Start your new year off right by attending different events around the Lower Mainland! January is packed with festivals, dance performances and much more. Embrace the diversity and enjoy fun activities while you’re at it. There are no shortages of events, so don’t let the weather keep you indoors!
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Western Waters: The Royal Canadian Navy on Our Coast
Jan. 4–June 30
Vancouver Maritime Museum
1905 Ogden Ave., Vancouver
604-737-8300
Learn about the brave men and women of the Canadian Navy at the Vancouver Maritime Museum. At this exhibition, you’ll be able to explore and learn about the history of the Canadian Navy and all that they stand for. Western Waters includes individual stories and accomplishments of the Navy.
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Public Talk with Gen-la Dekyong
Jan. 15, 7:30–9 p.m.
Goldcorp Centre for the Performing Arts
149 West Hastings St., Simon Fraser University
Have you ever wanted to learn to meditate? Do you enjoy the teachings of peace and freedom as demonstrated by Buddhists? If so, this is the event for you. Gen-la Dekyong is an experienced Buddhist nun who enjoys spreading positive energy through her inspirational teachings. This one day event includes a guided meditation and a discussion.
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Rob Drummond in Bullet Catch. | Photo by Niall Walker.
Art Theatre Company Presents: Bullet Catch
Jan. 15–Feb. 7
Revue Theatre
1601 Johnston St., Vancouver
Bullet Catch will surely leave you breathless with magic tricks and death-defying stunts. Playing only for a month at Revue Theatre, this is a show magic-lovers won’t want to miss. Be astounded as Rob Drummond performs intense stunts right in front of your very eyes. For more information on ticket pricing and scheduling, please visit the website.
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Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Presents: New Music Festival
Jan. 15–18
Orpheum Theatre
601 Smithe St., Vancouver
www.vancouversymphony.ca/festivals/14NMF
604-876-3434
This three day affair is guaranteed to move music-lovers alike! The New Music Festival is held for a wide range of audiences, including critics and classical music lovers. The festival also includes pre-concert talks and discussions, as well as post-jazz cabarets. This annual event is not something contemporary music lovers would want to miss! For more information on scheduling and performances, please visit the website.
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Gord Grdina’s Haram & Vashaan Persian Ensemble
Jan. 16, 7 p.m.
Performance Works
1218 Cartwright St., Vancouver
Join the musical Persian ensemble at Vancouver’s famous Granville Island. Celebrate Persian and Arabic culture with musical performances by Haram and the Vashaan ensemble. These two groups embrace their heritages and share it with their audiences. For more information on the groups and ticket prices, please visit the website.
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Pacific Theatre Presents: Sideshow
Jan. 20, 7:30 p.m.
Pacific Theatre
1440 West 12th Ave., Vancouver
This year’s annual Pacific Theatre presentation is going musical! Sideshow is a night of improv fun with a musical bonus. This event is family friendly and is enjoyed annually by children and adults alike. Sing along with the improv groups, and prepare to laugh the night away. For more information on tickets, please visit the website.
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PuSh International Performing Arts Festival
Jan. 20–Feb. 8
Multiple Venues, Vancouver
604-605-8284
The PuSh International Performing Arts Festival features over 200 performances from all around the world. This year’s event includes performances, dinner and theatre experiences in partnership with Dine Out Vancouver, other free events and much more! There’s something for everybody at this year’s festival, so find something that interests you and celebrate the performing arts.
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One Man, Two Guvnors
Jan. 22–Feb. 22
Stanley Alliance Industrial Stage
2750 Granville St., Vancouver
This hilarious performance is guaranteed to bring laughter and enjoyment. One Man, Two Guvnors is a satire show that is a take on an older Italian comedy. The protagonist, Francis Henshall, lives his life trying to balance jobs and bosses, but he only has one thing on his mind: fish and chips! For more information on ticket pricing, please visit the website.
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Global Dance Connections: Lisbeth Gruwez/Voetvolk
Jan. 22–24, 8 p.m.
Scotiabank Dance Centre
677 Davie St., Vancouver
604-684-2787
Enjoy this dance performance by Lisbeth Gruwez from Belgium. In partnership with the PuSh festival, this 2 day performance is a spectacular showing of modern dance. Telling a story through dance and sound, Gruwez puts on a show that will leave you breathless. For more information on scheduling, please visit the website.
Dancer Lisbeth Gruwetz performing.| Photo by Luc Depreitere.
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Whistler Pride and Ski Festival
Jan. 24–31
Multiple Venues, Whistler
Whistler’s Pride and Ski Festival is jam packed with events, activities and a lot of snow! Embrace diversity in Whistler’s Olympic Village, and enjoy comedy shows, live music and a lot more. For more information on ticket pricing and packages, please visit the website.
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Walk for Memories
Jan. 25, 1 p.m.
Stanley Park Pavilion, Vancouver
604-681-6530/1-800-667-6742
Make a difference in the lives of over 70,000 British Colombians living with dementia by joining the Vancouver Investors Group Walk for Memories. The money you raise will support individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia in our province. Register on the website or by phone. If you would like to volunteer for the event, call Daphne Tsai, Special Events Officer.
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Cesna?em: The City Before the City
Jan. 25–Dec. 30
Museum of Anthropology
6393 NW Marine Dr., Vancouver
The City Before the City is a three-venue exhibition that proudly tells the story of cesna?em, one of the largest ancient village and burial sites that Vancouver was built upon. Each exhibition, at Musqueam First Nation, Museum of Anthropology and Museum of Vancouver, shows the significance of this historical village. Learn more about cesna?em and the importance of oral history, language and the Musqueam First Nation’s actions to protect cesna?em.
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What Does it Mean to be Bicultural?
Jan. 26, 7 p.m.
Simon Fraser University
Third Floor Lounge, 422 Richards St., Vancouver
Living in Vancouver, we encounter multiculturalism every day. In this lecture, the idea of biculturalism is explored. Questions raised include how people manage their cultural identities and what the effects of biculturalism are. Learn more about biculturalism and how it influences our lives and other cultures.
