Vancouver Events

Ten years ago today, the world was poised on the brink of a new millennium.

Michael Buble was a largely unknown baby-faced lounge singer, a Victoria songbird with the last name of Furtado was about to release her debut album Whoa, Nelly! and conductor Sergiu Comissiona was preparing to hand the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra baton to Bramwell Tovey.

On Dec. 31, 1999, no one knew that 10 years on, Vancouver would be preparing to welcome the world to its doorstep for the 2010 Winter Olympics, an event that through the Cultural Olympiad shines a spotlight on our stages as well as on our ski hills. That moment is fast approaching, and it seems we’re ready for our close-up.

The first decade of the 21st century has seen B.C.’s cultural scene take a grand leap forward as our innovative, talented artists have continued to flourish under the enthusiastic support of an increasingly sophisticated local audience, and are rising to international acclaim.
In Westcoast Life today, we look back at the individuals and moments that defined the decade in dance, pop and classical music, visual arts and theatre in B.C. You can read the stories here:

Pop music: http://bit.ly/6wZpjr

Classical: http://bit.ly/8eN8ns

Visual arts: http://bit.ly/6KjTrK

Dance: http://bit.ly/4oITIc

Theatre: http://bit.ly/6LnaJ4
Today we also applaud B.C.’s aboriginal artists, performers and writers now receiving recognition for their world-class work. In November, playwright Kevin Loring received the Governor General’s Literary Award for Drama, for Where the Blood Mixes, and B.C.-based actress Tantoo Cardinal was on Wednesday named to the Order of Canada.

Over the past decade the work of aboriginal visual artists Susan Point, Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun and Brian Jungen has found a place in such institutions as the Smithsonian in Washington, DC, the National Gallery of Canada and London’s Tate Modern art gallery.

Ironically at a time of such achievement and recognition, anxieties are running high in the B.C. arts community, as it faces a bleak outlook in the wake of proposed cuts to provincial government funding that could cripple or obliterate many groups.

Through these tough times, the ongoing support of patrons, audiences and the media is more important than ever to our arts community.

Please join us in celebrating the decade that was, and in welcoming the decade to come as we continue to recognize the fine work of B.C. artists, to bring valuable critical evaluation to their endeavours, and to deliver news of innovation and change in the arts scene.

But most of all, join us simply in getting out there and experiencing the cultural riches that our community and our province have to offer.

DVD/Blu-ray releases for March 9, 2010.

Saturday night: Does anyone actually manage to see any movies at the Whistler Film Festival?

I'm sure tickets are being sold. Indeed, an hour ago I walked past a very respectable lineup outside the 7 p.m. screening of A Single Man. I would have liked to have seen it, too. I love Julianne Moore's work, and sometimes enjoy Colin Firth (but please - no Bridget Jones). But mostly I'm very intrigued to see what former Gucci boss Tom Ford thinks he's doing directing a movie. The buzz is good, and with a cast like that and a screenplay based on Isherwood's novel, I'm sure the movie is good too. But life had other plans for me this evening.

You see, I've made a very Vancouver blunder and come up to Whistler this afternoon without any gloves or a toque, and in a thin wool coat. And this at the beginning of the season's first serious cold snap. Clever, Maggie. Hey, who needs gloves? I'm not going to be skiing, and it's really not that cold, I thought, forgetting that this town sits considerably closer to the clouds than downtown Vancouver. Well, of course, I'm freezing. So I bypassed the Whistler Conference Centre and swung into the shopping district. Several swipes of the debit card later, I am now comfortably outfitted in cozy new gear and ready for the elements. Shopping trumps screenings.

Screening later tonight is another directorial debut, this time from actor Peter Stebbings. Defendor stars Woody Harrelson and is in the running for the Borsos Award. Sadly, I will miss that too, as I will be at the Directors' Guild of Canada party at the Bearfoot Bistro, mingling with industry folk who have no doubt spent much of the past two days in forums and workshops, networking at lunches, and, last night, toasting veteran director/producer Ivan Reitman at a tribute presentation. Schmoozing trumps screenings.

I almost managed to see the Neil Young Trunk Show on the outdoor screen at the Skiers Plaza. It was good. Neil was wailing on his guitar like nobody's business. But unfortunately, this happened before the aforementioned toque-glove combo was procured, and it was damn cold in that plaza, so something had to go, and that something was me. Comfort trumps screenings.

Maybe tomorrow I'll catch J'ai Tue Ma Mere, which I missed at VIFF. What could possibly stop me?

Screening of Sherlock Holmes (PG, 129 min)

BILLY BISHOP GOES TO WAR March 25–April 17, 2010 | Granville Island Stage The Boy Who Became a Hero This tour de force—featuring a pianist and one actor playing 18 characters—follows the trajectory of Billy Bishop’s career from ne’er-do-well cavalry officer to the nation’s most-decorated soldier. Both comic and dramatic, the myth of the daring WWI flying ace is told through story and song in one of the most popular musicals in the Canadian canon. Written and Composed By John Gray with Eric Peterson Starring Ryan Beil and Zachary Gray Directed by Sarah Rodgers Set Designer Kevin McAllister Lighting Designer Itai Erdal Stage Manager Marion Anderson Assistant Stage Manager Benjamin Cheung

PARADISE GARDEN March 11–April 11, 2010 | Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage A modern romance against all odds PREMIERE Local boy Day, a free spirit, lives next door to worldly Layla, a career-driven intellectual. The two have nothing in common. Or do they? Over time these divergent souls come to understand each other in a way neither thought possible. A contemporary tale of romance and cultural divides so engaging it will change the way you see the girl (or boy) next door! Written by Lucia Frangione Starring Gina Chiarelli, Lucia Frangione, Meghan Gardiner, Michael Kopsa, Kevin MacDonald, Richard Newman, Marie Stillin Director Morris Ertman Set Designer Ted Roberts Costume Designer Rebekka Sorensen Lighting Designer Gerald King Sound Designer Luke Ertman Stage Manager Pamela Jakobs Assistant Stage Manager Sarah Pearson Dramaturg Rachel Ditor

PARADISE GARDEN March 11–April 11, 2010 | Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage A modern romance against all odds PREMIERE Local boy Day, a free spirit, lives next door to worldly Layla, a career-driven intellectual. The two have nothing in common. Or do they? Over time these divergent souls come to understand each other in a way neither thought possible. A contemporary tale of romance and cultural divides so engaging it will change the way you see the girl (or boy) next door! Written by Lucia Frangione Starring Gina Chiarelli, Lucia Frangione, Meghan Gardiner, Michael Kopsa, Kevin MacDonald, Richard Newman, Marie Stillin Director Morris Ertman Set Designer Ted Roberts Costume Designer Rebekka Sorensen Lighting Designer Gerald King Sound Designer Luke Ertman Stage Manager Pamela Jakobs Assistant Stage Manager Sarah Pearson Dramaturg Rachel Ditor

Screening of Fantastic Mr. Fox (G, 87 min)

Buy Tickets and find great prices on sold-out tickets to Martha Wainwright in Vancouver at Commodore Ballroom. Buy your Vancouver Martha Wainwright tickets at UQ Events before they sell out completely.

From Shakespeare to Show Biz - the life of the theatre , first audition to final bow. David Mamet , Cole Porter , Mark Twain, David Sedaris and more!

Screening of The Young Victoria (G, 105 min) NOT ON THE 19th

Turner Music & Events “All Things Spoken” Division Presents: Ivan E. Coyote with special guest Rodney Decroo Doors 7:00 pm Show 8:30 pm RESERVATIONS 604-738-1959 or reservations@cellarjazz.com Ivan is good old-fashioned kitchen table stories. Imagine you are drinking black tea with canned milk, and it is snowing outside. The kitchen smells like homemade soup, and you don't have to work tomorrow so you can sit up all night talking and smoking cigarettes. Or maybe it is a warm night in the middle of July, and you are sitting on a wool blanket in the sand, resting your back against a big-beached log. The lake is smooth as glass and there is plenty of wood for the campfire. Someone is talking, telling you a story… Ivan is an award-winning author of five collections of short stories, one novel, two CD’s, four short films and a renowned performer, Ivan’s first love is live storytelling, and over the last thirteen years she has become an audience favourite at music, poetry, spoken word and writer's festivals from Anchorage to Amsterdam. “Ivan has a distinctive and persuasive voice, a flawless sense of pacing, and an impeccable sense of story.” – Quill’s Magazine Rodney’s songwriting sits in the manful, quasi-roots territory inhabited by Kris Kristofferson, Steve Earle, and John Prine. A guy can disappear inside those long shadows. "Mockingbird Bible is a soulful, quiet and absolutely brilliant collection of songs from one of Canada's premier musical talents." 24 Hours

PARADISE GARDEN March 11–April 11, 2010 | Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage A modern romance against all odds PREMIERE Local boy Day, a free spirit, lives next door to worldly Layla, a career-driven intellectual. The two have nothing in common. Or do they? Over time these divergent souls come to understand each other in a way neither thought possible. A contemporary tale of romance and cultural divides so engaging it will change the way you see the girl (or boy) next door! Written by Lucia Frangione Starring Gina Chiarelli, Lucia Frangione, Meghan Gardiner, Michael Kopsa, Kevin MacDonald, Richard Newman, Marie Stillin Director Morris Ertman Set Designer Ted Roberts Costume Designer Rebekka Sorensen Lighting Designer Gerald King Sound Designer Luke Ertman Stage Manager Pamela Jakobs Assistant Stage Manager Sarah Pearson Dramaturg Rachel Ditor

Screening of Sherlock Holmes (PG, 129 min)

As with its predecessor, Paris, je t’aime, from the same creator, New York, I Love You is a very uneven work.