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Jeni’s Picks for the week aheadDear Picks People, a wide variety of cultural events this week as fall officially begins. May the lovely sun continue to keep the autumn skies ablaze! Visit my website for additions as the week progresses. As usual please check with venues for changes to schedule. Enjoy!
 Vancouver Writers Festival October 15-21, 2018This event runs from October 15, 2018 until October 21, 2018.
The 31st annual Writers Festival with 104 writers in attendance… most notably Gary Shteyngart, Eden Robinson, Esi Edugyan. Jodi Picoult, Buffy Saint-Marie and Rachel Kushner. A collection of voices that explore some of the most pressing topics of our time. Key themes this year are feminism, migration and equality.Through their works, authors share unexpected stories, delve into current events and, ultimately, enrich our understanding of what it is to be alive today ** Some events already sold out so buy tickets asap** Saturday October 20th is free but you need to reserve online. Schedule here.  Vancity Theatre – Blue Note Records: Beyond the NotesOctober 15, 2018 4:30 pm
If one came of age when vinyl was still king in the music industry, the striking—often stunning—album covers produced by Blue Note Records couldn’t help but capture one’s attention. Founded in New York in 1939 by German refugees Alfred Lion and Francis Wolff (with funding from communist writer Max Margulis), Blue Note became the congenial home to the likes of John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Thelonius Monk, Bud Powell and so many others—the list of stars who recorded for the label is, frankly, astounding. Sophie Huber’s musical celebration of Blue Note’s history includes interviews with Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Norah Jones, current Blue Note president Don Was, and others, as well as a recording session with star Robert Glasper. Tickets $15  WISE Hall -Mondays with The Staggers & Jaggs By DonationThis event runs from October 15, 2018 until October 22, 2018.
Mondays at the WISE Hall Lounge… Psychedelic swang, freaked folk and barn-burnin’ telling-it-like-it-isms to drown the stubbornest of sorrows  Libra Room – John Korsrud Latin Band By DonationOctober 15, 2018 9:00 pm
Accomplished trumpeter, composer and bandleader John Korsrud with a small part of his Orquestra Goma Dura Band.  Vancity Theatre – Woman at WarOctober 16, 2018 6:15 pm
Contemporary World Cinema.. from Iceland From the opening scene—in which 50-ish Halla (Halldóra Geirharðsdóttir), choirmaster and stalwart of the community, uses a bow and arrow to destroy an electrical tower—you know you are in for a treat with this quirky, visually splendid work. Halla’s passionately enacted secret eco-warrior campaign against an energy corporation encroaching on Iceland’s impeccable landscape is decidedly at odds with her day-to-day life, doubly so now that she has received notice that the adoption she applied for some years back has been approved and a Ukrainian orphan is on the way. Can she reconcile motherhood and fighting the good fight, no matter the possible consequences of her crimes? Tickets $15  Mrs.Lovett’s Pie Shop – Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Oct 16-31, 2018This event runs from October 16, 2018 until October 31, 2018.
The Snapshots Collective presents an intimate and site specific production of Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. An infamous tale, Sweeney Todd, an unjustly exiled barber, returns to nineteenth century London, seeking vengeance against the lecherous judge who framed him and ravaged his young wife. The road to revenge leads Todd to Mrs. Lovett, a resourceful proprietress of a failing pie shop, above which, he opens a new barber practice. Mrs. Lovett’s luck sharply shifts when Todd’s thirst for blood inspires the integration of an ingredient into her meat pies that has the people of London lining up… and the carnage has only just begun! Tickets $29 and up. Some lesser priced seats will require “twisting” in your seat to see all of the action. Don’t forget to add on your Meat or Veggie pie (pie service starts at 7.15p.m.)  Tyrant Studios – Krapp’s Last Tape October 5-26, 2018This event runs from October 5, 2018 until October 26, 2018.
Seven Tyrants Theatre, Vancouver’s Jessie Award winning independent theatre company, opens its first season of work in their new performance venue with Samuel Beckett’s absurdist one-man masterpiece: Krapp’s Last Tape. The production stars Jessie Award nominated actor Linden Banks as “Krapp”, and is directed by David Thomas Newham, who additionally provides the lighting and set designs. Tuesdays through Fridays at 8pm (* No show on Mondays) Saturdays at 4pm Sundays at 7pm Tickets: $26  Gold Saucer -Ridley Bishop Album Launch Party with Kathleen Nisbet Pay-what-you-canOctober 16, 2018 9:30 pm
Sawdust Collector presents… Kathleen Nisbet. Lead composer for Viper Central, bluegrass badass, old-time yowler, Metis fiddler, singer, teacher, organizer, road dog and friend to all. Kathleen has released three albums with Viper Central and teaches music in the Downtown East Side at the St. James Music Academy Multi-instrumentalist and composer Ridley Bishop has been performing around Vancouver since 2009 with bands like Thee AHs, Sprïng, Big EviL, Olenka and the Autumn Lovers, and The Trolls. On his new album, Breathing Machines, the songs are arranged for woodwind quartet and voice, with Ridley recording all the parts himself at home. Inspired by avant-garde reed players like Eric Dolphy, Neil Welch, and Colin Stetson, Breathing Machines is about microscopic sounds, and how focusing one’s awareness is a bodily act.With clarinetist Natasha Zrno and bass clarinetist Johanna Hauser.  Provence Marinaside – Hip Pocket with Jason de Couto Free eventOctober 17, 2018 6:00 pm
Hip Pocket Trio featuring Jason de Couto Adam Rohrlick: tenor saxophone and electric guitar Jason de Couto: keyboards Brent Gubbels: acoustic bass  Neptoon Records – Book Launch: Live at the Cellar Free eventOctober 17, 2018 6:30 pm
Celebrate jazz. Join musicologist and author Marian Jago and Gavin Walker, alto saxophonist and host of CiTR: The Jazz Show (101.9 FM). Marian will talk briefly about “Live at the Cellar: Vancouver’s Iconic Jazz Club and the Canadian Co-operative Jazz Scene in the 1950s and ‘60s,” the first book to document the remarkable rise of co-operative jazz clubs in Canada, including Vancouver’s very own “original” Cellar, the Black Spot, and the Flat Five. She will share stories and photographs from this rich and vital history and will follow the talk with a question and answer.  Vancouver New Music 2018 Festival: Quartetti – a festival of string quartets October 18-20This event runs from October 18, 2018 until October 20, 2018.
Seven world-class string quartets will perform at Vancouver New Music’s 2018 Festival. Quartetti features a line-up of versatile contemporary string quartets from Canada, the US and Europe. Of special note, Vancouver’s Black Dog String Quartet will take the stage all three nights, performing works by Navajo/US composer Raven Chacon, and participants from Chacon’s Native American Composer Apprentice Project. Chacon will bring his unique workshop to Vancouver in advance of the festival, working with local Indigenous youths to create pieces for string quartet that will be premiered at the festival. THURSDAY 18 OCTOBER Black Dog String Quartet Quatuor Bozzini JACK Quartet FRIDAY 19 OCTOBER Maurice Quartet Penderecki Quartet Black Dog String Quartet (feat. premieres by composers from Raven Chacon’s Indigenous Youth String Quartet Project) SATURDAY 20 OCTOBER Quartetto Noûs Mivos Quartet Black Dog String Quartet (feat. premieres by composers from Raven Chacon’s Indigenous Youth String Quartet Project) Saturday night after the concert a Post-Show Reception, co-hosted by the Consulate General of Italy in Vancouver. ~  Frankie’s Jazz Club -From Toronto: Bob Brough QuartetOctober 18, 2018 8:00 pm
Saxophonist Bob Brough has been a key member of the national jazz music scene for over five decades. Having come to prominence with Time Warp and Jim Galway’s Wee Big Band in the 1980’s, Bob’s career has taken him across Canada performing in jazz festivals, concert and club tours, and more. Also launching this evening is Live at the Cellar: Vancouver’s Iconic Jazz Club and the Canadian Co-operative Jazz Scene in the 1950s and 60s, the first book to document the remarkable rise of co-operative jazz clubs in Canada. The book centres itself on Vancouver’s legendary Cellar club, but also documents similar spaces in Calgary, Edmonton, and Halifax. Cover $16  Hood29 (formerly The Cottage Bistro) – History of Jazz Violin (2)October 19, 2018 6:00 pm
Kit Eakle presents the 2nd in a 3 concert series at Hood 29 (formerly The Cottage Bistro) surveying historic performances and tunes associated with the great Swing Soloists of the Thirties and Forties. Featuring Michael Dunn, guitar, and Joe Bourchier, bass. Tickets $15 online or $20 at the door.  Red Lion – Ron Johnston/Cameron Hood & friends By DonationThis event runs from September 28, 2018 until October 26, 2018.
Piano refurbished and with an updated sound system, Ron (piano) & Cameron (bass) are back every Friday playing an eclectic assortment of jazz tunes. A rotating list of friends drop by and sit in…. often, but not always, vocalists.  8East -Elisa Thorn’s HUE & Miller/Silins/LoewenOctober 19, 2018 8:00 pm
Warm sounds and moving pictures for you ears MILLER/SILINS/LOEWEN Lisa Cay Miller :: Piano Karlis Silins :: Bass Kenton Loewen :: Drums ELISA THORN’S HUE Elisa Thorn:: Harp James Meger :: Bass Justin Devries :: Drums www.elisathorn.com/hue $10-$20 sliding scale Small Cash Bar  Rogue Folk Club – The East PointersOctober 19, 2018 8:00 pm
There’s a reason, beyond their dazzling musicianship and wildly entertaining live shows, that Juno award winners The East Pointers have connected with audiences right across the globe, making new, original roots music the hippest, most vibrant thing going. The reason? The East Pointers – fiddler/singer Tim Chaisson, banjoist Koady Chaisson and guitarist Jake Charron – write about real life, sketching out its joys and sorrows in vivid strokes. That palpable authenticity makes their instrumental tunes practically cartwheel and infuses their lyric-driven songs with poignancy Tickets $30 at highlife, Tapestry and online  Tyrant Studios – Ilhan Safereli QuartetOctober 19, 2018 9:30 pm
Ilhan has played with Grammy award winning musicians such as Chucho Valdes and has worked with the David Suzuki Foundation for their ECOmusicology project. Ilhan was recently interviewed about his career and his music on CBC Radio Canada. Ilhan’s playing ability is very versatile; playing Jazz, Rock, Funk and Latin music. Ilhan’s piano style takes from classic piano players such as Bill Evans and Oscar Peterson and is heavily influenced by modern jazz players such as Brad Mehldau Cover $10  Jazz @ The Pat – Steve Kaldestad & Mike Allen Free eventOctober 20, 2018 3:00 pm
Watch these saxophone masters walk a tightrope without a net. Mike Allen – saxophones Steve Kaldestad – saxophones Conrad Good – bass Jesse Cahill – drums  Frankie’s Jazz Club – Michael Blake’s Variety Hour: Halloween SpecialOctober 20, 2018 8:00 pm
WOOOOOO-SCARY! New York City based saxophonist Michael Blake is no stranger to hometown fans. He’s been performing and recording with members of his band The Variety Hour for over a decade, this time getting together to play this Halloween Special. The music covers movie themes (yes, that movie theme), standards, and rarely heard jazz tunes with a definitive macabre tone. Cover $20  Rio Theatre – East Van Opry 2018October 20, 2018 8:00 pm
One of #EastVan‘s favourite annual music events – the East Van Opry. Now in its sixth year! As always, an extremely eclectic mix of this City’s most uniquely talented will take to the stage to perform their hearts out. Featuring … The Myrtle Family Band Christie Rose Khari McClelland Desirée Dawson Shiho Mizumoto & Paul Silveria Hank Pine The Wrangleros Jeff Scroggins Kelly Haigh & Jimmy Roy sing songs of Buck Owens Las Estrellas de Vancouver The East Van Opry house band … and more Hosted by : Carolyn Mark and Geoff Berner Doors 7:00 pm | Show 8:00 pm Tickets $24 advance | $28 at the door (always sells out)  The Rickshaw – Rich Hope La Chinga Double Album ReleaseOctober 20, 2018 9:00 pm
La Chinga’s third album Beyond the Sky… a blast of retro rock with plenty of joie-de-vivre. **Take earplugs** Read review and listen here Tickets $12 at Highlife, Red Cat and online  Rio Theatre -Matangi / Maya / M.I.A.October 21, 2018 4:00 pm
Drawing from a never before seen cache of personal footage spanning decades, this is an intimate portrait of the Sri Lankan artist and musician M.I.A., who continues to shatter conventions with her work, words, and art. Director Stephen Loveridge offers an admiring profile of the tough-minded rapper, who has taken up the cause of Tamil resistance in Sri Lanka – and suffered a huge backlash as a result. Tickets $10.50 advance or $12.50 at the door ** Also on Monday October 22 at 6.30p.m.  Jazz Vespers – Weaver/Werth Band By DonationOctober 21, 2018 4:00 pm
Keyboard player Rob Weaver and friends…  Jazz at Tangent Cafe – Jennifer Scott & Rene Worst By DonationOctober 21, 2018 6:00 pm
Revered vocalist Jennifer Scott performs an intimate night of standards. Bassist rene Worst is an icon of the local jazz scene.  Merge -Siobhan Sloane-Seale, Chad Gilmour, Jeff YoungerOctober 21, 2018 8:00 pm
An intimate Sunday concert at Merge featuring 3 singer songwriters and their songs. Siobhan Sloane-Seale is originally from Winnipeg. She’s a multi-instrumentalist who plays guitar and percussion. Her music has been described as whimsical folk. Chad Gilmour is a stoic song writer with an all too active mind who finds reprieve in his words and melodies with the intention to promote connection and galvanize the human experience through his music. Jeff Younger best known as an improvising guitarist, has a deep love of beautiful melodies, touching lyrics and quirky, creative imagery. Doors 8pm, 1st set starts @ 8:30 Cover $10  Guilt & Co – Zipursky/Tobin Pay-what-you-canOctober 21, 2018 9:30 pm
Two Vancouver keys players from the R&B/fusion scene share the stage for a special one-night-only show full of fat grooves, cosmic synth jams, and soulful chord progressions. Featuring: Jonny Tobin – keys Max Zipursky – keys Derek DiFilippo – bass Myles Bigelow – percussion Kai Basanta – drums  Vancity Theatre – Chilly Gonzalez: Shut Up and Play the PianoOctober 22, 2018 8:30 pm
Music Mondays Master of reinvention, Chilly Gonzalez has something of Andy Kaufman and Sacha Baron Cohen about him, but the rapper/pianist/performance artist/producer combines his tongue in cheek post modern lounge lizard act with genuine musical chops, and found his biggest success with the intimate and melodic Solo Piano album. Philipp Jedicke’s documentary begins with Chilly attempting to hypnotize the audience into hating him. Fortunately he’s not much of a hypnotist, and this career spanning review is always engaging and sometimes downright delirious. Tickets $11  Libra Room – Tom Wherrett Trio By DonationOctober 22, 2018 9:00 pm
Guitarist Tom Wherrett is a prolific band leader and composer. While several of his bands explore his original compositions, he is equally at home playing standards and bebop tunes. |
"Jeni's Picks" is a curated list of eclectic events that I feel are of particular interest to my readership. If you know of an event of interest, let me know and I'll consider it for inclusion.
Jeni Mastin, JenisPicks.com
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