It’s going to be a HOT one! And by hot, meteorologists don’t mean ‘warmer than a usual Juneuary stretch of rain’, we’re going beyond that. From Saturday to Monday we could potentially shatter a 123-year-old record for the hottest day recorded in June in Vancouver. With that in mind, here are a few things to do in Vancouver this weekend that will hopefully keep you cool, and entertained. Don’t forget to hydrate and slather on the sunscreen if you head outside.
The Dancing on the Edge Festival (“DOTE”) will deliver high calibre, challenging and cutting-edge dance featuring innovative and spellbinding works starting July 8th. For its 33rd anniversary, the festival will include a presentation of over thirty online and live stage performances featuring artists from across Canada.
This year’s festival is a hybrid model with live dance performances accompanied by films; film screenings; films online and one live stream event where performances are influenced by the tides.
“The pandemic has had a devastating effect on the performing arts community and we are thrilled to be able to provide dance artists and companies both online and live performance opportunities to support and profile their work,” says Festival Producer, Donna Spencer.
On offer will be some specially curated digital programming with recorded online performances, premieres of dance films, dance discussions, outdoor live performances in the Firehall’s Courtyard (for very limited audiences with safety precautions in place) and theatre performances with limited capacity, if permitted (Firehall Arts Centre Theatre).
Spencer also announced seven commission projects the COVID Commissions, premiering at this year’s Dancing on the Edge Festival. As part of a COVID commissioning project, companies/choreographers presenting commissioned works include Ouro Collective/Cristina Bucci, Raven Spirit Dance, Billy Marchenski, Immigrant Lessons/Kevin Fraser, Generous Mess, Rob Kitsos and Meredith Kalaman.
Immigrant Lessons. Photo credit: Vanessa Yuen
Canadian artists include Wen Wei Dance, Radical System Art/Shay Kuebler, Rachel Meyer, Inverso Productions/Lesley Telford, Dumb Instrument Dance/Ziyian Kwan with Rianne Svelnis, Alexis Fletcher/Vanessa Goodman, Future Leisure/Julianne Chapple, Company Ci/Gabrielle Martin, CAMP, Kirsten Wicklund, Shion Skye Carter & Kaiyuu, Peter Smida, Tara Cheyenne Performance/Tara Cheyenne Friedenberg, O’Dela Arts/Olivia C. Davies, and many more.
Festival Film Pack Giveaway
I have a Festival Film Pack to give away that includes access to the following online performances, which will be available to steam July 8 to 20, 2021:
Flow Tide | Shion Skye Carter Vicarious Time | Stand Up Dance/Meagan O’Shea Dazzle | Future Leisure/Julianne Chapple Become, this earthly plane | Kelly McInnes Straight, No Chaser | Olivia C. Davies/O.Dela Arts APE & APE (3.0) | Tara Cheyenne Performance/Tara Cheyenne Friedenberg MOI – the partitions | Radical System Art/Shay Kuebler “1:1:1” (phase one) | Inverso Productions/Lesley Telford Two | Wen Wei Dance TUNING | Vanessa Goodman The Threshing Floor | Rob Kitsos ORIGINS/ How Do We Co-exist? | Immigrant Lessons Limb(e)s | Company Ci Excerpts | push/FOLD the sea of my tomorrows | Meredith Kalaman
The outdoor cinematic spectacle that lit up Vancouver’s Cambie Bridge in the summer of 2017, is back and on the move. This time, UNINTERRUPTED VR from a City Bridge is in Virtual Reality with synchronized, outdoor VR for small audiences.
UNINTERRUPTED VR from a City Bridge
UNINTERRUPTED brings a little community connection back – safely – to local neighbourhoods after a long year of pandemic restrictions. The site-specific work that thrilled residents and visitors alike is now swimming in 3D and touring cities throughout Metro Vancouver in VR. No need to own a headset – one will be provided for you. The event is designed so audiences of twenty can be immersed in the experience together, while apart.
With breathtaking images set to an original score, and no narration, UNINTERRUPTED maps the extraordinary migration of Pacific salmon on a city bridge in a unique 30-minute visual and sound experience. With visual poetry, it inspires audiences to reflect on the intersection of urban life and nature.
This summer, Surrey Civic Theatres presents Summer POP! (Performances in Outdoor Parks) with a variety of performances and activities for people to enjoy in the great outdoors.
Pat Chessell Band, Glades Garden (Surrey Civic Theatres photo)
Summer POP! Outdoor Concerts in Surrey Parks
When: July 9 – September 12, 2021 Where: Various Surrey parks Tickets: Click events below for ticket link, if required. Depending on COVID-19 protocols and restrictions, select programming may be moved online.
The Glades Garden (561 172 St) will host the Main Stage for Summer POP! There will be limited tickets available for each event (health orders permitting) and seating will be BYOBC (bring your own blanket or chair).
Broadway Across Canada returns to Vancouver with scheduled performances at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre starting in January 2022. ANASTASIA will be the first to grace the stage followed by HAMILTON and JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, with COME FROM AWAY available as a season option.
Hamilton National Tour. Photo by Joan Marcus
Broadway Across Canada Returns to Vancouver
Season subscription package in Vancouver includes:
ANASTASIA January 18 – 23, 2022
HAMILTON May 24 – June 19, 2022
JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR November 15 – 20, 2022
Additional show option that can be added to a season subscription in Vancouver include:
COME FROM AWAY August 16 – 28, 2022
All current subscribers have been contacted directly about their subscriptions to the Broadway Across Canada Season. New subscriptions are currently on sale. Single ticket on sale date is yet to be announced.
“We’re greatly optimistic about the return of Broadway to the city of Vancouver and thrilled to share the news that shows previously announced for the 2020/2021 season have been successfully rescheduled at this time,” said Shana Levin, Vice President of Broadway Across Canada. “We are thankful to our patrons for their patience, flexibility and love of Broadway which has been an incredible support and inspiration during this extended intermission. We look forward to welcoming theatergoers back to the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium at the start of next year for what is expected to be an unforgettable season and the long-awaited return of Broadway.”
Broadway Across Canada is actively working alongside colleagues at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre and in collaboration with provincial and local government officials to re-open following local, provincial and federal health guidelines. Once BAC finalizes their health and safety plan, they share all details with theatregoers. Should there be additional changes and/or cancellations, ticket holders will be notified immediately – the value of their ticket will be safe.
For the latest news, announcements and “backstage” access on all upcoming shows follow Broadway Across Canada on Twitter and Facebook #BACTouring #BACSub #BACSuperfan.
