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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…
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…
The Jeremy Ledbetter Trio takes audiences on a jazzy musical journey at Hermann’s Jazz Club in Victoria on Apr. 16. While the trio is named after its pianist and composer, Ledbetter says that the talent of drummer Larnell Lewis and bassist Rich Brown makes it possible to make thrilling music at a breakneck pace a…
Vancouver-raised new music ‘monster pianist’ Vicky Chow returns to her hometown as she embraces her acoustic piano roots and performs Philip Glass’ Piano Études, Book 1. This homecoming brings back a wealth of positive emotions for Chow. Since moving to New York in 2001, she welcomes every opportunity to return, and Vancouver is more than…
Coming full circle from 2003 to 2023, the Dancers of Damelahamid are back at The Dance Centre on March 30th. Their performance of Spirit and Tradition, a sizeable production for family audiences, is described as “conveying important cultural teachings on balance, interconnectedness and community through dramatic dance and intricate masks and regalia.” “This work speaks to…
Francophonie, folk music and fun returns once again to Coquitlam’s Mackin Park with the 34th annual Festival du Bois, along with a healthy dose of music from around the world. The Festival, Mar 24–26, features artists and dancers from a range of disciplines and backgrounds. Young and old will be on their feet celebrating culture…
The relatable struggles of youth, to discover one’s true authentic self in order to gain confidence for adulthood, are heightened by gender identity conflict. To mark the International Trans Day of Visibility (Mar 31), the award-winning documentary Krow’s TRANSformation will have its theatrical premiere at Vancouver’s Cineworks Mar 24. “We made this film as a learning tool…
In times of hardship, it is crucial to simply exist in the beautiful world we live in. Maxine Wolodko illuminates the unnoticed beauty found in nature all around us in her vividly illustrated painting exhibition Maxine Wolodko: Wild in the City. “These creatures offer us the opportunity to slow down and see their magic – to…
As Rendez-vous de la Francophonie (RVF) dedicates their 25th annual, March month-long ceremony edition to celebrating diverse Francophone culture across Canada, singer-songwriter Alexis Normand brings us the vulnerability of the bilingual household. “For a long time, I felt like an impostor to my francophone identity, and because as I was growing up people believed that…
The Vancouver Public Library (VPL) is hosting its third Incite event featuring Cherie Dimaline. The Kirkus Prize and Governor General’s Literary Award winning author will be joined by author and academic Billy-Ray Belcourt who wrote A History of My Brief Body, A Minor Chorus (2021) to discuss her spellbinding new book and her prolific and varied writing…
Creativity is part of building an identity and coping with mental struggle, says Faria Firoz about her current exhibit The Shape of Our Memories. Firoz explores globalization, cultural diaspora, displacement, and adjustment to new cultures. The Shape of Our Memories starts Feb. 25, 2023 and is presented by Coquitlam Heritage. “Expressing who we really are, without using words,”…
From Soweto and Johannesburg and through Belgium, France, Spain, London, Germany, Austria and Hungary, choreographer Gregory Maqoma is bringing Broken Chord to the Vancouver public. Presented by DanceHouse and Vancouver New Music, the Canadian premiere of choreographer and performer Maqoma and musical director Thuthuka Sibisi’s Broken Chord will take the stage from Feb. 23 to 25 at the Vancouver…
Music has the unique ability to bring communities together, elevate and empower the human spirit and help people overcome traumatic events in their lives. This is the philosophy that inspired the creation of Thrive Refuge, a charity organization dedicated to providing access to musical education for refugees arriving in Canada. Founded by Ray Zhang and…
