The days may be getting shorter, but that doesn’t mean there are fewer fun things to do. Indulge your senses in chocolate or dance to big band music. For comedic entertainment that makes you think, consider going to watch Perfect, a play featured at the 4Play Festival.
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Dancers from the Coastal City Ballet strike a pose. | Photo courtesy of Coastal City Ballet.
Coastal City Ballet: Les Sylphides and Mixed Repertoires
Nov. 9, 7:30 p.m.
Centennial Theatre,
2300 Lonsdale Ave.,
North Vancouver
$30 Adults, $22 Students/
Seniors, $20 for Groups of 10
604.984.4484
ctcboxoffice@northvanrec.com
http://www.coastalcityballet.com
Coastal City Ballet, a pre-professional ballet company established in 2011, will open it’s 2013-2014 season with Les Sylphides, a short, ethereal, non-narrative ballet blanc performed to the enchanting music of Frédéric Chopin. The program will also include Pas d’esclave, an electrifying pas de deux from the second act of Le Corsaire, one of the great 19th Century classics, as well as pieces from local world-renowned choreographer Wen Wei Wang and Brazilian choreographer Renata Pacheco. Don’t miss this ravishing feast for the eyes and ears.
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West Coast Chocolate Festival
Now until Nov. 10
Various locations in Coquitlam
604-939-8068
http://www.festivalofchocolate.ca
No ordinary chocolate event, this festival explores, inspires and, above all, celebrates chocolate. Featuring over 100 individual events over a three week period, the festival offers the opportunity to have the ultimate chocolate experience.
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6th Annual Big Band Bash
Nov. 12, 7 p.m.
DaVinci Centre
195 Bay St., Victoria
(Voice) 250-592-8144
or (TTY) 250-592-8147
http://www.idhhc.ca/events/big-band-bash-2013
Join in the fun as The Swiftsure Big Band, The Commodores and Island Big Band play swing, jazz, and dixieland music. There are also fantastic silent auction items up for bid to benefit the Island Deaf and Hard of Hearing Centre.
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4Play (Program B):Perfect
Nov. 13–24
Studio 58, Langara College
100 West 49th Ave., Vancouver
604.323.5227
http://www.ticketstonight.ca
www.studio58.ca
Perfect, a dark comedy set in India that explores the themes of religious prejudice and arranged marriage with a lighthearted twist, is being produced as a part of Studio 58’s writer’s festival, featuring four original works. Love, lies and Bollywood collide in this edgy comedy. Featuring the work of talented writers and actors alike, 4Play is an event you won’t want to miss.
Excited writers of 4Play lounging — Cheyenne Mabberley, Madhushani Ramaraju, Katrina Darychuk and Brett Willis
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Fumbling Towards Ecstasy
Nov. 14–16, 7:30 p.m.
Queen Elizabeth Theatre
650 Hamilton St., Vancouver
604-665-3050
Inspired by and featuring the atmospheric folk-pop music of award-winning singer/songwriter Sarah McLachlan, Fumbling Towards Ecstasy is a rare ballet that brings to life the personal poetry of an icon. Choreographed by Jean Grand-Maître and danced by the full company of 30 exquisite dancers of the Alberta Ballet, this piece explores the ever-changing lives of women – their struggles, their relationships and their triumphs.
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Gateway Theatre Presents: Crash
Nov. 14–23
Gateway Theatre
6500 Gilbert Rd., Richmond
604-270-1812
http://www.gatewaytheatre.com
After the loss of a loved one, a woman must face the shattering memories of a past trauma. One of the Globe and Mail’s Top Five plays of 2012 and winner of four Dora Mavor Moore Awards, including Outstanding New Play and Outstanding Performance by a Female in a Principal Role, Crash explores the impact of trauma on our faith and our families and the transcendent power of inner strength.
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Artwork by Shannon Craigie-Halkett. | Photo courtesy of Eastside Cultural Crawl.
17th Annual Eastside Culture Crawl
Nov. 15–17
Vancouver’s Eastside
(around Strathcona)
778-960-7575
http://www.eastsideculturecrawl.com
The Eastside Culture Crawl is an annual 3-day event that involves artists who live in Vancouver’s Eastside, whether they are painters, jewellers, sculptors, furniture makers, musicians, weavers, writers, printmakers or glassblowers. Purchase something that strikes your fancy, commission something to be uniquely yours or just browse through the studios and meet the artists.
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Commander Chris Hadfield at Bolen Books
Commander Chris Hadfield. | Photo courtesy of Thomas Rivers University, Flickr.
Nov. 16, 2 p.m.
Bolen Books
(at Hillside Mall)
111-1644 Hillside Ave., Victoria
250-595-4232
The first Canadian to walk in space and the former commander of the International Space Station, Commander Chris Hadfield will be signing his book The Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth at Bolen Books.
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Sun Peaks Winter Okanagan Wine Festival
Jan. 11–19, 2014
Sun Peaks Resort, Kamloops
1-877-212-7107
http://www.sunpeaksresort.com
Two of B.C.’s finest assets – winter recreation and wine – make for an inspired pairing at the Sun Peaks Winter Okanagan Wine Festival. Come experience this exciting showcase of skiing, snowboarding, Nordic skiing, snowshoeing and other types of outdoor recreation, as well as the renowned wineries of the Okanagan.
