of Oz – November 28, 2018 – January 6, 2019 – The Cultch York Theatre, 639 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
East Van Panto returns for its sixth year, finding Dorothy and Toto flung to the Land of Oz in the depths of East Van

Disney’s Beauty And The Beast – December 1, 2018 – January 6, 2019 – Arts Club Theatre Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage, 2750 Granville Street, Vancouver
Disney’s tale as old as time comes to life, with a song as old as rhyme, lavish costumes, lush sets and great casting in this remount.

James & Jamesy – O Christmas Tree

O Christmas Tea – Various Locations including; December 1, 2018 -Massey Theatre, 735 8th Ave, New Westminster // December 10 – 11, 2018 – Kay Meek Arts Centre, 1700 Mathers Avenue, West Vancouver
The award winning duo, James & Jamesy bring their physical comedy to the regioni with a Christmas cuppa brimming with holiday cheer, and much more.

Little Dickens – December 4 – 22, 2018 – The Cultch Historic Theatre – 1895 Venables, Vancouver
Ronnie Burkett’s Little Dickens, finds the cast of The Daisy Theatre take on the beloved holiday classic, A Christmas Carol, in the merriest marionette mash-up ever.

It’s a Wonderful Life – December 6 – 31, 2018 Gateway Theatre, 6500 Gilbert Road, Richmond
Take a trip to Bedford Falls and watch George Bailey come back from despair to realize that it is a wonderful life.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever – December 6 – 16, 2018 – Havana Theatre, 1212 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
In this lively Christmas classic, the six Herdman kids, “the worst kids in the history of the world”, take over the annual Christmas pageant, much mayhem and fun follows in this hilarious and heartwarming story.

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Jr – December 7 – 8, 2018 – Massey Theatre, 735 8th Ave, New Westminster
Children’s Theatre of Richmond Association presents this children’s version of Disney’s beloved musical

 

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PuSh Festival Debuts Its 15th Anniversary Program

This week, the PuSh International Performing Arts Festival launched its 2019 Festival Program, at a party at John Fluevog Shoes in Gastown. The 2019 Push Festival, January 17 to February 3 will mark the milestone 15th annual festival, bringing international performing arts to venues around Vancouver. Featuring 26 works from 24 companies from 13 countries — including six world premieres — this showcase of visionary collaboration and cutting-edge arts brings a welcome highlight to the winter culture season.

Lucy McCormick’s Triple Threat
Feb 2 –
Club Push at XY
Photo: The Other Richard

 “We launched in 2003 as a three-show series that drew 2,500 people to 21 performances at three Vancouver venues,” says Roxanne Duncan, PuSh Festival’s Interim Executive Director. “The inaugural festival opened a short two years later in 2005. Now as we prepare to celebrate our 15th anniversary, PuSh has welcomed more than 300,000 people to 366 productions from 30 countries.”

 Joyce Rosario, Interim Artistic Director of the PuSh Festival, adds: “Our programming ignites important, meaningful discussions about the world around us and is a reminder that we are a part of something bigger. The 15th anniversary holds personal significance to me. Not only does it mark the final iteration guided by the vision of Norman Armour, PuSh’s co-founder and former Artistic and Executive Director, but it’s also the sixth shaped by our collaboration together as a curatorial team. This year’s festival is the result of many such partnerships, amongst the intrepid team at PuSh and with our presentation partners — some of whom have been with us since the very beginning. In 2019, we bring audiences face-to-face with a broad range of thought-provoking works that subvert the dominant narrative by changing whose perspectives are centred.”

Kids by Liu Kuan-Hsiang
Jan 24-26 at Dance Centre
Photo: Etang Chen

The six world premiere performances will be presented by contemporary dance organization Company 605; boundary-breaking dance company MACHiNENOiSY; composer and musical director Joelysa Pankanea; Dora Award-winning dub poet and actor D’BI; the performers of Kimmortal & Immigrant Lessons; and Guatemalan performance artist Naufus Ramírez-Figueroa.

In addition to the world premieres, another 11 performances will be Canadian premieres, including a suite of three sound-based works from Japan by ASUNA, Marginal Consort, and Tetsuya Umeda; Dancenorth Australia featuring music from Indonesian band Senyawa; and a piece from Taiwanese choreographer Liu Kuan-Hsiang.

X Marks the Movement – Opening Night at The Beaumont Studios
Photo: Kimmortal & Immigrant Lessons

New for the 2019 season, Club PuSh, the home of the festival’s most edgy and experimental work,  will be located in multiple spaces across the city and home to Opening and Closing Night parties.

The PuSh Film Series at Vancity Theatre, presents movies perfectly paired to the program,  and PuSh Assembly will stimulate dialogue through free talks for the public and industry networking events.

To celebrate its 15th year, PuSh Festival is offering audiences a limited time offer of $15 tickets for 15 days. The 15x15x15 offer applies to the full festival program: 26 critically acclaimed works from different artistic disciplines. The 15X15X15 promotion is on now and November 30th so get your tickets at pushfestival.ca before they’re all gone.

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Vancouver Christmas Market returns for 2018

Celebrating its 9th anniversary, the Vancouver Christmas Market returns to Jack Poole Plaza. Surrounding the Olympic Cauldron the Vancouver holiday tradition runs November 21 – December 24, 2018. This year, the yuletide celebration amplifies and expands its festive offerings with more than 80 huts stuffed with sweets, treats, trinkets and much more alongside an expanded lineup of activities and live entertainment.

“Every season, families, couples, and friends make their annual pilgrimage to feast upon festive delights, warm themselves with mulled wine, shop for unique treasures, and share the Christmas cheer,” says Malte Kluetz, Founder and President of the Vancouver Christmas Market. “This year, we are thrilled to present even more engaging holiday experiences for visitors of all ages to create lasting memories with their loved ones. Whether gathering to indulge in traditional German delicacies, shopping together for that one-of-a-kind gift, or meeting with friends to take in a wide range of special events including Children’s Wish Weeks with an exclusive visit and on-site activity with Vancouver Canucks defenseman Erik Gudbranson, Deluxe Date Night, Kids Day, Club Christmas Thursdays, or Carousel Fridays, we look forward to welcoming new and returning guests to celebrate this joyous time of year!” 

As always, the market vendors offer a great shopping experience, and the traditional German-style food and drink, especially Glühwein to keep you warm on a winter’s night. The bigger and bolder Christmas Market will offer visitors an abundance of new local vendors, as well as new attractions and events. Some of the highlights include the new Winterdeck located beside the Alpine Lounge, featuring a charming entrance arch, a giant lit up picture frame, and stunning views of the North Shore. Couples will want to stroll down Lovers’ Lane – an Instagram-worthy 30-foot long tunnel adorned with 10,000 twinkling lights and mistletoe. A Love Lock Installation will be placed near the tunnel to which lovers can attach a ‘Vancouver Christmas Market Love Lock’, serving as a touching symbol of love and partnership over the holiday season. Families will enjoy a multitude of holiday activities including the market’s new Kinder Kraft Igloo, featuring a market-wide Christmas scavenger hunt for children, plus free arts and crafts.

 The Vancouver Christmas Market will also offer expanded holiday activities for 2018 visitors of all ages.

Photo: Lindsay Elliott

New events and highlights at the 9th annual Vancouver Christmas Market include:

Children’s Wish Weeks : November 23 to December 7
The Vancouver Christmas Market is honoured to work with and support its charitable partner the Children’s Wish Foundation.

Free Carousel Fridays : November 23 & 30 + December 7
Enjoy carousel rides on the Christmas Carousel offered by donation to Children’s Wish.

Shopping Day : November 25
Get your Christmas shopping done early at the Vancouver Christmas Market! This special day will feature one-day-only deals at gift vendors throughout the market.

Foodie Tuesdays : November 27 & December 4
A chance to try more for less featuring bites and beverages from select vendors that are $4 and under.

Club Christmas : November 29, December 6,  13 & 20
Every Thursday, join us for some after-work drinks, and enjoy our new, later market hours as you bust-a-move with Vancouver’s coolest DJs at the Christmas Pyramid or belt out a tune at karaoke in the Alpine Lounge.

Kids Day : December 1
Join Holly & Jolly, the Market’s Gingerbread mascots, for a day of family fun! Youth (13 and under) will be able to enter the market and enjoy rides on the Christmas Carousel by providing a donation to Children’s Wish Foundation.

Deluxe Date Night : December 5
Romance is always in the air at the Vancouver Christmas Market, but we’re hanging a little extra mistletoe for this special night of love! Enjoy 2-for-1 Entry at the gate as well as ‘deals for duos’ including 2-for-1 carousel rides, pretzels, ciders, and other paired discounts at select vendors.

Canucks Defenseman Erik Gudbranson Visits the Market : December 7
In support of Children’s Wish Weeks, Canucks defenseman Erik Gudbranson will visit the Market to help make a child’s wish come true. Visitors who make a donation to Children’s Wish Foundation will have the chance to go head-to-head with Erik as they try to score against him.

Tickets for Vancouver Christmas Market are on sale now:
Adult $12, Seniors $11, Youth Age 7-12 $5, Children Age 0-6, FREE.

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Picks of the Week – November 14, 2018

Midway through November, we find the Holiday season picking up pace to bring lots of entertainment and activities to the picks of the week

Ceasefire: Honouring Remembrance Day, The Cultch honours the 100th Anniversary of the Armistice with the continuing Ceasefire Series as the last of three plays exploring the causes, effects, and traumas of war from different lenses wrap up.

Mac: Spend the Evening with Fleetwood Mac as the legendary band visits Rogers Arena tonight, November 14

From left: Owen Scott (Ralphie), Brennan Cuff (The Old Man), and Stef Stanley (Mother).
photo: Robert Sondergaard

Red Rider: Get in the Spirit of the Season as Align Entertainment brings the holiday classic A Christmas Story: The Musical to the Michael J. Fox Theatre stage in Burnaby, closing November 17, 2018

Enemy: The Enemy at The Firehall Arts Centre is a topical, contemporary interpretation of Henrik Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People, running until December 1, 2018

Son: Gateway Theatre remounts, the autobiographical one-man show, Empire of the Son, a son’s tale of an emotionally distant father, closing November 17, 2018

Jazz: Tyrant Studio’s Friday Jazz brings Stephanie Davis with the sounds of Broadway to the Tyrant Studio Lounge upstairs from The Penthouse

Sweat: The Arts Club Theatre Company continues to Sweat at the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage, until November 18th.

Austen: The Arts Club Holiday Season shows get underway with a festive follow up to Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice, Miss Bennet: Christmas At Pemberley runs November 15 – December 30.

Sense: Exit 22 Production’s 2018-19 season gets underway at Blueshore Financial Centre for Performing Arts at Capilano U, with an adaptation of Jane Austen’s Sense & Sensibility the story of sisters Marianne, free-spirited and romantic, and Elinor, sensible and reserved who find themselves thrown into an unkind world when their father dies, running November 15 – 24.

Pucks: The Vancouver Canucks play host to Montreal Canadiens at Rogers Arena on November 17th

Crawl: From November 15 to 18, 2018 the 22nd Annual Eastside Culture Crawl brings art lovers from all around Metro Vancouver to East Vancouver, for four days of open studio visits.

Supertramp: The famed Roger Hodgson brings his catalogue of classic rock sounds to the River Rock Show Theatre on November 17th and at Hard Rock Casino Vancouver on November 18th,

Laughs: Saturday nights Tyrant Studio’s Comic Strip brings stand-up comedy to the Studio Lounge Stage from Levi McCachen, with Ola Dada and Gavin Clarkson

Couture: The Vancouver Art Gallery presents Guo Pei: Couture Beyond is the first Canadian exhibition devoted to the work of Guo Pei, China’s preeminent couturière until January 20, 2019

Art: Visit Kimoto Gallery November 2 – 24, for a new series of paintings, Water, by Vancouver artists David Wilson looking at the natural watery surroundings and rain-soaked city streets of his hometown.  

BBall: College Basketball comes to town as the Vancouver Showcase features 4 men’s and 8 women’s U.S. Division I college basketball teams competing on Nov. 18-24 at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

Pop: Sunday night, Scottish singer/songwriter KT Tunstall returns to town supporting her new album WAX at the Imperial Vancouver on Main Street.

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13 Holiday Markets & Christmas Craft Fairs for 2018 Gifts

Did you visit the Circle Craft Fair this weekend? Perhaps it got you in the spirit to find handmade Christmas gifts this year. Skip the malls, and find something unique and handmade at one of the many fun and festive Christmas Craft Markets around Metro Vancouver. 

Here’s a baker’s dozen Christmas Craft Markets to get you in the festive spirit.

Christmas at Hycroft : November 15th – 18th – Three floors of the Edwardian Hycroft Manor are filled with the spirit of the season as Christmas at Hycroft plays host to decor, artisans, family fun, entertainment and Santa. Admission $15

Crafty Affaire: November 17 (Ocean Park Community Hall, South Surrey), November 24 (Harris Barn, Delta), December 1 (Croatian Cultural Centre) The Holiday Markets from Craft Affaire spreads three different markets around Metro Vancouver to share their artisan’s wares to the communities. Admission by donation

Vancouver Christmas Market : November 21st – December 24th – A Vancouver tradition, the German-style Holiday Market brings 80+ huts filled with vendors of authentic German sweets, treats, trinkets and more to its waterfront location at Jack Poole Plaza for the 2018 season. Admission $10

West End Holiday Craft Fair: November 24th – 25th – West End Community Centre hosts 55 carefully curated artisans and vendors selling only handcrafted gifts.  Admission: Free

Dunbar Holiday Craft Fair : November 24th, the 36th anniversary edition of Dunbar Holiday Craft Fair, finds 140 hand-selected artists and vendors at Dunbar Community Centre with crafts, edible gifts, and entertainment, everything you  need for your holiday shopping. Admission $5 at door / $4 presale online

Portobello West Handmade for the Holidays Market : November 30 – December 2nd – Portobello’s annual market moves to Roundhouse Community Centre in Yaletown for an expanded three day market with live music, photos with Santa, food trucks and vendors for all your local shopping needs. Admission $5

Toque: November 30 – December 2nd – The Western Front Annual Community Fundraiser and Craft Sale has curated designers and artists for your holiday shopping as you support for the Wester Front’s year-round arts & music programs. Admission by donation

Kensington Community Holiday Craft Fair : December 1st, the 11th annual fills Kensington Community Centre with 60+ vendors selling toys, art, clothing, jewelry, home decor, children’s and baby handmade items from 10am – 4pm. Admission: Free

Strathcona Winter Fair : December 1st – The Annual Strathcona Winter Fair  brings 50+ neighbourhood artists and non-profit vendors to Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhood at the Strathcona Community Centre at 601 Keefer – Admission $2 / Kids under 12, Free

Vancouver Foodster Holiday Market : December 5th – the 2nd Annual Holiday Market curated by Vancouver Foodster is an evening of tasting and shopping with multiple vendors at a selection of location around Vancouver. Admission: $50, early bird tickets $35 including food & beverage tastings at each location

Got Craft? Holiday Market : December 8th – 9th – returning to the Maritime Labour Centre, Got Craft? is the place for DIYers, crafters and handmade enthusiasts to come together. Admission $5 at the door / $3 online in advance

Shiny Fuzzy Muddy : December 8th – 9th – Heritage Hall on Main Street welcomes The Arts Collective’s annual Holiday Show and its crafters, vendors, artists and collaborators. Admission $4

Make It! The Handmade Revolution Holiday Show: Five Days of Finds, December 12th – 16th at PNE Forum, join the handmade revolution with over 215 makers, crafters, artisans and more. Admission $8 / Kids under 12, Free

Get crafty, get shopping and have fun! Happy Holidays!