Inside Vancouver

Speaking Strings Utter Things – traditional Chinese music vs. improv comedy May 26

by Shawn Conner in Entertainment on May 9, 2013

Vancouver Chinese Music Ensemble at their 2012 Transformations concert. Photo courtesy Vancouver Chinese Music Ensemble.

Speaking Strings Utter Things combines two facets of Chinese culture – well, one facet of Chinese culture, and a Chinese adaptation of what is arguably a Western art form, improv comedy.

The unorthodox combination should prove to be a fascinating experiment (read: it could go either way) as two improv comics from the Fictionals Comedy Co. join members of the Vancouver Chinese Music Ensemble on traditional Chinese violins called Hu’s.

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Speaking Strings Utter Things – traditional Chinese music vs. improv comedy May 26

Ballet BC presents Giselle April 25 – 27

by Shawn Conner in Entertainment on April 1, 2013

Ballet BC dancer Alexis Fletcher. Photo credit: Michael Slobdian.

Ballet BC presents the world premiere of its take on Giselle. Resident choreographer José Navas gives the legendary ballet a contemporary spin during the dance’s run at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre (649 Cambie St) April 25 – 27.

So what makes this version of Giselle different?

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Ballet BC presents Giselle April 25 – 27

Video Game Burlesque March 29 – 30

by Shawn Conner in Entertainment on March 21, 2013

Video Game Burlesque at the Legion on Commercial Drive, Vancouver, Feb 10 2012. Robyn Hanson photo

Last year, the VanDolls hosted their first Video Game Burlesque show. The turnout surprised even the performers when the first show sold-out and the Dolls had to add another.

On March 29 and 30, the VanDolls are bringing back this popular melding of girls and games. This time, instead of a retro theme that saw the VanDolls doing routines based on Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda and even Ms. Pac-Man, the ladies are dipping into newer games. We chatted with troupe member Ruffelsilkskin, who told us a little about what to expect.

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Video Game Burlesque March 29 – 30

Hip Hop Karaoke at Fortune Sound Club

by eliannalev in Events on March 16, 2013

Courtesy of Hip Hop Karaoke’s Facebook page

When asked to describe the scene at Fortune Night Club’s Hip Hop Karaoke, event organizer and co-founder Chad Iverson doesn’t hesitate to think of an answer.
“The demographic is Vancouver,” he says. “Everyone loves hip hop. Everyone has a hip hop track they love.”
The night gives anyone who’s willing, the chance to take a shot at owning the stage to recite their favorite hip hop track. Continue reading:
Hip Hop Karaoke at Fortune Sound Club

Vancouver Comedy and Arts Festival – final shows

by Shawn Conner in Entertainment on February 13, 2013

Margaret Cho brings her show Mother to the Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts Feb 16 2013. Photo courtesy Vancouver Comedy and Arts Festival.

The Vancouver Comedy and Arts Festival kicked off last week. But if you missed Martin Short, Tig Notaro, Reggie Watts and other great shows, don’t worry. There’s still plenty of great comics coming up, including Bob Saget, Margaret Cho and Marc Maron.

Here’s a rundown of who you can still see.

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Vancouver Comedy and Arts Festival – final shows