March 2, 2023 edition - Spring! Arts! Preview!

March 02, 2023

TOGETHER WITH

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

It’s the dawn of a new month, the (soon to be) start of a new season, and, arguably most importantly, delivery day for a fresh Georgia Straight newspaper.

And it’s not just any old Georgia Straight newspaper, either, no sir! It’s the return of our Spring Arts Preview, which offers some insight into the medley of productions, exhibits, exhibitions, festivals, and more coming Vancouver’s way as the weather warms and the blossoms bloom.

Whether you’ve got a hankering for theatre, music, visual arts, comedy, classical performances, or something else entirely, there’s surely something on the spring docket that will pry you from the hibernation cave you’ve been Uber Eats-ing your groceries to all winter.

You’ll find info on all that within the pages of our latest newspaper, which have been lovingly placed inside your nearest black Georgia Straight box.

Not such a bad reason to put on that parka and venture into the great outdoors, hey?

You might've missed:

*Sponsored Listing

FEATURE

At the risk of angering its resident ghost, the Firehall Arts Centre looks forward to some big changes

While great news for the Firehall Arts Centre, chances are one Vancouverite will be less-than-excited about changes planned for the much-loved venue: the theatre’s resident ghost.

While no one knows the exact identity of the spectre believed to haunt 280 East Cordova Street in the Downtown Eastside, Firehall artistic producer Donna Spencer has a theory.

TOGETHER WITH GERONIMO ENTERTAINMENT

See Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit Mar. 5 with special guest Kathleen Edwards

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

Announcing Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit with special guest Kathleen Edwards at the Queen Elizabeth Theater, in Vancouver on Mar. 5, 2023.

NEWS

Is ABC doing enough on climate?

Vancouver, a self-styled world leader in climate change policy, is nowhere close to meeting its target of halving carbon emissions by 2030 according to city staff.

That's the grim headline from city staff’s recent presentation to council about the Climate Emergency Action Plan (CEAP), which also contains more bad news.

ARTS

Little Mountain Gallery finds a new home

At 110 Water Street, there’s a large white development application sign posted to the building. A message, scrawled in black sharpie, reads “the land was never yours,” followed by “sorry [smiley face].”

Paper signs peek out of various windows to let people know this is the new home of Little Mountain Gallery, which had been producing local comedy at its original location on East 26th Avenue since 2016.

We spoke with current executive director Brent Constantine about the move, the new space, and what kind of shows can be expected from the venue.

Featured arts listings

  • Driving Me Crazy: An honourable mention at the 2019 National Theatre B.C. Playwriting competition, Driving Me Crazy sticks you in a car with three generations of family members with very different views on vehicles—and life. | Until Mar. 4 | $29-39 | Main Stage at Surrey Arts Centre

  • Wait Until Dark: Frederick Knott’s thriller is the story of Susy Hendrix, a recently blinded housewife who unwittingly possesses a doll filled with heroin. | March 2 to 5 | $34.50 | Metro Theatre

  • Queer Rhapsody: Local emerging artists Jordanna George and Alton Beach-Bradshaw explore the unique and varied interpretations of one’s own sense of gender and sexuality, focusing on joy, love, and self-actualization while embracing imperfection. | March 2 to 7 | Free | Slice of Life Art Gallery

  • The Wrong Bashir: Touchstone presents a riotous mistaken-identity comedy full of family foibles and cross-generational clashes by playwright Zahida Rahemtulla! | March 2 to 12 | From $25 | Firehall Arts Centre*

  • A live-action fantasy adventure for the whole family, A Dinosaur Tale is set in the tradition of such family favourites as E.T., The Avengers, and Jurassic World. | Mar. 18 & 19 | Massey Theatre*

*Sponsored Listing

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL DANCE FESTIVAL

The 2023 Vancouver International Dance Festival is here! Opening night performances include the west coast premiere of New Tricks by Toronto’s Christopher House and free/by donation tickets to Wabi-Sabi by Vancouver's Kokoro Dance, Mar. 2-4 at 8pm.

MUSIC

The democracy of Sloan and 30 years of defining Canadian indie rock

The arrival of Sloan’s latest album, Steady, also marked 30 years of the band.

Songs from across the Halifax-born, Toronto-based quartet’s extensive catalogue—like “The Good in Everyone,” “If It Feels Good Do It,” “Money City Maniacs,” and “The Rest of My Life”—with swirling melodies, power pop riffs, and catchy choruses, established some of the defining sounds of Canadian indie rock.

But rather than being a biography, Sloan’s body of work is really more of a representation of the type of band Sloan is, according to guitarist Jay Ferguson.

Featured music events

  • PopCappella III: Dance away the winter blues as Chor Leoni sings your favourite pop hits backed by a band of Vancouver’s best. | Mar. 3 & 4*

  • Carlie Hanson: The singer-songwriter from Wisconsin will be at the Biltmore this Saturday with support from Senses and Halo Boy. | 7pm | March 4 | $20 | Biltmore Cabaret

  • White Denim: The American four-piece rock band from Austin, Texas will be in Vancouver this weekend for a show at the Rickshaw Theatre. | 7:30pm | March 4 | $25 | Rickshaw Theatre

  • Trousdale: TheCalifornia pop-folkband consisting of Quinn D'Andrea, Georgia Greene and Lauren Jones is stopping in Vancouver on the Road Trip! Tour. | 6pm | March 12 | $20 | WISE Hall

  • Hear a legend play legends. Famed pianist Angela Hewitt plays Bach. Sunday, Mar. 12, 3pm at The Chan Centre. Don’t miss this extraordinary recital.*

*Sponsored Listing

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CULTCH

Experience Paradise or the Impermanence of Ice Cream, a glorious play by Indian Ink Theatre Company that will transport you between life, death, and Mumbai, India!

Don't miss this beautiful play—at The Cultch's historic theatre from Mar. 23 to Apr. 2.

THE REST

Dan Mangan: Why do fascists hate dad jokes? They do Nazi what’s so funny.

“I don’t always tell dad jokes, but when I do… he usually laughs.”

Singer/songwriter/dad Dan Mangan writes about self-deprecating humour, sarcasm, dad jokes, and why it is that someone like Donald Trump can’t be (intentionally) funny.

The Rest of the events

  • Decisions & New Life Chapters: Journaling Workshop: A workshop designed to support those making a big life decision. By writing your answers to tough but fair questions, you will explore your thoughts and possibly bring clarity to your decisions. | 5:30pm | March 2 | $17 | Nelson the Seagull

  • Vintage Assembly: Find your newest vintage treasure at this curated vintage market inside the historic and beautiful Heritage Hall, filled with 35 local vendors and collectors. | 10:30am to 4pm | March 5 | $5 | Heritage Hall

  • CelticFest Vancouver is Mar. 17-18 at the Vancouver Art Gallery. Festivities include live music, beer, food, dancing, a marketplace, sports demonstrations, and a family zone.*

  • Marvel Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N.: This must-see exhibition features multiple rooms dedicated to your favourite Avengers characters from the MCU, including Captain America, Iron Man, Captain Marvel, Black Panther, Black Widow, the Hulk, Thor, Hawkeye, and more. | 10am to 9pm | March 3 to May 28 | $30 | The Amazing Brentwood

  • Beloved standup comedian, storyteller, and the best friend everyone wants, Heather McMahan is heading back on tour! May 7 at the Vogue Theatre. Buy your ticket today!*

*Sponsored Listing

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