In need of some laughter in your life? Check out The Return of the Sketchmates, a night of comedy at the Douglas College Studio Theatre.
The night features professional writers and actors in an evening of sketch comedy. Featured performers include Catherine Falkner, Lenard Stanga, Eden Philp, Dwight Anglehart, Jordan Samek, Morgan Emsley and Connor Dennis.
Shows are on Friday and Saturday, June 16 and 17, at 8 p.m., with doors opening at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased through www.eventbrite.ca (search for The Return of the Sketchmates).
The studio theatre is at Douglas College’s New West campus, 700 Royal Ave. (enter on the Royal Avenue side).
YOUTH AND RECONCILIATION
Young artists are exploring the themes of reconciliation and cultural appropriation in a new exhibition at the Anvil Centre Community Art Space.
Youth and Reconciliation is set to run until Aug. 4, with an opening reception on Wednesday, June 21 from 3 to 5 p.m.
It features work by local youth and emerging artists who participated in a workshop with indigenous artists Anastasia Hendry and Christine Mackenzie. They learned about reconciliation and cultural appropriation, studied indigenous art practices and had the chance to create the works presented in the show.
Featured artists include Christine Chen, Sarah Ferrarese, Aakriti Kallianpur, Sanskriti Kallianpur, Neelima Katre, Jia Lui, Emma Matthew, Steffan McCready, Jordan Read, Michelle Williams, Jing Woo and Yolanda Zhang.
The Community Art Space is on the third floor at Anvil Centre, 777 Columbia St.
OFF TO THE CIRCUS
Love the circus? You can check out the talents of the Vancouver Circus School’s Ring Masters performance group in a show at the Anvil Centre Theatre.
So Perfectly Hectic is onstage Saturday, June 17 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
A write-up about the performance bills it as “a show where self-limitations have no place.”
“Observe as they are taken to the brinks of absurdity by a ridiculous enabler, who compels them to express their heightened consciousness through physical acts of circus and the like. Delight in a show experience that is unbound by convention,” the write-up says.
The Anvil Centre Theatre is on the third floor at 777 Columbia St. Tickets for the show are available at www.ticketsnw.ca or 604-521-5050.
For those who haven’t already experienced it, Vancouver Circus School is on the second floor at River Market, 810 Quayside Dr. It offers a variety of drop-in and registered programs for kids and adults alike. Check out www.vancouvercircusschool.ca for details.
POETIC JUSTICE
Share some poetry with Dad for Father’s Day. The next Poetic Justice reading session is happening on Sunday, June 18 at 11:30 a.m.
This month’s reading features Patrick Friesen, who has published more than a dozen books of poetry, a book of essays and co-translations (with P.K. Brask) of several Danish poets – one of which, Ulrikka Gernes’ Frayed Opus for Strings and Wind Instruments, was shortlisted for the 2016 Griffin Poetry Prize.
Also featured is Connie Braun, an author and creative writing instructor whose work includes a memoir, The Steppes are the Colour of Sepia, and a collection of poetry, Unspoken: An Inheritance of Words.
Poetic Justice sessions also include an open mike portion.
All the fun happens at Boston Pizza in Columbia Square. Check out www.poeticjusticenewwest.org for the details.
GREAT GIG RETURNS
The Great Gig is back! Music fans may remember the first Great Gig concert, which played at the Columbia Theatre in March and raised more than $2,200 for the NWSS music program.
A second Great Gig is coming up – this one at the Anvil Centre Theatre on Saturday, June 24.
It will feature musicians from around the region performing the music of some of the most iconic names in rock: Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, the Rolling Stones and U2, along with a “surprise” mixed set.
Tickets are available for $30 for table service, or $25 for theatre seating, and bar service will be available. Buy through www.ticketsnw.ca or 604-521-5050.
The Anvil Centre is at 777 Columbia St.
FOR THE KIDS
Get kids interested in literature starting right now.
The Royal City Literary Arts Society is holding another edition of its Children’s Chronicles series on Saturday, June 24 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Author Gary Pryke will lead the session, which combines storytime, writing and discussion for kids aged eight to 12. It’s taking place in the Island Room at Queensborough Community Centre, 920 Ewen Ave. It’s free, but sign up ahead. Check out www.rclas.com or email [email protected] for details.
ARTSTARTS
Here’s some more fun for the kids, courtesy of the ArtStarts workshop series at River Market.
The series continues on Sunday, June 25 with sessions at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. This month features the Red Fox Healthy Living Society, bringing a drum workshop in recognition of National Aboriginal Day.
It’s open to all ages, and each workshop runs for 45 minutes. It’s free, and you don’t have to sign up ahead – but do turn up early, since the workshops are popular.
See www.artstarts.com/events or www.rivermarket.ca for more details.
CALL TO ARTISTS
100 Braid Street Studios is looking for artists to take part in a special anonymous show in honour of International Artist Day this October.
Artists are invited to submit canvases, 12 by 12 by 0.5 inches in size, ready to hang, on any subject of their choice. The catch? They must not be signed on the front or sides, only on the back, so that the art remains anonymous.
“The anonymous nature of the show will ensure that all the art will be treated equally; however, we expect that the excitement of the unknown will add a special anticipation and excitement to the venue,” a write-up about the show says.
All the art will be priced at $150, regardless of the artist, and $100 per painting goes back to the artist when sold.
Entry fee is $25 for up to three pieces.
A gala opening night will be held Oct. 25, with a public show from Oct. 27 to 29.
A portion of proceeds will benefit Camp Kerry, which specializes in grief and bereavement assistance.
Submissions will be accepted until Sept. 29. Check out www.100braidststudios.com for all the details.
Do you have an item for Lively City? Send arts and entertainment ideas to Julie, [email protected], or find her on Twitter @juliemaclellan.
