Cultural Calendar

Pop meets history at the Cultch. | Photo courtesy of The Cultch.

Pop meets history at the Cultch. | Photo courtesy of The Cultch.

Right now there are so many exciting performances to be enthralled and captivated by that you won’t want to miss out. Discover the best of Korean music with violinist Sarah Chang, or explore the art form of contemporary dance. If you want to be moved to laughter, and then to tears, there’s nothing better than a performance of the classic musical West Side Story.

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Out of a Dream
Feb. 5–16
York Theatre
639 Commercial Dr., Vancouver
http://www.patrickstreetproductions.com

Patrick Street Productions takes you by the hand on a romantic and timeless journey through the beloved songbook of Rodgers and Hammerstein with the world premiere of Out of a Dream. This dreamy musical revue draws from each and every show written by the prolific Broadway duo – featuring songs from The Sound of Music, South Pacific, The King & I, Oklahoma! and other cherished favourites.

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West Side Story
Feb. 4–9
Queen Elizabeth Theatre
630 Hamilton St., Vancouver
1-866-542-7469
http://www.broadwayacrosscanada.ca

Considered a groundbreaking musical, West Side Story has remained a poignant and provocative piece of theater for over half a century. Pulled directly from the pages of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the musical takes place on New York’s West Side in the mid-1950s amidst widespread racial and social tension. The show may be a rollercoaster of emotions, but it offers something for every taste.

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Sem Mim and Ímã
Feb. 7–8
Vancouver Playhouse
600 Hamilton St., Vancouver
604-801-6225
http://www.grupocorpo.com

An audience favourite, the Brazilian dance sensation Grupo Corpo returns to DanceHouse with two exciting new works. In Sem Mim, meaning without me, “tattooed” dancers merge the rhythm of the sea with the music of medieval Portuguese-Galician chants. The second work, Ímã, which means magnet, takes inspiration from the law of magnetism. Combining classical ballet technique with a contemporary re-reading of Brazilian and world dance forms, Sem Mim and Ímã are two performances you won’t want to miss.

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Black History Month: Roots and Branches
Feb. 8
Performance Works
1218 Cartwright St., Vancouver

Celebrate Black History Month with a night of exhilarating traditional and modern music from Ghana, Zimbabwe, Guinea, and Senegal, featuring Adanu Habobo, Awal Alhassan, Zhambai Trio and more. Traditional African instruments such as the mbira and kora will be featured in the performance, in addition to guitar, drums and dance.

Violinist Sarah Chang.

Violinist Sarah Chang.

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VSO Presents: Celebrate Korea
Feb. 9
The Orpheum Theatre
601 Smithe St., Vancouver
604-876-3434
http://www.vancouversymphony.ca

Come watch Sarah Chang, one of the world’s most dynamic and sought-after violinists, perform a variety of both classical and Korean music with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, including the Song of Arirang. This concert will commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Canada and the Republic of Korea.

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Dances for a Small Stage 30
Feb. 13–15
Ukrainian Centre
154 E. 10th Ave., Vancouver
http://www.movent.ca

Dances for a Small Stage will make a long-awaited return to the Ukrainian Centre for thirty shows. This special anniversary Valentine’s edition will feature performances by internationally renowned choreographers Stacey Tookey and Peter Chu, who are joined by an eclectic array of Vancouver’s hottest artistic talent. Come enjoy a night of innovative contemporary dance works on the signature “small stage”.

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Me So You So Me
Feb. 25–Mar. 1
The Cultch
1895 Venables St., Vancouver
thecultch.com

The Cultch presents Out Innerspace’s experimental dance show Me So You So Me. Fueled by Japanese historical and pop culture, classical Indian tabla rhythms and cartoons, this new work reveals different projections of the self through the eyes of a partner, the dynamic of a couple, and the genre-defying music of experimental Japanese percussionist Asa Chang.

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Valley Women’s Network Meeting and Buffet Luncheon
Feb. 19, 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Sunrise Banquet &
Conference Center
188th St. & #10 Hwy, Surrey
$23/$26/$30
vwnlangreservations@gmail.com
604-530-7304

Spotlight Speaker Shawn Bearman, a powerful and dynamic motivational speaker, will point out how ‘Follow Up, Follow Up, Follow Up’ will lead you on the path to networking riches. In addition, 5 Minute Speaker Cathy Derksen will tell you how to get more money for disabled children and adults in your care.

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The Hobbit
Feb. 28, 7:30 p.m.
Mar. 1–2, 2:30 p.m.
Mar. 7, 7:30 p.m.
Mar. 8–9, 2:30 p.m.
The Venue, 5708 Glover Rd., Langley (wheelchair accessible)

Imagine That! Productions is presenting an adaptation by playwright Kim Selody of J.R.R. Tolkien’s award-winning fantasy, The Hobbit. Adventure awaits in this family show sure to please Tolkien fans of aged 6 years and up.