Graveyards and Gardens

 

Vanessa Goodman in Graveyards and Gardens, Salt Spring February 2023 performance, Photo credit: Dayna Szyndrowski, Photo courtesy of: Music on Main, One-time use 

On April 12-15, 2023 at the SFU Goldcorp Centre for the Arts (in the Fei and Milton Wong Experimental Theatre), Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Caroline Shaw and Vancouver-based choreographer Vanessa Goodman have collaborated on this atmospheric sound-and-dance installation entrancing meditation on the cyclical nature of embodied memory.

Surrounded by vintage lamps, plants, retro record and cassette players, and 400 feet of orange cables, "Graveyards and Gardens" begins with a Goodman's cacophony of sounds, merging with Goodman’s supple and hypnotic movement. Both song, sound, and dance meet at one point in the ultimate performance. 

As well, local dance icon Vanessa Goodman has composed and/or produced music for symphonies, theatre, ballets, films, and television including the Showtime hit series,"Yellowjackets," and films such as Beyonce’s "Homecoming". " 

Visit here for tickets and more information about Graveyards and Gardens. 

All We Want Is More : The Tobias Wong Project

 If you haven't heard of Tobias Wong, the art world's enfant terrible whose life was cut short in 2010, then you must go visit the Museum of Vancouver for All We Want Is More: The Tobias Wong Project. 

This is the second retrospect that the museum has down for this hometown hero - yes Tobias Wong hails from Vancouver, but made his splash into the art world during his time in New York City. Curated by his friends and family, this is a thrilling world class exhibit that honours the sensibility of an artist who had his finger on the pulse of society. 

From his famed Bubble Chair to the iconic Sun Jars, there is something for everyone here. My personal favourites include the Anus sign that appeared in his apartment window across the street from gay bar The Cock in New York, the 9/11 matchbook, and the gold plated McDonalds "coke" spoon.

All We Want is More: The Tobias Wong Project is on now until July 23 at the Museum of Vancouver. 

The How And The Why

 If you want to head out to Coquitlam, here's an excuse to make your way there! Aenigma Theatre is putting on their 2019 Jessie-nominated show The How And The Why: 

Evolution, Feminism and Destiny collide in Sarah Treem’s (House of Cards,The Affair) poignant play about science, family, and the difficult choices that women face.  Why do women menstruate? Modern science has supplied us with the “How”, but no one seems to have answered the “Why”. Rachel, a young grad student in Evolutionary Biology visits Zelda, a pioneer of the field.  She posits a radical new hypothesis to answer this very question, which just happens to challenge Zelda’s own ground-breaking work. As the two brilliant women spar over their contrary views on science, career and generational divides, the ulterior motives surrounding their intense meeting slowly begin to unravel… 

The How And The Why runs from April 11-15 at the Evergreen Cultural Centre. 

The Kitchen

 

Welcome to the behind-the-scenes look at an industrial kitchen acted out by the current cohort at Langara's Studio 58. This is a great vehicle to showcase all the various talents in the group. In this show, there is a LOT going on. They are able to capture the stress and insanity that goes on in a restaurant kitchen. Imagine the tv show The Bear, on steroids. 

There were a few side stories that highlighted some of the characters, allowing those actors to shine just a little bit longer in the spotlight. For the purpose of the play however, I found that there was too much going on and I couldn't really connect fully with many of the characters, even those that were given an elevated push forward. 

The set and the renovated theatre itself are a wonder to behold. Also kudos to the choreographer for running all the various movements. A definite highlight of the show is the musical interlude that features singing and kitchen instrument playing. A beautiful segment in a chaotic sensory overload of a show. 

The Kitchen is on now at Studio 58 at Langara until April 9. 

Broadway Across Canada : Pretty Woman

Okay, Broadway Across Canada. You've made up for the train wreck of a show that was Anastasia a few weeks ago. Landing at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre is the musical adaptation of the iconic film Pretty Woman. 

Much to my surprise and delight, it stars RENT's original Roger - Adam Pascal - in the Richard Gere role of Edward. And newcomer Jessie Davidson delights in the role of Vivian, which is a feat since who can really fill Julia Roberts' boots? 

It's got pretty much everything you would want, if you're a fan of the film. The songs and music, written by Bryan Adams with Jim Vallance, were not the greatest and fairly forgettable, but decent enough to entertain. The sets were fun and elaborate enough for a touring Broadway show. All in all, a good time out! And I repeat, you get to see ADAM PASCAL perform!!! 

If you don't go see this, it's a big mistake. Big. HUGE.

Pretty Woman is on now until April 2 in Vancouver. 

aBIOTIC

 The New Media Gallery at the Anvil Centre in New West continues to blow my mind with their exhilarating exhibits. This time around, we are treated to aBIOTIC which revolves around the source of life itself, water. 

 In one room, a strong bass pulsates through a pool of inked water, creating ripples and shapes that are lit and projected up onto the wall canvas. 

In another room, we witness a CLOUD MACHINE. Literally, a machine that CREATES CLOUDS. It is hypnotic as we watch these clouds interact with music that either lures it forward through the glass case or pauses it and lets it all but evaporate. Absolutely hypnotic. 

And finally, in the main room, there is a box. Inside this box is dry ice, which pushes the oxygen out of the box. Then this robot machine is triggered and blows a soap bubble into said box. The bubble hangs in mid air. It is a beautiful thing and the guides / docents at this gallery will tell you more and perhaps reveal what the meanings are behind these three pieces of work. 

Go to the New Media gallery now to catch this exhibit on till April 23. 

Paradise or the Impermanence of Ice Cream

 On now at The Cultch straight from New Zealand is the one person show, Paradise or the Impermanence of Ice Cream, by Indian Ink Theatre. 

Jacob Rajan , photo by Ankita Singh

We are brought into a world of sky burials, the tradition of leaving deceased bodies in towers to be stripped to the bone by vultures. And yes, there is a vulture in this show, and it's pretty magnificent, even if it isn't a real one. 

It's probably not fair to call this a one-person show, although Jacob does all the heavy lifting. But let's not forget about the vulture and the vulture's handler, Jon Coddington. 

However, it's definitely because of Rajan's ability to seamlessly switch from one character to another that propels the story along. We meet Kutisar on the night of his death, as he flashes back to moments in his life that have led him here. 

At 80 mins with no intermission, the standing ovation at the end was well deserved. 

Paradise or the Impermanence of Ice Cream is on now at The Cultch until April 19.