Locals looking to check out some events in Vancouver have several to choose from over the Grey Cup long week.
The 28th annual Vancouver Asian Film Festival continues and the Vancouver Christmas Market welcomes guests for the first time this weekend.
The theatres will provide laughs and awe-inspiring moments with The Golden Girls: The Laughs Continue and Gene Kelly: A Life in Music, while Kid Koala’s Nufonia Must Fall delights guests of all ages.
While Saturday, Nov. 16 night's forecast includes some rain, Friday is expected to be clear, providing ideal conditions to watch the drone show downtown.
Here are the events you can check out in and around Vancouver this weekend from Nov. 15 to 17, 2024.
Lungs of the Earth
The “Lungs of the Earth” exhibition invites visitors into an immersive sound installation that transports them "deep into the heart of the Amazon rainforest, offering a unique, multi-sensory experience."
The exhibition includes field recordings captured by Felix Blume in the Amazon and are paired with four elemental poems by Brazilian poets: “Water” by Patrizia, Longhitano, “Fire” by Virna Teixeira, “Air” by Alyssa Martens, and “Earth” by Monika Radojevic.
The installation’s 17-minute soundscape explores the "delicate relationship between human and animal voices within the Amazon’s threatened ecosystem."
When: Thursday, Nov. 14: 4-9 p.m., Friday, Nov 15: 1-7 p.m., and Saturday, Nov 16: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Lobe Gallery - 713 E Hastings, Vancouver
Cost: By donation.
The Golden Girls: The Laughs Continue
The show was written by Robert Leleux and stars Vince Kelley as Blanche, Ryan Bernier as Dorothy, Christopher Kamm as Sophia, and Adam Graber as Rose (the girls are played by men).
"We find Sophia out on bail after being busted by the DEA for running a drug ring for retirees. Blanche and Rose have founded CreakN, a thriving sex app for seniors. And Dorothy is trying to hold it all together with help from a new (much) younger sex-crazed lover," describes the show's press release.
When: Nov. 12-16 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Vancouver Playhouse - 600 Hamilton St, Vancouver
Cost: $28-$91. Get tickets.
Gene Kelly: A Life in Music
The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra presents Gene Kelly: A Life in Music blends live orchestral music, iconic film clips, and personal storytelling from Patricia Ward Kelly, Gene's wife and official biographer.
Audiences will watch clips from iconic films such as Singin’ in the Rain and An American in Paris, with Kelly's singing, dialogue, and dance to create a lively atmosphere.
Patricia’s spent over a "decade capturing his stories and memories, which enrich this unique presentation."
When: Friday, Nov. 15 and Saturday, Nov. 16, shows at 8 p.m.
Where: Orpheum Theatre - 601 Smithe Street, Vancouver
Cost: $31.50-$135. Get tickets.
Open House at Vancouver Maritime Museum
An Open House at Vancouver Maritime Museum welcomes guests to explore the facility, learn history, and listen to stories. They can also enjoy colouring crafts and learning about The Blue Cabin floating artist residency.
The museum is also delighted to welcome Coast Salish artist and storyteller, Eliot White-Hill, who will share his upcoming children’s story book focusesing on Salish wool dogs and the Snuneymuxw community.
"Whether you’re a curious child or an adult, this free event offers something for everyone to enjoy."
When: Saturday, Nov. 16 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Vancouver Maritime Museum - 1905 Ogden Ave, Vancouver
Cost: Free and by donation.
The Hobbit
Two actors take the stage with a "dragon’s hoard of theatre magic" to bring JRR Tolkien’s storytelling masterpiece The Hobbit to life. The story is told with humour and heart.
"Follow Bilbo Baggins as he embarks on a rollicking adventure with dwarves, elves, goblins, wizards and more," says the event listing.
When: Nov. 13-Dec. 21, various showtimes
Where: Pacific Theatre - 1440 W 12th Avenue, Vancouver
Cost: Starting at $25. Get tickets.
Kid Koala’s Nufonia Must Fall
This performance is a multi-disciplinary stage adaptation of Kid Koala’s graphic novel Nufonia Must Fall. The cast includes fifteen puppeteers, musicians, cinematographers and technicians and the stage features over 20 miniature sets and eight cameras.
Under the direction of Oscar-nominated production designer K.K. Barrett (Her, Where the Wild Things Are, Adaptation, and Being John Malkovich), each scene is performed, filmed and projected in real-time onto a large screen above the stage.
"Kid Koala, accompanied by the Nufonia String Quartet, performs his original score on piano and turntable. This is a dialogue-free, timeless love story that’s fun for the whole family."
When: Friday, Nov. 15 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 16 at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Where: Massey Theatre - 735 8th Ave, New Westminster
Cost: Free. Get tickets.
Grey Cup festival schedule
With the CFL championship game taking place at BC Place on Nov. 17, several events are taking place around the city as part of the game's festivities.
The drone show will be above the Vancouver Convention Centre, which will play host to many parts of the Grey Cup festival over the week. The show will take place at 8:30 p.m. on Friday and should be visible from areas of the seawall near the convention centre and Westin Bayshore Hotel.
When: Nov. 14-17
Where: BC Place on Sunday, Nov. 17 -777 Pacific Blvd, Vancouver | various other event locations
Vancouver Christmas Market
The Vancouver Christmas Market at Jack Poole Plaza is the largest in the city, returning annually with a selection of artisan vendors, hearty eats and sweet sips.
This year's holiday event boasts over 90 huts, daily live performances, a carousel, magical light displays, a new walk-through Christmas tree, and a new lover's lane.
The Sky Curtain of Lights will also dazzle guests "with over 22,000 individual bulbs, lights up the Tannenbaum Terrace."
When: Nov. 13 - Dec. 24
Where: Jack Poole Plaza - 1055 Canada Pl., Vancouver
Cost: Single-entry admission starting at $21.99.
Ongoing
28th Vancouver Asian Film Festival
The Vancouver Asian Film Festival has "a bold lineup" featuring films from new talent and offering a blend of in-person and virtual screenings.
The 28th Vancouver Asian Film Festival displays underrepresented voices in the North American film industry and is Canada's longest-running Asian film festival.
The festival opens with the film Extremely Unique Dynamic, described as a "meta Asian stoner, coming-of-Age, bromantic dramedy", co-written and co-directed by Harrison Xu, Ivan Leung, and Katherine Dudas.
"The story follows best friends, played by Xu and Leung, as they navigate creativity, complex emotions, and final farewells during their last weekend together. This playful film also stars this year’s VAFF Ambassador, Hudson Yang, most known for his lead role in fresh Off the Boat," according to the festival guide.
Have a look at the complete VAFF film schedule online.
When: November 7-17, various times
Where: Various theatres.
Cost: General admission for each film is $15. A six-pack for theatre screenings is $75. The premier festival pass is $350. Buy tickets.
Cirque du Soleil: ECHO
The newest Cirque show is in town and under the "Big Top" at Concord Pacific Place on False Creek. The show is a "spectacular performance combining poetry, stagecraft, daring acrobatics, and technology [that] explores the delicate balance between people, animals, and the world we all share," describe organizers.
When: Now through January 5, 2025
Where: Under the Big Top, Concord Pacific Place
Cost: Starting at $78. Purchase online.
With files from Lindsay William-Ross and Brendan Kergin.
