“By the pricking of my thumbs,” as William Shakespeare once wrote, “Something wicked this way comes!” It is Halloween once again and there are many haunted houses to visit, ghosts to see, and pumpkin-spiced lattes to drink. But if you’re not into the spooky season, that’s okay: there are many other cultural events to check out around town, from art exhibition openings to musical operas, film festivals, evening conversations and more. Have a safe and happy Halloween everyone!
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Potter’s House of Horrors
Until Oct. 31
12530 72nd Avenue, Surrey
Potter’s Farm & Nursery, a local garden centre in Surrey supplying plants, pottery and garden gifts, converts into the Potter’s House of Horrors every October. Featuring terrifying custom haunted houses loaded with twisty turns, horrific surprises and heaps of fun, their goal is to ensure patrons have the best time possible while also hoping to provide a delightfully frightful Halloween experience. There are two versions of the haunted house, one for the family, where the scariness factor is reduced, from 7–10 p.m., and an adult version after 10 p.m. For more information, please visit their website.
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Heart of the City Festival
Oct. 25–Nov. 5
Downtown Eastside, Vancouver
www.heartofthecityfestival.com
For the 14th time, the Heart of the City Festival returns to Vancouver to host over 100 events at over 50 venues throughout the Downtown Eastside until Nov. 5. The festival serves as a high impact, bridge-building force that gives voice to the Downtown Eastside and its low income residents, cultural communities and neighbourhoods. The theme of the 2017 Festival, “Honouring Women of the Downtown Eastside,” pays tribute to women from all walks of life in the Downtown Eastside past and present. For a complete schedule of events, please check out their website.
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Halloween at the Cannery
Oct. 28–29, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Gulf of Georgia Cannery, Richmond
The Gulf of Georgia Cannery is haunted by strange noises, ghosts and screams. Dare to explore the haunted house, encounter ghoulish cannery characters along the way and see what tricks you have to play to get some treats at the Cannery! For further information about the Cannery’s spooktacular Halloween weekend, please visit their website.
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The Limits of Whiteness: Iranian Americans and the Everyday Politics of Race
Oct. 29, 4–6 p.m.
SFU Harbour Centre, Vancouver
www.sfu.ca/humanities-
In this talk held at SFU Harbour Centre, University of Toronto sociologist Neda Maghbouleh shares the under-theorized, and sometimes-heartbreaking, story of how Iranian-Americans move across a white/not-white colour line. By challenging underlying assumptions in the sociology of race/ethnicity and immigration, The Limits of Whiteness offers new evidence for how and which “white” groups might become “brown,” and what such a transformation says about race in North America today. Check out the SFU website for more details.
Films from VJFF showcase the Jewish community.| Photo courtesy of Vancouver Jewish Film Festival.
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Vancouver Jewish Film Festival
Nov. 2–12
Fifth Avenue Cinemas and Norman Rothstein Theatre, Vancouver
The 29th annual Vancouver Jewish Film Festival will be screening some of the latest cinematic offerings from or about the Jewish community. There will be films showcasing many subjects including an interview with David Ben-Gurion, Israel’s first prime minister, stories from a group of young adventurers to the Himalayas and a documentary about renowned Batsheva dancer Bobbi Jene Smith. For tickets and showtimes, check out the festival’s website.
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City Opera Vancouver & Pacific Opera Victoria: Missing
Various days between Nov. 3 and 11
The York Theatre, Vancouver
City Opera Vancouver with Pacific Opera Victoria will present the world premiere of Missing at The York Theatre in Vancouver. With libretto by distinguished First Nations playwright Marie Clements, the show will address the national crisis and devastation of Canada’s missing and murdered Aboriginal women and girls. Set between Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside and B.C.’s notorious Highway of Tears, this deeply-moving drama follows the fate of two young women, one Indigenous and one not, whose lives become tragically intertwined. Filled with driving percussion and stirring arias, this pivotal new opera will be performed in English and Gitxsan to music by Juno award-winning composer Brian Current. For tickets and showtimes, please visit the website.
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Taken at Midnight
Various days between Nov. 3 and 26
Jericho Arts Centre, Vancouver
Jericho Arts Centre will be putting on Taken At Midnight, a play examining the life of the celebrated lawyer Hans Litten, his cross-examination of Hitler in court in 1931 and his courageous mother’s attempts to secure his release after his arrest by the Nazis in 1933. Litten is famed for the brilliance with which he defends opponents of the Nazi movement. When he calls Hitler as the star witness in the trial of a band of murderous Nazi paramilitaries, the politician feels the full force of Litten’s intellect, wit and courage. Two years later, Hans is arrested, held without trial and tortured, leaving his indomitable mother to confront his captors at enormous personal risk. For tickets and showtimes, check out their website.
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Taste a world of teas.| Photo courtesy of Vancouver Tea Festival.
Vancouver Tea Festival
Nov. 4–5, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, Vancouver
The fourth annual Vancouver Tea Festival returns to the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden and surrounding area on Nov. 4–5. Come explore the world of tea, interact with like-minded tea lovers and taste dazzling examples of one of the world’s most beloved beverages. There will be a marketplace of tea purveyors, offering a vast variety of teas to suit all tastes and budgets, as well as plenty of tea tastings, presentations and workshops throughout the festival. Check out the festival’s website for more information.
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The Texas Troubadours
Nov. 8, 8 p.m.
Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, University of British Columbia
Sharing the stage at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts for the first time as part of the Texas Troubadours project, the musical trio of Ruthie Foster, Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Carrie Rodriguez will celebrate the proud songwriting tradition of their southern roots. Foster’s powerhouse voice, Gilmore’s distinctive song interpretation and Rodriguez’ spirited fiddle with gorgeous vocals will come together in an unforgettable evening of music with a little bit of grit and a whole lot of heart. Check out the Chan Centre website for tickets and showtimes.
