The Kay Meek Arts Centre in West Vancouver is celebrating 20 years with its newly announced 2024/25 Anniversary Season. Since opening its doors 20 years ago the Centre has welcomed artists from across the Lower Mainland and beyond, presenting live music, theatre and dance, as well as film, visual arts, school performances and community events.
“Our 20th anniversary season is all about people. From the amazing gift made by Kay Meek herself, to our donors, sponsors and volunteers, and the many local and international artists who have performed in our space over the years. And, of course, to our audience and community. We can’t wait to share our 2024/25 Season with all of you.” Melissa Duchak, Kay Meek Executive Director
The coming season of events planned for the celebrations include the party of the year – a 20th Anniversary Gala. November 23rd, 2024 the two-part event begins with dinner and entertainment by Jens Lindemann and Ian Parker, followed by a high-energy performance by the new Canadian supergroup, the Trans-Canada Highwaymen.
Highlights of the 2024/25 Season include:
September 28th, 2024, the Resonate Series kicks off with 19-year-old pianist and Canadian superstar in the making, Kevin Chen. Kevin was the first prize winner at the Franz Liszt Competition (Budapest) and the Concours de Genève and we are excited to be presenting him on the Grosvenor stage this fall.
November 30th & December 1st, 2024 the Cabaret Series welcomes internationally acclaimed singer Lamiae Naki and her ensemble Seffarine, from the ancient city of Fes, Morocco. Their music has been described by Bass Player Magazine as, “A gorgeous intersection of Spanish flamenco, Arabic and Andalusian music, Persian classical and jazz.”
December 4th to 8th, 2024 Juliet: A Revenge Comedy by Pippa Mackie and Ryan Gladstone, is one of the Play Series entries. The acclaimed play asks the question, “What if Juliet decided not to die”. Juliet breaks out of her endless tragic loop and recruits a team of Shakespeare’s most famous female characters to find out why they’ve all been forced to die.
February 25th, 2025, the Speaker Series welcomes classic film scholar, Michael van den Bos for an exploration into the work of the multi-talented musical theatre superstar, Gene Kelly: Hollywood’s Dance Auteur
April 25th, 2025 the Amplify Series features international jazz sensation, Stella Cole, whose rich vocal tone and extraordinary control transcends generations of music from traditional jazz standards to mainstream pop with covers of Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Judy Garland and Billie Eilish.
April 26th, 2025, in one of the season’s Special Presentations, Dancers of Damelahamid bring the multimedia dance production, Spirit and Tradition to the Grosvenor Theatre. Through the sharing of Indigenous knowledge and artistic practices of interconnectedness and community, this performance layers coastal masked dances with projected imagery, soundscape, and LED puppetry. Be immersed in the rich and diverse ecosystem of the Northwest Coast.
May 24th, 2025, the Vancouver Academy of Music Orchestra wraps up its series and the season with a performance featuring Jonathan Crow performing Mendelssohn’s iconic Violin Concerto, followed by a journey through the solar system with Gustav Holst’s The Planets.
These are just a taste of the diverse and creative offerings filling the 20th Anniversary Season at The Kay Meek Arts Centre, 1700 Mathers Avenue, West Vancouver. For full details and ticket information of the season’s complete line up of 37 different concerts and events visit kaymeek.com