CALENDAR
STAGE
COMEDY/CABARET
Vancouver TheatreSports: Romance Week
Forget the boring box of chocolates for Valentine’s this year and treat your special someone special to the fun and funny of romance with three special VTSL shows: Love Matches, Love Unscripted, Red Hot Improv, and My Funny Valentine — VTS’ special Valentine’s Day event hosted by Cupid and the Goddess of Love, Aphrodite. • Improv Centre, Granville Island, Feb. 5-14 • From $10.75, vtsl.com
2 for Tea: A British Comedy
Multi-award winning British comedians James & Jamesy blend physical theatre with comedy, improv and wordplay. Audience members will find themselves on the front lines of the British army and others wind up sipping tea on stage in the afterlife. • Evergreen Cultural Centre, Coquitlam, Feb. 7-9 • $15-$33, evergreenculturalcentre.ca
DANCE
Victoria Hunt — Copper Promises: Hinemihi Haka
Australian dance artist Victoria Hunt’s spellbinding solo Copper Promises embodies the cultural and physical journey of Hinemihi — a female ancestor, but also a ceremonial meeting house connected with their own Maori cultural heritage. • Scotiabank Dance Centre, Jan. 31-Feb. 2, 8 p.m. • $37, thedancecentre.ca
Sølvi Edvardsen & Sudesh Adhana: MAN
A crossroad between two cultures, this solo work explores the possibilities of scenic expression based on one dancer’s potential. Created by Norway’s leading choreographer, Sølvi Edvardsen, and performed by award-winning dancer Sudesh Adhana. • Annex, 823 Seymour St., Feb. 1, 8 p.m. • $20-$35, newworks.ca
The New Butterfly Lovers
Vancouver choreographer Joshua Beamish brings a 1,700-year-old Chinese love story alive in this brand new full-length contemporary ballet, with Maestro Ken Hsieh’s Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra and Coastal City Ballet. • Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Feb. 3, 7:30 p.m. • From $20, lunarfest.org
Blood on the Dance Floor
Rooted in Aboriginal dance, theatre, and storytelling, Ilbijerri Theatre Company’s award-winning work is based on the personal experience of Boehme, a renowned dancer, writer, and choreographer from the Narangga and Kaurna nations of South Australia. • SFU Goldcorp Centre for the Arts, 149 W. Hastings St., Feb. 6-9, 8 p.m. • From $35, dancehouse.ca
In Fiction
This new work from Action at a Distance blurs the lines between the real and the imagined. This visceral solo strikes a balance between cognitive understanding and phantasmal imagination with engaging, highly physical results. • Shadbolt Centre, Burnaby, Feb. 6-9, 8 p.m. • $15-$36, tickets.shadboltcentre.com
THEATRE
Drinking Alone
A family comedy by Norm Foster. Joe Todd is so unnerved by a promised visit from his estranged father, Ivan, that he hires an escort, Renee, to pretend to be his fiancee. But Ivan’s current wife can see through all the facades that the other members of this dysfunctional family create. • Theatre at Hendry Hall, North Van, Jan. 31-Feb. 16 • $20/$18, 604-980-3744, northvanplayers.ca
True Crime
Christian Gerhartsreiter — a.k.a. Clark Rockefeller — is a con man of the highest order, now serving a near-life sentence in a California state prison. And iconic provocateur and musician Torquil Campbell (of the band Stars) wants to try him on for size. Presented by Arts Club Theatre Company and Crow’s Theatre • Goldcorp Stage, BMO Theatre Centre, 162 West 1st Ave. • Jan. 31 -Feb. 24 • From $29, artsclub.com
Annie: The Musical
Align Entertainment presents the cheerful escapades of Little Orphan Annie, a plucky 11-year-old overflowing with infectious optimism and curly red hair. • Michael J Fox Theatre, Burnaby, Feb. 1-16 • $29-$42, alignentertainment.ca
Brain and Other Stories
A hilarious, heartbreaking monologue about consciousness, mental illness, and an optimistic exploration of the importance of friendship, from award-winning novelist and former Canadian poetry SLAM champ Brendan McLeod. • Centre Stage at Surrey City Hall, Feb. 1, 8 p.m. • $25-$35, 604-501-5566
Much Ado About Nothing
Set in a mesmerizing theatrical world, this deadly serious and sublimely ridiculous story — of soldiers in love and women confined by tradition — is a romp through the extremes of desire and ambition, loyalty and redemption. • The Cultch Historic Theatre, Feb. 5-16 • From $24, thecultch.com
The Learned Ladies
Exit 22 Productions presents one of Molière’s most popular plays. The Learned Ladies takes delight in satirizing the pretensions of intellectual snobbery. Set in 17th century France, this play is a fun farce full of flirting, frolicking, flaunting, and festive frivolity. • BlueShore Financial Centre for the Performing Arts, Capilano University, North Van, Feb. 5-9 • $10-$22, tickets.capilanou.ca
Comedy of Tenors
White Rock Players present the amusing sequel to Ken Ludwig’s 1989 Tony-winning Lend Me a Tenor. It’s 1930’s Paris and the stage is set for the concert of the century — as long as producer Henry Saunders can keep the amorous Italian superstar and his hot-blooded wife from causing runaway chaos. • Coast Capital Playhouse, White Rock, Feb. 6-23 • $10-$22, whiterockplayers.ca
The Shoplifters
Morris Panych’s play follows Alma, a career shoplifter who prefers the ‘five-finger discount’ over any senior citizen’s deal. When a grocery store theft with her anxious sidekick goes awry, her elaborate life of petty crime is halted by an overzealous security guard and his affable mentor. Presented by Arts Club Theatre Company. • Granville Island Stage, Feb. 7-March 9 • From $29, artsclub.com
Yoga Play
When newly hired Joan is brought on board to stabilize Jojomon, a yoga apparel giant, she has her work cut out for her. As she struggles to balance the needs of her new position with the reality of the bottom line, more trouble surfaces. Risking everything on a wild plan, Joan makes a move that just might save the day or split her pants. • Gateway Theatre, Richmond, Feb. 7-16 • From $29, gatewaytheatre.com
Circle Game: Reimagining the Music of Joni Mitchell
The enduring music of Canadian icon and renowned singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell is reimagined in this energetic musical experience, featuring six musicians playing eighteen instruments. • Firehall Arts Centre, until Feb. 9 • From $25, firehallartscentre.ca
Mrs. Krishnan’s Party
Indians throw crazy parties. Heard of Diwali? How about Onam? No? It’s the harvest festival, and this one could be the craziest of them all! • The Cultch Vancity Culture Lab, until Feb. 3 • $24$59, thecultch.com
Half Life
What shines through when memory fades away? This timely and relevant play examines the lives of people who live in an extended care facility, and their children, who must come to terms with their own roles in their parents’ lives. • Langley Playhouse, until Feb. 16 • $20, langleyplayers.com
Lion in the Streets
Isobel, the ghost of a murdered, nineyear-old Portuguese girl returns to the neighbourhood 17 years after her death. • Chan Centre, UBC, until Feb. 2, 7:30 p.m. • $5-$24.50, theatrefilm.ubc.ca
A Prayer For Owen Meany
Owen Meany believes he is an instrument of the divine. As he and his best friend John navigate the turbulent America of the 1960s, Owen pulls the strings of a plan invisible to everyone but him and — perhaps — God. Presented by Ensemble Theatre Company. • Pacific Theatre, until Feb. 9 • $20$36.50, pacifictheatre.org
Murder on Reserve
Things are a little too quiet, even for the Reference Section of the public library. Crotchety old Faulkner Seaton has been strangled while the dusty old library was open. Most puzzling of all is the fact that nobody in the place saw or heard a thing. • Metro Theatre, until Feb. 9 • $22/$25, metrotheatre.com
Night Watch
It’s been years since Elaine Wheeler suffered a nervous breakdown following the death of her first husband, but when her report of a murder is so quickly disregarded as the delusions of a madwoman, it’s clear that someone has secrets. • Surrey Little Theatre, until Feb. 23 • $17/$15, surreylittletheatre.com
The Matchmaker
Horace Vandergelder seeks a wife and matchmaker Dolly Gallagher Levi doesn’t need to look very far to find her! With forbidden young love and mistaken identities afoot, more than one match is sure to be made. Presented by the Arts Club Theatre Company. • Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage, until Feb. 24 • From $29, artsclub.com
Beau Jest
All Sarah’s parents want is for her to marry a nice Jewish boy. To get her parents off her back, Sarah hires an actor to play her imaginary Jewish doctor boyfriend at a family dinner. Presented by Gallery 7 Theatre. • Abbotsford Community Arts Addition, until Feb. 9 • gallery7theatre.com
Goodnight Desdemona (Good morning Juliet)
A young English literature professor holds fast to the belief that Othello and Romeo and Juliet were originally intended as comedies. She fantasizes a journey into her unconscious mind, and finds herself lost in the two Shakespearean tragedies. Presented by the United Players. • Jericho Arts Centre, until Feb. 17 • $22-$28, unitedplayers.com
TALKS/FORUMS
Megaphone’s Speakers Bureau: Why do we have stigma?
Megaphone hosts a series of public events with facilitator Khari McClelland to build awareness and compassion in communities confronted by the overdose epidemic. Event # 1: Why do we have stigma? Explore where stigma around drug use developed, with Donald MacPherson, Executive Director of the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition.
• UBC Robson Square, 800 Robson St.
• Feb. 6, 7 p.m. • Free, speakersbureau.megaphonemagazine.com
Public Salon
Learn more about your city and the people who live here. The Public Salon is a fast paced evening of ideas where eight speakers have seven minutes each to share their thoughts, ideas and passion.
• Vancouver Playhouse, Feb. 7, 7:30 p.m.
• $19.99/$30, ticketstonight.ca
KIDS/FAMILY
Japanese Book Sale + Flea Market
Browse and discover thousands of Japanese and English books, manga, CDs and DVDs. The Flea Market offers great finds at great prices, and Japanese food vendors will be also on site. • Nikkei Museum & Cultural Centre, 6688 Southoaks Crescent, Burnaby • Feb. 1 and 2, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. • nikkeiplace.org
Winter Wander
Your $5 admission includes admission to Museum of Vancouver, H.R. MacMillan Space Centre Maritime Museum, City of Vancouver Archives Academy of Music. Experience unique waterfront attractions showcasing art, history, crafts, science and performances from Bard on the Beach and the Vancouver Academy of Music. Enjoy local food vendors and enter to win great prizes. • Feb. 2, winterwander.com
PJ Masks Live!
The hit live musical production from Entertainment One and Round Room, is back with an all-new show, PJ Masks Live: Save The Day! The show features preschoolers’ favourite superheroes and familiar songs from the show, along with brand new music and a whole new adventure. • Feb. 5, 6 p.m.: Queen Elizabeth Theatre, from $48 at ticketmaster. ca | Feb. 8, 6 p.m.: Abbotsford Centre, from $35 at ticketmaster.ca
MISCELLANEOUS
Puck Talks Presents: The Power Hour Live!
A night of comedy and hockey talk with The Athletic & TSN Radio’s Mike Halford, Jason Brough and Jason Botchford, with special guests JD Burke, Ryan Biech, and Israel Fehr. • Rio Theatre, Jan. 31, 8 p.m. • $12/$25, riotheatre.ca
The Wellness Show
Western Canada’s biggest and most established health and lifestyles showcase returns with more than 250 exhibitors, and 100+ demonstrations, workshops and celebrity chefs. • Vancouver Convention Centre East, Feb. 2 and 3 • $14.50/$12.50, thewellnessshow.com
WWE Live Road to WrestleMania
See AJ Styles vs. WWE Champion Daniel Bryan, U.S. Championship Match Rey Mysterio vs. Rusev vs. U.S. Champion Shinsuke Nakamura, Smackdown Women’s Triple Threat Championship Match Asuka vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Smackdown Women’s Champion Becky Lynch, plus many more of your favourite WWE superstars. • Rogers Arena, Feb. 2, 7:30 p.m. • From $20, ticketmaster.ca
Vancouver International Boat Show
Western Canada’s largest boat show. Find the boat of your dreams and everything to go with it — indoors at B.C. Place and a Floating Show at Granville Island. • Feb. 6-10, vancouverboatshow.ca
OUTDOORS
Winter Watershed Snowshoe Tours
Explore the connection between snow and your drinking water. Learn about your water supply in a fun and active way while discovering alpine plants and animals. After a moderately strenuous snowshoe, warm up with a cup of hot chocolate. Ages 16+ • Mt. Seymour, North Van, Feb. 2, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. • $18 with your own snowshoes, $25 with snowshoe rental. Reservations required, metrovancouver.org/events
Owl Walk
Whooo can see in the dark and fly on silent wings? Listen for owls and other night sounds on this winter night walk. • Burnaby Lake Regional Park, Feb. 3, 5:308 p.m. • Free, metrovancouver.org/events
Robson Square Ice Rink and Plaza
Renew a classic Vancouver tradition and enjoy some old-fashioned fun with free skating in the heart of downtown Vancouver. • Robson Square, until Feb. 28, opens at 9 a.m. • Free, skate rentals are $5, robsonsquare.com
FESTIVALS
PuSh International Performing Arts Festival
PuSh celebrates its milestone 15th anniversary with a lineup of contemporary performance, theatre, dance, and genre-defying music. • Until Feb. 3, pushfestival.ca