After 3 years of being postponed the Briefs Factory is finally bringing their larger than life show Dirty Laundry to the York Theatre June 9 – 25, 2023. Dirty Laundry is a new show from the world-renowned Australian cabaret collective Briefs Factory. You can expect a mix of circus, drag, dance, burlesque, music and comedy. Led by Briefs Factory director and co-founder Fez Faanana, the show is performed by a collective of talented performers from many disciplines. This is a sexy ensemble that is perfect for a night out for men and women alike. The Cultch’s Executive Director Heather Redfern says “Dirty Laundry is a show that will really heat up everyone’s summer!” To grab your tickets for this sizzling show, visit The Cultch.
What others around the world are saying about their shows:
★★★★★ “The perfect blend of flesh, acrobats, dance, boylesque and brilliance.” FRINGEWORLD 2019
★★★★★ “Briefs is the drag party you always wish you’d be invited to!” Glam Adelaide
The much loved Vancouver based singer/songwriter, Jill Barber, invites you to an evening of live music at The York Theatre Saturday, April 15th. Jill will be featuring songs from her new album, Homemaker. This album, which she helped co-produce, is very personal and reflects on marriage, motherhood and self-identity. Jill Barber is a three-time Juno Award nominated singer-songwriter who has an unforgettable voice once. Her critically acclaimed repertoire includes songs in both French and English. Tickets are $45 and available online at The Cultch.
The Cultch, Urban Ink & Raven Theatre present the world premiere of Corey Payette’s Starwalker, which comes to the unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səl’ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations February 16 until March 5, 2023, at the York Theatre.
The story follows Starwalker, an Indigi-Queer Two-Spirit drag queen learning the ropes of the East Van Drag community. When Starwalker is introduced to Drag at the House of Borealis, their whole world changes, introducing them to a home they never knew they needed, creating a new persona that blends their grounded Indigenous cultural spirit with drag performance, resulting in an empowering and celebratory experience that only tearing down the patriarchy can provide.
Award-winning interdisciplinary storyteller, writer, composer, and director Corey Payette has gained acclaim for his large-scale contemporary musicals, which bring his Indigenous perspective to mainstream spaces—including Children of God, and Les Filles du Roi (which Payette co-wrote with Julie McIsaac). Both powerful musicals had their premieres at The Cultch’s York Theatre, and have toured extensively, receiving accolades wherever they go.
In 2021, Payette received the inaugural BC Reconciliation Award for his work and commitment to inspiring and making lasting change to reconciliation through the arts. His highly acclaimed musical production, Children of God, has brought conversations on truth and reconciliation to audiences throughout Canada.
Starwalker was commissioned and developed by The Musical Stage Company (Toronto). Their blank canvas offer gave Payette the freedom to explore a side of himself that he hasn’t spent as much time within his other work. It allowed him to express the joy he finds in his Two-Spirit and queer identity.
Starwalker will share a familiarity of style and scope with Payette’s past work, but brings to life a more modern story, presented with a contemporary score combining pop/rock music, with pulsing drums, and powerful vocals from some of Vancouver’s most talented.
The cast includes Dillan Chiblow (known as Tommy/Tom in Children of God), Stewart Adam McKensy (known for his portrayal of Lola in Kinky Boots), and Jeffrey Follis (Drag Queen Urupa)—bring Starwalker’s story to life with choreography from Ralph Escamillan, and musical direction from Sean Bayntun. “I really wanted to look at uplifting some of these voices in a way that was joyous and wasn’t tied to their trauma,” says Payette. “While the characters have experienced hardship, the show is actually about how they are working their way through those issues to find joy, to find love, and to find family and home.”
Tickets for Starwalker are now on sale starting from $25. Note, for self-identifying Indigenous patrons, there $15 tickets available. For tickets, visit The Cultch.
“Starwalker is a brilliant and unique piece that expertly and unexpectedly blends musical styles to tell moving stories in innovative ways.” Playwrights Guild of Canada, Tom Hendry Awards Jury
The Cultch and Theatre Replacement are thrilled to present East Van Panto: The Little Mermaid, November 16, 2022 until January 1, 2023, at the York Theatre.
For a decade, Theatre Replacement and The Cultch have partnered to bring this holiday tradition like no other. It transforms well-known stories with an East Van twist and has something for all ages. This year, East Van Panto is going under the sea with a wild East Van-centric adventure to the bottom of the Burrard Inlet and back.
In East Van Panto: The Little Mermaid, Ariel is busking with her girl band at New Brighton Beach, when she falls in love with a teenage mer-person. She dives into an ocean adventure, where she makes a questionable deal with a devilish octopus named Ursula, fights off evil electric eels with her trash crab BFF, Sebastian, and has to help save the ocean from a mysterious purple slime of despair.
The writer-director duo from last year’s East Van Panto: Alice in Wonderland, Sonja Bennett and Meg Roe, return to create this year’s 10th anniversary production with Veda Hille, who has been writing the music and fun parodies of popular songs since East Van Panto began. For those that have attended past shows, you will know the music is great every year. Tickets start are $35 and are now available online for in person shows with audience participation encouraged. If you prefer to take in the show from the comfort of home, The Little Mermaid is available to watch online on-demand from December 17, 2022 – January 31, 2023 through RE/PLAY, The Cultch’s digital playground. To learn more, visit The Cultch.
“It is the silliest, most wonderful of traditions. And for me, it has become essential.” The Globe and Mail
“If the East Van Panto isn’t part of your holiday tradition yet, what are you waiting for?” Georgia Straight
“East Van Panto has earned its place as one of the best-loved holiday traditions in Vancouver…” Colin Thomas
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.
The 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
Scottish comedian Gary Meikle takes the the stage at the York Theatre Friday, August 17th. In case you haven’t heard of him, Gary Meikle is a viral sensation and winner of the Scottish Comedy Award and will be back for a second tour in Canada. His new Surreal! show delves into life over the last 12 months. Tickets are $35 and are now available through The Cultch.
If you are looking for some light hearted fun, then you are in luck. The Comic Strippers return to the York Theatre September 9th for another night of laughs. This is a 19+ show featuring a fictitious group of male strippers played by a cast of improvisational comedians. They sing, dance and gyrate and aim to be sexy, but ending up being funny. They are semi undressed and completely unscripted which makes each show unique as they banter with the crowd during each performance. To purchase your tickets for a fun night out, visit The Cultch.
Here’s what others are saying about The Comic Strippers:
“Extremely Funny!” UK FRINGE REVIEW
“The show is suitable for both men and women. An entertaining ride where anything goes.” RIP IT UP MAGAZINE
“One of the most hilarious shows I’ve ever seen.” VANCOUVER SUN
If you are looking to forget reality for a couple of hours and take in some comedy, you may wish to check Dave Nihill at the York Theatre on Saturday, June 18th. Born and raised in Ireland, Dave Nihill will share his Irish wit and charm along with tales of his many years of travelling. He is the winner of the San Francisco Comedy Competition which previous finalists included Robin Williams, Ellen DeGeneres and Dana Carvey. He takes the stage at the York Theatre for one night only on Saturday, June 18th. Tickets are $35 and available at The Cultch.
An unforgettable night of comedy comes to the York Theatre, 639 Commercial Drive, Saturday, April 9, 2022. One Night Stand happens across Canada and features some of the best stand up comics for one night only. What makes this event unique is that all proceeds from ticket sales are donated to Rose Charities Ukraine Emergency Fund. This fund directly supports children and families caught up in the current crisis in Ukraine.
Vancouver’s show happens at the York Theatre and features lots of great local talent including Charlie Demers, Peter Kelamis and Jane Stanton among many others. There will be two performances on April 9th, 6:00 pm and 9:30 pm. Ticket prices range from $25 – $100. For more information on the line up and to grab your tickets, visit The Cultch.
ILiveInEastVan.com 