IndieFest is a musical gathering that will feature awe-inspiring opera, augmented reality, immersive theatre experiences and Indigenous storytelling through classical music, dance and more.
IndieFest Vancouver 2023
Produced by re: Naissance Opera, IndieFest is happening November 17-26, 2023 and is spread across five unique Vancouver venues.
When: November 17 to 26, 2023
Where: Various venues throughout Vancouver
Admission: Tickets for events are available for purchase online from $15-$35. Sanctuary & Storm Tickets are available for purchase on the Vancouver Opera website.
Now in its fourth year, the event series celebrates an emerging field in the performing arts sector. From new opera, to virtual reality, to Indigenous practice, to drag, the festival amplifies the imaginative forms of storytelling and diverse artists unique to the Pacific Northwest. IndieFest promises to be an artistic and cultural experience like no other.
This year’s theme is Future Mythologies, highlights forgotten histories, and empowering BIPOC artists to bring new stories into the world.
Event Lineup
Sanctuary & Storm November 17 to 19 | H.R. MacMillan Space Centre The world premiere of the award-winning opera by composer Tawnie Olson and librettist Roberta Baker immerses audiences in a celestial confrontation between the past, present and future.
IndieArtist Cabaret November 21 | Fox Cabaret A showcase of the homegrown innovators of Vancouver, highlighting the local artists from the music, dance, theatre and performing arts sectors.
Prairie Dusk November 22 | The Annex The concert of multidisciplinary artist Jessica McMann blends music, storytelling, and stunning visuals to depict McMann’s experience as an Indigenous and Two-Spirit person.
The Liminal November 23 & 24 | Sun Yat Sen Garden Curated by multidisciplinary artist Stephanie Wong, this immersive experience allows audiences to choose their own journey through interdisciplinary performances themed around transformative futures.
Ressurectio: Act I November 24 | Lobe Studio This experience created by Morgan-Paige showcases the enduring impact of the environment on identity, and the struggle to preserve ancestral heritage within colonial structures.
Future Mythologies November 25 | The Annex A celebration of new operas that are reimagining the future of storytelling. This lineup highlights Madeleine Thien’s new opera, Chinatown, Omari Newton and Amy Lee Lavoie’s hip hop opera Inferno, and re:Naissance Opera’s XR opera Eurydice Fragments.
168 Magazine Launch November 26 | Chinatown Storytelling Centre The launch of re:Naissance and the Chinatown Storytelling’s youth-led magazine ‘168’. Spearheaded by Bling Empire’s Blake Abbie, this event spotlights Chinatown’s vibrant present, its resilient history, and its aspirations for the future.
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by Rebecca BollwittDisclosure: Sponsored Post — Sponsored by Portobello West Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.
The last Portobello West Market of the year is approaching and I have another great $100 giveaway for not only one but two lucky winners! Happening November 25-26 at the Roundhouse in Yaletown, you can shop fabulous finds from a curated selection of over 65 local BC vendors in a festive setting.
Portobello West Market at the Roundhouse – Photo by @david_lloyd_edwards David Lloyd Edwards
Portobello West Holiday Market at the Roundhouse
Date: Saturday November 25 & Sunday, November 26, 2023
Time: 10:00am to 5:00pm
Where: Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre (181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver)
Admission: $5 tickets available online now for $5 + fees (kids 12 and under, free)
Shop quality handmade family fashion, jewelry, art, home decor, skincare, pet accessories, gourmet treats, wine and spirits, and more. Enjoy offerings from local food trucks just outside the main exhibition hall all day as well, including treats from Ay! Mamacita Artisan Street Food, BurgerHolic, and Crack On.
Step into a world of autumn enchantment during Fin-tastic Fall Days at the Vancouver Aquarium this October. Immerse yourself in an exclusive Octopus 4-D Movie Theatre Experience, and navigate your way through a kelp forest in the deep sea maze.
Fin-Tastic Fall Days
When: October 1 to 31, 2023
Where: Vancouver Aquarium 845 Avison Way, Vancouver
Admission: Tickets are available for purchase online. Advanced booking is recommended.
Dive beneath the surface to explore our planet’s oceans and one of the most captivating creatures that dwells there with Octopus: Blue Planet, a 4-D experience. Discover how this eight-tentacled wonder masters physical and mental strengths to outwit and escape its underwater rivals including the pyjama shark and sally lightfoot crab. Wave after wave of excitement reveals extraordinary octopus behaviors and dynamic oceanic landscapes in this special effects experience inspired by the critically-acclaimed BBC series, Blue Planet II.
On land surrounded by festive fall decor, delight your taste buds with comforting fall favourites like sustainable seafood chowder and other seasonal treats like jumbo s’more cookies, or – for the brave at heart – roll up your sleeves and get hands-on with mysterious creatures in the Spooky Wet Lab.
Sweet Treats and More
Enjoy a fang-tastic concoction of rich, velvety hot chocolate served in an adorably spooky take-home souvenir bat mug with a side of spellbinding seasonal cookies. Available while quantities last.
Visit the Courtyard Café to enjoy our other seasonal dishes included in this year’s Noms Magazine Fall Food Festival. Savor the signature Sustainable Seafood Chowder Halibut Fish & Chips, and Roasted Turkey Breast Sandwich to earn passport points now until November 12th.
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by Rebecca BollwittDisclosure: Sponsored Post — Sponsored by Visit South Okanagan Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.
As we roll into autumn that means it’s time for the harvest, cozy sweaters, apple cider, crisp days, and so many delicious seasonal flavours. But there’s more summer to be had in Summerland, which delivers all of those fall comforts while definitely living up to its sunny name! I’ve teamed up with Visit South Okanagan for another epic giveaway (valued at over $2,000).
There are so many ways to sip and savour the South Okanagan valley from Peachland to Oliver, and Summerland is a unique and special place, just a turn off the road.
Wander the pumpkin patch, wade in the cranberry bog, and shuffle through some leaves this Thanksgiving long weekend in Vancouver. There’s Harvest Days at VanDusen, Fright Nights at Playland, the film fest, culture days and so much more. Find these events and a whole bunch of things to do around Vancouver listed below:
