There really is nothing sweeter to me than hearing my partner’s laughter, which is why a night of comedy at Vancouver TheatreSports Romance Week sounds like the perfect way to celebrate Valentine’s Day in the city.
Vancouver TheatreSports Romance Week
In honour of Valentine’s Day, VTS is celebrating the fun, funny, and spicy of all things love and romance with Romance Week, which begins on Wednesday, February 5, 2020 and runs through to Saturday, February 15, 2020 at The Improv Centre on Granville Island. Tickets are available online and prices start at just $10.75.
Are you single and think that Valentine’s Day is a big yawn? Come on down anyway. Grab a gaggle of equally single friends and have a fun night together. VTS offers special discounts for groups of 10 or more.
Romance Week Program:
The Love of Your Life – An Improvised True Romance February 5-8, 12-13, & 15, 2020 at 7:30pm Developed by former VTS Artistic Director Denise Jones, this show premiered at the 2019 Vancouver Fringe Festival where it played to packed houses. The Love of Your Life is a witty and romantic look at one real couple’s relationship as revealed through interviews and interpreted by VTS improvisers. An actual couple from the audience joins the ensemble on stage for the show. During the first half, they are interviewed by the host. The ensemble, utilizing the information given by the couple, re-creates some key moments in their life leading up to the present time. The second half of the show takes what has been learned about the couple, infuses that with suggestions from the audience, and projects what the future will hold for them in a series of improvised scenarios. “One of the show’s most moving performances at the Fringe Festival happened when we featured a couple who had been together 40 years,” says Ms. Jones. “This show will touch both your heart and your funny bone.”
Love Matches – A Valentine’s Day All-Out Love Battle February 14, 2020 at 7:30pm and 9:30pm Hosted by none other than Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love, and our own, very dapper GQpid, Love Matches (based on the classic TheatreSports format) features an all-out love battle of epic proportions as ‘improv couples’ duke it out in an audience-inspired competition to prove that love conquers all. The evening also includes various special characters such as a Love Astrologer who will check your Heart Chart (are your sun signs compatible?) and personalized improvised love sonnets you can take with you, as well as specials at the bar.
OK Tinder – Swipe Right Comedy February 6 & 13, 2020 at 9:15pm Looking for love on the internet? Jump into 60 minutes of fast-paced, no-holds-barred comedy looking at the good, bad, and laughably ludicrous of Vancouver’s notorious dating scene.
Frisky Friday February 7 & 14, 2020 at 11:15pm Bring the sizzle to your Friday nights as an all-star cast of VTS ensemble members explores the funny side of naughty. From fetishes to threesomes, no subject will be deemed too scandalous to spoof. Based on audience suggestions, this is not a show for the faint of heart or those with delicate sensibilities. It is for mature adults who want to get their laugh on.
The Late Show – Adult Only Comedy February 8 & 15, 2020 at 11:15pm This show takes the furry handcuffs off improvisers to present edgy, uncensored, improv comedy. With the aid of audience suggestions, VTS’ quick-witted ensemble members create scenarios that explore mature themes, content, and language. You never know how far this show will go with the audience as willing accomplices.
Date Night Improv Workshop For Couples* February 14, 2020 at 7:00pm to 9:00pm If you are looking to really spice up your Valentine’s evening, consider attending VTS’ Date Night Improv Workshop. This special improv class for couples will be offered only on February 14. This 2-hour workshop is designed with couples in mind. Come with your partner to play and laugh during this fun, stress-free, one-of-a-kind, date night event. Let yourselves loose through improv games and exercises led by ensemble members Clare Filipow and Allen Morrison. Make this year’s Valentine’s Day memorable by adding some play to your evening. *Cost: $30/person. Register at online here.
Everyone is back at work and while we have some exciting food festivals coming up, there aren’t too many events this week/weekend. Where you will find a full lineup is on stage. Check with the theatre nearest to you to see what’s playing and support our local scene! Find a few of these listings and more things to do in Vancouver this weekend below:
I’ve had this image of Coal Harbour saved in my browser for a few years now as it shows so many interesting elements of Vancouver, 80+ years ago. The archives notes its creation date as 1940 however you can see the Denman Arena on the right, and it burnt down in 1936 so it must have been taken before then.
The biggest change between then and now is Devonian Harbour Park, which you can see from the photo is home to marinas and port buildings back then. Thanks to a donation in 1984 from the Devonian Foundation in Alberta, today it’s a 4.42 hectare green space with rolling lawns, sculptures and pond.
Inspired by the theme of (re)creation, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra is currently hosting the 7th annual VSO New Music Festival featuring a concert of concerti performed by the artists who commissioned them.
The 2020 VSO New Music Festival showcases works from critically acclaimed composers, performed by renowned artists from around the world.
Tonight (January 13th) it’s VSONMF03 Bizarre Bazaar. Viviane Hagner finds poetry in the new and freshness in the old in a solo violin program weaving together works from five centuries. Kari Kriikku leads the talented members of the VSO School of Music’s Sinfonietta on a bravura global journey blending folk melodies with new sounds and voices.
On January 14th in VSONMF04 (re)flection, Standing Wave presents eclectic reflections on old themes: featuring Missy Mazzoli, and Jennifer Butler’s (re-)imagining of Messiaen’s seminal “The Blackbird”. The remarkable Vancouver Youth Choir juxtapose Palestrina’s Renaissance masterpiece Sicut Cervus with a setting of the same text by contemporary Estonian composer Part Uusberg. Plus – Katerina Gimon’s vibrant integration of voice and movement.
With his entrancing fusion of contemporary classical, post-minimal and alternative popular musical styles, Max Richter is one of today’s most successful composers for stage and screen. On January 15th, VSONMF05: Waltz with Bashir features a film screening with his innovative soundtrack to Israeli director Ari Folman’s 2008 film, Waltz with Bashir, which won Richter the prestigious European Film Award for best composer and vaulted the composer into the international spotlight. Waltz with Bashir also went on to win a Golden Globe in 2009 and became the first animated film nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards. A thought-provoking evening at the cutting edge of music and cinema.
On January 16th, closing night of the festival features the return of VSO Music Director Emeritus Bramwell Tovey for VSONMF06: (re)composed. With virtuoso orchestration, fanciful melodies and ambitious topics, Thomas Adès’ 1995 hit opera, Powder Her Face, took the world by storm. Max Richter (re-)casts The Four Seasons for solo violin, strings and electronics. Emeritus Maestro Tovey and VSO Concertmaster Nicholas Wright present this bold and beautiful re-creation.
It’s one of the most delicious fundraisers around! Treat Week for the BC SPCA returns this year and you can help the cause by cooking and baking delectable snacks for your friends, family and co-workers.
Treat Week for the BC SPCA
Treat Week runs February 24 to March 1, 2020, a time when animal lovers around the province make, bake or buy treats and give them away in exchange for a donation.
This year, participants who kick-off their fundraising with a self-donation of $25 or more will receive a special gift to feed their fundraising efforts: an e-book containing both sweet and savoury recipes from some of BC’s best chefs, restaurants, and bloggers. The book includes Rhubarb and Cherry Crisp from The Great Canadian Baking Show Judge, Bruno Feldeisen; Grilled Peppers from celebrity chef Jefferson Alvarez; Baked Vanilla Donuts from @sweetandsimplekitchen blogger Kristie Pryor; and Banana Cake with Chocolate Ganache from blogger turned bakery-owner, Fanny Lam of Oh Sweet Day.
Participants who register at online before Friday, January 31 and raise $50 will also be entered in the early bird draw to win a KitchenAid stand mixer donated by Coast Appliances, the perfect tool for whipping up a wide variety of tasty treats. And corporate donors who raise over $500 during the campaign will be entered to win a special prize that will be announced in the coming weeks.
Customize your Personal Fundraising Page online and ask your friends, family and colleagues to support your fundraising efforts.
Send your friends and family an email through your fundraising page, encouraging them to show their support by donating online.
Plan your Treat Week event for home, work, school or wherever you think people would love to indulge in treats.
Hold your Treat Week Party between February 24 and March 1 or any day in January or February that works for you.
Bake, make, decorate and eat!
The BC SPCA will use the much-needed funds raised from Treat Week to find homes for abandoned, neglected or abused animals, and provide emergency care to injured animals.
