THE ARTS CLUB / 604.687.1644 / ARTSCLUB.COM
-OTHER DESERT CITIES: Pulitzer Prize-finalist Jon Robin Baitzs new play about wealth, fame, and family secrets. Until October 20 at Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage (2750 Granville). $29-$70
-VENUS IN FUR: The line between fantasy and reality is blurred in this kinky comedy about a theatrical adaptation of an infamous novel. October 3 to November 2 at Granville Island Stage (1585 Johnston). $29-$49
-ARMSTRONGS WAR: The world of 12-year-old Halley Armstrong is turned on its ear when she reads to a veteran of the Afghan war. October 17-November 9 at Revue Stage (1601 Johnstone).$25-$35
THE CULTCH / 1895 VENABLES / 604.251.1363 / THECULTCH.COM
-PENELOPE: Canadian premiere of Irish playwright Enda Walshs savage and funny take on the classic Greek myth.September 25-October 13. $17.14-$38.10.
-INSIDE THE SEED: In a reimagining of Oedipus Rex, the action is shifted to a present-day bio-tech firm where far more than the fate of ancient Athens is on the line. October 2-12. $29.52
-THE RAP GUIDE TO EVOLUTION: Combining the wit, poetry, and charisma of a great rapper with the accuracy and rigor of a scientist, Baba Brinkman takes us on a hip-hop tour of modern biology. October 29-November 10. $18.
FIREHALL ARTS CENTRE / 280 EAST CORDOVA / 604.689.0926/ $20-$30 / FIREHALLARTSCENTRE.CA
-YOU SHOULD HAVE STAYED HOME: Tommy Taylors personal and absurdly humourous account of the 2010 G20 protests in Toronto. Until October 5.
-ASSASSINATING THOMSON: Art, politics, ambition, and murder collide when a legally blind painter uncovers the truth behind the mysterious death of an iconic artist. October 8-19.
PACIFIC THEATRE / 1440 WEST 12th / 604.731.5518 / $19.99-$29.99 / PACIFICTHEATRE.ORG
-THE FOREIGNER: Hilarity ensues when a painfully shy English tourist attempts to decompress at a rural fishing lodge. September 20-October 12.
-COMMUNION: A crisis brings three women crashing together, exposing what they truly do, and do not, believe in. October 25-November 9.
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A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM: Shakespeares comedy about teenagers in love, fairies and labourers is given a vampire twist. Until October 20 at Studio 58 (100 West 49th). $12-$22 at www.ticketstonight.ca.
SPEECH & DEBATE: Dark comedy about three teenage misfits brought together by a sex scandal in their small town. October 2-12 at Studio 1398 (1398 Cartwright). $18-$22 at www.brownpapertickets.com.
THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW: Kitschy rock 'n' roll sci-fi gothic musical about that sweet transvestite and his time-warping motley crew. October 4-26 at Jericho Arts Centre (1675 Discovery). $30-$35 at www.ticketstonight.ca.
ALL IN: Diversity wreaks havoc when six individuals come together for a workshop about belonging. October 15-17 at PAL Studio Theatre (581 Cardero). $20 at www.brownpapertickets.com.
A PARTICULAR CLASS OF WOMEN: Funny and touching play set in the dressing room of a 1980s strip club. October 16-25 at Waterfront Theatre (1412 Cartwright). $20-$25 at www.neveryoumindproductions.com.
THE DRIVE-IN DOUBLE FEATURE: Comedy troupe Instant Theatre presents a blood-drenched parody of 70s and 80s slasher films, and a laugh-fest featuring teenage super-sleuths. October 17-19 at Havana Theatre (1212 Commercial). $15 at www.instanttheatre.com.
RELATIVELY SPEAKING: Alan Ayckbourns classic farce weaves a tangle of love, mischief, and mistaken identities. October 31-December 1 at PAL Theatre (581 Cardero). $25 at www.westerngoldtheatre.org.
TOSCA: A glorious, gritty drama about love, corruption, and evil by Giacomo Puccini. October 26-November 3 at Queen Elizabeth Theatre (630 Hamilton). From $35 at www.vancouveropera.ca.
VANCOUVER SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA / ORPHEUM THEATRE (884 GRANVILLE STREET) / $21-$88 (unless otherwise noted) / VANCOUVERSYMPHONY.CA
-THE WORLD OF ITALIAN OPERA: UBC Opera Ensemble performs selections by Rossini, Verdi, Puccini and Ponchielli. Hosted by Christopher Gaze. October 3.
-A RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN CELEBRATION!: Conductor John Morris Russell and a cast of vocalists present music from The King and I, The Sound of Music, South Pacific, and more. October 4-5.
-AMY GRANT WITH THE VSO: The multi-platinum sings her biggest pop and Christian hits backed by the VSO. October 7.
-OUT ON THE TOWN: THE MUSIC OF BERNSTEIN & TCHAIKOVSKY: Pianist Anne-Marie McDermott performs Tchaikovskys other Piano Concerto and the Symphonic Dances from West Side Story. October 12.
-INSPECTOR TOVEY INVESTIGATES HARMONY: A kids-centric performance of Saint-Saëns Carnival of the Animals. October 13.
-TCHAIKOVSKY: WINTER DREAMS: ViolinistAugustin Hadelichplays Dvoraks virtuosicViolin Concerto. Also on the program:a beautiful but rarely heard Tchaikovsky symphony. October 19 &21.
-GLORIOUS! POULENC AND HAYDN: British conductor Simon Wright leads the VSO and the Vancouver Bach Choir in a performance of Poulencs stunning Gloria. October 25 & 26 at the Chan Centre (6265 Crescent). $26.75-$66.
CHAN CENTRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS / 6265 CRESCENT ROAD, UBC / TICKETMASTER.CA / CHANCENTRE.COM
-KRONOS AT 40: Grammy Award-winning ensemble celebrates its 40th anniversary with the world premiere performance of Philip Glass String Quartet No. 6. October 19. $40.75-$76.75
-MARIZA: Portuguese-Mozambican recording artist Mariza returns to the Chan Centre to perform a stirring program of fado songs. October 27. $40.75-$76.75
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SOFYA GULYAK: The first woman to win the prestigious Leeds Piano Competition performs work by Medtner, Chopin, Rachmaninoff, and Prokofiev. October 4 at Vancouver Playhouse (600 Hamilton). $30-$40 at www.chopinsociety.org.
ROSE COUSINS: Winner of 2013 Juno Awards for singer-songwriter Album of the Year is joined by Scottish folk musician, Rachel Sermanni. October 4 at CBC Studio 700 (700 Hamilton). $20 at www.thefestival.bc.ca.
ROGUE FOLK CLUB: Performances by folk, roots, and Celtic musicians. October 4: Little Miss Higgins. October 5: Contra Dance with the Sybarites. October 9: Dar Williams. October 12: Lend a Hand Music & Dance Benefit. October 18: Kat Danser & SONiA. October 25: Martha Scanlen + Cahalen Morrison & Eli West. October 27: Francey. St. James Hall (3214 West 10th). $16-$28 at www.roguefolk.bc.ca.
THE RITE OF SPRING: UBC Symphony Orchestra celebrates 100 years since the premiere of Stravinskys masterpiece. October 5 at Chan Centre (6265 Crescent).
HURRAY FOR THE RIFF RAFF & SPIRIT FAMILY REUNION: Showcase of music from the American South. With special guests The Deslondes. October 9 at Biltmore Cabaret (2755 Prince Edward). $20 at www.thefestival.bc.ca.
VANCOUVER NEW MUSIC RETROSPECTIVE: Four-night festival explores 40 years of VNMs artistic approaches. October 16: works for small ensemble and solos; October 17: electronic, electroacoustic, and new media works; October 18: opera excerpts in concert; October 19: works for large ensemble. October 16-17 in the Orpheum Annex (823 Seymour); October 18-19 at Vancouver Playhouse (600 Hamilton). $10-$35 at www.newmusic.org.
MUSIC IN THE MORNING: Coffee, conversation, and a concert by Susanne Hou and Yuval Fichman. October 16-18 at Vancouver Academy of Music (1270 Chestnut). $16-$35 at www.musicinthemorning.org.
CANTI DI A TERRA: Montreals Constantinople and the Barbara Fortuna vocal quartet perform music from Corsica, Persia and Mediæval Europe. October 18 at Christ Church Cathedral (690 Burrard). $18-$36 at earlymusic.bc.ca.
FADING SPLENDOUR: Music by Howells, Wood, Stanford, Elgar, Vaughan Williams and others is performed in this programme of music from the end of the English empire. October 19 at Christ Church Cathedral (690 Burrard). $10-$30 at www.cantatasingers.com.
THE ART OF TABLA: Performance by esteemed tabla player Pandit Yogesh Samsi. October 20 at Vancouver Community College (1155 East Broadway). $20.
MODULUS FESTIVAL: Four-day fest offers window into Vancouvers post-classical music scene. October 21-24 at Heritage Hall (3102 Main) and Blusson Spinal Cord Centre (818 West 10th). Festival pass $49-$99 at www.ticketstonight.
MUSIC ON THE POINT: UBC School of Music personalities David Gilham and Mark Anderson perform and share glimpses of life inside the music. October 25 at Roy Barnett Recital Hall (6361 Memorial). $15-$25 at www.music.ubc.ca.
THIS LAND: musica intima vocal ensemble performs new commissions by Ed Henderson and Imant Raminsh based on Sto:lo Nation member Sonny McHalsie's retellings of the Sepass Poems. October 26 at UBC Longhouse (1985 West Mall) and October 27 in the Orpheum Annex (823 Seymour).
VILDE FRANG & MIKHAIL LIFITS: Norwegian violin virtuoso performs with accomplished pianist. October 27 at Vancouver Playhouse (600 Hamilton). www.vanrecital.com.
FORBIDDEN MUSIC: Programme of works by composers whose music was banned by the Third Reich. October 27 at Goldcorp Centre for the Arts (149 West Hastings). $10-$35 at www.turningpointensemble.ca.
JOE FAFARD AND FAFARD & SCHWARTZ: Order of Canada-winning sculptor and his Juno-nominated musician son present a concert and visual art show. October 28 at Heritage Hall (3102 Main). $25 at www.thefestival.bc.ca.
THE LITTLE CHAMBER MUSIC SERIES THAT COULD: Innovative new music series returns after a decade-long hiatus with two concerts: Celebration Places at the Roundhouse Community Centre (181 Roundhouse) on October 26, and Remembrance Places at Mountain View Cemetery (5455 Fraser) on October 31. $10-$20 at www.littlechambermusic.com.
TILT: World premieres by Emily Molnar and Jorma Elo, and a remount of Johan Ingers Walking Mad. October 17-19 at Queen Elizabeth Theatre (649 Cambie). $22-70 at www.ticketmaster.ca.
GAIT TO THE SPIRIT FESTIVAL: Annual celebration of classical Indian dance spotlights odissi, bharata natyam, and kathak styles. October 18-21 at Scotiabank Dance Centre (677 Davie). www.mandalarts.ca.
NEW ANIMAL: 605 Collective performs excerpt from new dance work, as well as commission from Theatre Replacement. October 20 at Roundhouse Community Centre (181 Roundhouse). $5-$15 at www.newworks.ca.
BULLETINS FROM IMMORTALITYFREEING EMILY DICKINSON: American acting icon Elizabeth Parrish and Canadian dance icon Margie Gillis combine forces to reveal the revolutionary, innovative, and modern in Emily Dickinsons work. October 23-26 at The Cultch (1985 Venables). $18 at www.thecultch.com.
VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL FLAMENO FESTIVAL: Local, national and international flamenco artists perform traditional and contemporary works. October 30-November 10 at various venues. Free-$60 at www.vancouverflamencofestival.org.
DISCOVER DANCE!: Popular noon series presents Vancouver Korean Dance Society. October 31 at Scotiabank Dance Centre (677 Davie Street). $10-12 at www.ticketstonight.ca.
LIQUID LOFT: Award-winning Austrian company performs a provocative duet entitled Running Sushi, in which dance moves are randomly selected by the audience.October 31-November 2 at Scotiabank Dance Centre (677 Davie). $22-$30 at www.ticketstonight.ca.
INVISIBLE PORTRAITS: High-tech images of microbial life refashioned as metal sculpture, wood carvings and large-scale portraiture. Until January 5, 2014 at Beaty Biodiversity Museum (2212 Main Mall, UBC).
REZERECT: Groundbreaking exhibition of First Nations erotica. Until February 16, 2014 at Bill Reid Gallery (639 Hornby Street).
VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL: The largest film festival in the city screens 350 films from 70 countries. September 26-October 11 at various venues. $11-$13 at www.viff.org.
CAPTURE: Lens-based arts festival celebrating Metro Vancouvers legendary photography scene. October 1-November 15 at various venues.
HART FOR THE HOMELESS: Circus, music, stories, dance and art converge in a gala fundraiser for the Lookout Society. October 3 at Imperial (319 Main). $60 at www.2mevents.com.
THE SUPERHERO BALL: Costume party fundraiser for BC Childrens Hospital. October 4 at Renaissance Vancouver Harbourside Hotel (1133 West Hastings). $30 at www.eventbrite.com.
RAW TALENT 2013: Exhibition of photographs shot during the 12x12 Vancouver Photo Marathon. October 12 at Scotiabank Dance Centre (677 Davie).
ARTISTS IN THE ATRIUM: Traditional and contemporary performances by some of Vancouvers finest Aboriginal dance and music artists. October 12: Git Hayetsk Dancers. October 13: Closing ceremonies. At Woodwards (149 W. Hastings).
TOAST TO THE COAST: After-hours foodie and wine event in support of the Vancouver Aquariums conservation and education programs. October 18 at Vancouver Aquarium (845 Avison). $95 at www.vanaqua.org.
INVESTED/40: Work from 31 contemporary craftspeople is on display in this celebration of BC crafts. October 18-November 9 at Pendulum Gallery (885 West Georgia).
BC BEER AWARDS & FESTIVAL: Fourth annual showcase of craft brewing includes hops master class, sampling, demonstrations, and awards ceremony. October 19 at Croatian Cultural Centre (3250 Commercial). $35 at www.eventbrite.ca.
BLIM INDOOR CRAFT MARKET: Indie artisans sell handmade crafts, accessories, apparel, paper goods, jewellery, and more. October 20 at Heritage Hall (3102 Main). Entry by donation.
VANCOUVER WRITERS FESTIVAL: Annual celebration of story spotlights authors, poets, spoken word performers, and graphic novelists. October 22-27 at Granville Island.
10th ANNUAL HEART OF THE CITY FESTIVAL: Twelve days of music, stories, cultural celebrations, films, theatre, dance, forums, workshops, and more. October 23-November 3 at various venues.
CIRCLE CRAFT CHRISTMAS MARKET PREVIEW: Canadian artisans hawk their wares in advance of the holiday season. October 3-29 at Circle Craft Shop & Gallery (1666 Johnston).
YUK YUKS: Hilarity a-plenty is always to be found at Yuk Yuks, where a steady stream of emerging and internationally acclaimed comedians incite laughter from the stage. Ongoing at 2837 Cambie.
