Vancouver’s biggest arts season continues with Cirque du Soleil’s KURIOS, the Vancouver Opera’s Turandot, as well as indie selections from highly-regarded local companies.
Grab a friend and head down to your local theatre for some true human interaction.
Here are 11 of October’s hottest arts shows.
See also
- One Man 'Stranger Things' parody serves up eggos in time for season 2
- Everything coming to Netflix Canada this October
- 25 movies and TV shows filming in Vancouver this October
- 8 new movies hitting theatres in October
- Live Game of Thrones concert returning to Vancouver next year
1 Hour Photo – Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre
Image: Raymund Shum
Ex-radio host Tetsuro Shigematsu’s first show, Empire of the Son, was the hottest ticket in the local theatre scene, and since toured across Canada. It’s an understatement to say that anticipation is high for the premiere Shigematsu’s followup, 1 Hour Photo. Set in the tumultuous times of the last century, the play is about a Japanese-Canadian man who courageously struggles through World War 2 and beyond.
- Where: The Cultch – 1985 Venables Street, Vancouver
- When: October 3 to 15
- Tickets: Via The Cultch; $22-$54
The Goblin Market – The Dust Palace
Image: Jen Raoult
The Dust Palace is one of New Zealand’s premiere circus troupes. These high-flying Kiwis will interpret a famous narrative poem by Christina Rossetti, exploring sexuality and sisterhood through a variety of circus acts and disciplines. The show’s tagline says it all: Eat fruit. Love lust.
- Where: The Cultch – 1985 Venables Street, Vancouver
- When: October 3 to 14
- Tickets: Via The Cultch; $10-$49
Thanks For Giving – The Arts Club
Image: David Cooper
Featuring renown local actress Margo Kane, Thanks For Giving is a new play that turns the turkey-fixated celebration on its head. Themes of colonial history and legacy are served alongside dinner, with a healthy heaping of family tension. There’s also a sacred grizzly bear story, because no Canadian Thanksgiving would be complete without one.
- Where: The Arts Club, Granville Island Stage – 1585 Johnston Street, Vancouver
- When: October 5 to November 4
- Tickets: At Arts Club; $29-$54
Turandot – Vancouver Opera
Image: Raftermen
Giacomo Puccini’s famous Turandot is always a flashy and spectacular affair, and is the opening production of the VO’s 2017-18 season. Set in ancient Beijing, the opera is about an icy and vengeful princess who, through the power of love, sets herself and her people free. Sounds familiar, Frozen fans?
- Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre – 650 Hamilton Street, Vancouver
- When: October 13 to 21
- Tickets: At Vancouver Opera; $49-$135
Vancouver Writers Festival
Image: Liam Sharp
The 30th anniversary of this long-running festivals celebrates writers and their work, and hosts a great lineup for bookworms of all ages. Margaret Atwood of The Handmaid’s Tale will attend, as well as numerous other Canadian writers and special guests from abroad.
- Where: Various Venues Across Vancouver
- When: October 16 to 22
- Tickets: At Writers Fest; Varies
See also
- One Man 'Stranger Things' parody serves up eggos in time for season 2
- Everything coming to Netflix Canada this October
- 25 movies and TV shows filming in Vancouver this October
- 8 new movies hitting theatres in October
- Live Game of Thrones concert returning to Vancouver next year
Lady Parts: BOOBS – Pi Theatre + After Party Theatre
Image: After Party Theatre
The first of a series of shows about, well, Lady Parts, showcases hilarious women criticizing misogyny through scathing humour and satire. Lady Parts: BOOBS features four female comedians in their motor-boating quest to point out absurd double standards for 50% of our population.
- Where: Emerald Supper Club – 555 Gore Avenue, Vancouver
- When: October 17
- Tickets: At Pi Theatre; $15
Unité Modèle – Théâtre la Seizième
Image: Théâtre la Seizième
An unsettling look at gentrification and “image”, Vancouver’s only major French-language theatre company will illuminate the hidden tensions in our society. Selling a dream lifestyle and ownership of a hip new condo, two hosts will walk the audience through a potentially life-changing evening at the theatre.
- Where: Studio 16 – 1545 West 7th Avenue, Vancouver
- When: October 17 to 28
- Tickets: At Brown Paper Tickets; $26-$30
Animal Triste – plastic orchid factory + Mayday
Image: Mathieu Doyon
In collaboration with Montreal choreographer Mélanie Demers, Animal Triste is once again pushing boundaries in the dance world. “In the world’s grand parade, humans are nothing more than sad animals.” Four dancers take the stage, grappling with inner turmoil and eventual ruin.
- Where: Scotiabank Dance Centre – 677 Davie Street, Vancouver
- When: October 19 to 21
- Tickets: At Tickets Tonight; $28
KURIOS – Cirque du Soleil
Image: Martin Girard
Canada’s most famous circus company is back with another concept under those distinct yellow and blue tents. An eccentric inventor with time-traveling abilities sends the world upside down, as Cirque’s impeccably-trained performers, musicians and outlandish costumes take the stage in this new colourful tale.
- Where: Concord Pacific Place – 88 Pacific Blvd, Vancouver
- When: October 19 to December 31
- Tickets: At Cirque; $49-$150
Happy Place – Touchstone Theatre
Image: Riun Garner
Women at an in-patient care facility is the premise of this new play, which features seven noted local actresses. Happy Place depicts mental illness in a sincere and honest manner, as well as the patients’ different paths towards healing.
- Where: Firehall Arts Centre – 280 E. Cordova Street, Vancouver
- When: October 20 to 29
- Tickets: At Firehall; $30-$33
One Man Stranger Things: A Parody – Anvil Centre Theatre
Image: One Man Stranger Things
Two superfans (Charles Ross and TJ Dawe) are paying homage to Netflix’s cult phenomenon at New West’s Anvil Centre Theatre. On stage before a live audience, one man will attempt to cover all of the characters, dialogue, special effects, music and—most importantly—EGGOS that your inner Stranger Things fanboy/girl needs.
- Where: Anvil Centre Theatre – 777 Columbia Street, New Westminster
- When: October 27 to 28
- Tickets: At Anvil Centre; $17.50
See also
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