THEATRE
The Hooker Monologues
True life stories from a collective of active and former sex workers challenge myths and dispel stigma, in a candid portrait of various aspects of the sex work industry.
March 9-13 at Firehall Arts Centre. FirehallArtsCentre.ca
Onegin
Life is quiet on the Larin family's Russian country estate, until the charismatic Evgeni Onegin ignites the romantic longings of its residents. Poet Vladimir Lensky dances with jealousy when his dear friend flirts with his fiancée, and even the reclusive Tatyana Larin finds herself falling for the handsome rogue.
March 17-April 10 at Goldcorp Stage at The BMO Theatre Centre. ArtsClub.com
Return to Grace
This glorious, heartfelt tribute to the iconic Elvis Presley traces the greatest musical moments of a generation from the early years through to the amazing ’68 comeback special to the historic Aloha from Hawaii concert.
March 22-27 at Queen Elizabeth Theatre. ReturnToGrace.ca
Good People
A sharp character-driven comedy about changing your fortune set in South Boston where paychecks hardly made the rent, asks why come people manage to escape from the situations into which they’re born – and some don’t.
March 24-April 24 at Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage. ArtsClub.com
The Government Inspector
The corrupt officials of a small Russian town react with terror to the news that an incognito inspector will soon be arriving to investigate them. The flurry of activity to cover up their considerable misdeeds is interrupted by the report that a suspicious person is staying at the inn.
March 25 – April 17 at Jericho Arts Centre. UnitedPlayers.com
Reclaiming Hope
Theatre for Living tours a series of theatrical dialogues throughout different Vancouver venues to engage about how we can identify and transform the fears that hold us back from building healthy communities and caring for the environment.
March 10 – April 2, various locations. TheatreForLiving.com
Gruesome Playground Injuries
A series of unsettling injuries over the course of 30 years brings together a corrosive masochist and an accident-prone daredevil as they spar, spat, and haltingly try to rescue one another.
April 1-16 at Pacific Theatre. PacificTheatre.org
Dead Metaphor
A darkly comic look at what happens when a former sniper in Afghanistan returns home to Canada and finds the job market doesn’t exactly accommodate his particular skill set.
April 2-23 at Firehall Arts Centre. FirehallArtsCentre.com
The Invisible Hand
Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright’s Ayad Akhtar’s high-stakes thriller follows a kidnapped American trader in Pakistan playing the market for his life.
April 5-23 at Vancouver East Cultural Centre. PiTheatre.com/invisible-hand
The Valley
An ensemble piece featuring four characters whose stories and families intertwine after a teenage boy’s arrest on a SkyTrain platform in this topical story about the contradictory attempts to balance care and public safety.
April 7-May 7 at Granville Island Stage. ArtsClub.com
Dirty Old Woman
After her divorce, Nina, a 50-something-year-old, decides to venture back into the world of romance. But when she meets Gerry, 20 years her junior, the sparks fly in more ways than one.
April 12-24 at the Cultch. TheCultch.com
The Jungle Book
A powerful coming-of-age tale. Deep in the Indian jungle, the human Mowgli is raised by wolves. Tutored by Baloo the bear, Bagheera the panther and Akela the wolf, Mowgli learns the codes and traditions of the hunter community.
April 16-May 1 at the Waterfront Theatre. CarouselTheatre.ca
Comedy of Errors
Travel back to the wild, wild west and follow the journey of two pairs of twins who were separated at birth. When Antipholus of Syracuse and his servant, Dromio of Syracuse, stumble upon Ephesus, the home of their respective twin brothers, their worlds collide and a whirlwind of mistaken identities ensues.
April 22, 23 and 26 at Gateway Theatre. GatewayTheatre.com
Towards Zero
The labyrinthine maze of clues and deception centres around the wealthy Lady Tresillian — found murdered in her bed, with a house full of suspects connecting a failed suicide, theft and romance. Plan to see this “rare” work from the Queen of Crime, Agatha Christie.
April 30-May 21 at Metro Theatre. MetroTheatre.com
Wit
Professor Vivian Bearing approaches her cancer therapy with the same academic rigor she applied to her studies, but as her treatments progress, her intellectual armour gives way to her need for human kindness.
May 20-June 11 at Pacific Theatre. PacificTheatre.org
DANCE
Ballet BC – Program 2
A world premiere, New Work questions how to balance order and chaos, the individual and the collective, and the human need for celebration in this specially commissioned work from French choreographer Medhi Walerski.
March 17-19 at Queen Elizabeth Theatre. BalletBC.com
Vital Few
A new work created with and for six unique performers is a collaborative undertaking utilizing mechanisms of constant co-dependence and interrelation between the dancers, presented by the 605 collective.
March 17-19 at Roundhouse Community Arts Centre. 605Collective.com
Words in Motion
What happens when words come to life? Three writers and three choreographers work in pairs to create new works combining the cerebral and the physical.
March 18-19 at Chan Centre. TheDanceCentre.ca
Companhia Urbana De Dança
A high-energy fusion of hip-hop, samba, capoeira, and contemporary dance tears up the stage in this boldly imaginative choreography from Sonia Destri Lie, of Brazil.
April 1 & 2 at Dance House. DanceHouse.ca
Going Home Star – Truth and Reconciliation
Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet mounts this deeply classical ballet, ten years in the making, to pay tribute to the pains and atrocities of Canada’s indigenous past, while giving hope for healing and wholeness in our future.
April 7-9 at Queen Elizabeth Theatre. RWB.org
International Dance Day
Enjoy a program of performances and events celebrating the vitality and diversity of dance in Vancouver.
April 29 at Scotiabank Dance Centre. TheDanceCentre.ca
Ballet BC – Program 3
Emily Molnar’s 16+ a room, Bill from Sharon Eyal and Gai Behar, and I and I am You from Jorma Elo.
May 12-14 at Queen Elizabeth Theatre. BCBallet.com
Flicker
An innovative dance piece that combines West Coast design with a unique scenographic hybrid of projected environments and live-action shadow dance. Vividly rich imagery represents the “spirit world,” the mystical realm portrayed through Gitxsan masked dance.
May 25-29 at the Cultch. TheCultch.com
CLASSICAL
Sonic Boom Festival
Vancouver Pro Musica continues to bring unique artists and new music together in the festival’s 29th year of contemporary classical music showcasing original compositional works of some of BC’s best over four not-to-be-missed performances.
March 17-20, various locations. VancouverProMusica.ca
Pixar In Concert
This visually stunning, high-definition, multi-media family show features montages of memorable clips from all 14 of Pixar’s films set to the music of the movies that brought us some of the most beloved characters in cinematic history.
March 21 at Orpheum Theatre. VancouverSymphony.ca
War of the Romantics
The VSO’s 2016 Spring Festival explores one of the most important periods in classical music history over the course of five concerts featuring works from Beethoven, Gustav Mahler, Wagner and Brahms.
April 7-18 at Orpheum Theatre. VancouverSymphony.ca
Seasons
To celebrate 30 seasons of Vetta Chamber Music, the Vetta Chamber Players will perform the ever popular Four Seasons by Vivaldi and pair it with a local take on our seasons.
April 28-29 at West Point Grey United Church. VettaMusic.com
Evita
A full-scale production of this modern classic of musical theatre – the story of the charismatic and controversial Evita Perón, whose beauty and ambition vaulted her from poverty to power as the First Lady of Argentina in the politically turbulent 1930s.
April 30-May 8. VancouverOpera.ca
CHORAL
MYVoice
MYVoice will present their own free afternoon concert at 4pm, then join the evening’s Summit Concert, singing with more 300 people.
March 12 at Chan Centre. ChanCentre.com
Bach’s St. Matthew Passion
A pinnacle accomplishment in the history of classical music, the staggering masterwork overflows with sweeping harmonies and colossal power – relating St. Matthew’s account of Christ’s betrayal, trial and execution.
March 19 at Orpheum Theatre. VancouverBachChoir.com
The Love That Moves The Universe
Vancouver Camber Choir, with the Pacifica Singers, under the direction of John Washburn repeat the magical experience of R. Murray Schafer’s radiant choral/orchestral work based on Dante’s Paradiso.
March 25 at Orpheum Theatre. VancouverChamberChoir.com
Dina Yoffe
Dina Yoffe came to international recognition by winning top prizes in two international competitions. Today her concert performances are renowned throughout Europe, Israel, Japan and the United States.
April 8 at Vancouver Playhouse. ChopinSociety.org
Lagrime Di San Pietro
Phillipe Herreweghe and Collegium Vocale Gent, one of the world’s most accomplished vocal ensembles perform The Tears of Saint Peter by Renaissance composer Orlande de Lassus.
April 15 at Chan Shun Concert Hall. EarlyMusic.bc.ca
Voyages
This adventurous concert explores mythical travel, the sea, space and stars. It features Kiva Simova, an overtone soloist who sings two pitches simultaneously, and Musica Intima's exploration of other extended vocal techniques including yodeling and belting.
April 15 at St James Community Square. MusicaIntima.org
In the Abbey Garden
From Holst’s breathtaking Ave Maria for double choir to Rachmaninoff’s Six Choruses for Women’s Voices and Brahms’ Psalm 13, experience the Elektra Women’s Choir foray into some of Europe’s most beautiful choral music.
May 7 at Ryerson United Church. Elektra.ca
Lux Antiqua: Songs of Light
The final performance for the Vancouver Cantata Singers 2015-2016 season joins forces with Redshift Music Society for an a capella program that spans the centuries featuring three premieres.
May 13 at H.R. MacMillan Space Centre. VancouverCantataSingers.com
CONCERTS
Joanna Newsom
American songbird and harpist appears in support of Divers with special guest Robin Pecknold (of Fleet Foxes).
March 30 at Vogue Theatre. VogueTheatre.com
Ekachai Jearakul
Award-winning classical guitarist from Thailand graces the stage at the VSO School of Music.
April 2 at Pyatt Hall. EkachaiGuitarist.com
Father John Misty
Indie-folk-singer-songwriter, formerly of Fleet Foxes aka Josh Tillman, showcases songs from I Love You, Honeybear with special guests Tess and Dave.
April 5 at Orpheum Theatre. FatherJohnMisty.com
Spirit of the West
After nearly 50 performances at the storied venue, the west coast folk rockers will take the stage for one last weekend with a host of special guests for two farewell performances.
April 15 & 16 at Commodore Ballroom. SOTW.ca
Courtney Barnett
Indie singer-songwriter and guitarist from Melbourne, Australia plays her first ever Vancouver show in support of sometimes i sit and think, and sometimes i just sit with Alvvays.
April 19 at Commodore Ballroom. CourtneyBarnett.com.au
Beach House
Baltimore dream-pop duo appear in support of Depression Cherry andThank Your Lucky Stars.
April 30 at Vogue Theatre. BeachHouseBaltimore.com
The Buzzcocks
Legendary British punk band tours in celebration of their 40th anniversary with special guests The Residuels.
May 21 at Rickshaw Theatre. Buzzcocks.com
COMEDY
Jonathan Kite
Best known as ‘Oleg’ on Two Broke Girls, the Chicago actor has studied improv and sketch comedy and now brings his stand-up to town with an opening set from John Cullen.
April 14-16 at Yuk Yuk’s. YukYuks.com
Adam Carolla
American comedian best known for nationally syndicated radio program Loveline and co-starring with Jimmy Kimmel on The Man Show and Crank Yankers tapes a live episode of his podcast The Adam Carolla Show.
April 22 at Commodore Ballroom. AdamCarolla.com
Tracy Morgan
Multi-talented actor and sketch comic, SNL alum and star of 30 Rock, presents his Picking Up The Pieces tour.
May 13 at Hard Rock Casino Vancouver. HardRockCasinoVancouver.com
Ron White
American stand-up comedian and actor known as a charter member of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour, with six solo works and compilations with Jeff Foxworthy.
May 20 at Orpheum Theatre. TaterSalad.com
FINE ARTS
Cold Friends, Warm Cash
An iteration of Ciara Phillips’ ongoing project Workshoptakes over the gallery as a site of both production and exhibition, turning the gallery into a simple screenprinting studio.
March 18-April 30 at Western Front. Front.BC.ca
Easter Eggs
New works from Andrew Hooge, marking her fourth solo show and featuring a collection of scratchboard images, drawing inspiration from childhood interpretations of children’s books and playthings, as well as her cultural heritage.
April 7-30 at Hot Art Wet City. HotArtWetCity.com
West Coast Suite
A new series of paintings from Sylvia Tait demonstrates a sharp focus on metaphysics and construction of the subject in this group of abstract canvases and multi-media panels.
April 9-23 at Bau-Xi Gallery. Bau-Xi.com
Lawrence Paul
A provocative exhibition of new and existing paintings, drawings, sculptures and installations confronting the colonialist suppression of First Nations peoples from the Yuxweluptun artist, spanning his influential 30 year career.
May 10-Oct. 16 at Musuem of Anthropology. MOA.UBC.ca
FESTIVALS
CelticFest
Western Canada’s largest Celtic celebration offers the best of traditional and contemporary Celtic culture in all its diversity and vitality — and everyone is invited to join in.
March 10-17. CelticFestVancouver.com
Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival
The Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival story is one of romance. It is an annual celebration that marks the reawakening in our community of all that makes us alive and human. We smile at one another. We take our lunches under the spreading blossoms.
March 24 – April 17. VCBF.ca
California Wine Fair
This popular fundraiser for the Arts Club is a wonderful opportunity to taste more than 350 exclusive and new wines from 100 California wineries, and support the theatre you love at the same time.
April 25 at Vancouver Convention Centre. ArtsClub.com
DOXA Documentary Film Festival
The Motion Pictures Film Series is DOXA's year-round programming initiative that offers screenings of some of the world's most outstanding documentaries to communities around the Lower Mainland.
May 5-15. DoxaFestival.ca
BC Buds Spring Arts Festival
The 12th annual festival of inventive, original site-specific works and new play readings by BC artists, provides a platform for genre bending and multi-disciplinary emerging and established artists.
May 2016 at Firehall Arts Centre. FirehallArtsCentre.ca
