The first and only thought that went through the minds of the Rio Theatre‘s team when they heard that their landlord got an offer from a developer in early 2018 was: “We have to save the building.”

Save the Rio Theatre

They sprung into action, launching an online campaign so they could provide a counter-offer. The community rallied, celebrities threw in their support, and over tens of thousands of online signatures, their creative offer to purchase was accepted.

Built in 1938, The Rio Theatre is a historical landmark that has become an award winning hub for independent film and live performance.

Now, the Rio Theatre has about 18 days left to raise millions of dollars.

They have setup an Indiegogo campaign with some fun and creative offers for supporters. Tax receipts will also be issued for those who donate $300 or more, through the Vancouver Art House Society, a registered non-profit BC society.

This is your chance to help save, and be a part of, Vancouver history.

There are so many ways you can support the Indiegogo campaign, with over 50 perks being offered in partnership with local businesses.

Win Tickets to Kevin Smith

When the campaign first began, writer, director, actor and podcaster Kevin Smith generously showed his support on social media and offered to step up for the cause. Even after suffering a heart attack in late February, he is still committed to the Rio.

Kevin Smith will be hosting two sold out shows at the Rio Theatre on Friday, March 30, 2018 and I have tickets to give away to the later show at 9:30pm PLUS the perk of early entry since it is General Admission.

Here’s how you can enter to win:

• Visit the Indiegogo page and leave a comment back here naming your favourite perk on offer (1 entry)
• Comment on this post on Facebook, naming a film or show you’ve seen (or would like to see) at the Rio Theatre (1 entry)
• Click and post the tweet below on Twitter (1 entry)

[clickToTweet tweet=”Spread the word and let’s #SaveTheRio! http://bit.ly/SaveRio604 RT to enter to win tickets to see @ThatKevinSmith at the @RioTheatre on March 30th http://bit.ly/RioKS604″ quote=” Click to enter via Twitter” theme=”style6″]

Use the tag #SaveTheRio on social media and follow the Rio on Facebook and Twitter for their latest updates.

I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Friday, March 23, 2018.

Update The winner is @silverselene03!

Chor Leoni proudly opens its 4th annual VanMan Male Choral Summit with TAKE 6, the most-awarded a cappella group in history, as they enjoy their Vancouver debut, April 6th at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. The ensemble are set to charm with their singular renditions of cherished jazz, gospel, pop and R&B favourites, including songs from their just-announced, soon-to-be-released album, ICONIC.

Take 6. Photo credit: John Shyloski

Chor Leoni Men’s Choir Presents TAKE 6

Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre (630 Hamilton St, Vancouver)
When: Friday April 6, 2018 at 8:00pm
Tickets: From $35. Available by phone 1-877-840-0457 or online via TicketsTonight »

All audiences are invited to experience the harmony-rich and swoon-worthy sound of this larger-than-life, all-male sextet. From classic ballads such as Ben E. King’s Stand by Me, to chart-topping hits like Pharrell’s Happy, TAKE 6 are known to “bring the house down”.

Since they began in Huntsville, Alabama in 1980, TAKE 6 has won the hearts of fans and critics at venues across the globe, racking up a staggering 10 GRAMMY’s, 10 Dove Awards (Gospel Music Awards), Best Jazz Vocal Group honours for seven consecutive years in Downbeat’s Reader’s and Critic’s Poll, a Soul Train Music Award, and many other prestigious recognitions. In 2014, the illustrious crooners were inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame.

With clarity and precision, swinging from tender falsetto, to lush baritone without missing a beat, Take 6 draws sold out crowds. Major artists as diverse as Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, James Taylor, k.d. lang, and Sheryl Crow have sought these singing cavaliers out to collaborate on stage and in recordings. Called to perform on Saturday Night Live, at the Oscar’s, at the White House, and in countless other high-profile gigs, Take 6 remain in the spotlight and in high-demand.

Win Tickets to TAKE 6

I have a pair of tickets to give away to this performance on April 6th, here’s how you can enter to win:

• Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
• Click below to post an entry on Twitter

[clickToTweet tweet=”RT to enter to win tickets to see @TAKE6Official in concert, presented by @ChorLeoni http://ow.ly/aVS630iYsYH” quote=” Click to enter via Twitter” theme=”style6″]

I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Thursday, March 22, 2018.

Follow Chor Leoni on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates on their latest events and performances.

Update The winner is Jeanne!

Join Realwheels Theatre for an intellectually sexy and thought-provoking evening as they present SEQUENCE, the award-winning science thriller by Arun Lakra. This production integrates a cast of four professional actors, including two who live with disability. The casting speaks to Realwheels Theatre’s ongoing commitment to fostering interchange between mainstream and disability arts sectors.

Realwheels Theatre Presents SEQUENCE

When:March 14-24, 2018
Performance Times: March 16-17 & 21-24 @ 8:00pm; March 18 @ 2:00pm
Where: Presentation House Theatre (333 Chesterfield Avenue; North Vancouver)
Tickets: Adult: $28, deaf; PWD: $20; Senior: $20; Student, Arts Worker: $15; School Groups: $10 per student. Tickets are on sale now at Presentation House’s Box Office, online, or by phone at (604) 990-3474. Advisory: Mature content, not suitable for children.

Added Value Shows:
Enjoy a post-show discussion on Wednesday, March 21
ASL Interpretation on Sunday, March 18
Live Description by VocalEye for people who have vision loss on Saturday, March 17 & Saturday, March 24

About SEQUENCE

Is our luck programmed in our genes? Is there an innate ‘right-ness’ to biological outcomes that’s rooted in our fundamental DNA? SEQUENCE is a fast-paced, science thriller that explores the intersection of math, nature, and spirituality.

A professor confronts a student who has defied probability by taking a multiple choice exam only to get every answer wrong. Meanwhile, the “Luckiest Man Alive” – with his uncanny ability to predict the winner of the Super Bowl coin toss for 20 years running – is confronted by a young woman who claims to know his secret. In SEQUENCE, two different paths converge. Belief systems clash, ideas mutate, and order springs from chaos!

Directed by Rena Cohen and featuring performances by Amy Amantea (Comedy on Wheels), Jake Anthony (Just Watch Me: A Trudeau Rock Musical), Byron Noble (The Foreigner) and Krista Skwarok (Peggy Sawyer in 42nd Street), SEQUENCE explores questions of determinism versus free will via two stories that interweave like a strand of DNA.

This production of SEQUENCE will be the first-ever to be performed by an integrated cast, giving audiences a rare glimpse into the lived experience of disability.

Follow RealWheels on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube for more information.

It’s the time of year when the cherry blossoms appear and so do the festivals, music, dance, and jubilant events of spring. This weekend in Vancouver you can attend a ceilidh, a comedy show, a concert, and an expo or two.

Things to do in Vancouver This Weekend

Events that run for longer than three days in a row are highlighted in green.

Friday, March 16, 2018
CelticFest 2018 Ceilidh
Opera Gala Concert & Fundraiser
CreativFestival
Vancouver Art Gallery: FUSE: Transcendence/Destruction
Family Night in Cloverdale
Naked Goddess Productions Presents: A Beautiful View
Theatre UBC Presents: The Crucible by Arthur Miller
Music in the Morning: Adrian Anantawan, Violin
Gateway Theatre Presents: I Lost My Husband
First Impressions Theatre Presents: A Few Good Men
The After After Party at The Cultch
RealWheels Theatre Presents: Sequence
Vancouver International Dance Festival Continue reading this post ⟩⟩

When the JUNOS come to your town, you just know there’s going to be a lot of opportunities to enjoy some amazing Canadian music! Let’s Hear It BC is a free outdoor music festival happening at the Vancouver Art Gallery’s north plaza March 23 & March 24, 2018.

Let’s Hear It BC Free Outdoor Music Festival

Dear Rouge

Presented by CBC Vancouver and CBC Music, supported by Creative BC & The Province of British Columbia, the event will showcase top talent from various music scenes across BC and be hosted by CBC favourites Dan Burritt, Gloria Macarenko, Julie Nesrallah, Stephen Quinn, and Lien Yeung.

Where: Vancouver Art Gallery (North Plaza) 750 Hornby St
When: Friday, March 23, 2018 12:00pm to 9:00pm; Saturday, March 23, 2018 9:00am to 9:00pm

Festival performers include:

Find a full schedule of each day here »

Mob Bounce

Let’s Hear It BC will kick off on Friday with acts ranging from Victoria-based trio Fox Glove, to the emerging talents of Fintan O’Brien and Nimbus Battle of the Bands winner and Port Moody Secondary School student, Bukola. Later in the day attendees will enjoy different genres and diverse performers including hip hop from First Nations act Mob Bounce; hard-hitting, synth heavy alt-pop from powerful female-fueled Little Destroyer; and magnetic grooves from The Funk Hunters.

The Junior JUNOS presented with CBC Kids take over the stage for a morning of movin’ and groovin’ in the heart of the city on Saturday. Bring the whole family and put on your dancing shoes to see featured nominees for Children’s Album of the Year perform live.

Another highlight of the day will be a special performance by the MusiCounts StarBand at 3:00pm, accompanied by JUNO Award winners, Dear Rouge. This group is a unique multi-school wind orchestra featuring 65+ students from Vancouver-area schools, in honour of the MusiCounts Band Aid Program. The orchestra will be led by Mark Reid, Education Chair, 2018 JUNO Host Committee and 2013 MusiCounts Teacher of the Year Award recipient, and the event will hosted by CBC’s Grant Lawrence.

There will also be satellite events in Kelowna on March 21 and Victoria on March 22.

Follow Let’s Hear It (#LetsHearItBC) on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more information. The JUNO Awards will take place on Sunday, March 25, 2018 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver.