Cultural Calendar

The Soweto Gospel Choir performs April 13 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. | Photo courtesy of imgartists.com.

The Soweto Gospel Choir performs April 13 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. | Photo courtesy of imgartists.com.

It can be hard returning to work after spring break, but these events will have you feeling excited in no time. Learn some new Bollywood dance moves, or discover new music at one of the many new concerts coming to Vancouver. For an unforgettable experience that will never be replicated, immerse yourself inSakura Illumination, a sensory projection artwork that captures the fleeting beauty of cherry blossoms blooming.

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Document: A Year in Review
April 9–25,
Roundhouse Community Centre
181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver
www.roundhouse.ca
 

Document: A Year in Review is the first annual exhibit of the Roundhouse Documentation Team, a dedicated group of volunteer photographers. This show features their photos of everything from Diwali to swing dancing to zombies – a quirky, yet fascinating, mash-up of various aspects of Vancouver’s rich culture.

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Public Art
April 9
Vancouver Public Library,
Central Branch

350 W. Georgia St., Vancouver
www.carfacbc.org/news
 

In which way does public art contribute to our social well-being and economy? How are artworks chosen, and what is the process behind the management and production of public art commissions? Come hear speakers, who range from experienced artists to curators and city planners, present their perspectives on public art, share their successful projects, and speak to their concerns and hopes for the art form.

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Il Divo gives a heartfelt rendition of classic Broadway songs on April 10  at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. | Photo by Ruby De Doncker, Il Divo

Il Divo gives a heartfelt rendition of classic Broadway songs on April 10 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. | Photo by Ruby De Doncker, Il Divo

Il Divo: A Musical Affair
April 10
Queen Elizabeth Theatre
630 Hamilton St., Vancouver
www.ildivo.com

Il Divo is the world’s first and most successful classical crossover group whose repertoire includes famous Broadway songs such as, “Some Enchanted Evening” (South Pacific), “Bring Him Home” (Les Miserables) and “Tonight” (West Side Story). Their show, “A Musical Affair,” showcases their signature emotional and heartfelt take on these classics.

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Sakura Illumination
April 11
Vancouver (location will be posted on website on Monday, April 7)
www.vcbf.ca

Visual artist Stuart Ward uses LED and patterned video lights to illuminate a canopy of cherry blossoms with his sensory projection artwork. Through his use of light and shadow, this one-night-only experience reflects the tempo of the blossoms blooming and creates an intangible memory of a time and place never to be duplicated.

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SHIAMAK dancers groove to Bollywood music at the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival. | Photo courtesy of Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival

SHIAMAK dancers groove to Bollywood music at the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival. | Photo courtesy of Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival

Blossom Bollywood!
April 12
Vancouver Art Gallery Plaza
750 Hornby St., Vancouver
www.vcbf.ca

As part of the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival this year, SHIAMAK Bollywood dancers are hosting an outdoor dance party. No dance experience is required – just come, learn new moves and dance along!

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African Grace
April 13
Queen Elizabeth Theatre
630 Hamilton St., Vancouver
604-569-1144
www.sowetogospelchoir.com

The uplifting and multiple Grammy-winning Soweto Gospel Choir returns to Vancouver with their new show “African Grace,” which is a tribute concert to Nelson Mandela that celebrates the 20th anniversary of the end of apartheid in South Africa. Through their vibrant rhythm movement and amazing vocal harmonies, Soweto Gospel Choir’s performances have become a worldwide phenomenon.

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Hot Copy
April 14
Carousel Theatre Studio
1411 Cartwright St., Vancouver
www.vancouverfringe.com

If you’re an independent artist trying to get more media coverage, come participate in this publicity workshop hosted by Deb Pickman, who is the xommunications & marketing apecialist for Theatre at UBC. Learn the basics of a press release, when to contact media outlets, what the key elements are to choosing promotional images for posters and flyers, and social media tips. “Hot Copy” is free for 2014 Vancouver Fringe Festival artists and $10 for other artists.

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Eternal Light: Mozart and Lauridsen
April 18
The Orpheum Theatre
884 Granville St., Vancouver
604-738-6822
www.vancouverchamberchoir.com

Bask in the light of beautiful choral music in the Vancouver Chamber Choir’s traditional Good Friday concert at the Orpheum. Experience for yourself Mozart’s venerable “Requiem“ – one of the most sublime musical masterpieces of all time – and delve into the golden sonorities and subtle shadows of Morten Lauridsen’s beautiful “Lux Aeterna.”

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Silk, Bamboo and Maple
April 27
Norman Rothstein Theatre
950 W 41st Ave., Vancouver
www.bccma.net

In celebration of the CD release of “Bamboo Shoots in Spring,” the BC Chinese Music Association presents a concert “Silk, Bamboo and Maple.” This unique event, which will be performed by the BC Chinese Music Ensemble, is musically inspired by the historical Silk and Bamboo style from the Jiangzu region in China and its contemporary journey to Vancouver. Performers include Gui Lian Liu, who is considered one of the top pipa virtuosi in the world, and suona musician Zhong Xi Wu.