Time flies when you’re having fun! Keep your marvellous May going with these 21 Vancouver events happening Tuesday, May 21 to Thursday, May 23. Elle King, Revolver Festival, and more.
For even more things happening around town check out our events section.
See also
- Of Monsters and Men are performing in Vancouver in September
- Bulldog, corgi, and wiener dog races are back at Hastings Racecourse
- Imperial Series performances at TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival
Tuesday, May 21
Elle King
Elle King / Facebook
What: Los Angeles singer-songwriter Elle King bring her Shake The Spirit Tour to Vancouver with special guest Barns Courtney.
When: Tuesday, May 21, 2019
Time: Doors 8 pm, show 9 pm
Where: Commodore Ballroom – 868 Granville Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Online
Pop-Up Comedy Jam: Asian Heritage Month Edition
What: The Fictionals are celebrating Asian Heritage Month with Improv & Stand-Up at Cafe Deux Soleils. Hot Improv Tuesdays welcomes special guest Soo Jeong on May 21, with classic improv games, long-form laughs, and more.
When: May 21, 2019
Time: Doors 7:30 pm, show 8 pm
Where: Cafe Deux Soleils – 2096 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
Tickets: $7 or $5 for students and seniors
The Mechanics of Motion
What: David Dumbrell’s work, directly inspired by the great 18th-century Swiss automaton artists, combines the skills of wood sculpting, metalworking and creativity of design and concept with the complexity of engineering and electronics.
In his second show with Crafted Vancouver and third solo show, he invites visitors “behind the curtain” to view his crafting process and the inner workings of his complex and captivating automata. Selected artist notebooks, sketches, tools, working videos and partially complete automaton pieces will be on display, along with David’s newest kinetic sculpture creations.
When: Now to Tuesday, May 21, 2019
Time: 12 to 5 pm daily
Where: Visualspace Gallery – 3352 Dunbar Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Online, Free
Matilda the Musical
What: The Arts Club Theatre Company presents Matilda the Musical. Armed with an outsize wit and a vivid imagination, precocious Matilda takes a stand to change her destiny. Even cruel parents and a hardened headmistress can’t get in her way. From the wonderfully subversive imagination of Roald Dahl, this fun family musical will bring out the child in everyone. In partnership with Citadel Theatre and Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre
When: Now to July 14, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage – Arts Club 2750 Granville Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Online
Samuel Stein: Gentrification and the Real Estate State
What: Join author and urbanist Samuel Stein on May 21 for a discussion on the politics of urban planning and real estate. Based in New York City, Stein is the author of “Capital City: Gentrification and the Real Estate State” (Verso 2019), in which he explains the role of planners in the real estate state, as well as the remarkable power of planning to reclaim urban life.
When: Tuesday, May 21, 2019
Time: 7 pm
Where: Djavad Mowafaghian Cinema (GCA 3200) – SFU Goldcorp Centre for the Arts, 149 W. Hastings St.
Tickets: Online, Free
Tides Art Gallery at Science World: Opening Night
Product Care Recycling / Facebook
What: The opening reception of Jan de Beer’s new show of works, Tides, a body of work created entirely from paint sourced through Product Care Recycling’s PaintShare program. These abstract, large-scale paintings have a tactile element as the different types of recycled paint and other mediums react with each other. Light refreshments will be served, and Jan de Beer himself will be present.
When: Tuesday, May 21, 2019
Time: 6 to 8 pm
Where: Science World – 1455 Quebec St, Vancouver
Tickets: Online, Free
Keiji Haino & SUMAC
What: Established in January 2010, Quiet City is a series of concerts in Vancouver focused on live performances of experimental, electronic and improvised music in a comfortable and intimate setting. This edition of this series will be featuring performances by Botfly and Holzkopf, Keiji Haino and SUMAC, and The Nausea and JS Aurelius presented by Soundscape, Panospria, CiTR FM and Discorder Magazine.
When: Tuesday, May 21, 2019
Time: 7 to 11 pm
Where: Red Gate Revue Stage – 1601 Johnston St., Vancouver
Tickets: Online
Wednesday, May 22
Jorja Smith & Kali Uchis
Jorja Smith and Kali Uchis
What: Critically acclaimed singer-songwriters Jorja Smith and Kali Uchis team up for a show at PNE Forum. All ages with 19+ bar.
When: Wednesday, May 22, 2019
Time: Doors 6, show 7 pm
Where: PNE Forum – 2901 E Hastings Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Online
Trial by Media: 2019 Speaker Series
What: Vancouver Police Museum & Archives’ seventh annual Speaker Series. Go behind the headlines and discover what really happened inside Vancouver’s most notorious scandals, murders, and sensational stories as told by local authors, historians, officers, and professors. All tickets come with free admission to the museum on the day of the presentation, plus a two for one admission coupon given upon check-in at the front desk.
When: Wednesday, May 22, Wednesday, June 5, and Wednesday, June 19, 2019
Time: 7 to 8:30 pm
Where: Vancouver Police Museum & Archives
Tickets: Online, $10
Arts Alive 2019
What: Arts Alive is an annual showcase of collaborative student works held in collaboration with the Burnaby School District featured in the Lower Gallery. This year’s 37th edition presents a selection of artworks from elementary schools across the city. Math & Art is this year’s theme to act as inspiration for elementary students.
When: Now to June 9, 2019
Time: Tuesday-Friday, 10 am to 4:30 pm; Saturday and Sunday 12 – 5 pm
Where: Burnaby Art Gallery – 6344 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby
Admission: Suggested donation is $5
Lady Parts at rEvolver Festival
What: Combining written sketches, personal stories, video interviews, and special guests, Lady Parts is an unabashed homage to the struggles of our gender, a platform to have fun with feminism, a cabaret of the oppressed, and a shit-hot good time. Presented by After Party Theatre, part of rEvolver Festival 2019.
When: Wednesday, May 22; Friday, May 24; and Saturday, May 25
Time: Various times
Where: The Cultch – 1895 Venables Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Online
Fraser Valley Bandits vs Hamilton Honey Badgers
What: The Fraser Valley Bandits take on the Hamilton Honey Badgers in Canadian Elite Basketball League action at Abbotsford Centre.
When: May 22, 2019
Time: 7 pm
Where: Abbotsford Centre – 33800 King Rd, Abbotsford
Tickets: Online
Into the Woods – Expressions Festival
Arts Umbrella / Facebook
What: James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim take everyone’s favourite storybook characters and bring them together for a timeless, yet relevant piece. A rare modern classic. The story follows a Baker and his wife who wish to have a child; Cinderella, who wishes to attend the Kings Festival; and Jack, who wishes his cow would give milk. When the Baker and his wife learn that they cannot have a child because of a Witch’s curse, the two set off on a journey to break the curse.
When: Tuesday, May 21, Wednesday, May 22, Saturday, May 25, 2019
Time: 7 pm
Where: The Waterfront Theatre – 1412 Cartwright Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Online
Hako
What: OURO Collective and Tangible collaborate to create a multi-disciplinary dance experience. Alex Beim is the creative director and founder of Tangible, an experiential design firm whose public art and interactive installations have been displayed around the world. OURO is an eclectic dance collective that uses hip-hop, waacking, breaking, and contemporary dance as the foundation for the creation and production of new work. The show aims to engage the public and to break down the separation between performers and audience by creating an interactive and playful environment.
When: May 22 to May 25, 2019
Time: 8 pm
Where: Shadbolt Centre – 6450 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby
Tickets: Online
Thursday, May 23
Surrey International Children’s Festival
Kids playing/Shutterstock
What: Every year, Surrey International Children’s Festival showcases seven new featured performances by artists from across Canada and around the world on the Festival’s four performance theatres inside the Surrey Arts Centre and in Bear Creek Park. Come and celebrate local professional and emerging artists on the Community Spirit Stage and explore the lively mix of activities throughout the site.
When: Thursday, May 23 to Saturday, May 25, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Bear Creek Park and Surrey Arts Centre – 13750 88 Avenue, Surrey
Tickets: Online
Lululemon Lab + WIRTH Hats
What: May is Mental Health Month and the team at WIRTH Hats is partnering up with lululemon lab YVR for an evening of live music, community connection and inspiring conversations on mental health. The evening will feature the music of Matt Murray, a special WIRTH hats video screening, story and conversation with professional counsellor & therapist Anna Richards, along with launching their new hats for the summer season. Cartems Doughnuts will be providing eats, and Glutenberg Beer and Nude Vodka are providing drinks.
When: Thursday, May 23, 2019
Time: Doors 6 pm
Where: lululemon Lab – 50 Powell Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Online
New West Farmers Market
What: The market features farm-fresh produce, plants, quality crafts from local artists and artisans, gourmet prepared foods, community information, live entertainment, and more.
When:
Time: 3 to 7 pm
Where: Tipperary Park – 315 Queens Ave, New Westminster
Admission: Free
A Wildebeest Sausage & Rosé Party
Photo courtesy of Wildebeest
What: In collaboration with Top Drop Vancouver wine festival, Wildebeest is throwing an epic a sausage and rose themed party. This shindig will be a grazing event featuring house-made charcuterie, sausages, and snacks alongside pink wines from Vancouver Island to the hills of Champagne.
When: Thursday, May 23, 2019
Time: 7 to 9:30 pm
Where: 120 W Hastings Street, Vancouver
Price: $49–$55; buy online
Cosmic Nights: Beyond Our Universe
What: Learn more about current missions and hot topics in astronomy and space exploration in this fun evening of science and socializing. Enjoy a custom planetarium show, guest lecturer, music, drinks, science demonstrations and games at this 19+ event.
When: Thursday, May 23, 2018
Time: 6:30 to 10 pm
Where: H.R. MacMillan Space Centre – 1100 Chestnut Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Online, $20-$25
Arts Umbrella Dance Company’s Season Finale: BE MOVED
What: Arts Umbrella Dance Company’s Season Finale: BE MOVED is the culmination of months of exploration and rehearsal of bold and innovative works created for AUDC dancers by leading International and Canadian choreographers. BE MOVED 2019 will include pieces by Crystal Pite, Emily Molnar, Johan Inger, Lesley Telford, James Kudelka, Mats Ek, and Amos Ben-Tal.
When: Thursday, May 23 to Saturday, May 25, 2019
Time: 7:30 pm (2:30 pm matinee on Saturday)
Where: Vancouver Playhouse – 600 Hamilton Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Online
European Union Short Film Festival
What: The festival features three lively programs of short films from European Union member states, each showcasing works in a variety of genres and styles, including drama, documentary, and animation. Admission is free, and tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis 30 minutes before each screening. The 2 pm matinee program on Saturday, May 25 is suitable for children and families.
When: Thursday, May 23 to Saturday, May 25, 2019
Time: 6:30 pm (Thursday and Friday), 2 pm (Saturday)
Where: The Cinematheque – 1131 Howe Street, Vancouver
Admission: Free
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