By Mark Shelling
[Editor’s note: In light of recent developments, many arts and cultural organizations in BC have closed or have cancelled upcoming performances to help slow down the spread of COVID-19 and encourage social distancing. The below has been edited to reflect the most up-to-date information.]
With winter beginning to thaw,the flowers are already pushing their way up from the frost. Alongside them are new events to welcome you back outdoors. Here are our picks for the essential art happenings to get your creative circulation going again.
2020 Vancouver International Dance Festival [POSTPONED]
March 6 – 28
Various venues
Spanning ten different dance companies, the VIDF returns with even more boundary-pushing movement. With homegrown talent and dancers from around the world, this is a prime example of why Vancouver is a cultural hub. Watch bombastic hip hop performances, precise and dynamic ballet, and original avant-garde pieces that will make you rethink the medium. To see the festival program, follow vidf.ca
Under One Roof [CANCELLED]
March 17 – 18
Orpheum Annex, Vancouver
A chance to see Vancouver’s brightest up and coming dance artists, this Harbour Dance event is a preview of the company’s year-end showcase. An intensive training program, HDC is renowned for it’s work ethic and attention to consistency. Many of the dancers in this program go on to be players on the world’s stage, so here is your chance to see them before they’re performing with a full symphony. Get all the details here.
Broken Tailbone
March 11 – 14
Performanceworks, Granville Island, Vancouver
Part dance lesson, part intimate storytelling, Broken Tailbone brings its audience to the underground world of Canadian dancehalls. Writer/performer Carmen Aguirre gives a hilarious glimpse into the life of a dancer blended with a heated Latinx soundtrack care of DJ Don Pedro. While witnessing Aguirre’s vibrant spirit shift between movement and storytelling, you might just get caught up in the momentum yourself. Audience dancing has been known to take place, so be sure to wear the right shoes! Book your spot here.
Kim’s Convenience
March 14 – 15
James Cowen Theatre, Burnaby
The play that inspired the hit CBC sitcom, Kim’s Convenience, follows a family of first and second-generation immigrants as they clash with each other in a changing Canada. Addressing timely issues through a lens of comedy, Kim’s Convenience explores what it is to hold on to tradition through a turbulent time. With a big heart on its sleeve, this is a show that is touching and hilarious in equal measure. Tickets are going fast! Grab yours at the Shadbolt Centre.
Dizz McGruber: A Glitch Artist in a Fine Art World
Image courtesy of Dizz McGruber: A Glitch Artist in a Fine Art World
March 9
100 Braid Street Art Studios & Gallery, New Westminster
What is glitch art? Imagine manipulating static and technical hiccups into something beautiful, and you’ll get an idea. In this relatively new medium, glitch photographer Dizz McGruber has already made a name for himself. Tour through McGruber’s studio, as he explains his process when approaching a new project. A rare opportunity to stand alongside an artist as he explores a contemporary canvas. Get all the details here.
Screwball Comedy
March 6 – 7
Anvil Centre, New Westminster
Fast-talking, cunning schemes and one-liners, the screwball comedy is alive and well. Brimming with the witticisms of Hepburn and Grant at their peak, this Royal Canadian Theatre Company show will take you on a journey from chuckle to full-blown chortle. A spoof tailor-made for those who appreciate acrobatic wordplay. Book your tickets through Tourism New Westminster.
The North Shore Art Crawl
March 7 – 8
335 Lonsdale Ave, North Vancouver
Explore the wealth of creativity that North Vancouver has become over the last decade. A tour of notable artists on the North Shore, this is a free event that celebrates diversity and expression. If you’re an artist yourself, this is an ideal occasion to meet like-minded creatives and stoke the flames of collaboration. For details, go to art-bc.com.
Nicholas Bott: Solo Exhibition
March 14 – 21
Mountain Galleries at the Fairmont, Whistler
Senior Artist of Mountain Galleries at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, Nicholas Bott presents his latest work to public audiences. In the spirit of Emily Carr, each of Bott’s brush strokes convey life and energy with every landscape. Taking inspiration from Van Gogh and the Canadian Group of Seven, Bott has continued to evolve as an artist which can be seen in this latest impressionistic work. Teeming with colour and vibrancy, this is a collection that will make you appreciate the vitality of Canadian nature. To get directions, visit artwhistler.com.
Th’owxiya: The Hungry Feast Dish [POSTPONED]
March 18 – 22
Fort Langley National Historic Site, Langley
Ancient Indigenous fables come to life in this interactive and family-friendly show. A talented ensemble of storytellers each portrays Canadian wildlife with vigour and empathy. A mouse, a raven, and even a sasquatch are a few of the characters you’ll meet in this story of environmental responsibility. A playful journey through the past that will resonate with even the smallest audience members. For tickets, visit Tourism Langley.
Featured image courtesy of 2020 Vancouver International Dance Festival