Neanderthal Arts Festival 2011

Add a Comment by Michelle Kim

Today is the first day of the Neanderthal Arts Festival at the Vancouver Eastside Cultural Centre (July 21 to 30), a developmental festival featuring new and experimental work by local theatre companies, and one from Montreal.

This year’s line-up includes a play about a pregnant man (My Pregnant Brother/Freestanding Productions), a musical about a bigamist (Homecoming King/Thirty Below Theatre), a Dadaist take on contemporary life (The Gas Heart/Gas Heart Theatre), a Beckett-like parable about a man building a chair (Chairs: A Parable/ITSAZOO Productions), and a verbatim-based theatre story about family communication (Other Side Through You/exit.left productions).

The line-up also includes Walking Fish: Science & Transformation, three new theatre shorts commissioned by the Neanderthal Arts Festival.

Though I’m going to try to catch as many plays as I can in next 10 days, I’m for sure going to see what ITSAZOO Productions has in store, as I’ve been a fan of their work for years. The company started in 2004 in Victoria and primarily does site-specific productions and “black box” shows (which is a theatre term that means they can bring their shows anywhere, like in a black box).

Written by one of the company’s co-artistic producers, Sebastien Archibald, Chairs: A Parable is a comedy that tells the story of three men as they attempt to build a civilized existence for themselves in a barren wasteland. But when one of the men builds a giant chair, everything in their new world changes.

“It’s an exploration of hierarchy in our society and looks at what it occurs and how it’s constructed,” says Chelsea Haberlin, co-artistic producer of ITSAZOO and director of Chairs: A Parable.

Though the play is absurdist and draws inspiration from existential playwright and Director Samuel Beckett, it’s been made accessible for this generation. In addition, there will also a backdrop featuring flash animation as well as found-sound musicscape playing throughout the show.

“It’s a simple story about a chair but it definitely explores big ideas.”

Presented as part of the Neanderthal Arts Festival, Chairs runs until July 30. For ticket information please contact The Vancouver East Cultural Center (“The Cultch”) box office. For more information, you can follow the festival on Twitter and Facebook.

This feature was written exclusively for Miss604 by actor, writer, and producer, Michelle Kim. Read all posts contributed by Michelle for Miss604.com and follow her on Twitter @miju.

Harmony Arts Festival 2011

Comments 84 by Rebecca Bollwitt

The Harmony Arts Festival is West Vancouver’s annual 10-day summer celebration of all things food, performing arts, and visual arts happening July 29th to August 7th, 2011.

Harmony Arts FestivalConcerts
Jeremy Fisher, The Dustin Bentall Outfit, Jim Byrnes, and more will have late evening performances on the Garden Stage at dusk (8:45 pm). We Are the City, Headwater, and more will take to the Sunset Stage at 7:30 pm.
Visual Arts
Visit the Art Market July 29th to August 1st, drop in on the ArtSpeak tent for daily programs, or do the Re/Max Studio Tour as artist studios and galleries host open houses throughout the festival.
Cinema in the Park
The free outdoor movie series comes to John Lawson Park presenting Pollock July 29th and Slumdog Millionaire on August 5th.
For Kids
KinderTunes and Creative Kids Day will host family-friendly concerts and activities including appearances by Bobs & Lolo, and Music with Marnie.

The Harmony Arts Festival will be located on the waterfront between 14th Street and 16th Street (and you’ll find a Wine Garden at the foot of 15th Street in Millenium Park). While the concert series and outdoor movies are free to attend, there are a few select ticketed events such as Best of the West.

Happening Thursday, August 4th from 7:30pm to 10:30pm at The Pier (foot of 14th Street) Best of the West is a food tasting and wine pairing event with 10 restaurants and 10 wineries.

Beachside Forno, Carmelo’s Ristorante, Fraîche Restaurant, La Régalade French Bistro, Louis Gervais Fine Foods & Catering, Mangia E Bevi, Restaurant Chez Michel, The Beach House Restaurant, The Observatory Restaurant, and Zen Japanese Restaurant will be represented. Participating wineries include Black Hills Estate Winery, Blue Mountain Vineyard & Cellars, CedarCreek Estate Winery, haywire, JoieFarm, Laughing Stock Vineyard, Mission Hill Family Estate, Poplar Grove Winery, Quail’s Gate, and Tantalus Vineyards.

Tickets for Best of the West are $75 and I also have a pair to give away. If you would like to attend the Best of the West, here’s how you can win your way in.

  • Leave a comment on this post naming your favourite West Vancouver attraction or restaurant (1 entry)
  • Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
  • I entered to win tickets to Best of the West @harmonyartswv from @Miss604 http://ow.ly/5JhHx

    I will draw one winner next Wednesday, July 27, 2011 at 10:00am. Must be 19 years of age or older to enter and win. Please enjoy responsibly and plan a safe ride home.

    Pick up the free Harmony Arts Festival iPhone app and follow them on Twitter or Facebook for more information.

    Update The winner is Marlis!

    Vancouver Pride Week Festival & Parade 2011

    Comments 4 by Rebecca Bollwitt

    Vancouver Pride Week kicks off Saturday July 23 and will finish off with the Pride Parade (one of North America’s largest). Drawing over half a million people to events, festivities, and the parade downtown each year, it’s one of the region’s most-anticipated celebrations.

    Vancouver Pride Week
    There’s much more to Pride Week than the Pride Parade and this year the calendar is packed. Here’s a quick rundown of some of the main events:

    Davie Street
    Photo: Brandon Koger on Flickr

    Saturday July 23 at 11:00 am
    Picnic in the Park (at Stanley Park Brockton Oval). This event is youth-friendly, family-friendly.

    Tuesday July 26 & Wednesday July 27 at 7:00 pm
    Queer Arts Festival (at Roundhouse Community Centre & Theatre)

    Thursday July 28 at 7:00 pm
    Pride Movie Night (at Granville 7 Theatre)

    Friday July 29 at 7:00 pm
    Caya Davie Street Dance Party (in the Davie Village)

    Saturday July 30 at 9:00 am
    Terry Wallace Memorial Breakfast (at Bute & Davie). This event is youth-friendly, family-friendly.

    Sunday July 31 at 11:00am
    Sunset Beach Pride Festival. This event is youth-friendly, family-friendly.

    Sunday July 31 at 12:00pm
    Pride Parade This event is youth-friendly, family-friendly.

    Vancouver Pride Parade 2011
    Hundreds of thousands of people will line the streets of Vancouver’s West End for the colourful, celebratory, and lively Pride Parade. Starting off at Robson at Bute, the parade will head down to Denman and go all the way through English Bay to Sunset Beach. Stake out your spot on the curb early and be prepared to get up and dance, sing along, and get tons of swag thrown out by participants on floats.

    Pride Week and the Pride Parade are presented by the Vancouver Pride Society, which offers programs and community support throughout the year. In 2010, their Legacy Fund benefitted AIDS Vancouver, Four Feathers Society, 411 Seniors Centre Society, Qmunity, and more.

    Update During the Pride Festival and Parade post your photos to Twitter and tag them with @g_fad & @miss604 for your chance to win a g-fad pride wear kit. The winner will be drawn on Sunday at 2:00pm and will be able to visit the g-fad tent at the Pride Festival at Sunset Beach to pick up their kit.

    Vancouver Pride Parade 2010
    Photo credit: John Bollwitt on Flickr

    North America Outgames
    Vancouver is the second city to ever host the North America Out Games and they’ll be a large part of Pride Week this year running July 25th to July 31st. Instead of a torch relay, there are flag runners and a flag ceremony that will be held at the Vancouver Art Gallery July 25th. Flags will be run in several legs: From UBC, to Jericho Park, via paddle boat to Denman and Davie. Then from the base of Whistler Mountain to Grouse Mountain, to the Opening Ceremony at the art gallery (5:00pm to 7:30pm).

    Sports competitions throughout the week at the Outgames are badminton, dance sport, eco challenge, golf, poker, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field, volleyball, a 10km run/4km walk, and the 6k vertical challenge.

    The Opening Reception will then be at Club Five-Sixty and the Closing Ceremony (with Ace of Base, Dragonette, and more) will be at the Plaza of Nations July 30th.

    I’d like to thank Aeden Saint, Clement C.Blaze, and Samantha Mack for having me on QueerFM this morning at the CiTR studios at UBC. They will have special coverage and 50 hours of live on-site broadcasts at various locations surrounding the OutGames.

    Tori Amos in Vancouver 2011

    Comments 93 by Rebecca Bollwitt

    Tori Amos is returning to Vancouver to play the Orpheum on December 13th. Performing most of her life and touring relentlessly since 1991, Rolling Stone has voted her one of the best live performers of all time.

    Tori Amos’s latest release and debut on Deutsche Grammophon Night of Hunters is a 21st century song-cycle, inspired by classical music from the last 400 years.

    Following the idea of the classical song-cycle, the all-new songs from Night of Hunters tell an ongoing contemporary story. Its central character is a woman ending a long relationship, allowing the listener to follow her on a journey over the course of one night to explore complex musical and emotional themes.

    Tickets go on sale through this Friday at 10:00am for $39.50, $69.50 and $89.50 through Live Nation, Ticketmaster or the Rogers Wireless Box Office. In the meantime, I have a pair of tickets to give away this week. Here’s how you can enter to win:

  • Leave a comment on this post naming a Tori Amos song (1 entry)
  • Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
  • I entered to win tickets to #ToriAmos in #Vancouver from @LiveNationWest & @Miss604 http://ow.ly/5I60a

    I will draw one winner at 9:45am this Friday, July 22, 2011.

    Update The winner is Stacey (@CakeScrapps) – congratulations!

    Langley Circle Farm Tour: Wineries

    Comments 1 by Rebecca Bollwitt

    I recently visited several Circle Farm Tour stops with Tourism Langley that covered everything from turkeys to blueberry doughnuts. Three additional stops on this free, self-guided tour in Langley include the wineries. While most think of the Okanagan as BC’s wine country, these have been around for the better part of the last decade. Some are supplemented with vines on the Naramata Bench, but these local wineries deliver reds, whites, and sparkling varietals just 45 minutes away from Vancouver.

    Vista D'oro

    Wineries in Langley, BC

    Vista D'Oro Vista D'oro

    Vista D’Oro Farms & Winery
    Located in South Langley overlooking Campbell Valley Park and Golden Ears Mountain Range. Stop by the new shop, pick up a bottle of wine, grab picnic fare from the kitchen (such as a cheese plate with local products, fresh baking, preserves) and sit out under the walnut trees for a picnic. Try some of their flagship walnut-fortified 2007 D’oro wine for something different.
    Location: 20856 4th Ave
    Website, Twitter, Facebook

    Domain de Chaberton

    Domain de Chaberton Domain de Chaberton

    Domain de Chaberton

    Domaine de Chaberton Winery & Bacchus Bistro
    Tour the 55-acre vineyard, bottling line, barrel cellars and more as you take in the full winery experience, including tastings. Have lunch or dinner at the award-winning Bacchus Bistro or bring a picnic to the winery. In 2011, Domain de Chaberton has already picked up two gold medals at the 31st annual All Canadian Wine Championships for their 2009 Bacchus Dry and 2009 Gamay Noir.
    Location: 1064 – 216th Street
    Website

    Township 7

    Township 7 Township 7

    Township 7 Vineyards & Winery
    Tours, tastings, picnics, live music, art shows, and wine seminars are all hosted at Township 7. With 7 wines rated with 90 points, they have plenty of variety. This summer enjoy Wilde in the Winery with theatrical performances in the vineyard at the end of July and August, as well as Art in the Vines August 28, 2011.
    Location: 21152 16th Ave
    Website, Twitter

    Other self-guided Circle Farm Tours in our region aside from Harrison Mills & Agassiz and Langley are Pitt Meadows & Maple Ridge, Chilliwack, and Abbotsford. All of my Circle Farm Tour posts can be found under the “Circle-Farm-Tour” tag.

    Related post: Where to Pick Strawberries & Langley Circle Farm Tour