Good times with beer and entertainment on the North Shore. | Photo courtesy of Vancouver’s North Shore
Autumn, my favourite season, is here. Enjoy the crisp weather by checking out the many events and festivals happening all across Metro Vancouver. The Vancouver International Film Festival is probably among the biggest events happening right now, but why not also check out some of the other events such as Word Vancouver, Craft Beer Week and PumpkinFest?
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Word Vancouver
Sept. 24–29
Vancouver Public Library, Central Branch
Come and check out the 25th Word Vancouver, Western Canada’s largest celebration of reading and literacy. The main festival takes place on Sunday at Library Square, located at the Central Branch of the Vancouver Public Library. Enjoy free readings, panel discussions and live performances. Activities include writing workshops as well as a variety of literacy activities. Canadian authors and book and magazine exhibitors will also gather to share a passion for the written word. An entertaining and educational experience for all ages. For a complete schedule of events and more information, please visit their website.
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BECKETT 19: or some such semblance
Sept. 25–28, 7:30 p.m.
Frederic Wood Theatre at UBC, University Endowment Lands
The 21st annual UBC Theatre Alumni Fundraising Event, supporting the Peter Loeffler Memorial Prize, which goes to an undergraduate student majoring in Theatre, BECKETT 19: or some such semblance showcases four pieces from Samuel Beckett’s oeuvre that challenge, delight and inspire. Come for the theatre and stay afterwards for the cake, the bubbly and the always spirited discussion! The four pieces in the show are Not I, Act Without Words Part I, A Film with Norman Young and Biddies in a Boat.
Antony and Cleopatra
Sept. 26–Oct. 13
Studio 58 at Langara College, Vancouver
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From Sept. 26 to Oct. 13, Langara College’s Studio 58 will be performing an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s classic tragedy Antony and Cleopatra, a story of the life of Mark Anthony, a general in the Roman Empire, and his love affair with Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt. This adaptation is directed by Zee Zee Theatre Company’s artistic director Cameron Mackenzie. Regarding Cleopatra, Mackenzie writes, “an incredibly accomplished states-person and intellectual, she co-ruled with her father from 14, was crowned at 18, commanded armies at 21, spoke nine languages including the common Egyptian Arabic and was the only ruler in her family’s 300 years that did so. She brought 22 years of stability and prosperity to the kingdom she fought so hard to protect. Using this historical perspective, I am so excited to delve into this love story.” For tickets and more information, check out Langara’s website.
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LiterASIAN 2019
Sept. 27–28
Chinatown House (Saturday) and Sun Wah Centre (Sunday), Vancouver
LiterASIAN is an annual festival of Pacific Rim Asian Canadian writing whose purpose is to promote and celebrate the works of Asian Canadian writers and artists through author readings, panel discussions and workshop events, creating important and unique networking opportunities between professional and emerging writers, students and members of the broader public to learn and discuss topics of importance to Asian Canadian writing. This year’s theme is Genesis: Writing Life Into Art and the festival will feature six authors, each of whom will be bringing their own style and voice to speak to this year’s theme.
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Away With Home
Sept. 27–28, 8 p.m.
Scotiabank Dance Centre, Vancouver
www.miscellaneousproductions.ca
Miscellaneous Productions will be presenting their project, Away With Home, which explores themes of home and homeland, identity and belonging on Sept. 27–28 at the Scotiabank Dance Centre. Away With Home is a transdisciplinary performance work featuring youth from the community, using contemporary and hip hop dance, neo-soul and hip hop music, Taiko drumming, performance art and performance poetry to examine questions that are deeply personal to them. Rehearsals began with three questions for youth: What does home mean to you? What does identity mean to you? What does belonging mean to you? From there, youth have created new works that explore issues of immigration, racism, mental health, bullying, maturation, family, victimization, identity and belonging. Check out their website for more information.
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B.C. Culture Days Weekend
Sept. 27–29
Various venues around B.C.
Culture Days is a nationwide event celebrating and showcasing local arts and culture in Canadian communities. This vibrant weekend of artistic expression will explore the intersection of creativity, the arts and well-being. Here in British Columbia, many municipalities and cultural centres will be hosting a plethora of performances and interactive hands-on activities such as create-a-bot, sculpting virtual worlds, bark mulching, laser art design, ukulele workshops and more. Culture Days hopes to instill appreciation for the creators, artists, historians and designers who create art and enrich our cultural fabric.
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Eighth Annual Mushtari Begum Festival
Sept. 28, 6:30 p.m.–10 p.m.
Massey Theatre, New Westminster
The Eighth Annual Mushtari Begum Festival of Indian Classical Music and Dance returns to the Massey Theatre! Included in this magical evening are seven musicians and dancers, performing a variety of Indian style music and dance. Such will be the passion and enchantment they create, intoxicating the soul with ancient melodies and rhythms that undoubtedly, your ears will begin to see and the eyes listen. Check out the theatre’s website for tickets and a list of players.
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Le Concert Spirituel: Baroque Orchestra Suites
Sept. 28, 7:30 p.m.
Christ Church Cathedral, Vancouver
Early Music Vancouver (EMV) will commence its 50th Anniversary Season with Le Concert Spirituel: Baroque Orchestral Suites on Sept. 28, 7:30 p.m. at Christ Church Cathedral. Inspired by the seminal 18th-century French concert series, 16 members of Victoria Baroque will present a lavish pairing of French Overture Suites and Italian Concerti Grossi. Treasured Canadian icon, baroque violinist and Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra Musical Director Emerita Jeanne Lamon will lead this celebration of the birth of the public concert in 18th-century Europe. Check out EMV’s website for tickets and more information.
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Vancouver’s North Shore Craft Beer Week
Oct. 4–11
Various locations around the North Shore
www.vancouversnorthshore.com/craftbeerweek
Vancouver’s North Shore Craft Beer Week returns for its third year in early October. All hop heads can come toast the North Shore’s legendary past in brewing and bright future with a week of celebrations at local breweries. Try special casks, attend fun events and learn more about North Shore beers! For a list of breweries and schedule of events, check out the North Shore’s website.
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Ninth Annual PumpkinFest
Oct. 6, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
West Vancouver Community Centre
www.wvcommunitycentressociety.ca/pumpkinfest
Come and celebrate the harvest season at PumpkinFest – an old-fashioned, community-style day with family-friendly activities. On average over 5,000 people come together each year at the West Vancouver Community Centre to enjoy farm animals, old-fashioned games, an artisan market, home and harvest competition, watch police and fireman demonstrations, participate in free swimming, gymnastics and skating, enjoy local food vendors and listen to fantastic local talent. Check out the community centre’s website for more information.
