For anyone that has grown up with immigrant parents, you will likely find something relatable when the Portuguese Kids come to town Saturday, October 22nd with Faz O Relax! The Portuguese Kids are an ethnic based comedy group from Massachusetts, USA. For nearly two decades, they have been highlighting the funnier side of growing up as first generation kids of immigrant parents. The show is a mix of sketch comedy and improv comedy. They say it’s like SNL meets Who’s Line is it, Anyway? but with an ethnic twist. The show is performed in English 90% of the time. Joining them on stage will be Luso-Canadian standup comedian Mike Rita and from California, comedian Taylor Amarante. The show is for one night only, Saturday, October 22nd at the York Theatre. Tickets are $35.25 and $45.25 and available online at The Cultch.
Bad Parent Premieres At The Cultch October 13-23
20 SepThe Cultch and vAct (Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre) present Bad Parent, a brand new play from renowned award-winning playwright, Ins Choi. Bad Parent will have its Vancouver premiere at The Cultch Historic Theatre, October 13-23, 2022. It was originally scheduled to run in the spring of 2022, but had to be postponed due to COVID.
The production features Norah and Charles who are trying to navigate their lives as parents of a toddler, but are figuring out who they are in relation to their son, to each other, and to the audience. Bad Parent, is a billed as a hilarious new feel-good comedy from Ins Choi, the creator of the hit CBC sitcom and play Kim’s Convenience, is an honest, no-holds-barred portrait of young parents struggling to find their way through the messy reality of parenthood.
Like all the best fiction, Bad Parent was born of true experience. “There was a turbulent time, early in our marriage, when my wife and I argued a lot. I began writing long unfiltered rants in an attempt to clarify how I was feeling and why,” says playwright Ins Choi. “Many years later, I came across those rants and felt sorry for that couple back then trying to make ends meet, meet each other’s needs and the needs of a newborn.”
Renowned award-winning Vancouver theatre company vAct has gained a reputation in the city for premiering groundbreaking works by some of the biggest names in Canadian theatre. They are one of the only theatre companies in the country to focus on Asian Canadian creators, and they have been responsible for creating and producing some of the most exciting theatre on Canadian stages. Bad Parent, the latest of their Mainstage productions, written by one of Canada’s most famous contemporary playwrights continues the legacy of telling great stories from incredible Asian Canadian talent. “Stories disarm by inviting us into the lives of others wholly different from ourselves only to help us realize how similar we all are,” says Choi. “Through stories, we’re entertained as a group and comforted to know we’re not alone both in our struggles and what we find funny.”
Bad Parent takes the stage in the Historic Theatre at The Cultch from October 13 to 23, 2022. Tickets start at $29 and are available online at The Cultch.
Photo: Emily Cooper
Skate With Olympian Ice Skater Patrick Chan
9 Sep
If you, or anyone you know, has ever dreamed of skating with an Olympian skater, mark your calendar, your opportunity to do just that is here. You are invited to come skate with Canada’s most decorated Olympian skater Patrick Chan. He will be be lacing up for two public skates on Saturday, September 17th at Hillcrest Rink or Saturday, October 8th at Trout Lake Rink. The events will also include a small circuit area with instructor for training as well as an off ice meet and greet. The fee for this event is the regular fee for a public skate. For more information, visit Vancouver.ca
Improv Against Humanity At Cafe Deux Soleils September 30th
6 SepImprov Against Humanity is back! The improv group The Fictionals will be taking the stage at Café Deux Soleils on Friday, September 30th to showcase their unique and well honed improvisational talent. Along with lots of laughs and a fun night, there will be some epic prizes to be won including the Most Horrible Person in Vancouver. Will you be crowned? You are invited to come check out all the great local talent. Tickets are $10 at the door – cash only. Show gets under way at 9:00 pm.
Photos: The Fictionals
7th Annual McSpadden County Fair September 11
1 SepAlthough summer is winding down, there are still lots of great events to take in around East Van. The McSpadden Country Fair being one of them. This community event now in its 7th year features fun activities for the whole family including live music, games, local vendors, food trucks and the ever popular East Van zucchini races. Last year they had 150 entries, so if you have an idea on how to make a fast zucchini, now’s your chance! If you cycle, Kickstand will be on hand doing bike tunes up by donation. As with any country fair, there will be raffles, contests and prizes. The 7th Annual McSpadden County Fair takes place, as you might guess, in McSpadden Park which is located at 2125 Victoria Drive between 11:00 and 5:00 pm. To learn more about the event, you can visit them on online at www.mcspaddenfair.ca or on Facebook.
The 24th Vancouver Improv Festival Returns To The Cultch September 13-18
30 AugThe 24th Vancouver Improv Festival returns to The Cultch September 13-18, 2022. Vancouver Improv Fest is one of North America’s longest running improv festivals, and celebrate spontaneity and collaboration through the art form of improvisation. This year’s festival features acts from Halifax, London (UK), Portland, Toronto and beyond. You are invited to check out one of the many performances lined, or attend a workshop which is open to improvisors of all skill levels. To see a full listing of shows and workshops, visit Vancouver Improv Fest. Tickets for the performances are $25 and available online at Vancouver Improv Fest.
Hot Honey Brown – The Remix At The York Theatre September 23 to October 8
29 AugThe Cultch presents Hot Brown Honey—The Remix, the latest embodiment of the hit show Hot Brown Honey. Produced by Quiet Riot, in partnership with Kim “Busty Beatz” Bowers and Lisa Fa’alafi, Hot Brown Honey—The Remix plays the York Theatre, September 23 to October 8, 2022.
Steeped in the ‘Word of The Mother’ and packing a punch of Hip Hop politics, Hot Brown Honey is a world-renowned, award-winning production that spins tradition on its head, going above and beyond to challenge boundaries and embrace resilience. Equal parts theatrical masterpiece and social activism, a stellar posse of phenomenal World First Nations women smash stereotypes—through song, dance, beatboxing, striptease, comedy and spoken word—in an unapologetic celebration of our similarities and differences.
Hot Brown Honey played to sold-out houses at the York Theatre in 2018 and 2019. Cultch Executive Director, Heather Redfern enthusiastically expressed that the reason it is coming back for the third time is that, “it is that sensational of a show, and people have been asking to see it again…AND it’s the remix!”
Hot Brown Honey—The Remix brings back some familiar faces as well as a whole group of artists new to the York Stage. “We are bringing back everything you love from the original show but we are upping the anti with extra sweet treats!!” say The Honeys. “Including super talented new cast members, a whole lot of HBH original music mixed with a sprinkle of stupidity from our bros, the Hot Brown Homies, are just some of the surprises we have in store for you all.” Tickets starts from $49 and are on sale now at The Cultch.
What people are saying about Hot Honey Brown:
“It’s phenomenal – sexy, foot-stomping fun and radical consciousness-raising all at the same time.”
The Scotsman
“Hot Brown Honey is a loud, proud evening of consciousness raising; a series of lessons on race and gender that says you can have your revolution and dance to it, too” — Vancouver Sun
“…an all-female cabaret-style show from Australia that takes on gender, sexism, colonialism and race with a raucous glee..” The Guardian
1st Annual Riverside Street Vibe Festival August 27
22 AugWesgroup Properties presents the 1st Annual Riverside Street Vibe Festival happening Saturday August 27th in River District. The event will feature live music, food trucks, local artisans and a beer garden. This inaugural event takes place between Boundary Road and Rivergrass Drive on East Kent Avenue North. For those driving, there is ample free shaded parking in the industrial area on Boundary Road a short walk away. To learn more about what vendors and food trucks will be on hand, visit Riverside Street Vibe.
Yeast Van Patio Party Brewery District August 27
18 AugLove a nice refreshing beverage on a hot summer day? Then you may wish to head over to the Yeast Van Patio Party happening on Saturday, August 27th at Container Brewing, 1216 Franklin Street from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm. 17 + breweries are participating in the event as well as distilleries and meaderies. There’s a long list of local businesses offering refreshments including Andina Brewing, Luppolo Brewing, East Van Brewing, Callister Brewing, Odd Society Spirits, Strange Fellows, Storm Brewing, Parallel 49 Brewing, Off The Rail Brewing, Powell Brewing and many more. The Yeast Van Patio Party will have food trucks on hand as well as a live DJ with some tunes. It’s a great way to spend a summer day. Tickets are $25 each and include 2 12 oz drinks. To grab your ticket, visit, Eventbrite.












