Thursday, May 28
Music
AWOLNATION American electronic band fronted by Aaron Bruno return to support their sophomore release Run with special guests Family of the Year and Irontom. 7pm at Commodore Ballroom. Tickets $29.50 at LiveNation.com and Ticketmaster.ca
Road To Bestival Five free concerts across Canada exclusively for Fido customers, with Owen Pallett playing Vancouver. 8pm at Biltmore Cabaret. Tickets at Fido.ca and RoadToBestival.ca. Free with promo code!
Theatre/Dance
Cocktails with Maria A sex-fuelled, live-singing, semi-operatic drag romp into the real lives of the modern West Coast gay – the result of a four-year collaboration among Victoria composer Isaiah Bell, drag opera diva Maria Toilette, and concert pianist Karen Lee-Morlang. 9:45pm at Vancouver East Cultural Centre. Tickets at Tickets.TheCultch.com. Runs until May 30.
In The Heights The Tony Award winning musical about home, family and finding where you belong set in NYC’s vibrant and tough Washington Heights neighbourhood. 8pm at Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage. Tickets at ArtsClub.com. Runs until June 7.
Events
City of Bhangra Festival Celebrating the joy of shared experience by connecting cultural communities worldwide through the vibrancy of bhangra music, song and dance featuring performances by Ustad Lal Singh Bhatti, DJ Lajit, Raju Johal, Shava, Lil India and many more. At various Vancouver venues, runs until June 6. Info at VIBC.org
Cheap & Fun
Open Show Organizing live social events worldwide where the public can experience compelling visual stories and interact directly with photographers, filmmakers and producers, the Vancouver edition showcases five presenters with projects based on narrative, topic or single visual style. 7:30pm at Chapel Arts (304 Dunlevy Ave.). Admission is $2-$5.
Happy Hours: Beers & Bikes This event is part of the Museum of Vancouver’s series of fun and brainy talks exploring happiness. Feature speakers include competitive cyclist Allan Shaw and Stephen Smysnuik, editor of The Growler. 6-9pm at the Museum of Vancouver (1100 Chestnut ). Admission by donation, cash bar.
Friday, May 29
Music
Bif Naked Vancouver’s legendary rock star, writer and humanitarian takes the stage with special guests Cobra Ramone, Wett Stilettos, The Living, The Lovers Cabaret and the East Van Collective Choir. 8pm at Rickshaw Theatre. Tickets $28.50 at Zulu, Red Cat, Neptoon, Highlife and RickshawTheatre.com
Comedy
Sean Proudlove Victoria born and bred comic brings his oddly observant, fearless and poignant style of funny, sickly smart comedy to the stage. 8pm at Yuk Yuk’s. Tickets $20 at YukYuks.com
Theatre/Dance
God & The Indian Celebrated Aboriginal playwright Drew Hayden Taylor explores the complex process of healing with this heartbreaking and beautifully told story of the chance encounter between a Cree woman and a priest. 8pm at Firehall Arts Centre. Tickets at FireHallArtsCentre.com. Runs until May 30.
Mr. Snortoose and the Machine-Children’s Machine An absurd nostalgia retelling a history that never really happened about a world missing all history, with a king who holds one single memory that disappears whenever he needs to recall it. 9:45pm at Vancouver East Cultural Centre. Tickets at Tickets.TheCultch.com. Runs until May 31.
Events
International Children’s Festival Granville Island provides the backdrop for the annual world renowned festival of performing arts for young audiences. Make a day of it, your show ticket includes access to over 15 interactive arts activities taking place over six days of fun. 10:30am-8:30pm at various venues across Granville Island. Tickets at ChildrensFestival.ca. Runs until May 31.
Art
Nocturnes III David Haughton presents “an artist’s view of a threatened landscape” with this new collection of paintings of the Georgia Strait and Vancouver Harbour. 12-6pm at Visual Space Gallery. Runs until May 31.
Saturday, May 30
Music
Songs for Nepal A fundraiser for the Canadian Red Cross’ ‘Nepal Region Earthquake Fund’ featuring performances from Dan Ross, Hannah Kathryn, Paul Stewart, Andrew Pederson and Dan Garrison. 8pm at Skylight Gallery (163 East Pender St.) $10 cover donation at the door.
Streetlight Manifesto New Jersey ska/punk band return to town with special guests Dan Potthast and Sycamore Smith. 8pm at Rickshaw Theatre. Tickets $25 at Beat Street, Highlife, Red Cat and TicketWeb.ca
Soul 2 Soul Benefit Concert An evening of warm and smoky soul, blues and funk with Tracy Moar and Darlene Ketchum to support midwives in Uganda and Nepal. 7:30pm at Redemption Church. Tickets $12 at EventBrite.ca or $15 at the door.
Ten Strings & A Goatskin The traditional folk fusion trio, a bilingual band out of PEI weave the music of Irish, Acadian, Francophone and Maritime cultures with modern and world rhythms. 7pm at St. James Hall. Tickets $20 at Red Cat, Highlife, Prussin Music, Rufus’ Guitars and RogueFolk.bc.ca
Hop Along Philadelphia indie rockers on tour to support their upcoming release Painted Shut with special guests Field Mouse and Lithuania. 8pm at The Cobalt. Tickets $10 at Red Cat, Zulu and TicketWeb.ca
Miami Horror Australian psychedelic-dance rock outfit, on tour to support their latest release All Possible Futures with special guests De Lux and Dirty Radio. 9pm at Electric Owl. Tickets $15 at Red Cat, Zulu and TicketWeb.ca
The River and The Road Vancouver’s Americana folk, country and rock quartet play tunes from Headlights at the album release showwith special guests. 7pm at Biltmore Cabaret. Tickets $12.50 at Red Cat, Zulu and TicketWeb.ca
Apocalyptica Finnish cello-wielding metal quintet on tour in support of their eighth release Shadowmaker with label-mates Art of Dying. 9:30pm at Commodore Ballroom. Tickets $32.50 at Scratch Records and LiveNation.com
Comedy
Kevin Banner A rising talent in Canadian comedy, with a self professed “dark” sense of humour tackling tough topics with personable storytelling and charm. 8pm & 10:30pm at The Comedy Mix. Tickets $20 at TheComedyMix.com
Events
O/S – Open Spectrum A fundraiser for CampOUT! featuring a Peau De Loup fashion show, special guests Femme City Choir, a photo booth, drag performances DJ Ruggedly Handsome and swoony sounds from Gavin Kade. 7pm at East Van Studios (870 East Cordova). $10-$20 sliding scale at the door.
Hawkerfest Hawker’s Market returns for its largest and most exciting event yet with pop-up chefs, local artisans, independent craftspeople, art collectives and food trucks featuring live music and a Fresh Air cinema showing of The Life Aquatic. 5pm at Rocky Mountaineer Station. Admission is free, download the app at Flook.ca
BC Buddhist Festival A day long celebration/performance/blessing of twenty different Buddhist communities and thousands of attendees to promote Vesak, the Buddhist holiday commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Gautama Buddha. 9:30am-6:30pm at Thunderbird Sports Centre (UBC). Free and open to all ages.
Sunday, May 31
Music
Songbird of May Grammy nominated American jazz vocalist Kate McGarry and her husband, guitarist Keith Ganz make their first-ever Canadian appearance for an intimate evening of jazz and blues standards. 7:30pm at St. James Hall. Tickets $30 at BrownPaperTickets.com
Gigantabiroomcobaltapalooza As part of Craft Beer Week, Zulu Records presents performances from Dada Plan, Invisible Ray, Spoon River, and members of the B-Lines, the Shilohs and Destroyer with beer provided by Brassneck, Parallel 49, Strange Fellows and Portland’s Gigantic Brewing with a taco bar on the back patio. 2-6pm at The Cobalt. Tickets $65 at TicketZone.com
Sea Shanty & Fiddle Tunes An open session of sea shanties and traditional fiddle tunes in Vancouver’s oldest building. 1pm at Old Hastings Mill Store Museum (1575 Alma). Free.
Hard Rubber Orchestra Vancouver 18-piece jazz powerhouse performs a rare concert of songs from their new album Crush. 1pm at Pat’s Pub. Tickets $10 at the door.
Events
Fair In The Square Live music, artisan crafts, kids activities, a bbq lunch and cupcakes for dessert! Come join the fun outside and meet your neighbours. 11am to 2pm at Victory Square Park.
Veg Expo Sample and discover all the products you need to live a healthy lifestyle at BC’s largest everything vegan and vegetarian event, bringing you back to the basics of how you look at food. 10am-5pm at Vancouver Convention Centre East. Tickets $12 at VegExpo.ca
Cheap & Fun
East Side Block Party The patio and parking lot are transformed into an outdoor event space with performances by Jay Tripwire, K.A.S.H., DJ Abel, The Response, Shotgun and Lola Loops as well as food trucks and vendors. 2pm at The Waldorf. Admission is free.
Monday, June 1
Music
Nneka Award winning Nigerian singer-songwriter returns in support of her captivating, reggae-tinged fourth album My Fairy Tales. 7pm at Biltmore Cabaret. Tickets $15 at Red Cat, Highlife Ticketmaster.com and TicketWeb.ca
Comedy
The Laugh Gallery with Graham Clark Legendary weekly stand up show of East Vancouver’s biggest and brightest comics. 9pm at Havana Theatre. Tickets $5 at Eventbrite.ca
Mermaid Comedy Stefan MacNeil, Brad Dorion and Dylan Jay Williamson bring you award winning comedy from across the country, as well as the best from the Vancouver scene. 8pm at Railway Club. Tickets $5 at the door.
Events
Sea Monsters Revealed:The Exhibition The Canadian premiere of the groundbreaking exhibition uses the revolutionary polymer preservation technique to reveal dissected bodies of the fascinating creatures of the deep sea. 10am-5pm at the Vancouver Aquarium. Runs until Sept. 7. Included with admission.
Cesna?em, The City Before the City Musqueam First Nation, MOA and MOV partner on a transformative journey to explore ancient landscape and living culture right under Vancouver’s nose in a series of three unified exhibitions. Musqueam Cultural Education Centre and Gallery. Runs until Dec. 30.
Cheap & Fun
Sick Boss Mondays at the Lido Every Monday night in Mount Pleasant there’s avant-garde, improvised jazz and rock accompanied by warped analogue visuals, good (craft) beer and German pretzels. 9pm at The Lido. Admission is always free.
Tuesday, June 2
Music
Bette Midler American legend of the screen and stage, author and comedian tours in support of her latest release It’s The Girls!. Tickets at LiveNation.com
Greg MacPherson Canadian singer-songwriter and two-time Polaris Music Prize nominee appears with special guests Joel RL Phelps and Uptights. 8pm at The Hindenburg. Tickets $10 at the door.
Bhangra on Main Mixing classical training with a vast range of genres, Raju Johal, of Surrey presents an all-acoustic set highlighting bhangra’s Punjabi heritage. 8pm at Fox Cabaret. Tickets $29 at MusicOnMain.ca
Comedy
Comedy at The BiltmoreVeteran comedian Dan Quinn hosts this all-pro comedy show featuring a different headliner every week, cheaper and funnier than seeing a movie! 8pm at Biltmore Cabaret. Tickets $10 at TicketFly.com
Theatre/Dance
Small Stages Canada An audacious, no-holds-barred comment on Canada’s political climate, styled after Weimar Cabaret, a performance style popular in 1920s Germany featuring local talents in music and dance. 8pm at The Emerald. Tickets at EventBrite.ca. Runs until June 4.
Events
Across The Top of the World The Maritime Museum debuts a new long-term exhibit chronicling the quest for the Northwest Passage, centered on one of the greatest stories of exploration and discovery based upon James Delgado’s book of the same name. 10am-5pm at Vancouver Maritime Museum. Exhibit included with admission.
Wednesday, June 3
Music
Best Coast LA pop band on tour to support their latest release California Nights with special guests Bully. 8pm at The Imperial. Tickets $20 at Red Cat, Zulu and TicketWeb.ca
Last Night of the Proms Bramwell Tovey conducts the VSO, pianist Sara Davis Buechner, the Vancouver Bach Choir, Orpheum Voices and the VSO School of Music Strings in a program of music by Lavalle, Lambert, Addinsell, and Elgar. 8pm at Orpheum Theatre. Tickets at VancouverSymphony.ca
Theatre/Dance
Dot & Ziggy Carousel Theatre for Young People presents the story of two unlikely neighbours, vastly different, who with the help of a wise old spider, learn how to be different, and how to be friends. 10am at CTFYP on Granville Island. Tickets at Tickets.CarouselTheatre.ca. Runs until June 14.
One Plus One: The Musical Local composers Gil and Sarah Jaysmith present this hilarious and heartbreaking ticking clock of a musical as two married couples deal with the stresses of trying to start a family. 8pm at Revue Stage. Tickets at VancouverTix.ArtsClub.com. Runs until June 13.
Where’s My Money? A semi-surrealist comedy about revenge, retribution, and the emotional and physical scars of modern relationships written by John Patrick Stanley. 8pm at Pandora’s Box Rehearsal Studios. Tickets $20 at BrownPaperTickets.com
Art
DTES Small Arts Grants Group Show Featuring the work of 45 local artists gathered together for display, as part of community programming to give DTES artists the opportunity to advance their careers and expand their portfolios. At Interurban: Gallery & Community Art Space. Admission is free. Runs until June 27.
Thursday, June 4
Music
Great Lake Swimmers Folk rockers from the tiny town of Wainfleet, ON, play tunes from their sixth studio album A Forest of Arms with special guests The Weather Station. 7pm at Vogue Theatre. Tickets $25 at NorthernTickets.com. All ages show.
Danny Michel Canadian folk rock musician and songwriter from Waterloo, ON, returns to Vancouver on his To Boldly Go Where No Van Has Gone Before tour. 8pm at Fox Cabaret. Tickets $20 at Red Cat, Zulu and TicketWeb.ca
The Belle Game Vancouver based orchestral dark pop band plays tunes from their forthcoming album with special guest David Vertesi. 8pm at Biltmore Cabaret. Tickets $13 at Red Cat and TicketFly.com
Jesse Cook The Canadian Nuevo-flamenco guitarist, composer and producer appears in support of One World. 7:30pm at Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Tickets $59.50 at Ticketmaster.ca
Hamilton Leithauser Former lead singer of The Recoys and The Walkmen plays tunes from his debut full-length solo album Black Hours. 9pm at Venue. Tickets $18 at BPLive.ca
Comedy
The Ultimate Humour Grand Championship Shirley Gnome and Colin Lamb, two of Vancouver’s favourite musical comedians face off against one another in the final round of the ultimate championship hosted by Wes Borg. 8pm at Rickshaw Theatre. Tickets $12 at RickshawTheatre.com
Theatre/Dance
Scratch Fifteen-year old Anna is navigating the already treacherous world of teen angst and raging hormones when she gets the news of her mother’s terminal cancer in this moving and candid coming-of-age tale about grief from all angles. 8pm at Havana Theatre. Tickets at BrownPaperTickets.com. Runs until June 13.
