Single tickets are now available for the full lineup of films featured at this year’s Vancouver International Film Festival (“VIFF”) happening September 24th to October 9th. Now in its 34th year, VIFF is presenting 355 films including 238 feature films, 32 World Premieres, 33 North American Premieres, and 53 Canadian Premieres. Festival-goers can expect to experience a diverse selection of films from around the world in 2015.
VIFF Films and Galas
The festival’s Opening Gala film on September 24th will be John Crowley’s stirring immigration tale/romantic drama Brooklyn. Marc Abraham’s Hank Williams biopic I Saw the Light will serve as the Closing Gala feature on October 9th.
The Spotlight Gala film is Beeba Boys at the Centre for Arts on September 27th and 29th. My Internship in Canada is the Canadian Images Gala film at the Centre for Arts and International Village on September 25th and September 27th. The BC Spotlight Gala film is Into The Forest, showing October 3rd and October 8th.
Film Series
Canadian Images: One of the largest showcases of new Canadian cinema on the planet, Canadian Images is a true point of pride for VIFF. This series is also home to the BC Spotlight, which focuses on the best and brightest of our homegrown talent. Here, festival-goers will find everything from The Forbidden Room, the latest from maverick Guy Maddin, to The Sandwich Nazi, a documentary profile of an outrageous Surrey deli owner.
Cinema of Our Time: A spectacular showcase of narrative films from around the globe featuring both today’s masters and tomorrow’s visionaries.
Dragons & Tigers: The Cinemas of East Asia continues to be one of the world’s largest and most adventurous collections of East Asian cinema. This year’s features the usual array of exciting new discoveries, as well as the latest work by illustrious Dragons & Tigers alums, including Hou Hsiao-Hsien (The Assassin), Kore-eda Hirokazu (Our Little Sister), Jia Zhangke (Mountains May Depart) and Apichatpong Weerasethakul (Cemetery of Splendour).
Spotlight on France: Honouring the rich cinematic culture that continues to flourish in France by highlighting the nation’s finest big-screen offerings, including Cannes standouts such as Arnaud Desplechin’s My Golden Days, Philippe Garrel’s In the Shadow of Women, Alice Winocour’s Disorder and Stéphane Brizé’s The Measure of a Man.
NonFiction Features: A testament to VIFF’s commitment to documentary and essay films that makes it one of Canada’s largest documentary festivals. The involving stories here include Louise Osmond’s Dark Horse, a tale of Welsh underdogs crashing the “sport of kings,” and The Visit (An Alien Encounter), Michael Madsen’s fact-based pre-enactment of an alien invasion.
Arts & Letters: A cinematic celebration of visual and performing arts with a strong focus on captivating films in which music takes centre stage, be it Mavis!, Jessica Edward’s rousing profile of the gospel/soul legend, or Imperfect Harmony, a look at the clash between two titans of classical music. Another of the series’ highlights is the North American premiere of Innocence of Memories, Grant Gee’s magnificent, mesmerizing visual essay about Turkish author Orhan Pamuk.
Other series: Altered States, Canadian Shorts, The Great Divide, Episodic Stream, Hidden Pasts, Digital Futures, VIFF Impact, Style in Film, On Comedy, and Special Presentations.
Important Dates
Thursday, September 3, 2015
VIFF festival passes and discounted ticket packs are available now online
Saturday, September 12, 2015
In-person Advance Sales at Vancity Theatre Box Office, 1181 Seymour (12pm-7pm)
Thursday, September 24, 2015
Festival opens. All venue box offices open, 30 min before the first screening of the day
Stay connected with VIFF for updates and announcements by following @VIFFest on Twitter and pick up your program guide at locations across the Lower Mainland for more information.
Miss604 is a proud Media Partner of the Vancouver International Film Festival
The long weekend is here and families will be looking for things to do as a unit before homework and school commitments occupy much of their time. Not to worry! There is plenty going on in the Metro Vancouver area including the brand new, totally free Richmond World Festival at Minoru Park. There are PNE concerts, film festivals, farmers markets, artisan fairs, and even a zombie fashion show.
Things to do in Vancouver Labour Day Weekend
Events that run for longer than three days in a row are highlighted in green below.
Friday, September 4, 2015
Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine
Live Music at Trees Coffee
PNE Summer Concerts
SFU World Sexual Health Day
TaiwanFest Vancouver
Vancouver Latin American Film Festival
Saturday, September 5, 2015
Sponsored by Miss604: Richmond World Festival
Strathcona Zombie Fashion Show
New West Artisan Fair
Trout Lake Farmers Market
West End Farmers Market
Vancouver, Plaza of Nations Night Market
Richmond Night Market
International Night Market, Richmond
PNE Summer Concerts
TaiwanFest Vancouver
Vancouver Latin American Film Festival
Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine
Sunday, September 6, 2015
12th Annual Corn Festival
Refugees Welcome Event
MVC Walking Tour – Victims of early accidents
Sunday Seafood Boil at Boulevard
Van/Race
Polish Festival, Lynn Valley
Annual Langley Speedway Reunion and Car Show
Hershe Bar – Where The Girls Are
Ambleside Artisan Farmers Market
Kitsilano Farmers Market
Vancouver, Plaza of Nations Night Market
Richmond Night Market
International Night Market, Richmond
PNE Summer Concerts
TaiwanFest Vancouver
Vancouver Latin American Film Festival
Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine
Monday, September 7, 2015
PNE Summer Concerts
Stefan Sagmeister: The Happy Show at Museum of Vancouver
Vancouver Triathlon
Music in Cleveland Park, North Vancouver
Chaberton Winery Labour Day Food Trucks & Music
BC Farm Museum’s Old and New Day, Langley
Polish Festival, Lynn Valley
TaiwanFest Vancouver
Vancouver Latin American Film Festival
Check out the full September event listings here and if you have an event to include, please send it in by email for a free listing. Follow Miss604 on Twitter for more daily updates.
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Nordstrom is coming to Vancouver, opening up at Pacific Centre with entrances off Robson and Granville streets, and they want you to get to know a bit about who they are and what they offer. Officially opening Friday, September 18, 2015 at 10:00am, the fashion specialty retailer is hosting a series of events, with many local non-profit beneficiaries:
Nordstrom Vancouver Opening Events
Beauty + Fit + Friends
When: September 11th and 12th, 2015
What: Bring a friend before the store opens to the public and check out the special services offered at Nordstrom Vancouver. Get your makeup done, learn tips and tricks from the biggest names in beauty, enjoy music, food, drinks, and a photobooth. Call 1.866.792.6167 by September 4 to book your beauty classes, bra fitting and makeup appointments.
Local charity component: For every bra you purchase from a participating brand, $2 will go to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation – BC/Yukon Region. Nordstrom and the participating brands will make a minimum donation of $5,000 to the Foundation.
Fashion Show – SOLD OUT
When: Wednesday, September 16th, 2015 at 6:00pm and 7:00pm
What: Prior to the opening gala later in the evening, enjoy a reception and fashion show at the Vancouver Art Gallery, across the street from the Nordstrom Vancouver location.
Local charity component: Tickets are $300 and include admission to the gala afterwards; all proceeds will benefit the BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre Foundation, BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, Covenant House Vancouver and the Vancouver Art Gallery.
Opening Gala – SOLD OUT
When: Wednesday, September 16th, 2015 from 7:00pm to 10:00pm
What: Sip cocktails, savour dinner and dessert, enjoy entertainment and shop the season’s best looks.
Local charity component: Tickets are $150; all proceeds will benefit the BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre Foundation, BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, Covenant House Vancouver and the Vancouver Art Gallery.
Pre-opening Beauty Bash
When: Friday, September 18th, 2015 from 7:30am to 9:30am
What: Get the inside scoop on the latest products, trends and tips. Shop all your tried-and-true favourites and new recommendations. Get your makeup done, have coffee and breakfast bites, grab a donut and juice from food trucks. Snap a pic in the photo booth, have a snack and listen to live music by Side One. Enter through the main entrance. Call the beauty hotline at 1.800.7beauty (1.800.723.2889) if you have any questions.
Local charity component: The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation – BC/Yukon Region (CBCF). Sign up for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation – BC/Yukon Region CIBC Run for the Cure, spin the breast-health trivia wheel to win prizes and more (Nordstrom will make a minimum donation of $5,000 to CBCF).
Opening Day
When: Friday, September 18th, 2015 at 9:30am
Vancouver Triple Points Event
When: September 18th to September 20th, 2015
What: Debut Rewards members earn rewards points toward Nordstrom Notes and get to shop scheduled bonus points events throughout the year. Talk to a salesperson at the Vancouver store for quick and easy signup. Restrictions apply.
For all of this information and more, follow Nordstrom Vancouver on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Nordstrom is located at 799 Robson Street, Vancouver, BC.
Broadway Across Canada presents ONCE in Vancouver, November 17th to 21st at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Winner of 8 2012 Tony Awards® including Best Musical, ONCE is a truly original Broadway experience.
Featuring an impressive ensemble of actor/musicians who play their own instruments onstage, ONCE tells the enchanting tale of a Dublin street musician who’s about to give up on his dream when a beautiful young woman takes a sudden interest in his haunting love songs.
As the chemistry between them grows, his music soars to powerful new heights… but their unlikely connection turns out to be deeper and more complex than your everyday romance. Emotionally captivating and theatrically breathtaking, ONCE draws you in from the very first note and never lets go. It’s an unforgettable story about going for your dreams and the power of music to connect us all.
Tickets for ONCE go on sale Monday, September 14, 2015 online or by calling 1-855-985-5000. Tickets start at $25 (plus applicable service charges). Reservations for groups of ten (10) or more are now being accepted by calling 1-800-889-8457. Performances run Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 8:00pm, Sunday evening at 7:30pm with Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:00pm. ONCE in Vancouver, presented by Broadway Across Canada, is part of three city Canadian tour including stops in Calgary (November 3rd to 8th) and Edmonton (November 10th to 15th).
Pre-Sale Code for ONCE in Vancouver
Beat the box office and book your tickets in advance of the general sale by using this pre-sale link and the code MOVIE starting at 10:00am September 11th and ending at 10:00pm on September 13th.
Follow Broadway Across Canada on Twitter and Facebook for more information about their shows coming to Vancouver in 2015 and 2016.
Enjoy one of the year’s signature wine, beer, and gastronomy events over two days at Top Drop Vancouver, bringing together international, terroir-focused wineries, cideries, breweries, and more September 10th and 11th.
Top Drop Vancouver focuses on sustainably-farmed, handcrafted wines offering a distinct sense of place, without heavy-handed winemaking trickery to get in the way. While honest wines are the centrepiece of Top Drop, the group of restaurant and wine industry professionals behind the event believe craft beer, cider and gastronomical pursuits are all part of the same dynamic conversation, and each play a key part in the event.
The Top Drop Dinner Series takes place on Thursday, September 10th at four venues from Vancouver to Whistler. Plan your evening with chefs and wineries at Cinara (350 West Pender), Edible Canada (Granville Island), Wildebeest (120 West Hastings), or at Alta Bistro (4319 Main St) in Whistler. Menus, wine pairings, tickets, and dinner series event info is available here.
The Main Event, benefitting the BC Hospitality Foundation, features a walk-around tasting room with sips and stories from the principals of 33 international wineries. Attendees can visit and taste with a good handful of British Columbian craft breweries, cideries and food purveyors. If you like what you taste, you can make purchases right on site with Everything Wine and Libations Liquor Store.
What The Main Event
When Friday, September 11, 2015 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Where Yaletown Roundhouse (181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver)
Tickets Available online for $59, with event proceeds going to the BC Hospitality Foundation, which provides financial support to individuals from the hospitality industry facing a major medical crisis.
Wineries
Alderlea Vineyards – Vancouver Island, B.C.
Alta Alella – Alella, Spain
Anthonij Rupert – Cape Winelands, South Africa
Badia a Coltibuono – Tuscany, Italy
Baillie-Grohman – Creston, B.C.
Benjamin Bridge – Gaspereau Valley, Nova Scotia
Blue Grouse Estate Winery and Vineyard – Vancouver Island, B.C.
Champagne Lallier – Champagne, France
Champagne Philipponnat – Champagne, France
Château Le Puy – Bordeaux, France
Château Musar – Bekaa Valley, Lebanon
Cline Family Cellars – Sonoma, California
Elio Altare – Barolo, Italy
Elk Cove Vineyards – Gaston, Oregon
Frank Cornelissen – Sicily, Italy
Giusti Wine – Veneto, Italy
Inglenook – Napa, California
Kangarilla Road – McLaren Vale, Australia
La Rioja Alta – Rioja, Spain
Latta Wines – Walla Walla, Washington
Lock & Worth – Okanagan Valley, Canada
Montenidoli – Tuscany, Italy
Orofino – Similkameen Valley, B.C.
Scribe – Sonoma, California
Spottswoode Estate – Napa, California
Stina – Dalmatia, Croatia
Synchromesh Wines – Okanagan Valley, B.C.
Tabali – Limari, Chile
TH Wines – Okanagan Valley, B.C.
Truchard Vineyard – Carneros, California
Vaglio Wines – Uco Valley, Argentina
Viña Cousiño Macul – Maipo Valley, Chile
Viña Falernia – Elqui Valley Chile
Wine Australia Regional Collection
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Cideries
B.C. Tree Fruits Cider – Kelowna, B.C
Howling Moon Cider House – Oliver, B.C
Tod Creek Craft Cider – Victoria, B.C.
Naramata Cider Co. – Naramata, B.C.
Craft Breweries
Longwood Brewery – Nanaimo, B.C.
Main Street Brewing – Vancouver, B.C.
Postmark Brewing – Vancouver, B.C.
Red Truck Beer – Vancouver, B.C.
Strange Fellows Brewing – Vancouver, B.C.
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Follow Top Drop Vancouver on Facebook and Twitter for more announcements and information leading up to the dinner series and the main event.
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