Fusing sound and performance. | Photo courtesy of Left of Main
In his book Great Expectations, Charles Dickens wrote that a March day was “when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.” That dichotomy really encapsulates the spring season – at times warm and sunny, and other times cold and rainy; hopefully, this month will be more of the former and less of the latter. Whatever the weather is like though, you still gotta go and check out the many activities and events happening – I’ve included a selection below!
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Ballet BC’s Romeo + Juliet
A retelling of the classic love story. | Photo courtesy of Ballet BC
Mar. 4–7, 8 p.m.
Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Vancouver
For centuries, William Shakespeare’s tale of tragic “star-crossed lovers” has inspired many artists. Compelling in its timeless relevance, this deeply human story captures audiences with enduring themes of love, fate and family. In Ballet BC’s Romeo + Juliet being performed at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in early March, international dancer Medhi Walerski offers a fresh and bold retelling of this classic story of forbidden love that continues to resonate today. For tickets and more information, please check out Ballet BC’s website.
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31st Annual Festival du Bois
Mar. 6–8
Mackin Park, Coquitlam
The Festival du Bois invites you to Maillardville, the cradle of Francophone culture in British Columbia. Come experience a taste of the community’s rich roots and traditions and a festival full of lively music and dance featuring some of the finest artists from across the country in concerts and workshops for the whole family. Come hear a wealth of French Canadian and Francophone folk, world and original music – both traditional and new. Have fun at on-site activities, sample delicious food and revel in an ambiance of warmth and welcome.
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2020 Vancouver International Dance Festival
Mar. 6–28
Various performance venues around Metro Vancouver
The Vancouver International Dance Festival returns to Vancouver for the 20th time, featuring 31 performances including 12 free shows, 20 free dance classes, seven free life drawing sessions with dancers as models and a free art exhibition of photography by Flamenco Rosario Musical Director and guitarist Victor Kolstee. For a complete list of events and performances, please check out the festival’s website.
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VSO’s BeethovenFest 2020
Mar. 7–21
Various venues around Vancouver
The musical works of Ludwig van Beethoven are celebrated throughout the world, from his hometown of Vienna, to the cities of Germany to right here in Vancouver. From a re-creation of the night in 1808 that changed music forever – when Beethoven premièred his 5th and 6th Symphonies, the 4th Piano Concerto and the Choral Fantasy in the same evening – to an exploration of the senses with a special seating arrangement that lets you listen from within the orchestra, VSO BeethovenFest will leave you with a new love of the greatest music master of all. Check out the VSO’s website for tickets and performance information.
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Boom & Bust: the Resilient Women of Historic Telegraph Cove
Mar. 8, 2–3:30 p.m.
Vancouver Public Library,
Central Branch
www.vpl.bibliocommons.com/events
The presence of strong, multi-faceted women ensured that the tiny, isolated village of Telegraph Cove was different from the other logging camps and mill communities along Canada’s west coast in the 20th century. These women, who came from all over the world, experienced isolation, war, occupation, immigration, internment, social change and economic development – remarkable for a population of 60 at its peak! Author Jennifer L. Butler, the great-granddaughter of the founders of Telegraph Cove, will tell their stories of resilience, heartbreak and triumph, using archival photos and first-hand knowledge of life in Telegraph Cove at the Vancouver Public Library on March 8.
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Superbugs: How a Dose of Computational Biophysics Can Help Stop Them
Mar. 5, 7–9 p.m.
North Vancouver City Library, North Vancouver
Improper use of antibiotics over the last few decades has resulted in the emergence of new bacterial
strains causing bacterial infections that resist treatment. In this presentation, Bruno Tomberli, an instructor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at CapU and a researcher in the field of soft condensed matter and biomaterials, will present the background and history of anti-microbial resistance and show how physics, aided by computers, can help explain how newly discovered antimicrobials work and point the way for future research in this field.
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North Shore Culture Compass
Mar. 12, 5:30–7:30 p.m.
The Polygon Gallery, North Vancouver
The North Van Arts organization will be launching the North Shore Culture Compass at The Polygon Gallery on Mar. 12. The Culture Compass catalogues and visualizes the cultural, artistic and historic institutions and destinations of North Vancouver, West Vancouver and the region’s First Nations communities. The Culture Compass hopes to change the way locals and tourists connect with the North Shore’s arts, culture and heritage, engaging diverse audiences and encouraging exploration of the North Shore.
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Double Happiness: Detour this Way
Mar. 12–22
Left of Main, Vancouver
Comparing two parallel histories, Double Happiness: Detour This Way winds through complexities of the Chinese diaspora by tracing migration paths of two families, connecting both shores of the Pacific using live music in a multimedia performance. Nancy Tam, a 2018 Emerge on Main artist, fuses sound and performance as the foundation of her collaborative, interdisciplinary works. Robyn Jacob is a pianist, singer, composer and educator, striving for beauty that defies category.
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24-hour Thinkathon: Vancouver/Madrid – Smart and Fast Expanding Cities
Mar. 13–14
Deloitte, 939 Granville St, Vancouver
What are the potential effects of modern technology and digitality on our society and cities? How can we use advanced technology to build smart cities that impact individuals, communities, and businesses positively and ensure an inclusive society? Why not participate in a 24 hour Thinkathon, an initiative funded by the European Union. For 24 hours you’ll work with other young people in your working group while constantly digitally interacting with the matching working group in Madrid. An expert will coach your working group in the chosen field, giving you the opportunity to gain valuable insights and develop new skills. At the end of the Thinkathon, you will have the chance to present your project and win a number of prizes! Check out the Thinkathon’s website for more information.
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Sonic Boom
Mar. 19–22
Pyatt Hall, Vancouver Academy of Music & Orpheum Annex, Vancouver
The Vancouver ProMusica group will be presenting Sonic Boom, a four day festival of exciting new music created by British Columbia’s finest composers, performed by eclectic combinations of some of the province’s finest musicians. The festival’s featured artist is pianist Rachel Kiyo Iwassa, who has performed in the Netherlands, Germany, the United States and across Canada and has commissioned or premiered works by many of Canada’s most eminent composers. For a complete list of performances and events, check out ProMusica’s website.
