THE OFFICIAL LADY GAGA ARTRAVE: The ArtPop Ball Tour afterparty featuring DJ Lady Starlight. August 9 at The Imperial (319 Main). $40 at www.luvngraceaffair.com.
VANCOUVER EARLY MUSIC FESTIVAL: Performances of music by J.S. Bach, Domenico Scarlatti, Jean-Philippe Rameau, and other early music composers. In the festival’s centerpiece concert, the Pacific Baroque Orchestra performs Il trionfo del tempo e del disinganno, the very first oratorio composed by G.F. Handel (August 7 at Chan Shun Concert Hall, 6265 Crescent, UBC). Until August 15 at various venues. $20-$67.75 at www.earlymusic.bc.ca.
WONDER WOMEN MUSIC SERIES: Original music by Arlene Paculan, Deborah Ledon, and Ajaye Jardine. August 16 at Café Deux Soleils (2096 Commercial). $8 at the door.
COMPASSION GORILLA: Eight-piece world beat powerhouse fuses Latin and African music with costumes and outlandish dancing. Vancouver’s Kata Kata Afrobeat Group opens. August 21 at Rickshaw Theatre (254 East Hastings). $10-$15 at www.northerntickets.com.
AN EVENING WITH SANDI THOM: Bestselling Scottish singer-brings her world tour to Vancouver for one night only. August 28 at The Cultch (1895 Venables). Tickets $20-$40 at www.thecultch.com.
NOOTKA SOUND FESTIVAL: Showcase of local and international garage, funk, punk, and psychedelic bands. With Allah-Las (Los Angeles), Jacco Gardner (The Netherlands), Craft Spells (San Francisco), Surf Curse (Las Vegas) and others. August 30 at Rickshaw Theatre (254 East Hastings). $40-$48 at Zulu Records and the door.
DAKHABRAKHA: Quartet from Kiev melds soulful Ukrainian folk with jazz, trance sounds, and Indian, Arabic, African, Russian and Australian instrumentation. August 31 at Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway). $22-$25 at www.caravanbc.com.
THEATRE
THE WINTER’S TALE: All-female ensemble performs Shakespeare’s classic romantic drama. Featuring Corina Akeson as King Leontes. Until August 9 at PAL Studio Theatre (581 Cardero). $25 at www.classicchic.ca.
THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN: Set in a small island community off the coast of Ireland in 1934, this dark comedy follows a lad eager to escape poverty by way of show business. Until August 16 at Jericho Arts Centre (1675 Discovery). $20-$25 at www.ensembletheatrecompany.ca.
THE DUCHESS OF MALFI: A revenge plot takes shape when a widowed Duchess secretly marries her steward. Until August 16 at Jericho Arts Centre (1675 Discovery). $20-$25 at www.ensembletheatrecompany.ca.
THE NORMAL HEART: Largely autobiographical account of the rise of the HIV-AIDS crisis in New York in the early 1980's. Until August 16 at Jericho Arts Centre (1675 Discovery). $20-$25 at www.ensembletheatrecompany.ca.
RED ROCK DINER: Set in 1957, this infectious musical captures the excitement and innocence of our city’s burgeoning rock ‘n’ roll scene. Expanded run; now until August 23 at Granville Island Stage (1585 Johnston, Granville Island). From $29 at www.artsclub.com.
THEATRE UNDER THE STARS: Enjoy theatrical adaptations of two blockbuster films in an open-air theatre: Shrek: The Musical, about an ogre, a talking donkey, and a beautiful princess with a shocking secret; and Legally Blonde: The Musical, in which sorority girl Elle Woods follows her boyfriend to Harvard Law School. Plays run alternate nights Until August 23 at Malkin Bowl (610 Pipeline Road, Stanley Park). $25-$40 at www.tuts.ca.
TRIP IMPROVISER: Highlights and lowlights of travel are brought to life by Vancouver Theatresports improvers. Until August 30 at The Improv Centre (1502 Duranleau, Granville Island). $17-$22 at www.vtsl.com.
BARD ON THE BEACH: Vancouver’s yearly William Shakespeare festival celebrates its 25th season with the return of the Bard’s magical comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The season also includes The Tempest, Cymbeline, and Bill Cain’s Equivocation. Until September 20 at Vanier Park (1000 Chestnut Street). $27-$47 at www.bardonthebeach.org.
EVENTS
TWO FACED: New Works by Sophia Ahamed and Jose Rivas. From August 8 at Hot Art Wet City (2206 Main).
MOVIES UNDER THE STARS: Sci-fi movies in the planetarium star theatre. August 9: Dune. August 16: Men in Black. H.R. MacMillan Space Centre (1100 Chestnut). $8-$13
WATERFRONT CINEMA: Screenings of movies under the stars. August 7: Ghostbusters. August 14: The Notebook. August 21: The Hunger Games. August 28: Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan. The North Point at Canada Place (999 Canada Place).
KITSILANO SHOWBOAT 2014: Family-friendly music and dance performances with “the most beautiful view in the world.” Since 1935. Until August 16 at Kitsilano Showboat (2300 Cornwall, next to Kits Pool). Free.
VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL TAP DANCE FESTIVAL: 20 renowned tappers perform in this four-day tap extravaganza, which includes performances, workshops, and a gala fundraising and awards evening. Includes a special performance by New York’s celebrated tap troupe, Dorrance Dance (August 30 at Norman Rothstein Theatre, 950 West 41st Avenue, tickets $33-$38 at 604.253.0293). August 28-31 at various venues. Tickets and schedule information at www.vantapdance.com.
ORPHEUM THEATRE TOURS: Tours of the historic theatre, built in 1927, are presented every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday this summer. Until August 30 at Orpheum Theatre (601 Smithe). $10 at 604-665-3470.
