Tag Archives: York Theatre

Vancouver Queer Film Festival August 9 – 19, 2018

7 Aug

VQFF-Vert-Colour-300px-e1523331631308The Vancouver Queer Film Festival marks its 30th anniversary this year. The event opens at the Vancouver Playhouse Thursday, August 9th with the Canadian premiere of Yen Tan’s 1985. The film is shot in black and white and set in Texas in the first wave of the AIDS crisis. Indie Wire calls it “a fine piece of cinematic craftsmanship … It is a haunting elegy for a generation of gay men.” Not heading downtown, no problem. There are a number of films showing at The York Theatre including Festival favourite The Coast Is Queer on August 17th at 9:00 pm. We’ve set out a few other films that will be screening at the York Theatre.    For tickets and/or more information, we invite you to check out Queer Film Festival:

We Are the Vancouver Men’s Chorus – Friday, August 17th at 7:00 pm

“In 1981, the Vancouver Men’s Chorus and broke ground and became Canada’s first gay chorus. Over the next thirty-eight years, they’ve grown into a nationally acclaimed and internationally recognized chorus.”  Director Mark Halliday has created a documentary that takes you behind scenes of this celebrated group of men.

Indigiqueer Shorts from Turtle Island & Aotearoa – Saturday, August 18th at 7:00 pm

“Coined in 2004 by Thirza Cuthand, the term Indigiqueer is a way for queer Indigenous folks to identify themselves and their queerness. This cinematic collection showcases how versatile two-spirit/Indigiqueer life is.”

Deep Inside Clint Star – Saturday, August 18th at 9:30 pm

You are invited to a FREE screening of Deep Inside Clint Star which documents the travels of filmmaker Clint Alberta across Canada. This film features candid conversations with Indigenous youth and those often marginalized. It is powerful production that gives voice to people that often aren’t heard.

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What’s On East Van: March 2nd Edition

2 Mar

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Our weekly feature What’s On East Van sets out lots more cool events for the upcoming week.  Beyond the week, we invite you to check out our Event Listing which is updated daily and features events for the month and beyond.

JFL Northwest Hosts Vancouver’s Comedy Festival – March 1st to 10th 

The Vancouver Comedy Festival is on now with a host of talent in town. Events are happening around the City, but lots of events happening locally at the Rio Theatre, Fox Cabaret and Biltmore Cabaret. To see what’s on where, visit JFL Northwest.com.

Lanterns In The Garden –  Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Chinese Gardens – March 2, 3 & 4

This is the last weekend to catch Lanterns In The Gardens at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Chinese Gardens. They have thousands of beautiful lanterns on display in their gardens.   There are themed lanterns handmade by local artists as well as do-it-yourself lantern making, a photo booth and more.  Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for children and seniors or $45 for a family package.   Event happens from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. To purchase your tickets online, or to learn more about the event, visit Lanterns In The Garden. 

Meet Members of the NPA – Drive Coffee Bar – March 3rd

If you are interested in chatting with those running for office in the upcoming civic election, The Drive Coffee Bar is inviting the political parties to come have coffee with local residents and answers questions. This Saturday, March 3rd at 10:30 am members of the NPA will be on hand. Stop by and get your questions answered in person.

Grandview Woodland Community Seed Library Launch – March 4th

Love gardening and want to pick up some seeds? Or maybe you wish to chat with other gardenrs to learn more about gardening? Then stop in to the launch of the Grandview Woodland Seed Library Sunday, March 4th. You are invited to stop by on and sign up for a free membership between 1:00 and 3:00 pm.  From 3:00 to 4:00 pm, there will be an interactive workshop on garden planning.  This is a free event and open to all ages.  To register, email gwcseedlibrary@gmail.com. The event happens at the Canucks Family Education Centre at Britannia Community Centre.

PSS PSS – York Theatre – Until March 4th 

This is the last weekend to catch PSS PSS at the York Theatre.  PSS comes to Vancouver via Switzerland and is an all ages show with daring acrobatics that have been performed over 600 times on 5 continents. Take 65 minutes with your family and go laugh it up.  For tickets, visit The Cultch.

 

Art Of Making Lotions, Potions & Scrubs–Trout Lake Community Centre – March 7th
Iona Bonamis will be leading a hands-on workshop Wednesday, March 7th at Trout Lake Community Centre. You will learn step-by-step instructions on how to make your own body care and household products. Cost is $47.62. Last we saw there were only 5 spots remaining. To register, visit City of Vancouver.

Comedy, Live Music & Entertainment

Live music at Café Deux Soleils this Saturday night. Cumbia Galera and Joshua Job members of Breaking Boundaries will be on hand to perform.  The Winter Farmer Markets continue with Saturday’s being held at Nat Bailey Stadium from 10 am to 2 pm and Sunday at Hastings Parking 10 am – 2 pm.  To see more of what’s on in East Vancouver, check our Event Listing.

Image Credit: June Hunter

 

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Nicole Alivojvodic Reviews PSS PSS On Now At The York Theatre Until March 4th

22 Feb

Delighting audiences in over 50 countries since 2010, Compagnia Baccalà (Switzerland)’s “Pss Pss” finally comes to Vancouver. Presented with Il Centro Italian Cultural Centre, “Pss Pss” is moving and hilarious at the same time – and all accomplished while not speaking a word! But beware if you’re sitting in the front, you might get a little more involved in the show than you’d like.

Earning a standing ovation on opening night, stars Camilla Pessi and Simone Fassari enthrall audiences with their daring acrobatics and impress with their perfectly pointed expression. Performed over 600 times on all 5 continents the show is remarkably fresh and fun for the whole family; you’ll be laughing despite yourself no matter your age. What’s more, anyone from any part of the world can enjoy this award winning show as it is performed in the universally understood language of facial expression and body language. Grab your kids and get down to the York Theatre to enjoy this 65-minute show unlike anything you’ve ever seen performed live before!

For tickets to this ridiculous and internationally acclaimed show, on now until March 4th, visit The Cultch.

By Contributing Writer Nicole Alivojvodic

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Award Winning PSS PSS Will Be At The York February 20 – March 4, 2018

13 Feb

PSSPSSInspired by Chaplin and Keaton, PSS PSS comes to the York Theatre February 20th to March 4th.  Compagnia Baccalà brings physicality and exquisite expression that is winning accolades the world over. The production has received 13 international prizes including the Cirque du Soleil prize.  This is an all ages show.  Tickets for kids (18 years and under) are $22. There are also family packs available for $125 for 2 adults and 2 children.  To get your tickets, visit The Cultch.

Check out what people are saying about PSS PSS:

Award-winning double act Baccalà Clown bow in triumph
The Independent

London international mime festival…have found gold…packed with ideas and ingenuity…outstandingly funny – The Stage

Hilarious possibilities of mishap and mayhem
The Herald

Instantly captivating…virtuoso comic clowning….a sheer delight to witness
Edinburgh Guide

Heart-stealing classic clowning at the very top of their game
The List 

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We Review Jabberwocky On Now At The York Theatre Until February 17th

8 Feb

JabberwockyJabberwock is delivered mostly in gibberish, and when it ventures into English it’s to recite the mysterious and evocative Lewis Carroll poem the show is named for. Like the poem, the play is open to many possible interpretations and the fun is in the playful, surreal ways of telling the story moreso than the story itself.

In other words, I went with a friend and we had completely different takes on what some of the scenes and characters represented, but we both thought it was visually delightful. My favorite scene has to be when our main character is being born, a process that is presented from a baby’s eye view, with enormous thighs appearing at either side of the stage. A moment later, we see an enormous breast from which “milk” emerges in the form of an actor dressed all in white who dances out of the nipple and into the baby’s waiting lips.

The gleeful silliness and embrace of tangents and non-sequiturs reminded me of early Monty Python at times, but the show also explores moments of fear and alienation. If you’ve always thought the Pythons could only be improved with less talking and more of the feeling you get from those creepy-eyed Victorian dolls, then this is absolutely the perfect show for you.  Jabberwocky is on now at the York Theatre until February 17th. To purchase tickets, visit The Cultch.

By Contributing Writer Tiva Quinn

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Jabberwocky Comes To The York February 6 – 17, 2018

29 Jan

JabberwockyIf you like dark and disturbing, then we’ve got the show for you.  The Old Trout Puppet Workshop brings a brand new type of puppet theatre for adults to The York.  Beware the Jabberwock!  You are invited on the journey of  a young male hare who is weighed down by the pressure to grow up and slay the Jabberwock, whatever that may be. The hare believes it to be a monster, but what type of monster? It is furry, ferocious, fanged, formless. It is outside the door now waiting to eat you?  Not to fret my silly pet, a vorpal sword valiantly promises to save everyone from the things that haunt us in the night.  What monsters lie under the bed? Find out when Jabberwocky comes to the York Theatre February 6 – 7, 2018. Tickets available at The Cultch. 

What people are saying about Jabberwocky:

A piece of theatre inspired by Lewis Carroll that is, indeed, inspired” —
The Globe and Mail

Blew expectations out of the water, inviting the audience into a universe of unimaginable creativity and talent” —
Vue Weekly

Exultant and celebratory in the hands of this remarkable and gifted company” — GigCity.ca

A marvelous theatrical adventure…that leaves us breathless at every turn into dark corners where our fears lie waiting for us — along with our heart” —
12thNight.ca

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Contributing Writer Nicole Alivojvodic Reviews Hot Brown Honey

16 Jan

HotHoneyBrownHiveUnapologetically provocative, Hot Brown Honey shatters preconceptions in an explosion of colour, culture, and controversy. From Australian theatre company Briefs Factory comes this loud wake up call featuring six fierce and talented women communicating important messages through song, dance and, most of all, humour. The 75-minute show has you itching to get out of your seat and join the party on stage – and some get plucked out of the audience to do just that!

Check your privilege at the door and get ready to make noise because “fighting the power never tasted so sweet”. Throughout the show the women tackle several culturally relevant issues such as colonization, white privilege and namely, feminism. Tangled up in colour and acrobatics the show itself smashes the preconception that women are to be silent subjects by the sheer volume of the performance, both literally and figuratively. Their open defiance of stereotypes and the patriarchal expectations of the world we live in is not only hilarious, but incredibly powerful.

For tickets to this wild and fantastic show, on now until January 27th at The York Theatre, visit The Cultch.

By Contributing Writer: Nicole Alivojvodic

Photo Credit: Dylan Evans

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What’s On East Van: January 5, 2018 Edition

5 Jan

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Lots happening in East Van this first week of the New Year. Our weekly feature What’s On East Van sets out cool events for the upcoming week.  Beyond the week, we invite you to check out our Event Listing which is updated daily and features events for the month and beyond.

Community Skate at PNE Agrodome – January 5th

PNE Agrodome is hosting another ice skating session Friday, January 5th from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Cost is $3 for adult, $2.50 for youth/senior, $2 for kids 3-12 and kids under 2 are free. Note, there are no skate rentals or helmets, you will need to bring your own.

A Tolkien Burlesque Night – Rio Theatre – January 5th

The Geekenders & Kitty Glitter present Lord of the Schwings. If you are looking for a silly and sexy evening filled with hobbits, elves, wizards and burlesque, then grab your tickets $20 in advance or $25 at the door. See Rio Theatre for tickets.

Live Christmas Tree Chipping Event – Trout Lake – January 6th & 7th

For those that have a live Christmas tree and not the benefit of curb side pick up, there’s a chipping event at the Trout Lake Community Centre Parking Lot this weekend. Happens Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Note, there is also a chipping tree event Sunday, January 7th at the Kingsgate Mall Parking Lot 10-4.

East Van Panto – York Theatre – Until January 6th

This is your last weekend to catch the fun that is the East Van Panto on now at The York Theatre until Saturday, January 6th. Fun for the whole family. Tickets start at $22. For  more information, check our recent write on the East Van Panto.

75th Annual Golden Globes Award Viewing Party – Rio Theatre – January 7th 

This year Seth Meyers hosts the 75th Annual Globe Awards which should provide a good bit of entertainment.  Fittingly, The Rio Theatre is again opening its doors for those that wish to watch the winners announced en masse. This is a free event, but items at the snack bar are not, but he seats are. First come first serve.  Event happens 5:00 – 9:00 pm.

Dancing the Globalization of Hummus with Shiraz Ramji – The Cultch – January 8th

Did you know The Cultch is hosting free events once a month?  The event is called Dark Day Monday and each month anyone from the Vancouver community can teach others something new. It can be whatever you’d like it, maybe it’s hip hop dancing, a yoga class, tai chi, meditation, an 80s dance party, a cooking class, chess, you name it, options are almost limitless.  The Cultch is providing a space to learn, create and come together. The next in the series Dark Day #5 happening Monday, January 8th is Dancing The Globalization of Hummus with Shiraz Ramji. You are invited to come out learn how to make Vancouver’s best kept secret hummus recipes with Shiraz Ramji while dancing.  Things kick off at 6:00 pm.

Entertainment, Comedy + Live Theatre

Reminder the Winter Farmer Markets are back at both Nat Bailey Stadium (Saturday) and Hastings Park (Sunday) from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.  To see more of what’s on in East Vancouver, check our Event Listing.

Image Credit: June Hunter

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Hot Honey Brown At The York Theatre January 9 – 27, 2018

18 Dec

HotHoneyBrown4This January, The Cultch presents a production that promises to turn up the heat with Hot Brown Honey. This smash hit from Australia took the Edinburgh Fringe Festival by storm with a group of six sassy women who know how to make some noise and defiantly smash stereotypes.  We see this as part of the evolution of our changing cultural landscape as it relates to women.    The #metoo campaign shook the tree, we think Hot Honey Brown lends voice to some of the empowerment that comes from stepping out of the shadows and speaking up. See a production that speaks with sass along with hip hop, dance, poetry, comedy, circus, song and striptease to push boundaries and defy labels.  We’ve learnt an extra week has been added due to popular demand for tickets. So if you wish to see this production, we recommend grabbing your tickets sooner vs. later. Tickets start at $22 and are available online at The Cultch.

What people are saying about Hot Honey Brown:

★★★★★
Gleefully challenges stereotypes of sex and race with a full grin, bared
chest and raised middle finger.” 
Edinburgh 49

★★★★★
It’s gobsmacking the talent and message this show has to offer: how it challenges
everyone to review their views, and inspires everyone to rock the boat”
Theatre Press

★★★★★
A powerhouse performance of passion and poignancy” 
Broadway World

★★★★★
Unapologetic, almost aggressively graceful and fabulously fierce…”
Theatre People

 

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Encounter Comes To The York Theatre October 17 – 22, 2017

10 Oct

EncounterChristopherJosephThe best in physical theatre comes to the Cultch in conjunction with Diwali. Encounter is a story about an Indigenous woman, Dopdi, and her communities’ struggle to uphold the Indigenous life and her defiance against injustice. Created for the stage by Aparna Sindhoor, S M Raju, and Anil Natyaveda, Encounter is a tribute to the Indigenous people’s history. It is a passionate story of female power that delves into the struggles and challenges of the indigenous communities of India. Aparna Sindhoor, co-writer of Encounter says “The word ‘Encounter’ has a specific meaning in the Indian (South Asian) context. It is a euphemism for the state orchestrated ‘chance meetings,’ to get rid of (kill, or torture and kill) the so-called enemies of the state.” The performance features acrobatics and original music which pays tribute to Indigenous peoples’ history from around the world. The show runs October 17 – 22, 2017 at the York Theatre. Tickets are available at The Cultch.

Contributing Writer Tiva Quinn reviews Encounter:

Encounter is a dance-play that is political, sensual, humorous and informative. There’s a bit of every possible emotion along the way, but, ultimately, it’s also a story about an enormous tragedy.

The dancers portray members of an indigenous group in India who find that their land is being taken for mining, while their water is being diverted for factories. In order to survive at all, they have no choice but to “steal” water from the wells of a wealthy landowner nearby, and so the military is called to put a stop to this crime.

The dancers also portray members of the military who have been sent to break up the “rebellion.” At one point, they tell us stories about why they joined the armed forces, and most of the stories are relatable – one needs to feed his family, one is saving to send her daughter to college, and of course one is in love with his gun, but there’s no distinction among them when their leader asks them to do “the needful” and try to get information from a prisoner.

In the South Asian context, “encounter” refers to times when the army captures suspected rebels and tortures or kills them. The story opens and closes on a scene of one such torture, and yes, it’s told through dance. The troupe are all very talented and they create some visually arresting tableaus out of these scenes. And in a world where a show like 24 asks us to identify with the torturer, why shouldn’t we have art that asks us to identify with both the torturer and those who are tortured?

If you’re looking for a note of hope, a sense of closure, or a call to action that makes you feel like you can make a difference, there isn’t one. It wouldn’t be especially true to the reality of the situation if there was.

Do I recommend seeing it, though? Yes.

Photo Credit: Christopher Joseph

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