You are invited to an evening of original stories on July 12th at the Cottage Bistro, 4470 Main Street. The event is hosted by Vancouver Story Slam which is organized by Susan Cormier and hosted by Bryant Ross. Ten storytellers will take the stage and share their original stories with you. Those participating in July include Alexis Sugden, Bailey Bjolin, James, Jim Murray, Kyla del Rosario, Lozan Yamolky, Mary Parlange, Ryan Uytdewilligen, Shlomo McPeake and Susan Levang. The evening opens with a tale by guest performer J.P. Lorence. The event is $5 and that also gets you a ballot giving you the opportunity to vote on your favourite story. There are cash prizes awarded to the winners. Those winners are in turn invited to participate at their annual storytelling championship finals. The event on July 12th gets underway at 8:00 pm. If you wish to learn more about this event or participate in an upcoming event, email them directly at Vancouverstoryslam@yahoo.com. This is a monthly event and if you can’t make this one, future dates are posted on their Facebook page.
Surreal Theatre: An Interactive Roaming Theatre June 28 to September 30th
22 Jun
Something very cool is happening just across the East van line. It’s called Surreal Theatre which is an interactive roaming theatre which takes place in the backstreets and alleys of Gastown. Audience members follow the story and characters wherever they go as well as engaging with them to help progress the story. How fun is that? Unlike conventional stage theatre, Surreal Theatre brings the audience face-to-face with the story and characters. The story itself goes a little like this “Tom and Charlie haven’t spoken in years. But a chance meeting in Gastown thrusts them back into each other’s lives. Their own perspectives on life have changed. But they still understand one another better than they know themselves, forcing them to confront choices they couldn’t have on their own. Tom must decide whether he should pursue the career opportunity he’s been working towards his whole life. Charlie’s reflections ultimately lead her to rediscover her true passions in life.” This dramatic comedy is based on the real life experiences of playwrights Nick and Darby Steeves, which offers a glimpse into the lives of 20 somethings living in present day Vancouver. The show runs every Tuesday and Friday from June 28th to September 30th at 8:00 pm. Tickets are $25 and available online at Surreal Theatre or by calling 604-809-7516.
Photo Credit: George Lawson Photography
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A Storytelling Cabaret At The Imperial Theatre June 23rd
20 Jun
There is a very interesting event happening this week at The Imperial Theatre. It is a Storytelling Cabaret. If you are in your 20s, this one’s for you. You are being asked if “You ever got lost in Europe? Failed college Theatre History? Finally learnt Hotel California on the guitar? (No, but I did actually rewrite the words to the song as a kid. No I don’t know why). Or just have one of “those summers”?” You are invited for an evening of storytelling and music with young people from and currently in foster care to celebrate all that is right and wrong with being in your twenties. This event is part of the Write the Future campaign, which is a Fostering Change initiative that includes community leaders, youth and members of the public to come together in support of youth aging out of foster care. As part of the Write the Future campaign, the Fostering Change initiative invites community leaders, youth, and members of the public to come together in support of youth aging out of foster care. The long list of talent lined up for this week’s event includes:
CHARLES DEMERS
ANGELA STERRITT
IVAN COYOTE
GARY JONES
RIEL HAHN
MO DHALIWAL
SARA BYNOE
JANEY LEW
VERDANN EVANS
MADELAINE MACCALLUM
PEREGINE FALLS
TONYE AGANABA
DJ NIÑA MENDOZA
The event takes place at the Imperial Theatre, 319 Main Street. Tickets are $15 in advance and available online at Fostering Change.ca. Show gets under way at 7:00 pm.
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A Short Play Festival About Love Takes Place At Havana Theatre June 14-18
6 Jun
The Tomo Suru Players brings you 8 short plays that will be performed every night between June 14th and 18th at the Havana Theatre. And yes, it’s all about love! And YOU the audience will get to vote on ‘Best Play’, ‘Notable Performances’ and ‘Notable Directions’. These 8 plays have been hand picked from 198 plays that were submitted from six countries between January and March of this year. A panel of 16 readers read each and every play that made the short list that you see below.
Anniversary by Ronit Rubinstein – Directed by Nick Heffelfinger
A young couple celebrates their first wedding anniversary and can’t keep their hands off each other. An older couple celebrates thirty years together, and can’t keep their bickering off each other. Four lovers, major differences, but they have something in common.
Is This Seat Taken by Brad Sytsma – Directed by Ariel Martz-Oberlander
Two people with a long history meet for what is supposed to be the last time. Perhaps this is a chance to finally lay aside their egos and their past. Where is the line between putting in the necessary effort, and forcing something to work that doesn’t? It looks like it runs right down the middle of this park bench.
Morning by Jesse Nepivoda – Directed by Johnny Wu
Lovers caught in the midst of a struggle between staying or leaving. Man wants Woman to stay with him. Woman wants to stay but can’t. Woman has a life. A whole life of her very own and none of it is here. Man could go with her but will he?
Northern Lights by Jordan Henry – Directed by Georgia Johnson
A close encounter with death shines light on irreconcilable differences between two newlyweds-to-be.
Small Talk by David MacGregor – Directed by Shelby Bushell
In great moments it may be that success is in the small points. Sometimes we need help finding the greatness among the small.
Square Footage by Jessica Moss – Directed by John Dickinson
Space is fleeting, space is finite and, ultimately, space is what you need to love a person. Watch Maggie and Nate contend with the space for everything that needs space in Square Footage.
Standing Room Only by C.J. Ehrlich – Directed by Michael Q. Adams
What happens on a crowded ferry with a woman who is so distraught about love that she won’t give up a spare seat? Add a stranger and you have a funny, touching story that explores the human side of people’s lives.
Tell Me What You See by Richard Manley – Directed by Allie Pev
What do you make of the stranger beside you? What do you make of them when they surprise you? What do you make of yourself?
We think these short plays will provide for some interesting entertainment. Tickets are available online from Brown Paper Tickets and are on a sliding scale. You are asked to choose the price that fits your budget. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday tickets are available at $10, $15, $20, $25, $30. Friday and Saturday tickets are available from $15, $20, $25, $30.
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Foto Friday – Featuring The Art Of L.J. Throstle
27 May
In today’s Foto Friday, we would like to introduce you to the artwork of L.J. Throstle. L.J. hails from the UK, but has made East Van home for many years. You can see that L.J. has a very unique style developed from pen and ink drawings and is mixed with acrylics with an emphasis on the many layers of light and contrast. More recently, her work is in mixed media using single use stencils and acrylic spray paint. Her subjects vary from people to animals to whatever inspires her. L.J. also lives with epilepsy which is often disruptive and debilitating. Therefore, her work is in spurts and works when she is well enough to do so. We think L.J.’s art is very unique and would like to share some of her pieces with you on this week’s Foto Friday. If you would like to check out more of L.J.’s work, we invite you to check out her website at L.J. Throstle. You will see some of her works are available for purchase. Personally, we are quite in love the Great Grey Owl (pictured above). Stunning piece, I envision it hanging on the wall of a new brewery. Just saying!
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Documentary ‘Slow Food Story’ At The Rio Theatre June 6th With Wine Tasting
24 May
June is Italian Heritage Month and that means in true Italian form, you can expect a colourful celebration of this heritage from food to art to film and everything in between. All things Italian will be showcased on June 12th at Italian Day on Commercial Drive. There is a great event happening the week before as part of Italian Heritage Month. On June 6th, The Rio Theatre will be presenting Stefano Sardo’s acclaimed documentary Slow Food Story which is based on the best-selling book and, of course, the cultural movement of the same name that then followed. The Slow Food movement has now grown roots in more than 150 countries and includes cheese-makers, vintners and artisanal food makers. On June 6th prior to the movie, there will be a VIP Wine Tasting from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. You can purchase tickets for this portion and the film for $30 in advance or $35 at the door. If you wish to see the film only, you can purchase tickets in advance for $13 or $15 at the door. To purchase your advance tickets, visit Rio Theatre online.
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Take A Bow At The Cultch May 6 & 7 Celebrating Life & Music of David Bowie
4 May
It has truly been a year for losing music legends, so we were pleased to see this event coming to The Cultch this weekend. Avant Dance Co. presents Take A Bow which celebrates the life and music of David Bowie. David Robert Jones known by most as David Bowie was an English, singer, songwriter and record producer and like Prince, he danced to his own beat. David Bowie was a true innovator and had a career spanning five decades before he passed on January 10th of this year. This weekend, the Avant Dance Co. will explore the different faces of Bowie’s music through a variety of dance styles which will include ballet, hip hop and contemporary. This presentation is for two nights only Friday, May 6th and Saturday, May 7th at 8:00 pm at The Cultch. Adult tickets are $25, student/senior $20 and children 12 and under $15. Tickets are available online or by calling the box office.
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The Intergalactic Nemesis: Target Earth At The York Theatre April 30 & May 1
12 Apr
Calling all comic book fans and those that miss the days of radio shows from days gone by. There is a new show in town that is being billed as a new art form, it’s a Live Action Graphic Novel. The Intergalactic Nemesis: Target Earth is coming to The York Theatre for just 3 shows. When this show first premiered some 2,100 people came out to see it. Soon thereafter it was featured on NPR and Conan O’Brien. The show is now in its third season and has played in more than 80 locations in the US, Canada and the UK. The sci-fi story is set in 1930s and mashes up comic book and radio play formats into a unique theatre experience. There are 3 actors in the show that create voices for dozens of characters along with sound effects. You will also see 1,250 individual full colour high resolution comic book panels that tells you a story. This is an all ages show that runs April 30th at 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm and again on May 1st at 2:00 pm at the York Theatre. Tickets are available online and include tickets for $25 for any seat in the house for those 18 years of age and under. Family packs are also available for 4 premium tickets for $130. Seats are going quickly, so if you wish to attend, we suggest you be quick on the draw.
What people are saying about this show:
“Something you simply must experience if you are a fan of awesome.” collider.com
“Great fun! [A] happily retro multimedia extravaganza!” – The New York Post
“The coolest theatrical experience Earth has ever seen.” — Calgary Herald
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Dirty Old Woman At The Cultch April 12-24
7 Apr
An older woman dating a younger man wasn’t quite as common as it’s now becoming, but women are still getting quite a bit of heat for doing something men have been doing for years. So we are very interested to see how an upcoming show at The Cultch tackles this issue. Dirty Old Woman which begins at The Cultch on April 12th had a sold out run at the Vancouver Fringe. It features Nina, a 50-something-year old divorcee, who decides to venture back into the world of dating. She meets Gerry, a young man 20 years her junior, and woola the sparks fly in more ways than one. What happens next include judgments, double standards and we hear a lot of laughs as Nina tries to navigate the murky seas of dating a younger man. The show runs April 12 to 24 at The Cultch. Tickets are available online from $20. Post talkback shows are April 17th and 19th and we expect this conversation could be just as interesting as the show itself.
“Dirty Old Woman is a wickedly fearless must-see”
The Georgia Straight
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2nd Annual Parker Art Salon & Fine Art Exhibition
6 Apr
Did you miss the Eastside Culture Crawl? Well you are in luck, as the 2nd Annual Parker Art Salon & Fine Art Exhibition happens April 22 – 24, 2016. The beautiful and historic 1000 Parker Street Studios, which is home to many artist studios, will open their doors to the public for this 3 day event. 57 artist studios will open their doors and transform the 2nd and 3rd floors which will feature painting, sculpture and installation pieces and much more. This is a great opportunity not only to see some of the amazing creative talent that we have in our fair City, but to meet and chat with the artists. This is a free event and open to everyone. There is lots of free parking available in the area. The event kicks off with an Opening Reception Friday, April 22nd from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Workshops and live painting will be on display Saturday and Sunday from Noon to 4:00 pm. If you wish to check out which artists will be participating, we invite you to check out the ‘Artists’ rundown on their site.
Of course, if you are in this area to check out some art, we can recommend many great spots close by for a drink, bite or beer. There is of course coffee on Commercial Drive with a great array of choices including Moja’s Coffee as well as Uprising Breads on Venables Street. For something sweet there is ice cream at La Casa Gelato with a long list of flavours and only a hop skip and jump down the street. For brunch beforehand, Havana Restaurant on The Drive comes to mind as does Café Deux Soleils. These are only a couple of many great spots to choose from in the area. There are also lots of great craft breweries close by Strange Fellow Brewing being one of the closest, but there is also Parallel 49 Brewing, Bomber Brewing and at the foot of Victoria Drive, Odd Society Spirits for a cocktail. If you want a bite and beer, think Biercraft, Stateside Craft and St. Augustine’s. Other great food choices include Mezcal for Mexican, Cabrito’s for tapas, Falconetti’s for sausages, Cannibal Café for burgers, JamJar for Lebanese, pizza at Via Tevere on Victoria, but heads up best to be there for their 5:00 pm opening and get in line. Other good pizza choices include Lombardo’s, Marcello’s and Famoso Pizzeria. I mean if in the area, might as well take in all it has to offer right?!
ILiveInEastVan.com 