The Art of Stealing will have its world premiere in Vancouver. | Photo courtesy of Firehall Arts Centre
As summer approaches, the days become longer – so take advantage of this to participate in the new, exciting events coming to Vancouver! Hear poet Kevin Spenst read poetry with locally-based poets, or explore the new exhibit of Afro-Cuban art at UBC’s Museum of Anthropology. If you’re looking for a good time, listen to blues music and sample delicious African food at Afrobeat Blues Night.
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Butterfly Factory
May 6–July 7, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
City Atrium Gallery
North Vancouver City Hall
141 West 14th St., North Vancouver
604-988-6844
In a breathtaking piece of installation art, Rosemary Burden has deconstructed pages of Shakespearean writings to create a 30-foot wide “Butterfly Factory,” which addresses the idea of repetition, art versus craft, and the oft-discussed possibility of the disappearance of the printed paper book in light of the emerging use of electronic books. It also speaks to the plight of the monarch butterflies whose habitat is under threat.
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Small Books, Big Country
May 17–18, 2 p.m.–3:30 p.m.
Vancouver Public Library,
Central Branch
350 West Georgia St., Vancouver
604-331-3603
This exciting event is Stop #95 in Kevin Spenst’s Small Books, Big Country, a poetry chapbook tour of Canada. Marking the uniqueness of the poetic landscape in Vancouver, Spenst will read with some of the city’s most innovative poets—including Ray Hsu, Andrea Bennett and Leanne Dunic.
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Afrobeat Blues Night
May 17, 9 p.m.
The Legion
2205 Commercial Dr., Vancouver
778-552-8238
This exciting event, featuring Kara-Kata Afrobeat Group and guests Blues Cannon, will have you grooving in no time to songs inspired by iconic blues musician Buddy Guy. Tickets, which are sold at the door, are $7 per person or $10 per couple. Delectable West African food and drinks will be available as well.
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Without Masks: Contemporary Afro-Cuban Art
Now until November
10 a.m.–9 p.m.
6393 NW Marine Dr., Vancouver
604-822-5087
www.moa.ubc.ca
Curated by Cuban poet, art critic and curator Orlando Hernández, this exhibition of more than 80 Afro-Cuban artworks was first shown at the Johannesburg Art Gallery. It explores the ties that link the histories and cultures of Cuba and Africaand includes works that reflect controversial and conflicting aspects of the Cuban national reality that continue to affect Cuban society today, including problems related to race, stereotypes and religion.
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See rare footage of a white orca at Adventures with Orcas on May 20. | Photo courtesy of Erich Hoyt
Adventures With Orcas
May 20, 7 p.m.–8:30 p.m.
Vancouver Public Library,
Central Branch
350 W. Georgia St., Vancouver
604-331-3603
www.erichhoyt.com
Come hear a fascinating presentation by Erich Hoyt, eminent whale researcher and author of Orca: The Whale Called Killer, about orca whales and the marine environment on which they depend for their survival. This lecture includes seldom-seen video footage of a rare white Siberian orca and a book-signing opportunity.
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Book Launch: Fauji Banta Singh and Other Stories
May 22, 7 p.m.–8:30 p.m.
Vancouver Public Library,
Central Branch
350 W. Georgia St., Vancouver
604-331-3603
Set among people who emigrated in the late twentieth century facing racial animosity and economic insecurity, author Sadhu Binning’s new book gives us rare glimpses into the private lives of the Sikh community – the successes,failures, and changing roles of women. Unique and powerful, these stories present us with characters that are empathetic and vividly real.
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The Art of Stealing
May 28–31, 8 p.m.
Firehall Arts Centre
280 E. Cordova St., Vancouver
604-689-0926
www.firehallartscentre.ca
The Art of Stealing, a performance by dance choreographer Amber Funk Barton, will have its world premiere in Vancouver. This exploration of transformation, survival and death visually references her love of dark cinematic styles, live animation and graphic novels. Bartoncasts her ensemble of six talented dancers (including herself) as survivors in a mysterious, dark vision of a post-apocalyptic future. Barton’s most complex creation yet draws on an array of collaborators, including the Lululemon Lab team, who are producing a collaborative clothing line inspired by Barton’s explosively physical and athletic hybrid movement.
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Paintings & Porcelain
Now until May 30,
10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
578 Carrall St., Vancouver
www.vancouverchinesegarden.com
Two prominent artists, Water Poon (1998 Hong Kong Artist of the Year) and Ah Ngau, come together to produce a gorgeous exhibit of watercolor paintings and porcelain sculptures. This show is the result of a chance meeting – while driving,Water Poon saw and fell in love with one of Ah Ngau’s delicate porcelain
figurines.
