shameless hussy productions, in association with Surrey Civic Theatres, presents the world premiere of To Perfection written by Meghan Gardiner. Tackling the issues of modern life and family conflict in relatable and hilarious way, the play ensures audiences of all ages will enjoy the perfect food-for-thought theatre outing.
To Perfection – Photo by Sarah Race
Meghan Gardiner’s To Perfection
When: September 14 to 17, 2022
Where: Studio Theatre Surrey Arts Centre (13750 88 Ave, Surrey)
Tickets: $22–$29 Buy tickets online or call the box office at (604) 501-5566
$15 Student/Senior matinee on September 15
‘Gloria’, a former celebrity TV chef, played by the inimitable Patti Allan, is finally reuniting with her estranged grandchild ‘Alex’. However, the temperature heats up when Alex, played by Rae Takei, comes out as non-binary and opens a ‘genderational’ divide. Can ‘Gloria’ and ‘Alex’ find the perfect mix for their family recipe? Or will it all bubble up and explode?
Written by Meghan Gardiner during the height of the pandemic, this new work tackles issues dear to Gardiner’s own heart. She said, “Although this is a fictional story with fictional characters, I drew inspiration from my own family’s journey. Every child comes with their own personality—their own everything. They’re born who they are, and we can’t change that, we just have to adapt and love them. My philosophy is love first and let them be the guide.”
Although To Perfection is an issue-based play with hefty themes, it is a comedy, and Gardiner said that is in part because she wanted the play to reach and be relatable to people from all walks of life.
The play went through several drafts and a workshop process and both actors, Patti Allan and Rae Takei have been involved since the start. Gardiner said: “The performers in the roles – we truly have the best of the best. The fact that both actors worked with us in the workshop process and then wanted to be the actors in the actual performances means so much because they really believe in the work and that means the world to me.”
Gardiner would like the play to reach a wide audience of people and hopes that the play strikes a chord with families going through their own similar journeys. “If I were to give advice to any parent whose children are showing gender creativity, I would say let them lead. Support. Support. Support. Don’t fight it. Parents are not the experts. Our children will let us know what they need. Our family mantra is ‘one day at a time’ and right now, every day is really great because our daughter is living who she wants to be.”
Light Up Chinatown is back September 10 to 11, 2022! The whole community is invited to experience a full slate of new programming, food experiences, and colourful lights and lantern decorations around Vancouver’s historic Chinatown during Mid-Autumn Festival.
Light Up Chinatown – Photo Submitted
Light Up Chinatown 2022
The two-day festival kick-offs off on Saturday, September 10, 2022 at 11:00am with a special opening ceremony at the main stage on Columbia Street and Keefer Street, featuring speeches and a lion dance by Hon Hsing Athletic Club of Vancouver.
This year the Vancouver Chinatown Foundation is partnering with the Vancouver Chinatown Business Improvement Area Society (VCBIA), Vancouver Chinatown Merchants Association, Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Vancouver, and Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden to celebrate the city’s iconic neighbourhood.
“We were overwhelmed by the incredible support last year, where more than 7,000 visitors visited Chinatown over the two-day festival,” says Carol Lee, co-founder and chair of Vancouver Chinatown Foundation. “This year, we want to continue the momentum and encourage even more people to return to this historic neighbourhood and celebrate the amazing and talented merchants, restaurateurs, and resilient people of Chinatown.”
On Saturday, enjoy performances from Goh Ballet, Marie Hui, the Madison Reunion Band, and Maestro Ken Hsieh with violinist Ken Lin. In the evening, DJ Kubanito will help light up the streets with a salsa dance party – one of the most popular events from 2021.
Eat your way through a variety of food trucks, including Takenaka, Salty’s Lobster Shack, and Tornado Potato. Marking a return this year isBeaucoup Bakery and Chinatown BBQ’s fan-favourite Peking Duck Croissant, available on both days.
In addition, the team behind The Chinese Restaurant Awards has updated its successful Taste of Chinatown, featuring an exciting self-guided culinary walking tour of Chinatown. Diners can explore must-try items and shop for unique, specialty offerings from local merchants and restaurants. Taste of Chinatown is part of Light Up Chinatown!’s souvenir passport, where the community can go around the neighbourhood to collect stamps and win prizes.
Other notable activities include strolling through Chinatown to see even more lights and lanterns dotted throughout the streets, and a brand new Kids’ Zone with balloon twisting, arts and crafts.
The Chan Centre for the Performing Arts at UBC, in collaboration with Musqueam, has announced a new festival: ʔəm̓i ce:p xʷiwəl (Come Toward the Fire). This will be an Indigenous-led celebration of creativity, brilliance, culture and community. The gathering will showcase the voices of Indigenous artists, performers, musicians, speakers, and dance groups from Musqueam and from Indigenous nations across Turtle Island (North America).
The main image artwork for the festival was created by non-binary Musqueam (Vancouver)-based queer xʷməθkʷəy̓əm and Tsimshian artist Chase Gray.
ʔəm̓i ce:p xʷiwəl Come Toward the Fire
When: September 17 – 18, 2022
Where: Chan Centre for the Performing Arts (UBC, 6265 Crescent Rd, Vancouver)
The hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ name for this event was provided by Musqueam and elder Larry Grant with special thanks to Musqueam artist Miss Christie Lee Charles for suggesting the name “move toward the fire.” This phrase supports a movement to return Indigenous voices to the forefront and bring them back to the centre, the fire, and the heart of the community, following generations of removal due to Residential Schools.
“This festival is a beautiful opportunity to showcase the joys of Indigeneity,” says Pat Carrabré, Director of the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts and member of the Manitoba Métis Federation. “So often, Indigenous depictions are mired in tragedy. While we recognize the history and continued oppression of Indigenous peoples, we wanted to expand the narrative. The story of Indigenous peoples is not monolithic, neither is our cultures. With the various creatives we have invited for this festival, we are highlighting the incredible diversity of Indigenous talent, whether it’s through food, dance, song, or otherwise. Of course, we are especially pleased to present this festival in collaboration with Musqueam.”
Free Daytime Event on September 17th
The weekend will begin with free, public activities on Saturday, September 17th. Accessible outdoor programming will include music and dance performances, Indigenous vendors, food trucks, community presentations, film screenings, and cultural workshops. Hosted by Two-Spirit Cree musician and drag performer Quanah Style, daytime activities will also include a dedicated memory space to provide an opportunity for Indigenous community members to share a memory to remember loved ones.
Food vendors on Saturday September 17th include: Mr. Bannock, Bannock Busters, Na Mi Vietnamese, Rain or Shine, Upriver Bakery. Artisan vendors include: Pattern Nation, Decolonial Clothing Co, Rbrth, Sisters Sage, Native by Nature, Iron Dog Books, Massy Books.
One of the busiest weekends of summer! There’s a cat festival, a coffee festival, a festival by the sea – and it’s time for the PNE! Miss604 is proud to sponsor Salsa Cruises (August 20) and Summer at Burnaby Village Museum (all summer). Find all of these and more things to do in Vancouver this weekend listed below:
Things to do in Vancouver This Weekend August 19-21, 2022
The 15th annual Read for the Cure, a fundraiser by the Cancer Research Society, presented in partnership with Penguin Random House Canada, has announced its fall lineup for events in Vancouver, Toronto, and online.
The fundraiser comprises a series of literary events with some of Canada’s bestselling authors, held in support of the Cancer Research Society’s Environment-Cancer Fund, which backs research dedicated to early detection, treatment, and prevention of the disease through the study of its environmental causes.
In 2021, the Cancer Research Society funded 80 new projects dedicated to cancer research, valued at $9.6 million—a record for the not-for-profit organization. These grants included projects investigating early detection for prostate cancer, innovations in treatment for ovarian and breast cancer, as well as biomarker and immunotherapy development for sarcomas and endocrine cancers.
Read for the Cure 2022 Vancouver
The Vancouver event will take place Monday, October 24, 2022 from 7:30pm to 9:30pm at the Vancouver Club. Tickets are available online now for $135-$145.
The panel of authors includes 2021 Giller Prize-winner Omar El-Akkad (What Strange Paradise), Canadian artist Douglas Coupland (Binge), and singer-songwriter Jann Arden (If I Knew Then). The evening’s author panel will be moderated by CTV News Vancouver anchor Mi-Jung Lee.
Winner of the 2021 Scotiabank Giller Prize and a finalist for this year’s Canada Reads, Omar El-Akkad’s What Strange Paradise has been praised as “extraordinary” by the New York Times and “visceral” by the Washington Post. This novel portrays the global refugee crisis through the eyes of a child in beautiful, unrelentingly dramatic prose.
Fans of Vancouver visual artist and designer Douglas Coupland will delight over his newest collection of short stories, his first release since 2013. This instant national bestseller includes 60 short stories featuring a plethora of everyday characters, from dad dancers to people in the grip of unconscionable urges, written with Coupland’s signature humour and profundity.
Multi-award winning Canadian singer and actress Jann Arden gets personal about her life, failure and aging in If I Knew Then, a memoir rich with hard-won truths, passion and pain. “Abundantly and humorously generous” (Toronto Star), Arden’s story is a liberating and astounding tour de force.
Local personality and CTV News Vancouver anchor Mi-Jung Lee will explore the powerful themes in each of these works and moderate for an intimate audience Q&A. Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime conversation between three exceptional talents at Vancouver’s hottest social hub.
Proceeds from this event will support the Cancer Research Society’s Environment-Cancer Fund, which provides grants and seed money to various scientific research projects across Canada each year. A portion of the proceeds for the 2022 Vancouver event will also support the BC Cancer Foundation. Learn more and donate at the Cancer Research Society.
Since 2007, this inspiring annual event series has raised over $1.8 million for the Environment-Cancer Fund at the Cancer Research Society, which provides grants to researchers investigating the environmental causes of Cancer in Canadians and preventative measures.
