If you have not experienced Fado music, you are missing out. What is Fado? Wikipedia describes it as “a form of music characterized by mournful tunes and lyrics, often about the sea or the life of the poor, and infused with a sentiment of resignation, fatefulness and melancholia.” We can tell you it is passionate, emotional and relatable. This month and next you have the chance to experience it firsthand. Elaine Ávila, an acclaimed Portuguese-Canadian playwright, brings her play new FADO to the stage at the Firehall Arts Centre. The production “is a tale of love and ghosts set in the back alleys and brothels of old Lisbon. Part concert, part theatre, the story of a young woman confronting her country’s Fascist past and her own identity is interwoven with the heartbreaking national music of Portugal known as Fado, which means “fate.” For tickets to this beautiful production, visit Firehall Arts Centre. For a taste of Fado music, we invite you check out Amalia Rodrigues singing Abandono.
Fado: The Saddest Music In The World At The Firehall Arts Centre November 21 to December 14, 2019
6 Nov
The Father Comes To The Cultch November 20 – 30, 2019
4 Nov
Christopher Hampton translates French playwright, Florian Zeller’s, award winning play The Father. Christopher brings this highly acclaimed production to the stage at The Cultch November 20 to 30, 2019. The play is one that has taken Paris, London and New York by storm and accumulated many awards along the way. It is a deeply moving production about Andre a man in mental decline. He can’t remember where he put his watch or why there are strangers in house and asks why people keep moving his furniture. His daughter Anne tries to keep up with all the answers to Andre’s questions. This November will be the first time this work makes its way to Vancouver. An important production that many with aging parents will be able to relate to. Tickets for The Father are now available online and are $40 for adults, but note student and artist tickets are available at $25. To purchase in advance, visit The Cultch.
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Sara Bynoe’s Teen Angst Night Turns 19 At The Fox Cabaret November 22nd
30 Oct
What is Teen Angst Night you might ask? Well it’s where brave souls of all ages get up on stage and share (ie. read aloud to an audience) embarrassing stories from teenage notebooks, letters, diaries and journals. And really who does not have funny and/or embarrassing stories from that time in life when hormones and emotions are at an all time high? Do you have a great embarrassing story to share? If so, it could be YOU on stage for 19th anniversary celebration happening November 22nd at the Fox Cabaret, 2321 Main Street. And IF you are interested in participating, here are the requirements:
1- The work must be your own.
2- You must have written it between the ages of 10-19; and
3- You cannot be proud of the work you share. It’s best if you’re super embarrassed.
Ready to sign up? If yes, visit Sign Up. For putting yourself out there, you will get a free drink plus a ticket for a guest to accompany you.
If you prefer to come and listen to stories, best grab yourself an advance ticket which is a very reasonable $12 or you can snag a ticket at the door for $15. Local comedian and actress, Sara Bynoe, who created Teen Angst Night will be hosting the evening’s anniversary celebration.
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World Premiere of Kuroko Comes To The Cultch November 6 to 17, 2019
23 Oct
The acclaimed creator behind Empire of the Son and 1 Hour Photo, Tetsuro Shigematsu, brings Kuroko to the stage at The Cultch November 6 to 17, 2019. The production features Maya who is a hikikomori, an extreme recluse. She has spent the last 6 years in her bedroom exploring virtual reality. One day she meets a mysterious player online who challenges her to the ultimate quest: saving her own father’s life. How? By visiting the scariest place IRL (In Real Life), Suicide Forest. For tickets, visit The Cultch.
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Story Story Lie: Tales Of Terror At The Rio Theatre October 23
15 Oct
Story Story Lie is back at The Rio Theatre on Wednesday, October 23rd with Tales of Terror. They will be kicking off their 4th season with unreal stories that are likely to give you goosebumps just in time for Halloween. If you aren’t familiar with the premise of Story Story Lie, it’s simple. A group of Vancouver’s best storytellers, comedians, and performers share unique stories that seem too tall to be true. The catch? Only ONE of the SIX stories is a lie. During the show audience members get to question the contestants in an attempt to reveal the liar. The first audience member to guess who the liar is, wins respect, admiration and an amazing prize! The line up of storytellers include:
Graeme Duffy (Theatresports)
Emma Cooper (Rape is Real & Everywhere)
Ed Hill
Alix Born
Masa Kateb
Kevin Kokoska
Host: Jo Dworschak
For those that have never been, the show WILL certainly contain strong language, somewhat mature and immature subject matter. Tickets are $12 in advance or $14 at the door. To purchase your advance tickets, visit Rio Theatre. Doors open at 6:30 pm. Show gets under way at 7:00 pm.
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What’s On East Van: October 11th Edition
11 Oct
Our weekly feature What’s On East Van sets out some cool events for the upcoming weekend. Beyond the weekend, we invite you to check out our Event Listing which is updated daily and features events for the month and beyond.
Advance Voting Days – October 11, 12, 13 & 14
Advance voting starts today October 11th and continues on October 12, 13 and 14 from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. You should have received your Voter Information Card by mail if you are a registered voter. If you are unsure of who is running in your riding, or where to vote, visit Elections Canada. You only need your postal code. Vote folks! It’s not a perfect system, but it’s what we got. Vote! Federal Election Day is Monday, October 21st.
Linda Ronstadt The Sound Of My Voice – Rio Theatre – October 12 & 14
Linda Ronstadt for those that don’t know her music was a rock queen in the 70s and 80s. She was a pioneer in a male-dominated industry and an early advocate for human rights. You are invited to view a film that follows the trajectory of her career and a few stops on the way. The movie Sound of My Voice is playing this Saturday at Noon and Monday, at 2:00 pm. For more info, visit the Rio Theatre.
Fright Nights – Playland – This Weekend
Fright Nights is on now almost nightly until October 31st at Playland. If you love being scared out of your wits, this if for you.
What We’re Up Against By Theresa Rebeck – Havana Theatre – October 11 & 12
What We’re Up Against is back at Havana Theatre this Friday and Saturday. The production features local comedian Sara Bynoe alongside Natalie Moon, Seth Ranaweera, Aaron McCallum, and Kalvin Olafson. The show invites you into a highly competitive architecture firm. There is a battle of the sexes that emerges in this dark comedy about a woman who tries to break the glass ceiling. Show happens Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $25 and available through Showpass.com.
Pop Up Shop With Melt Confectionary at les amis du fromage – October 12
Local artisanal small batch chocolate maker, Melt Confectionary, will be doing a pop up at les amis du fromage’s East Van location, 843 E. Hasting St. this Saturday from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Stop by and say hello and pick up some melt in your mouth chocolate.
The Wood Market – Salvage Vancouver – October 12 & 13
Salvage Vancouver, 1278 East Hastings Street, hosts The Wood Market this weekend. Stop by between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm to see a selection of salvage wood for any projects you might have in mind, but also doors and goods ready made from, of course, salvaged wood. Dog, kid and family friendly.
Harvestland – PNE Grounds – October 10 – 20, 2019
You are invited to Canada’s largest festival where you get to experience a ride on a tractor, play in the hay with animals, check out a pumpkin patch, explore a woodland labyrinth (think wooden maze) along with a Bavarian Village and all to all that, there will be rides. Admission for adults is $15.74, seniors and children (3 to 12) is $10.49. Family passes are available for $47.24 (2 adults and 2 kids). For tickets, visit Ticketleader.ca.
Sukkot Festival – Trout Lake Community Centre – October 13th
You are invited to celebrate the Jewish Harvest Festival of Sukkot this Sunday at Trout Lake Community Centre. Build and decorate Sukkah, make crafts and listen to a Sukkot story while sipping apple cider. Events happens 2:30 to 4:00 pm and is free, but registration is requested.
Mystical Animals – Trout Lake Community Centre – October 14th
It’s a statutory holiday this Monday for Thanksgiving. If you have young ones with extra energy, Trout Lake Community Centre is hosting an indoor event Mystical Animals with arts and crafts, bouncy castle and a special guest Merlin the Magician along with his pet dragon Smog. Events happens from 10:00 am to Noon. This is a free event. Pre-registration is requested.
Comedy, Music & Entertainment & More
Do you love cartoons? Miss those Saturday morning cartoons you used to watch as a kid. Do you know Storm Crow Tavern offers cartoons Saturday morning from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm whilst you enjoy breakfast/brunch?
Also 7 days a week, you will find live music at the Libra Room on The Drive. Tangent Café hosts live jazz Sunday nights from 6:00 to 8:30 pm. Saturday, Pat’s Pub has live jazz Saturday afternoons from 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm, no cover.
Looking to shop and support local? Be sure to check out one of the farmer markets happening this weekend. Saturday is Riley Park Farmers Market at 30th & Ontario from 10 am – 2 pm and Trout Lake Farmers Market from 9 am – 2 pm at John Hendry Park. Sunday, Mount Pleasant Farmers Market is back in Dude Chilling Park from 10:00 am – 2 pm. To see more of What’s On in East Vancouver, check our Event Listing. We also have a separate listing of Free Events for those on a budget and in Vancouver, who isn’t.
Image Credit: June Hunter
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Best Of The Fringe REPLAY Hits Havana Theatre This October
8 Oct
Did you miss the Fringe Festival this year? There were some great shows on offer. You’re in luck though as Staircase Theatre is bringing you the best of the fringe with REPLAY: A Bunch of Great Plays – Again! OK so not a very original name, but you get the jist. Havana Theatre, 1212 Commercial Drive, plays to host to a variety of productions between October 15th and 19th and October 22nd to 26th. Shows featured in REPLAY include:
Didn’t Hurt
(written and performed by East Van local Rodney Decroo)
Where the Quiet Queers Are
Legoland
The Morning After with Pam & Paula, How I Killed My Nan
(a storytelling standup performed by Dion Arnold)
No Tweed Too Tight: Another Grant Canyon Mystery
(written and performed by Ryan Gladstone)
Tickets range from $18.25 to $21.50 and are available through Showpass. Showtime 7:00 pm and 8:30 pm Tuesday to Friday and 2:00 on Saturday. To learn more, visit their Facebook Events page.
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Transform: A Cabaret Festival On Now Until October 12th
7 Oct
Did someone say cabaret? Co-curated by Heather Redfern and Corey Payette, Transform: A Cabaret Festival is a daring new concept aimed at bringing radical and lasting change to live performance in Vancouver. While you may think of cabaret as frivolous entertainment, historically, cabaret festivals have emerged during periods of change and uncertainty as a platform for political discourse and deep conversation.
Running for the first two weeks of October, Transform pushes the boundaries of the type of theatre we’re accustomed to. The Cultch has always strived to be a platform for previously unheard voices and stories, but this show takes it a step further. Showcasing more than a dozen diverse artists throughout two hours — including song, dance, comedy, drag, circus and more — the goal is to further our collective efforts towards reconciliation and the important conversations we need to continue to have in our community.
If you’re looking for a night to unwind and be swept up in something larger than yourself, you don’t want to miss this. While you sit in the intimate space of the York Theatre, you’re taken on a journey where you find yourself laughing one minute and crying the next. The hosts seamlessly take you from pointed political comedy bits, to moving and thought provoking song and poetry, to outright riotous musical numbers.
Don’t miss the chance to be a mover and shaker who makes change happen at Transform: A Cabaret Festival, on now until October 12th. Tickets available at The Cultch.
By Contributing Writer: Nicole Alivojvodic
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Take d Milk, Nah? At The Cultch October 16 – 26, 2019
2 Oct
Take d Milk, Nah? comes to The Cultch from October 16 to 26th, 2019. The production is presented with Diwali BC and is written and performed by Jivesh Parasram. Jiv is “Canadian” and “Indian” and “Hindu” and “West Indiana” and “Trinidadian” too. In Take d Milk, Nah?, Parasram blends personal storytelling and ritual then walks his audience through the Hin-do’s and Hin-don’ts at the intersections of these cultures. The show is a candid and funny look at race, religion, and nationalism(s). Jiv dives into what divides us and what things we’re willing to accept in the desire to belong. Oh, and there’s a cow, but of course. Tickets are $39 and available at The Cultch. Note 7 shows are already sold out. If you are interested in checking out this production, best get your tickets.
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June Hunter Fall Studio Sale September 28 & 29, 2019
23 Sep
East Van artist, June Hunter, is hosting a Fall Studio Sale Saturday, September 28th and Sunday, September 29th. If you follow us regularly, you know we are big fans of her work. Vancouver’s urban nature features prominently in June’s work as do some iconic East Van landmarks. If you wish to know more about the crows and other birdlife that inhabit the green space in our neck of the woods, you may wish to check out some of her blog posts. June also captures some truly amazing photos of the visitors that come to her idyllic backyard. During her Studio Sales, June transforms her working space to showcase all her creative works which include cushion covers, jewellery, small prints, large scale wall art, totes, wall decals and more. She has lots of beautiful new designs this Fall which will help you bring a touch of nature indoors. Her rescue dog Geordie is usually on hand as ambassador to greet you. June Hunter’s Studio is located at 2785 Parker Street (one block west of Renfrew – between Hastings St. and First Avenue). The Studio Sale runs from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on both Saturday and Sunday.
If you are not able to attend this weekend’s Studio Sale, we invite you check out her online shop which is open 24/7. You can also find some of June’s pieces at Doctor Vigari Gallery, 1816 Commercial Drive and Bird on A Wire Creations, 2535 Main Street.
ILiveInEastVan.com 