10 Vancouver arts shows to check out in October

Dance, theatre, and cabaret! Fill your October schedule with our rundown of 10 arts events to check out in Vancouver. TRANSFORM: A Cabaret Festival, China Doll, and more.

For more things happening around town, check out our events section.

TRANSFORM: A Cabaret Festival

What: The Cultch, in collaboration with Urban Ink, presents the first TRANSFORM: A Cabaret Festival. Over 50 Indigenous and non-indigenous performers from Vancouver and around the world will perform over nine days. Acts include burlesque, comedy, music, drag, and more. Curated by Corey Payette and Heather Redfern.

When: October 2 to 12, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: The Cultch Historic Theatre – 1895 Venables St., Vancouver; York Theatre – 639 Commercial Dr., Vancouver; Vancity Culture Lab – 1895 Venables St., Vancouver
Tickets: Online

Luzia by Cirque Du Soleil

What: For the first time in British Columbia, guests will be invited to witness the imaginative and stunning production titled LUZIA, a waking dream of Mexico. Naturally, viewers can expect aerialists, trapeze artists, hoop diving, contortionists, jugglers, and even football freestylers, to name a few of the production’s members. The performance will take place at the redesigned white-an-gold Big Top at Concord Pacific Place from October 3 to November 24, 2019.

When: October 3 to November 24, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Concord Pacific Place – 88 Pacific Boulevard, Vancouver
Tickets: Online

Dancing Lessons

What: Dancing Lessons tells the story of a geophysics professor with Asperger’s syndrome who asks a Broadway dancer to teach him how to dance for an awards dinner. However, the dancer is recovering from an injury that may permanently end her dancing career. As their relationship develops, both are caught off guard by what they learn about themselves and each other. Presented by Naked Goddess Productions.

When: October 4 until October 20, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Jericho Arts Centre – 1675 Discovery St, Vancouver
Tickets: Online

World of Dance Live Vancouver

What: The World of Dance Live Tour features the best dancers from across all genres of dance,  incorporating both local and national talent. You’ll get to experience the same thrill and excitement that you do when watching the show on television but you’ll be right in the audience.

The tour will feature season three winning dance group The Kings and will be stopping in nine Canadian cities. Fans have the chance to purchase ticket packages that include a special meet and greet as well as autographs sessions.

When: October 5, 2019
Time: 4 pm and 8:30 pm
Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre – 630 Hamilton Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Online

Cost Of Living

What: A 2018 Pulitzer Prize-winning play about relationships and living with physical disabilities, and filled with surprise humour. The play tells the story of a wealthy student being cared for by a young down-on-her-luck woman, and a man who rebuilds an old connection by providing assistance to his ex-wife.

When: Tuesdays to Sundays from October 10 to November 3, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Goldcorp Stage at the BMO Theatre Centre – 203 – 162 West 1st Avenue, Vancouver
Tickets: Online

Antony & Cleopatra

What: Studio 58 at Langara College presents Shakespeare’s Antony & Cleopatra as the first show of the season. Directed by Cameron Mackenzie.

When: Now to October 13, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Studio 58 at Langara College – 100 W 49th Ave, Vancouver
Tickets: Online

Spooky Action

What: Spooky Action is a collaboration between dance company Inverso Productions and poet/performer Barbara Adler. Created by Lesley Telford, Spooky Action combines visual art, contemporary dance, poetic storytelling and original composition to explore human connections.

When: October 16 to October 19, 2019
Time: 7:30 pm (Wednesday and Thursday, 8 pm (Friday and Saturday)
Where: Firehall Arts Centre – 280 East Cordova Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Online

China Doll

What: China Doll is written and directed by Marjorie Chan, and tells the story of Su-Ling, trapped by tradition. Her grandmother is determined that she will marry well and bring prosperity to the two of them. But when Su-Ling learns to read, her mind is opened to new possibilities, which sets her on a dangerous path to independence.

When: October 17 until October 26, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Gateway Theatre – 6500 Gilbert Road, Richmond
Tickets: Online

Frankenstein: Lost In Darkness

What: A brand new audio drama adaptation of Mary Shelley’s classic tale. Directed by Chris Lam, featuring Corina Akeson, Tariq Leslie, Matthew Simmons, and Diana Squires.

When: Various dates October 18 to November 2, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Pacific Theatre – 1440 W 12th Ave, Vancouver
Tickets: Online

Bangarra Dance Theatre

What: Bangarra Dance Theatre comes to Vancouver for the first time in its 30 year history, and will perform a selection from their three decades that combine performance, lush musical scores, and totemic storytelling

When: October 25 and 26, 2019
Time: 8 pm
Where: Vancouver Playhouse – 600 Hamilton Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Online