VIFF: Giant Little Ones

What a wonderful and beautiful achievement this film is! And it's Canadian!

Giant Little Ones is the story of two teen boys whose close friendship changes drastically after one drunken night. Full of emotion and heart, the actors do a phenomenal job. This film captures all the different mixed-up feelings that go along with adolescence. Definitely one of my favourites of the film fest already!

VIFF: M/M

I had to walk out of this film M/M, unfortunately. It felt tedious and slow-moving and that it was not going anywhere. As it was the third film of the day for me, I didn't feel the need to stick around and see where it went...

So, see it if you want, but consider yourself warned.

VIFF: Garry Winogrand: All Things Are Photographable

VIFF is on! It's my favourite time of year! The Vancouver International Film Festival!

My first film was a documentary - Garry Winogrand: All Things are Photographable. This was a documentary about a photographer from the 60s and 70s. It wasn't as intriguing as say the Vivien Maier documentary from a few years ago, but it was still great to see all the photographs shown on the big screen.

Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Last night I went to see the Arts Club Theatre's production of Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. I had already seen it on Broadway, which was amazing, so was curious to see how this local production would fare. And it was very well done!

The New York one had a lot of technology involved, with screens making up most of the stage. This one had several screens and animations and was able to use the actors and lighting to do the more challenging technical aspects.

The actors were fantastic in this, and that was the real strength of the show. They really helped deliver an emotional whallop that punches you deep in the gut. A beautiful show that will surely entertain!

Fringe: Dear Elizabeth

"Together but continents apart, Pulitzer Prize-winning poets Robert Lowell and Elizabeth Bishop exchanged more than 400 letters from 1947 to 1977, exploring poetry, romance, illness, grief, and the profound affection they had for one another."

A play told through letters? I was about to pass on this one but a friend told me no you HAVE to see it, because it's beautifully done. And wow was she right! Not only was the script intelligently woven, but the two actors in this are absolutely sublime. A sparse stage, but with enough to hold your attention and with minimal props to bring tears to your eyes, the direction, the lighting, everything about this production is top notch. 

You only have one more chance to see this before the Fringe comes to an end. Dear Elizabeth plays this afternoon, so get your tickets now!! 

Fringe: The Lady Show

The hilarious Lady Show has been selling out all over the place at the Fringe Festival this season. Have you seen it yet? It's four feminist comediennes who will bring you sketch comedy, stand-up, and more!

One of the hottest shows at the Fringe, not to be missed! You only have two more chances to see it and tickets are going fast!

90s Rewind Tour

Last night in Abbotsford....

I never thought I'd start a sentence that way, but last night in Abbotsford, I went to the 90s Rewind Tour starring Whigfield, Prozzak, and Aqua.  Remember them? Throw in a Muchmusic Video Dance Party and it was the ultimate time machine back to my 20s. 

I know this blog is Fun Fun Vancouver, but there are definitely awesome things to do outside of Vancouver proper. Case in point was this event.

The place was sold out, and everyone was dressed up in their best rave outfits. Someone please pass me some ecstasy. People were dancing ALL NIGHT, whether it was to Whigfield singing her signature Saturday Night, or to an S Club 7 video on the big screen. People danced in the aisles, on their seats, and even while WALKING back and forth to the bar. It was just the FUNNEST atmosphere! Abbotsford, you really brought it.

Then on came Prozzak, and if you don't know who this Canadian 90s cartoon band is, then, it sucks 2 B U (I know, I know). 

Of course, the headliner of the evening was AQUA!! They did all their hits and then some, and yes they have more than that one Barbie Girl song, which they pulled out HALFWAY through their set! I was like, ALREADY? I'm NOT READY!!

Doctor Jones was my favourite, but when the song was being performed, the performers were nowhere to be found! My friend and I, with our floor seats, were standing there staring at the stage wondering WHERE ARE THEY? Then my friend gets a poke in the ribs, and he turns and sees none other than RENE from AQUA standing there grinning. He laughs his hearty AQUA laugh and then takes off down the aisle to surprise another unsuspecting fan.

All in all, it was a terrific evening. I have to go and create an ultimate 90s playlist now, inspired by all the nostalgic and dancey music from last night.

Fringe: SELF-ish

I'm a huge fan of Diana Bang, and if you know her work from the comedy group Assaulted Fish or her movie The Interview, then you will not be disappointed in this one-woman show written by Assaulted Fish cohort Kuan Foo.

Armed with nothing more than a pile of cardboard boxes, Bang takes the stage as Esther, a 35 year-old Korean woman who is trying to find her identity and come to terms with the death of her father and dealing with an overbearing mother.  These are exactly the types of stories that we should be seeing in this day and age of diversity and Crazy Rich Asians.

Get on out and see Bang's dramatic turn in SELF-ish, and then go and catch her other Fringe appearance as part of the stand-up comedy group The Lady Show.

Fringe: Forget Me Not

I wandered into this show because a friend of mine was going to it, so I joined her. And boy am I glad I did!

Forget Me Not is a one-man show where Rob Gee performs a multitude of characters, taking us into a hospital ward for patients suffering from dementia and Alzheimer's. Then a murder happens, and the play becomes a whodunnit mystery.

Gee's performance is brilliant, with each distinct character finding a way into your heart.

Can you figure out who the killer is in this killer Fringe show? Tickets are still available!

Fringe: Jasper in Deadland

YES. So much YES for this Fringe show. Presented by Awkward Stage Productions, we get a STELLAR production of this off-Broadway musical about "love, death and never letting go."

Jasper In Deadland is the tale of Jasper who is trying to rescue the love of her life, Agnes, from the underworld. Originally written as a hetero relationship, the roles are switched up for this Fringe production.

The music is wonderful, the singing is great, and the acting is good. This is a definite must-see at this year's Fringe, especially if you're into musicals. The simple set convincingly transports you to the world of Deadland, where souls roam aimlessly while forgetting the lives they left behind. Will Jasper be able to save Agnes and bring her back to the real world?

You have FIVE more chances to find out! Buy your tickets now!

Fringe: The Bitter Tears of Petra Von Kant

Have you ever fallen in love instantly and then spiralled down into quick obsession? I know I have! I was able to relate to the lead character of this Rainier Werner Fassbinder play, put on by the Midtwenties Theatre Society.

The Bitter Tears of Petra Von Kant is melodramatic in every way. From the antsy teen to the infatuated lead, we are presented with characters who are caricatures of themselves. A highlight of this show is the Baroness, whose comedic timing is greatly appreciated amidst all the tears and bemoaning.

This is the story of a fashion designer who falls head over heels for an ingenue who can barely give her the time of day.

The show runs again tomorrow and next week at the Fringe.

Fringe Festival 2018

I've been away for awhile.

But now I'm back. And what better time to come back than Autumn in Vancouver and the Vancouver Fringe Festival!?

It starts in just TWO days and runs until the 16th!

What shows will you be checking out!?