KYLIE MINOGUE in VANCOUVER !

I never thought I'd see the day. 

I LOVE Kylie Minogue. I've seen her perform a handful of times. The first time was in Toronto and New York City during her "For You, For Me" tour, in which she did a select number of North American cities. You don't understand. She hardly EVER comes to North America. She's a global superstar everywhere else. Her UK and European and Australian and Asia concerts sell out in mere minutes. 

She returned again to our continent during her Aphrodite era and I managed to go to her San Francisco and Las Vegas shows. Speaking of Las Vegas, she most recently did a residency there last year, which I was also fortunate to attend. 

But now? Now we get her. HERE IN VANCOUVER!! Do you have your ticket yet or WHAT? It's available through TicketLeader and there are some sweet seats still available at affordable prices! 

Kylie Minogue brings her Tension Tour to town on April 26 at the Pacific Coliseum! 

Chor Leoni explores mental health and music as a tool for healing in 'The Turning'

 "Chor Leoni and its star ensemble The Leonids celebrate strength and vulnerability in The Turning: Chor Leoni & The Leonids, on stage at St. Andrew’s-Wesley United (1022 Nelson Street) on May 11, 2023 at 7:30pm. This concert is one highlight of the annual VanMan Summit – a gathering of more than 200 singers of all ages for a full week of mentorship, rehearsals, and performance with Chor Leoni and The Leonids. The week culminates in the VanMan Summit Concert on May 13, 2023 at 7:30pm at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts.

  

The Turning features commissioned and existing works that explore mental health and wellness, allowing audiences to experience music as a healing force - Chor Leoni’s guiding tenet of transformation through music. One highlight of the concert will be the world premiere of Sarah Rimkus’ The Watcher of the Wood, a deeply personal and poetic exploration of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), performed by Chor Leoni, The Leonids, and its Emerging Choral Artist Program.

  

Chor Leoni, and by extension its choral music, has long been a place of support and acceptance for its members and audiences. These two events will create joyful spaces for singers and audiences of all gender identities to experience music as a powerful agent of holistic healing, driven by a spirit of collective vulnerability and strength."

 

For tickes to The Turning, check out the Chor Leoni website.

Tickets also available for the VanMan Summit Concert. 

ANIMAL

 Well, eat your heart out, Cirque du Soleil. Who needs ya anyway! Especially when we've got something as organic and hilarious and genuine as ANIMAL, now on at the Vancouver Playhouse thanks to the CULTCH and the Vancouver International Children's Festival. 

This show was mesmerizing and joyful and also slightly terrifying, because these folks are flying without a net, balancing all over the place on top of one another and soaring through the air. There is also a lot of humour and heart in this performance, and is definitely suitable for all ages. 

photo by Rolline-Laporte

Aside from the mind-blowing stunts, the entire show is soundtracked by a live band - including the circus performers themselves, who sing, play instruments, and even yodel! 

photo by Benoit Z Leroux

Created by Cirque Alfonse, this Quebec-based troupe is gracing our city with their presence only until September 24th, so get your tickets immediately and do not miss out on this thrilling and fun night out! 

photo by Rolline-Laporte

ANIMAL had us laughing and gasping at the same time. I cannot recommend it enough!!! 

Bernadette Peters and Len Cariou

For Broadway buffs like myself, it was a magical musical weekend here in Vancouver!

It began on Thursday night when Bernadette Peters was the featured guest at a Vancouver Symphony Orchestra concert. She was downright magical. The concert was a good 90 mins but it simply flew by. She did a lot of Sondheim and some surprises too, including Peggy Lee's Fever. At 71 years of age, Ms. Peters was superb and sublime.

She was also performing again on Saturday night at Deer Lake Park in a FREE concert! She stepped in for Queen Latifah at the last minute when Latifah came down with strep throat. Her show isn't really designed for a free concert in the park in Burnaby. There were families there, dogs running around, picnics taking place. If everyone there were Broadway babies, then sure it would've been perfect. But it was a mishmash of an audience that may or may not have appreciated the legendary Bernadette performing for them.

Also doing a show this past weekend was Len Cariou, the actor who originated the role of Sweeney Todd! He was performing in the Annex theatre which is a cute hidden little spot on Seymour street. Len's show, combined Shakespeare soliloquies with show tunes. For Len, it was the perfect marriage, and the space was so intimate, it was a great way to witness his talents.

We Are The Robots exhibit at Vancouver Art Gallery

I renewed my membership at the Vancouver Art Gallery just so I could go over and over again to Kevin Schmidt's We Are The Robots exhibit, which features an audiophile's dream listening room. In this sound-proofed space, visitors are invited to bring in their vinyl records to take a spin on the turntable and be listened to in this custom-made space that includes giant speakers designed for maximum sound detailing, and panelled walls made from reclaimed kitchen countertops to help with the acoustics.

Today I went in and put on some Kylie Minogue and Madonna. I thought I was early enough so that I could avoid having to explain my music taste to strangers, but no such luck. One woman came in with her family and heard the Madonna blasting and said to her husband, "This is my idea of Hell." We ended up chatting and I told her about the exhibit and then asked what vinyl record she would bring in if she could, and she said she would probably bring in The Cure.

This exhibit ends on October 28, so get to the art gallery to see it while you can! And bring your records!!

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.

Psycho at the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra

I'm so excited to go see Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho tonight at the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra as they play the score live, as part of their VSO At The Movies series!

Mavis!

It's been a somber weekend with the state of the world. The constant drizzle that is encompassing Vancouver is not helping things. Perhaps in times like this, what one needs to do is head to the Vancity VIFF Theatre on Seymour Street and escape into a brilliant film or two.

I did exactly that last night, and took in the documentary MAVIS! about gospel/R&B singer Mavis Staples. In true art fashion, this film lifted me up, brought me out of my emotional state and into a new one - a state of hope and light. Isn't that what art is all about, in all its many different forms? To transform the human experience? To affect?

I had known who Mavis Staples was by name only. I couldn't have named a song nor told you anything about her life. After this documentary though, I consider myself a lot more informed about her work and her as a person. It contains tremendous footage of her and her family singing at a folk festival in the 60s! That alone astounded me. Not only did I consider that rare but the quality was also above par. There were loads more footage too where that came from.

Mavis! is on tonight at the Vancity theatre at 6:30pm and again on November 19th at 1pm & 9pm.

SHOWTUNES - Fight Night

You mad, bruh? The gloves are off and the battle lines are drawn! So let's get ready to rumble at SHOWTUNES NIGHT! Got some pent up frustration? Nothing like a show tune to help you let off some steam! Put 'em up! Are you a Jet or a Shark? A Mary or a Rhoda? And the first rule of Fight Night is you DO talk about FIGHT NIGHT cause it's just a noisy hall where there's a nightly brawl and you know, all that jazz! Come belt it out at 1181 on Friday November 6 for SHOWTUNES FIGHT NIGHT! 

We've got great prizes to give out tonight, including tickets to The Wizard of Oz at Gateway Theatre, tickets to the off-Broadway crime musical Murder Ballad from Fighting Chance Productions, a pair of passes to see the Leonard Cohen musical Chelsea Hotel at the Firehall Arts Centre, a $100 gift card to 1181 Lounge, and a pair of tickets to see Bianca Del Rio (winner of Rupaul's Drag Race) on her comedy tour, Rolodex of Hate, which rolls into town on December 8th at the Vogue Theatre (tickets available here)! 

For further updates, be sure to check out the
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ShowtunesYVR

Madonna in Vancouver

After a few months of avoiding tour spoilers, I finally got to see Madonna's REBEL HEART tour as it rolled into town last night! The photos I took were not great and I really didn't want to watch the whole show through my phone, so I didn't document much, but I'm sure you can look online for footage.

If you're familiar with the tour already, you know the setlist, the costumes, the set, etc. So what was different for the Vancouver show? Well, she performed SECRET which she hadn't done at any other show during the tour! That was exciting! Unfortunately, it replaced the song Who's That Girl, which I would rather have heard as I've never seen her do that live before.

Also specific to the Vancouver show? Amy Schumer and Sean Penn were in the audience!

(photo from Twitter)

At one point, Madonna had Amy do shots with her. After Amy was done, she put the plastic shot glass back on the stage and Madonna was all, "Don't leave your garbage on my stage!" which had the crowd laughing. 

Overall, Madonna was a lot friendlier than the last time she came to town. The crowd was more enthusiastic too, so that might have helped things. But I have read reviews of how she's way more laid back during this tour. It is nice to see. 

Highlights for me included the acoustic/ukulele version of True Blue, the 1920s flapper-style Material Girl and Gatsby-infused Holiday. Also, all the fan art during Rebel Heart was beautiful.

Thank you Madonna for visiting Vancouver again!

Vancouver Symphony Orchestra

The other night I got the opportunity to go see a concert put on by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.

As I sat there and let the music wash over me, I realized just what a magical experience it really is. Why don't I go to the symphony more often? The musicians are wonderful, the selections are unique and varied, and the Orpheum theatre is simply gorgeous. It really is a beautiful cultural evening out on the town that will whisk you away from your daily troubles if only for a few hours. Who doesn't want that? Go experience the symphony!

Check out some of the special events coming up, including this Bugs Bunny/Looney Toons night!

And for anyone 35yo and younger, or any full time student, you have the ability to get tickets to the symphony for only $15! What are you waiting for?

Madonna is Coming to Vancouver

Madonna is coming! Madonna is coming!

Maybe that's not as much of a novelty anymore to Vancouverites since she's been here for her last two tours - Sticky & Sweet and MDNA. However, her current Rebel Heart tour is garnering RAVE reviews. And this is from someone (me) who has tried his best at avoiding all spoilers. I haven't even seen the set list.

Of course, in this day and age, it's hard to not come across a detail here and there on social media or through friends who are obsessing about the tour online and just want to share everything they learn with you. Most of my friends have been super respectful of my wishes and have refrained, so big ups to them. I do know she's doing a whole bunch of her classics!! That's very exciting! And yes, I do know what some of them are thanks to the likes of Facebook, big-mouthed friends, and even Madonna's own Instagram account! (I try to scroll past as quickly as I can to avoid spoilers.)

Still, I have no idea the order of the songs, what songs from Rebel Heart she's doing, what her costumes really look like, or what the stage is going to be like. I do know that the New York City Times and Rolling Stone recently gave her the thumbs up, calling her show "genius" and even her ex Sean Penn was at a show and wrote her a letter about her "art." So, that's enough buzz and hype I need to look forward to the tour!

The last time she was here with the MDNA tour, I got to see her TWICE in the Golden Triangle! My seats this time are near the runway but nothing will ever top that MDNA experience (other than actually getting to meet the Queen, that is!) Thank you again to Guy Oseary for all that he's done!

There are still tickets left on Ticketmaster if you are thinking about going! Madonna's Rebel Heart tour comes to Vancouver on October 14th!

Janet Jackson in Vancouver

So. First off, she literally sang EVERYTHING. You name it? She Sang It. Ok: Opening night of her world tour! Emails out to everyone to make sure that we all show up promptly. Doors at 7pm. Show at 8pm. A DJ was an opening act at 7pm.  She comes on at around 8:15pm, no waiting game!  Crowd goes insane for her. She looks AMAZING.  All in white. Only one outfit change throughout the evening, and it was just the top. On the bottom she wore like white parachute jogging pant type things, with sneakers. Looked GREAT.  

She started the set off with a new song nobody knew but it featured Missy Elliot up on the screen, so everyone was screaming for that and screaming for her, and so it was all good. Then she LAUNCHES into what would become a NON STOP 45 MINUTE MEDLEY of literally all her big dance hits. I'm talking Nasty, Control, What Have You Done For Me Lately, When I Think of You, Miss You Much, Escapade, Love Will Never Do Without You, You Want This, that song she did with Shaggy, The Best Things in Life are Free (WTF!!), All Nite Don't Stop, Feedback, Someone To Call My Lover, All For You, Alright..... and The Pleasure Principle, complete with her up against a mirror and strobe lights going off. Holy F_CK We were losing our GODDAMN MINDS.  

Then.... a famous Janet interlude. Followed by her coming out in the only outfit change of the evening (another white top), and singing a new slow song that was quite lovely. This was obviously going to be the ballads portion of the evening, and she did not disappoint. She followed up the new song with Again, which everyone in the audience sang along to, followed by Come Back To Me, I Get Lonely, and Let's Wait Awhile, topping it off with Got Till It's Gone and Anytime Anyplace which then led right into No Sleeep and THEN into THATS THE WAY LOVE GOES and fade.....

There was more dancey numbers to be had! She was NOT done with us yet. She roared onto the stage with BLACK CAT and THROB of all things, and then came..... IF.  And yes, she brought them. The IF arms. The Asian-inspired karate chop swinging arm dance that everyone does in their bedroom when IF comes on. And she did them, and everyone went N U T S.  This was everything you wanted in a Janet Jackson concert and more. So EPIC. Then she starts singing a weird but good and updated rendition of Together Again, and you're like "Okay, this is a pretty cool version." After the first verse and chorus, she stops and it goes into the regular version and everyone is BALLASTIC and clapping and dancing and singing along and you KNOW everyone's thinking about MICHAEL when she's singing that IN HEAVEN WE WILL BE TOGETHER BABY......

So of course she has to sing SCREAM, right? Check.

It's all too much. I'm sure I've missed some songs here that she did, but she certainly did not miss anything (maybe Runaway and Doesn't Really Matter?)

The finale of this second dance number is of course Rhythm Nation. Which gave me CHILLS. It was like old Janet again. All those dance moves from the video. So on point. Everyone dancing in unison in formation. Oh how we've missed that. And the lyrics. Never more poignant than they are today:

This is the test
No struggle no progress
Lend a hand to help
Your brother do his best
Things are getting worse
We have to make them better
It's time to give a damn
Let's work together come on

People of the world today
Are we looking for a better way of life
We are a part of the rhythm nation
People of the world unite
Strength in numbers we can get it right
One time
We are a part of the rhythm nation 

Seriously. I was in damn near f-cking tears. Was this the end???

There was an encore, but what could she possibly do???

She came back with a brand new song, that may have been titled Should've Known Better but I'm not sure. But it was a perfect bookend to Rhythm Nation. It started off sort of like a ballad, but picks up speed and becomes this anthem. Yes, another socially conscious song from Janet! Images of African American people and the homeless and #blacklivesmatter and #wecantbreathe and Muslims all adorn the screen. This song was epic and NEEDS to be a single and yes, there is no better time for it than now.

Wow.

There was another new song after that I don't remember and she introduced the band and the dancers and then spoke to the crowd. This was the quintessential Janet moment, you know where she stands there and takes in the applause and thanks you the fans and has a moment where she cries. It might be rehearsed and contrived since she does this during every single tour, but this was opening night, and she said to the crowd, "Thank you all so much for all your support from me and my entire family."  Loaded words. Tears in her eyes. Seemed like the real deal tonight. Everyone was thinking it again: MICHAEL.

With that, she bid everyone goodnight and was off.... no big final number to send us into the night, just a lovely thank you for coming and being amazing and genuine gratitude.

Thank you Janet for opening your tour here in Vancouver, we love you, and we can't wait for the new album to drop! 

Please forgive my crappy photos - I was up in the nosebleeds but it was epic nonetheless!

#UnbreakableWorldTour #UnbreakableVancouver

Summertime Showtunes!

But oh... those summer.... niighhhhhtsss......

Yes we're in the midst of summertime, so what better way to cool off than with some Broadway? Join us for some summerlicious Show Tunes at 1181 Davie St on Friday August 7th, 6-9pm! Come in, relax, enjoy the air conditioning, and sing along to some of your favourite Broadway musical video clips!

Check out the Facebook page for more info!

Symphony in the Park

"The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra performs its annual free outdoor concert showcasing the beauty of Burnaby’s Deer Lake Park. The crowd-pleasing program of light classics and popular favourites is always a coveted and not to be missed highlight of the summer!

Come early, bring a blanket or chair and a picnic and settle in for a wonderful evening with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. Just a reminder that parking in the vicinity is limited, so alternate transportation is recommended."

For more info, check out the website.  Sunday July 12, 7-9pm. Free admission.

SHOWTUNES NIGHT - the Pride Edition!

It's SHOWTUNES NIGHT on July 3rd and this time, we'll be celebrating PRIDE! Why not get your Pride festivities started early? Come on down for some Broadway clips to help get you in the mood!

For more information, check out the Facebook page! Showtunes Night is on Friday July 3, 6-9pm at 1181 Davie Street!

PNE summer concert series 2015

If you haven't already seen the PNE summer concert series, here it is. I usually post this more immediately, but I guess I'm just not too excited about any of the acts this year? Boys II Men are back, and I saw them last summer, and they were good.

There's also the Beach Boys, Colin James, and Loverboy.

I'm semi-excited for Pat Benatar.

And Hall & Oates

But otherwise, I'm kinda meh about the whole thing. I mean, I would love it if they could book the likes of Debbie Gibson & Tiffany, or even Martika (who'll be playing Seattle Pride next weekend!)




Check out the list for yourself at the PNE website for full details, performers, and dates!

The return of SHOWTUNES Night!!

After a one month hiatus, it's the return of SHOWTUNES Night at 1181 Davie Street, on Friday April 3rd, from 6-9pm! Yes that's right! It's the best way to make your Good Friday even better! Join in for the fun and festivities with new musical videos and some Easter-inspired tunes on the big screens!

RSVP and invite your friends via the Facebook event page!

The Addams Family musical

Get ready to snap your fingers along to the musical rendition of The Addams Family! Brought to us by Align Entertainment, this smash from Broadway makes its West Coast premiere at the Michael J. Fox Theatre in Burnaby!

The Addams Family: A New Musical runs from February 6 to 21st. Buy your tickets online!

Oklahoma!

Oh what a beautiful morning! Especially now that we have yet another musical popping up in town in February! It's the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic, Oklahoma! With a theatre group like Langara's Studio 58 behind it, it's bound to be a hit!

This show about "hopes and dreams and youth's attempt to realize them" has been reimagined for the more intimate setting at Langara and promises "part charming love story, part stirring retelling of American history, and many parts beloved songs and stunning dance!"

Oklahoma! runs at Studio 58 from February 5 to March 1. Tickets available online.