High five

1 JITTERS (To February 25 at the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage) An uproarious, backstage-nerveamped ode to Canadian theatre.

2 DUBLIN OLDSCHOOL (To February 3 at the Cultch) The Irish offerings at this year’s Push fest have been unforgettable, and this hit’s no exception.

3 SYMPHONIE ESPAGNOLE (February 3 and 5 at the Orpheum) French violinist Alexandra Soumm in fine form.

4 ALEX NUSSBAUM (February 1 to 3 at the Comedy MIX) The guy is simply a nonstop joke machine.

5 THE OCTOPUS EATS ITS OWN LEG (February 3 to May 6 at the Vancouver Art Gallery) Prepare for the art event of the year as Takashi Murakami hits town with flying colours.