THEATRE
BARD ON THE BEACH
Until September 14 at Vanier Park (1695 Whyte Avenue) $25-$43 at 604.739.0559 or www.bardonthebeach.org
TWELFTH NIGHT: In the pampered world of a fine European spa, everyone is falling in love with someone who is not exactly who they seem.BMO Maintstage.HAMLET: Shakespeares tragic tale about the grieving Prince of Denmark and the doomed souls around him. BMO Mainstage.
MEASURE FOR MEASURE: This dark comedy about hypocrisy, sexual repression and the true nature of justice unfolds in 1900s New Orleans. Studio Stage.
ELIZABETH REX: Queen Elizabeth I must reconcile her responsibilities as a leader with her feelings as a woman.Studio Stage.
THEATRE UNDER THE STARS
July 8-August 31 at Malkin Bowl (610 Pipeline, Stanley Park) $19-$44 at 604.696.4295 or www.tuts.ca
LEGALLY BLONDE: THE MUSICAL: Song-and-dance version of the hit Reese Witherspoon film in which peppy sorority girl Elle Woods shockingly and hilariously takes Harvard Law School by storm.
HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING: Frank Loessers enduring 1961 musical comedy about a window washer turned high-powered executive (think Mad Men for the Broadway crowd).
THE AMAZING IMPROV SHOW: Fast-paced improv comedy abounds in Vancouver TheatreSports Leagues spoof of The Amazing Race. Until August 31 at The Improv Centre on Granville Island (1502 Duranleau). $10-$12 at tickets.vtsl.com.
AVENUE Q: Sesame Street-esque puppets rub shoulders with humans in the only musical around that comes with a full puppet nudity warning. Held over until August 17 at the Granville Island Stage (1585 Johnston). $29-$70 at 604.687.1644 or www.artsclub.com.
RIVERVIEW HIGH: Uh-oh: Alex accidentally asked two girls to prom! High school melodrama meets musical theatre hilarity in this 2012 Pick of the Fringe. August 7-24 at Firehall Arts Centre (280 East Cordova). $18-$20 at www.firehallartscentre.ca.
FALL AWAY HOME: Boca del Lupos family-friendly fairytale about a young girl who tumbles down a hole and through the planet. August 24-31 at Brockton Point (Stanley Park). Free but reservations required: tickets.shadboltcentre.com.
OPERA
WHEN THE SUN COMES OUT: New lesbian opera explores the oppression that LGBT lovers face in nations where homosexuality is illegal. August 5-9 at Roundhouse Community Centre (181 Roundhouse). $30-$35 at www.brownpapertickets.com.
MUSIC
ENCHANTED EVENINGS: Friday night concert series featuring blues, jazz, fusion, classical piano, Chinese opera, and more. July 5-August 30 at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden (578 Carrall). $20-$25 at ticketstonight.ca.
SHOREFEST 2013: Free concert series at the Honda Celebration of Light. August 3: River and the Road, No Sinner, Greg Drummond, Deep Dark Woods, Head of the Herd, and Mother Mother. Sunset Beach and English Bay.
VANCOUVER EARLY MUSIC FESTIVAL: The complexity and vitality of early music is celebrated over eight lively performances. July 28-August 10 at Roy Barnett Recital Hall, UBC School of Music (6361 Memorial Road) and Chan Centre for the Performing Arts (6265 Crescent). $18-$36 at earlymusic.bc.ca.
YAMANTAKA // SONIC TITAN: Psychedelic noh-wave opera group fusing noise, metal, pop and folk music. Shortlisted for the 2012 Polaris Prize. August 3 at Roundhouse Community Centre (181 Roundhouse). $5-$25 at www.brownpapertickets.com.
KEEP THE WISE ALIVE: Benefit concert in support of the WISE Hall features The Odds, The Palomars, Big Top, and theScreaming Chicken Burlesque Society. August 9 at the WISE Hall (1882 Adanac). $25-$30 at www.brownpapertickets.com.
JOURNEYS TO THE EAST AND BEYOND: Toronto-based Las Ventanas and Vancouvers Persian-Flamenco group Mashregh perform in a double-bill of upbeat Bulgarian tunes, Greek, Turkish and Sephardic love songs and Flamenco dance and music. August 14 at the Kosmik Zoo (53 West Broadway). $12-$15 at www.brownpapertickets.com.
HAVANA DPRIMERA: Trumpeter Alexander Abreu leads this all-star Cuban band performing timba, salsa, jazz, funk and Afro-Cuban music. August 21 at St. Marys Ukrainian Cultural Centre (3150 Ash). $40-$50 at www.vtix.com.
GREASE SING-A-LONG: Belt out Youre the One that I Want and other hits from the classic film starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John in TUTS annual film sing-a-long. August 24 at Malkin Bowl (610 Pipeline, Stanley Park). $20-$25 at www.tuts.ca.
IL VOLO: Theyve performed on American Idol and with Barbra Streisand, and now Italian pop opera trio Il Volo will launch their North American tour in Vancouver. August 25 at the Orpheum Theatre (884 Granville). $59.50-$136 at www.ticketmaster.ca.
SUMMER CONCERTS IN THE COURTYARD: The newly renovated courtyard of this venerable venue is the setting for a performance by the Dream Team Blues Ensemble. August 25 at Firehall Arts Centre (280 East Cordova). $12.
EVENTS
VANDUSEN BOTANICAL GARDEN: On display now until Sept. 30 is the Touch Wood sculpture exhibit. The Sculptures Society of BCs exhibition and sale is Aug. 1 to 5. The HSBC family program has two sessions on Aug. 11. Aug. 17 is the Vancouver Orchid Society Summer Sale. Take a Walk in the Tropics with the birds of Bloedel on Aug. 21. The Vancouver Dahlia Societys annual show is Aug. 24 and 25. Vancouver.ca/vandusen
KLAHOYA VILLAGE IN STANLEY PARK: Live performances, artisan market, Spirit Catcher train and activities celebrate Aboriginal culture. Until September 2 at Stanley Park Miniature Train site. Free entry; train tickets $5 per ride.
ORPHEUM TOURS: Explore the inner workings of this legendary Vancouver theatre in informative 90-minute guided tours. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays until August 31 at the Orpheum Theatre (884 Granville Street).
BUILDINGS AND LAND: Solo exhibition of large-scale graphite and coloured pencil drawings by Canadian artist Itee Pootoogook. Until August 25 at the Contemporary Art Gallery (555 Nelson).
QUEER ARTS FESTIVAL 2013: An annual showcase of queer arts, culture and history. Line-up features opera, dance, theatre, music, and a visual arts exhibition entitled TransgressionNow. Until August 9 at Roundhouse Community Centre (181 Roundhouse Mews). Free-$30 at www.brownpapertickets.com.
HONDA CELEBRATION OF LIGHT FESTIVAL: Thailand lights up the sky in the final night of the largest offshore fireworks competition in the world. August 3; best viewed from English Bay and Kits Point.
37th ANNUAL POWELL STREET FESTIVAL: Free celebration of Japanese Canadian arts and culture. With martial arts demos, dance, theatre and music performances, film screenings, marketplace, food booths, and more. August 3 & 4 at Oppenheimer Park (400-block, Powell Street).
8 TREASURES: EVENING IN THE GARDEN: Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Gardens annual fundraiser includes food, drinks, a silent auction, musicians, and circus performers. August 8 at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden (578 Carrall). $65 at www.eventbrite.ca.
ARTISTS IN THE ATRIUM: Traditional and contemporary performances by some of Vancouvers finest Aboriginal dance and music artists. August 9: MGirl. August 16: Sandy Scofield. August 23: Iskwew Singers. Series runs until October 13 at Woodwards (149 W. Hastings).
DEIGHTON CUP WEEKEND AT THE RACES: Great Gatsby-themed lifestyle festival celebrates style and elegance with cigars and whiskey tastings, horseracing, and a mint julep mixology competition. August 9-11 at Hastings Racecourse (188 Renfrew). Tickets $25-75 at www.deightoncup.com.
MOVIES UNDER THE STARS: H.R. MacMillan screens sci-fi blockbusters in the Planetarium. August 9: Close Encounters of the Third Kind. August 16: The Fifth Element. At H.R. MacMillan Space Centre (1100 Chestnut). $11.
TD VANCOUVER CHINATOWN FESTIVAL: Celebration of multiculturalism includes traditional arts and crafts, stage performances, walking tours, an open-air market, a talent show, an anime fashion show, and more. August 10 & 11 at Keefer and Columbia (Chinatown).
VANCOUVER QUEER FILM FESTIVAL: The 25th edition of Vancouvers second largest film festival screens 85 films from 11 countries telling a wide range of queer stories. August 15-25 at various venues. $8-$11 at www.queerfilmfestival.ca.
TAPPED IN: The Shooting Stars Foundation and Vancouver Craft Beer Week present an evening of blind beer tasting. August 22 at Performance Works (1218 Cartwright, Granville Island). $35 at www.eventbrite.ca.
CELEBRATE! STANLEY PARK: Stanley Parks 125th birthday celebration includes a community picnic, Coast Salish artisans and performers, drop-in games, nature studies, a theatre work by Boca del Lupo, and more. August 24 & 25 at Second Beach, Lumbermans Arch, and Brockton Point.
KERRISDALE ANTIQUES FAIR: Bi-annual event features 250 vendors hawking antiques, vintage collectibles, and retro chic goods. August 31 and September 1 at Kerrisdale Arena (5670 East Boulevard). $7.
OUT-OF-TOWN
CATES PARK CONCERT SERIES 2013: Over seven weeks, twenty-seven emerging GVRD-based artists and bands perform free concerts in one of North Vancouvers most beautiful parks. July 6-August 24 at Cates Park.
MOUNT SEYMOUR SUMMER CAMPS: Experiential summer camps for children and youth on Mount Seymour. Eco-Adventure Camp for children ages 5-12; Youth Leadership Program for youth ages 12-15. Various start times/sessions until August 23. $250-$375 at www.mountseymour.com.
HARMONY ARTS FESTIVAL: 10-day celebration showcasing the best of North Shore music, performance, cinema, art and food. August 2-11 along West Vancouver waterfront (between 14th and 16th). Free.
NIKKEI MATSURI: Indoor Japanese-style summer festival features performances, food, vendors, a Lego display, and a talent show. August 31-September 1 at Nikkei Cultural Centre (6687 Southoaks, Burnaby). Free.
Check out our updated events calendar at WEVancouver.com
