Things to Do in Vancouver This Weekend: March 2, 2017

It’s March, the first hints of spring are starting to push their way through, and Vancouver’s talented locals are alongside international stars this weekend to help us warm up. There are two dance festivals this weekend, and there is music that ranges from punk to metal to French fiddles to Korean hip hop to psychedelic rock. There are horses and acrobats performing under a giant tent and there is a Jewish performing arts festival continuing. There’s even a soccer game.

 

Friday | Saturday | Sunday | Ongoing

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Friday March 3

Coastal First Nations Dance Festival
Where: UBC Museum of Anthropology
What: Audiences will encounter traditional and contemporary Indigenous artistry through performances, enhanced educational offerings and youth programming, as well as monumental ceremonies to open and close the festival. Highlights include the Vancouver debut of all-women drum group Eastern Owl, the festival’s first-ever Pacific Islander artist from Hawai’i, the anticipated return of Cree hoop dancing, and the world-premiere of Dancers of Damelahamid’s newest work, Interweavings. Tickets available at Tickets Tonight.
Runs until: Sunday March 5, 2017

Vancouver International Dance Festival
Where: Various locations
What: A broad spectrum of dance presentation ranging from the slow introspection of butoh to the dynamic precision of ballet.
Runs until: Saturday March 25, 2017

Elbow Room Cafe: the Musical
Where: The York Theatre
What: A candid look inside the world of Vancouver’s iconic Elbow Room Café, home of raucous service, celebrity sightings, and hearts of gold. This show explores the notion of legacy: how we age together in a technicolour world.
Runs until: Sunday March 12, 2017

Festival du Bois
Where: Coquitlam, BC
What: The largest francophone festival on Canada’s west coast honours French Canadian traditions and culture. Don your best plaid and head over to Coquitlam to enjoy authentic food, arts, activities, and various entertainment such as a fiddle jam session with a veteran, master traditional fiddler.
Runs until: Sunday March 5, 2017

Bad People: Portraits of the Punishable
Where: Hot Art Wet City (opening reception at 7pm)
What: Sadly, it is the final show of this fantastic little gallery. Come see the worst, the naughtiest, the darkest, the damnedest, the shady, the skittish, the last and the least, yourself. We know you’ll take a thing or two away. With miniature pieces and their miniature prices, it may even be some art.
Runs until: Saturday March 18, 2017

Anciients
Where: SBC
What: A metal show. With guests Dead Quiet and Woe Monger.

DJ Doc
Where: The Vogue
What: Korean hop-hop.

Mizoguchi the Master: Seven Films
Where: The Cinematheque
What: One of cinema’s towering talents, and arguably the preeminent master of classic Japanese film (although Ozu and Kurosawa have their champions, to be sure), Kenji Mizoguchi (1898-1956) was responsible for some of the most ravishingly beautiful films ever made.
Runs until: Sunday March 12, 2017

Big John Bates: Noirchestra
Where: The Astoria
What: Garage post-punk with violin and orchestral upright bass involved.

Brent Carver and the Art of Time Ensemble
Where: Arts Club Theatre
What: Born and raised in BC, Carver began his career at the Arts Club and continued on to celebrated roles on Broadway and in London’s West End. The world-renowned performer, who is characterized by his exceptional range and emotional openness onstage, will be backed by a talented band in this limited-engagement concert.
Runs until: Sunday March 5, 2017

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Saturday March 4

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Pacific Crossings: Hong Kong Artists in Vancouver
Where: Vancouver Art Gallery
What: June 2017 marks the 20-year anniversary of the transfer of Hong Kong sovereignty from the United Kingdom to mainland China. In the lead up to the handover, tens of thousands of Hong Kong residents immigrated to Canada, many choosing to settle in Vancouver, and among them were a significant number of artists. Pacific Crossings presents works from well-known Hong Kong artists created after their relocation to Vancouver throughout the 1960-90s.
Runs until: May 28, 2017

The Real McKenzies
Where: The Rickshaw
What: Founded in 1992 by the punkrock poet laureate, Mr Paul McKenzie, this merry band of miscreants has spent a quarter century circumnavigating the globe to bring the McKenzies gospel to an ever-adoring throng of rebels, scallywags and ne’er do wells.

Mozart and Shostakovich
Where: The Orpheum
What: Conductor David Danzmayr presides over a program featuring 2014 Musical America Instrumentalist of the Year Jeremy Denk performing Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 19, and Shostakovich’s grand story-telling work, Symphony No. 12 ‘The Year 1917’, a commemoration of the Russian Revolution and a tribute to Vladimir Lenin.

Retainers of Anarchy
Where: Vancouver Art Gallery
What: A solo exhibition featuring new work from Howie Tsui that considers wuxia, a traditional form of martial arts literature, as a narrative tool for dissidence and resistance.
Runs until: May 28, 2017

Outdoor Adventure & Travel Show
Where: Vancouver Convention Centre
What: Adventure travel, gear, and more. Get ideas for where to go next, or get what you need to make your next travel adventure even better.
Runs until: Sunday March 5, 2017

Borgore
Where: Commodore Ballroom
What: An Israeli dubstep producer and DJ.

VASS Cup
Where: Grouse Mountain
What: Take part in a fun ski race alongside skiers with disabilities, try out sledge hockey, join us for appetizers or an inspirational film, pick up a unique item at the silent auction or just enjoy the spectacular views from the top of Grouse Mountain. Your support for the VASS Cup makes it possible for VASS to provide individuals with a disability access to the mountains, and to increase their self-confidence, motivation and independence through outdoor recreation. 

Breathe Carolina
Where: Venue
What: Electro-rock.

Moon Duo
Where: The Cobalt
What: Psychedelic rock band from Portland, on tour to support their latest release “Occult Architecture Vol. 1”.

Art Saved my Life – Vice Versa
Where: The Imperial
What: An art and dance exhibition that aims to shine light on today’s social issues in a creative way through dance, music, poetry, and other mediums.

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Sunday March 5

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disPLACE: Refugee Stories in their Own Words
Where:  The Cultch
What: Discover the personal, human stories hidden beneath the headlines. From Mennonite immigrants who fled Europe after World War II, to the current global refugee crisis, the stories in disPLACE shine a light on the bonds that tie all of us together.

Billy Crystal
Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre
What: Much-loved household name and star of stage and screen, is on his “Spend The Night With Billy Crystal,” tour. With guest, Bonnie Lynne Hunt.

Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Philadelphia Union
Where: BC Place Stadium
What: Watch some soccer and cheer.

Kids Culture Film Series Presents: Anina
Where: The Rio Theatre
What: Anina Yatay Salas is a ten-year-old whose name spells trouble: those three palindromes in a row are an ongoing source of teasing at school. When a playground fight results in mysterious punishment, Anina will learn to put her problems in perspective and empathize with others in this sweet little daydream of a tale. In Spanish with subtitles.

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Ongoing

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am a (ends this weekend)
Where: The Cutlch
What: am a explores identity through the lens of neuroplasticity, a science that examines the brain’s capacity for change. But how do we change our brains? And if we can change, how far can we go? Using personal text, scientific writings, dance, song, and frivolity to explore personal confrontation, am a is a celebration of being human.
Runs until: Saturday March 4, 2017

+Plus and Convergence (ends this weekend)
Where: Kimoto Gallery
What: New works from Michael Soltis and Yorke Graham.
Runs until: Saturday March 4, 2017

Coastal First Nations Dance Festival (ends this weekend)
Where: UBC Museum of Anthropology
What: Audiences will encounter traditional and contemporary Indigenous artistry through performances, enhanced educational offerings and youth programming, as well as monumental ceremonies to open and close the festival. Highlights include the Vancouver debut of all-women drum group Eastern Owl, the festival’s first-ever Pacific Islander artist from Hawai’i, the anticipated return of Cree hoop dancing, and the world-premiere of Dancers of Damelahamid’s newest work, Interweavings. Tickets available at Tickets Tonight.
Runs until: Sunday March 5, 2017

Odysseo (ends this weekend)
Where: In a tent! A really giant high-tech tent.
What: 65 magnificent horses, 48 talented riders, acrobats, aerialists, dancers and musicians take the stage for a seamless look outside of reality. Deploying their extraordinary talents, the acrobats present a mix of force and sensitivity, interacting with the spellbound audience, while the live musicians and vocalist immerse spectators of all ages. Buy your tickets through Tickets Tonight for a 20% discount.
Runs until: Sunday March 5, 2017

Festival du Bois (this weekend only)
Where: Coquitlam, BC
What: The largest francophone festival on Canada’s west coast honours French Canadian traditions and culture. Don your best plaid and head over to Coquitlam to enjoy authentic food, arts, activities, and various entertainment such as a fiddle jam session with a veteran, master traditional fiddler.
Runs until: Sunday March 5, 2017

Outdoor Adventure & Travel Show (this weekend only)
Where: Vancouver Convention Centre
What: Adventure travel, gear, and more. Get ideas for where to go next, or get what you need to make your next travel adventure even better.
Runs until: Sunday March 5, 2017

Brent Carver and the Art of Time Ensemble  (this weekend only)
Where: Arts Club Theatre
What: Born and raised in BC, Carver began his career at the Arts Club and continued on to celebrated roles on Broadway and in London’s West End. The world-renowned performer, who is characterized by his exceptional range and emotional openness onstage, will be backed by a talented band in this limited-engagement concert.
Runs until: Sunday March 5, 2017

The Men in White
Where: Arts Club Theatre
What: When Abdul’s cricket team decides to take action to end their losing streak, they talk of recruiting Abdul’s brother, Hasan, who is an expert at the sport. But bringing Hasan from India to Canada will take more than just a plane ticket, and not all members of the team agree with the high cost.
Runs until: Saturday March 11, 2017

Elbow Room Cafe: the Musical
Where: The York Theatre
What: A candid look inside the world of Vancouver’s iconic Elbow Room Café, home of raucous service, celebrity sightings, and hearts of gold. This show explores the notion of legacy: how we age together in a technicolour world.
Runs until: Sunday March 12, 2017

Mizoguchi the Master: Seven Films
Where: The Cinematheque
What: One of cinema’s towering talents, and arguably the preeminent master of classic Japanese film (although Ozu and Kurosawa have their champions, to be sure), Kenji Mizoguchi (1898-1956) was responsible for some of the most ravishingly beautiful films ever made.
Runs until: Sunday March 12, 2017

17^th Annual Chutzpah! Festival
Where: Various locations
What: Breathtaking dance, discerning theatre, hilarious comedy and globally-celebrated music highlight this year’s festival with world-class performances and workshops by international, Canadian and local artists.
Runs until: Monday March 15, 2017

Bad People: Portraits of the Punishable
Where: Hot Art Wet City (opening reception at 7pm)
What: Sadly, it is the final show of this fantastic little gallery. Come see the worst, the naughtiest, the darkest, the damnedest, the shady, the skittish, the last and the least, yourself. We know you’ll take a thing or two away. With miniature pieces and their miniature prices, it may even be some art.
Runs until: Saturday March 18, 2017

Haroon Mirza
Where: The Contemporary Art Gallery
What: The Contemporary Art Gallery presents the first solo exhibition in Canada by British artist Haroon Mirza.
Runs until: Sunday March 19, 2016

Vancouver International Dance Festival
Where: Various locations
What: A broad spectrum of dance presentation ranging from the slow introspection of butoh to the dynamic precision of ballet.
Runs until: Saturday March 25, 2017

Judy Chartrand, What a Wonderful World
Where: The Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art
What: Her beautiful and provocative work presents her own personal history and insights into life in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, and commentary on racism and post–colonial relations between Indigenous and non–Indigenous cultures.
Runs until: Saturday March 25, 2016

Layers of Influence
Where: UBC Museum of Anthropology
What: This stunning exhibition will explore clothing’s inherent evidence of human ingenuity, creativity and skill, drawing from MOA’s textile collection — the largest collection in Western Canada — to display a global range of materials, production techniques and adornments across different cultures and time frames.
Runs until: Sunday April 9, 2017

Vancouver Special
Where: Vancouver Art Gallery
What: The first iteration of this series and it features works by 40 artists produced within the last five years—Vancouver’s post-Olympic period. The exhibition includes many emerging artists as well as those who are more established but whose ideas were prescient. Some are recent arrivals to Vancouver, while others are long-term residents who have already made significant contributions. Others are nomadic, less settled in one place and are working energetically between several locations.
Runs until: Monday April 17, 2016

Nat Bailey Stadium Winter Farmers Market
Where: Nat Bailey Stadium
What: Don’t fret the summers Farmers markets packing up – winter is here, and you can still shop local for fresh produce, preserves, baked goods, and crafts.
Runs until: Saturday April 22, 2017

Hastings Park Farmers Market
Where: Hastings Park (near the PNE)
What: The Hastings Park Farmers Market features a great selection of local produce; nursery items, fish, meat & dairy; artisan prepared foods, baking and treats; local crafts, and of course, food trucks.
Runs until: Sunday April 30, 2017

Susan Point: Spindle Whorl
Where: Vancouver Art Gallery
What: Since the early 1980s, Susan Point has received wide acclaim for her remarkably accomplished oeuvre that forcefully asserts the vitality of Coast Salish culture, both past and present. She has produced an extensive body of prints and an expansive corpus of sculptural work in a wide variety of materials that includes glass, resin, concrete, steel, wood and paper.
Runs until: Sunday May 28, 2017

Pacific Crossings: Hong Kong Artists in Vancouver
Where: Vancouver Art Gallery
What: June 2017 marks the 20-year anniversary of the transfer of Hong Kong sovereignty from the United Kingdom to mainland China. In the lead up to the handover, tens of thousands of Hong Kong residents immigrated to Canada, many choosing to settle in Vancouver, and among them were a significant number of artists. Pacific Crossings presents works from well-known Hong Kong artists created after their relocation to Vancouver throughout the 1960-90s.
Runs until: May 28, 2017

Retainers of Anarchy
Where: Vancouver Art Gallery
What: A solo exhibition featuring new work from Howie Tsui that considers wuxia, a traditional form of martial arts literature, as a narrative tool for dissidence and resistance.
Runs until: May 28, 2017

What are you up to this weekend? Tell me and the rest of Vancouver in the comments below or tweet me directly at @lextacular

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