Hit play Kim’s Convenience, at the Granville Island Stage until May 24. | Photo courtesy of ArtsClub.
Vancouver is often said to be a city rich in art and culture – and this is exemplified by the events in this week’s calendar. Hear Vancouver poet laureate Evelyn Lau as well as other Canadian poets read their work at Speaking Freedom or spend hours exploring art studios as part of the Artists in Our Midst exhibition. You won’t be disappointed.
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Rewilding Vancouver
Now until Sept. 1
Museum of Vancouver
1100 Chestnut St., Vancouver
604-736-4431
http://www.museumofvancouver.ca
The first major exhibition in Canada to explore our relationship with nature through the lens of historical ecology, Rewilding Vancouver brings this new way of exploring the past to the forefront using Vancouver as the subject. The exhibition, presented by the Museum of Vancouver, is comprised of taxidermied specimens, 3D models, soundscapes, videos and photo interventions that challenge our perception of what is natural to Vancouver.
See the artwork of Lori Popadiuk at the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese Garden. | Photo courtesy of Dr. Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese Garden.
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Essence by Lori Popadiuk
Now until April 30
Dr. Sun Yat Sen
Classical Chinese Garden
578 Carrall St., Vancouver
604-662-3207
http://www.vancouverchinesegarden.com
As both a visual artist and interior designer, Lori Popadiuk’s work is inspired by the principle that “everything must live harmoniously together.” Her paintings, which are often meditative and always thought-provoking, are on display at Dr. Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese Garden.
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Speaking Freedom
May 1
St. James Hall
3214 W. 10th Ave., Vancouver
http://www.laurarobinsondefensefund.org
Acclaimed Canadian poets such as Fred Wah, Evelyn Lau, Marilyn Dumont, Daniela Elza and Martha Roth will read their work to benefit the Laura Robinson Defense Fund, which supports investigative reporter Laura Robinson’s legal battle stemming from her Georgia Straight article on former Olympic CEO John Furlong’s secret past as a missionary in Northern B.C. Singer-songwriter Jordan Matchett will also perform.
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Kim’s Convenience
Daily from now until May 24
Granville Island Stage
1585 Johnston St., Vancouver
604-687-1644
http://www.artsclub.com
Ins Choi’s hilarious and touching debut play set in a Regent Park convenience store was the smash hit of the 2011 Toronto Fringe Festival. Kim’s Convenience tells the story of Mr. Kim, the store’s Korean owner, who grapples with both a changing neighbourhood landscape and the chasm between him and his second-generation offspring. This journey of a fractured but loving family confronting the future and forgiving the past is a Canadian classic in the making.
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HyperEnsemble
May 2–4
Goldcorp Centre for the Arts, SFU
149 W. Hastings St., Vancouver
http://www.turningpointensemble.ca
In this groundbreaking musical concert, the Turning Point Ensemble is transformed into a technology-expanded ensemble with the assistance of leading composers and researchers. The program will feature, amongst other things, automated music with robots and live interaction of the Ensemble, computers and electronics.
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Artists in Our Midst 2014
May 3–4
Various studios in
Vancouver’s West Side
http://www.artistsinourmidst.com
Come explore the artwork and studios of different artists as part of the Artists in Our Midst 2014 exhibition. The 35 participating artists of the 2014 event come from a variety of different backgrounds, and their work includes painting, sculpture, jewelry and mixed media. By inviting the public into their studios, the artists hope to create a dialogue and relationship outside the more formal gallery environment.
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Voices of Vancouver
May 3
Orpheum Annex
823 Seymour St., Vancouver
604-730-8856
http://www.vancouvercantatasingers.com
In their final concert of the season, the Vancouver Cantata Singers present many classic works of choral music by Vancouver composers. Peter Hannan’s “Happiness Index” makes a welcome return, as do works by upcoming and veteran Vancouver composers.
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Art in the City
May 3–4
West End Community Centre
870 Denman St., Vancouver
westendcc.ca/art-city-vancouver-2014
As one of Vancouver’s top art festivals, Art in the City provides the public with a great opportunity to both see and purchase innovative and exciting local art. Admission is free.
