Tag Archives: The York

The Cultch Presents The Essentials April 16-18, 2021

25 Mar

The Cultch and Soft Cedar bring The Essentials to the stage for three online performances incorporating live and pre-recorded elements, for a unique concert experience, April 16-18, 2021.

For three days only, live from The Cultch’s York Theatre, renowned Vancouver musician, Khari Wendell McClelland is joined on stage virtually by local and international musicians, scholars, and poets in a multidisciplinary performance exploring the question: What is essential and needed in these times? With the help of award-winning poets as well as acclaimed scholars, Khari and the musicians joining him each night, probe the pressing questions facing us today as we encounter unprecedented societal, environmental, and public health challenges.

While the full allotment of poets and scholars will be a part of each performance, along with sound bath artist Faye Mallet, other musical guests will be different each night. Friday, April 16 sees Wendell McClelland joined by the gospel trio The Sojourners, Kwakiutl Hereditary Chief Henry Seaweed, the St. James Music Academy, as well as the folk duo, Twin Bandit. Saturday, April 17 brings another night of incredible performance with JUNO award-winning oud/guitarist, Gordon Grdina, as well as Soul/R&B heavy hitter, Tanika Charles. Sunday, April 18 will be Inuit style throat singing duo, PIQSIQ, and Vancouver’s favourite high energy dance band, Queer As Funk. 

If you wish to check out this unforgettable performance that aims to bring people together in this time of isolation, visit The Cultch for tickets.


What’s On East Van: November 22nd Edition

22 Nov

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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.

Britannia Christmas Craft Fair – Britannia Community Centre – November 22 – 24

The 34th Annual Christmas Craft Fair happens this weekend with over 50 local artisans and makers with handmade items for gift giving this holiday season.  Enjoy live music while shopping. The craft fair runs Friday 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Admission is $2. Stop by and get a jump on your Christmas shopping. To learn more, visit Britannia Christmas Craft Fair on Facebook.

Aurora Winter Festival – Hastings Park/PNE – November 22

The Aurora Winter Festival kicks off this Friday at Hastings Park/PNE with an array of indoor and outdoor activities, Christmas Market, games, rides.  This is an all ages event. For tickets, visit Ticketleader.

Fado: The Saddest Music in The World – Firehall Arts Centre – November 22

A play featuring Fado music with origins going back to the early 1800s in Lisbon, Portugal.  This music is a distinct part and proud part of Portuguese culture. If you haven’t experienced it, we invite you to check out this production at the Firehall Arts Centre kicking on this weekend. For tickets, visit Firehall Arts Centre.

Eastside Flea – 550 Malkin Avenue – November 23 + 24

If vintage and collectables is your thing, Eastside Flea will have that in spades this weekend along handmade items and food trukcs from11:00 am to 5:00 pm. Oh and dogs are welcome to come wander with you, on a leash of course.

Christmas On The Drive – November 24

The Commercial Drive Business Improvement Association along with other sponsors will again be hosting Christmas On The Drive this Sunday between 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm.  This includes horse carriage rides, pictures with Santa from 3:00 to 4:30 pm, treats and hot beverages, dueling pianos and more. The starting point is The Drive Mortgage Store at 1250 Commercial Drive.  The finishing point is the tree lighting in Grandview Park at 5:00 pm.

East Van Panto: Pinocchio – The York – On Now Until January 5, 2020

Our favourite holiday tradition just kicked off this week.  Take in this fun and entertaining show that is fun for all ages. Just remember if you are in the front row, you might become part of the production. This year’s panto is Pinocchio and touches on some unique aspects in East Van, such as the mysterious Beckwoman and the coffee wars on The Drive for starters. Tickets for the East Van Panto Pinocchio start at $26 for children 16 and under. Family packs are available for $145. To get your tickets, visit The Cultch.  Note, the show will be performed at the York Theatre.

 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 support our local growers and makers? Stop by one of the Winter Farmer Markets happening on either Saturday or Sunday.  Saturday we have  Riley Park Farmers Market at 30th & Ontario from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm and Sunday, it’s Hastings Park Winters Farmers Market also from 10:00 am to 2:00 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

East Van Panto: Pinocchio – November 20, 2019 to January 5, 2020

18 Nov

PinocchioEastVanPantoWe are admittedly huge fans of the East Van Panto. This has become a fun holiday tradition for us. Honestly, we can’t imagine Christmas without it.  This year The East Van Panto celebrates its 7th season with the presentation of Pinocchio. This year’s production welcomes back the creative team behind last year’s Wizard of Oz.  In this year’s storyline, a lonely old ice-cream seller named Gelato is given a puppet by the mysterious Beckwoman of Commercial Drive (have you met her? She is very mysterious, but we digress).  Gelato dreams of having a child and all of sudden his wish comes true. He goes around trying to tell everyone, which means a famous cricket, an angry orca and a dastardly fox, but does anyone believe him?  The Drive can be a scary place, a cappuccino war might break out anytime between the Abruzzos and the Calabrias (no really, it might).  We learn that kids are ditching class to go to The Hastings Racecourse, but why?  Well Pinocchio is advised not to worry, but instead to follow his noise and all will be fine, or will it? Grab your ticket(s) to find out.  Tickets for the East Van Panto Pinocchio start at $26 for children 16 and under. Family packs are available for $145. To get your tickets, visit The Cultch.  Note, the show will be performed at the York Theatre.

What people are saying about the East Van Panto, in case you haven’t heard the rave reviews. It is a night to get out have a little fun and laugh at what makes East Van unique.

Theatre Replacement’s East Van Panto has become a Vancouver tradition, to the point where it’s hard to imagine the holidays without it.” 
Vancouver Musicals

Every year [East Van Panto] gets bigger and funnier”
Vancouver Presents

The East Van Panto is now officially the best holiday tradition in Vancouver”
Colin Thomas

Transform: A Cabaret Festival On Now Until October 12th

7 Oct

TransformDid 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

East Van Panto – Snow White & The Seven Dwarves At The York Theatre

30 Oct

SnowWhiteEastVanPantoWe were going to wait until after Halloween to tell you about this upcoming holiday tradition, but we just can’t wait. The East Van Panto is a favourite event we look forward to every year and this show never ceases to disappoint. Celebrating its 5th year, the East Van Panto is back with an outrageous take on Snow White. In this East Van tale, our hero flees the Queen of North Vancouver across the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge and lands straight into the madness of the PNE, where she dances with SuperDogs, hops a ride on the Wooden Roller Coaster, and befriends washed-up ‘80s rock stars “The Seven Dwarves”. Pure Panto hilarity ensues as they do everything they can to escape the Queen’s wicked clutches.

It is really hard to believe that we are doing the East Van Panto for a fifth year!”, says The Cultch’s Executive Director, Heather Redfern. “So many people tell me that it’s a holiday tradition for their family and friends, and that just warms my heart because the Panto is all about celebrating local artists, local places, and local families. This year, we are presenting Snow White & the Seven Dwarves – who just happen to have landed at the PNE! I mean what could be more fun to sing and dance about than that?! The East Van Panto is for everybody and it’s made here especially for us.”

There is amazing cast of talent behind this production.  The East Van Panto is open to all ages 5 and up. Tickets start at $22, family packs are available which include 4 tickets for $135.  Note, all seats for ages 18 and under are $22.  Tickets are available at The Cultch either in person, by phone or online. The shows previews November 29th and November 30th and continues until January 6, 2018. For those looking for a matinee, there are many 2:00 pm shows. For more information on tickets, visit The Cultch. See you there!

Photo Credit: Tim Matheson

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