Vancouver and Toronto are facing similar cultural challenges

The Toronto mayoral election will take place on June 26. Many of the cultural debates that have arisen in the current mayoral race in Canada’s largest city also reverberate here on the Wes Coast. Indeed, several issues raised by cultural organizations in Toronto are very similar to the cultural challenges being faced in Vancouver, according…

A travelling exhibition of beast and other creatures

People have been telling stories about mythical beings for thousands of years. These legends, sometimes inspired by oral legends, fossils or living animals, withstand the test of time and continue to intrigue to this day. Opening at the Museum of Surrey on May 11, 2023, Giants, Dragons & Unicorns: The World of Mythic Creatures traces the natural…

The hybrid spaces of Fashion Fictions

Fashion Fictions, an innovative exhibition, explores the liminal spaces between oppositional, and at times, contradictory ideas. Running from May 27 to Oct. 9 at the Vancouver Art Gallery (VAG) the exhibition showcases works from well-known designers such as Comme des Garçons and Iris van Herpen as well as new artists. On display are various fashion…

Blues at heart

The Steve Kozak Band is bringing the blues to Blue Frog Studios in White Rock, June 3 with special guest Sherman ‘Tank’ Doucette. Born and raised in Vancouver, Kozak and his band will be performing a mix of both covers and original songs, spanning the gamut of different blues styles but with a healthy dose…

Polyphony takes to the stage

To be uncompromising with showcasing culture, and to have honest explorations of themselves is what rice & beans theatre want from artists when developing their art form. The first-ever Polyphonic Translation Residency Showcase (June 9), from rice & beans theatre, features the multilingual works of Emily Jung, Dead Korean Girl Comedy Show, (Toronto) and of…

Aerosia, a feat of vertical dance performance

Artistic director Julia Taffe’s Vancouver-based Aeriosa Dance Society merges elements of vertical dance and rock climbing in the theatrical work New Artists and Approaches in Vertical Dance, part of Scotiabank Dance Society’s Discover Dance! Series. This noon-hour show on May 18 at the Scotiabank Dance Centre features Landon Krentz, Deaf ASL Theatre performer, and dance group…

ExplorAsian – books, conversation and music

Dishonesty, dark humor, deadly consequences…The thin line between representation and exploitation is the theme explored in Rebecca F. Kuang’s latest book Yellowface. Kuang, a Chinese-American fantasy writer will join the Vancouver Writers Fest, Massy Books, and SFU Woodward’s Cultural Programs on May 22 with her upcoming literary thriller, Yellowface (HarperCollins Publishers, 2023) – a timely and cutting satire…

A dynamic celebration of the music of Ennio Morricone

The guitar’s musical flexibility offers new experimental compositions, says Marc Morin, guitarist for Montreal Guitar Trio (MG3). Celebrating its 25th anniversary, MG3 brings a virtuosic, energetic groove at Victoria’s Hermann’s Upstairs on May 16. “The interesting thing with the guitar is that it’s not just one instrument,” says Morin. While it’s often a lot of…

Eastern and Western, a contemplation of identity through music

Award-winning composers and musicians Layale Chaker, Kinan Azmeh and Dinuk Wijeratne share a worldly musical mix that reflects on the ephemeral meaning of home at the Chan Centre on May 5. The show, titled The Journeyed Compass, takes listeners through original compositions by the trio, blending Middle Eastern, South Asian and Western Classical music, as well…

Last call to claim one’s identity

Director and playwright Valerie Methot expertly weaves together humour and the struggle of owning one’s identity in a bold and original tale The Identity Bureau, presented by Some Assembly Theatre Company. “The Identity Bureau promotes inclusion, equity, access, respect for oneself and others, kindness and support,” Methot says. “Each person has the right to be who they…

Childhood dreams, Pekingese dogs, feng shui and property development

Guest curated by Su-Ying Lee, the exhibition, A Small but Comfy House and Maybe a Dog, is Amy Ching-Yan Lam’s first major solo show and features sculptures made in collaboration with HaeAhn Woo Kwon in addition to objects from the collections of the Gallery and the neighbouring Richmond Public Library. “The title of this exhibition comes…