|
Jeni’s Picks for the week aheadDear Picks People… the first picks of the new year. Hoping your year is off to a fine start already. No slow down in the offerings around town though some calendars/venues do not have their January events posted yet so do check back on the website for additions. And as usual, please check with venues for any last minute changes/cancellations. Enjoy!  West Point Grey Legion – WOW Jazz Orchestra Free eventJanuary 2, 2018 8:00 pm
The WOW Jazz Orchestra is back!! Celebrating swing style bands of the 40s and 50s – Benny Goodman, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Glen Miller and Tommy Dorsey – just to mention a few. 10 pc jazz orchestra led by Jack Stafford, featuring arrangements by Paul Ruhland and Jack Fulton. Members include Derry Byrne on trumpet, Sharman King and Rod Murray on trombones, Steve Hilliam and Chris Startup on saxophones, Craig Scott on drums, Dave Guiney on bass and Oliver Gannon on guitar.  SC | Toren/Del Castillo/Grdina/Babin/Gaucher + Babin Solo Pay-what-you-canJanuary 2, 2018 9:30 pm
Sawdust Collector is a weekly concert series taking place on Tuesday nights at The Gold Saucer. This week…Seattle born, New York based saxophonist Xavier Del Castillo makes his Vancouver debut with veterans of the local improv scene Set 1 Tommy Babin – bass Set 2 Cat Toren – piano Xavier Del Castillo – sax Gord Grdina – oud/guitar Tommy Babin – bass Dan Gaucher – drums  Brentwood Jazz Evensong – Cat Toren & friends By DonationJanuary 3, 2018 8:00 pm
N.Y. based pianist Cat Toren’s Humankind perform at Jazz Evensong. There will be light refreshments.  Falconetti’s – Bonnie Northgraves Trio Free eventJanuary 3, 2018 9:00 pm
Bonnie is a trumpet player, vocalist and pianist based in Vancouver BC. Drawn to vintage jazz at an early age she performs music from the 20’s, 30’s and 40’s as well as composes her own original music in the vintage style. Her singing is smokey and rich and her trumpet playing is a call to the early jazz styles of New Orleans.  Vancity Theatre – The Best of 2017: Never Steady, Never StillJanuary 4, 2018 6:20 pm
Winner of three awards at VIFF 2017, Kathleen Hepburn’s heartbreaking feature debut is a beautifully observed, very personal piece about Judy (Shirley Henderson), coping with the loss of her husband, the departure of her teen son (Theodore Pellerin), and with Parkinson’s disease. Set in northern BC (Stuart Lake), this is one of the outstanding Canadian films in recent years. Tickets $13/11  Frankie’s Jazz Club – Matt Choboter TrioJanuary 4, 2018 8:00 pm
Montreal based pianist Matt Choboter is visiting Vancouver and will sharing interpretations of classic jazz repertoire aiming to deconstruct and re-interpret music of historical significance through a modern, or post-jazz lens. Unorthodox arrangements met with adventurous risk-taking, affording opportunity for all members to equally contribute artistically. Expect some Thelonius. With Eli Davbidovici on bass and Andrew Thomson on drums. $15 cover.  Benchmark Bar & Grill – Ramon Zuniga Quartet Free eventJanuary 4, 2018 8:00 pm
Ramon Zuniga is a well known Latin bass player. He has lived and performed all over the world , recording many records. With guests John Paton, Chacal del Tambor & Ricardo Halabi  Jazz at Tangent – Bernie Arai Quartet By DonationJanuary 4, 2018 8:30 pm
Drummer Bernie Arai has been an integral part of Vancouver’s jazz and improvised music community for many years. His unique style has been heard with bands such as the Brad Turner trio, UGETSU, and with Dr. Lonnie Smith. With Chad Makela – saxophone, David Blake – guitar and Tommy Babin – bass  Vancity Theatre – 5th Annual Italian Film Festival January 5-11, 2018January 5, 2018
2018 Italian Film Festival A couple Fellinis, three Tavianis, a Rossellini and a Bertolucci. It must be time for the Italian Film Festival. The 2018 edition of the Italian Film Festival goes from Friday January 5 until Thursday January 11, 2018.The Italian Film Festival’s mandate is to raise awareness and promote all aspects of Italian cinema. The festival is co-presented by Il Centro Italian Cultural Centre, the Vancouver International Film Festival,the Consulate General of Italy in Vancouver and the Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Toronto and blends contemporary and classic films from Italy’s significant cinematic repertoire to create a unique festival experience. Contemporary films from the past two to three years are merged with Italy’s rich patrimony of classic avant-garde, and neo realism cinema.All screenings at Vancity Theatre.More info here  Grunt Gallery – Ghost Spring opening reception & performance Free eventJanuary 5, 2018 7:00 pm
“Ghost Spring” a two-person show by Dilara Akay and Derya Akay looking at funeral practices within their own family in Turkey. This mother/son team explores rituals around death within their own family, passing down information from one generation to the next. The artists will produce an installation and a series of activations exploring the many rituals around death — focusing especially on food that is presented to, and eaten for, the dead. The works in the gallery include garlands and flowers, texts and drawings as offerings to their ancestors.  Gold Saucer – Self Help Presents:Elisa Thorn+ Shapes + Meghan Gilhespy Trio Pay-what-you-canJanuary 5, 2018 8:30 pm
Elisa Thorn -Solo harp, loops and voice Shapes – Eli Davidovici- bass, Matt Choboter- piano and more Meghan Gilhespy Trio – Meghan voice & sounds, David Blake – guitar, Conrad Good – bass  Jazz @ The Pat – Gabriel Mark Hasselbach Quintet Free eventJanuary 6, 2018 3:00 pm
GMH leading the quintet on trumpet, flugelhorn & flute with… Tilden Webb – piano Justin James – drums Emilio Suarez – bass James Hill – saxophones  Brentwood Sanctuary – Black & Keenlyside play Academy Award Classics By DonationJanuary 6, 2018 7:00 pm
Miles Black and Tom Keenlyside come together as a duo in this concert featuring their magical interpretations of songs that have won the Academy Award. Admission is by donation. Wine will be served for a $5 donation at the intermission.  Rickshaw Theatre – 3rd Annual Bowie Ball FundraiserJanuary 6, 2018 7:30 pm
Dancing Sawhorse and the Rickshaw present Bowie Ball. For the third year in a row, celebrating the life and music of David Bowie for the benefit of the Canadian Cancer Society. Over 20 local bands and solo artists! Prizes for best costume! Face-painting! Random acts of creativity and connection! Tickets $15 at Red Cat, Zulu & Highlife or online  China Cloud – Freedom Muzik Pay-what-you-canJanuary 6, 2018 9:45 pm
FREEDOM MUZIK is an evening that invites musicans from Vancouver’s most innovative community to create together in a platform that spawns new ensembles. HOW IT WORKS: 1ST HALF: Names are drawn from a chalice to form new Duets, Trios, Quartets, etc. 2nd HALF : Full ensemble performance. FEATURING : Lisa Cay Miller Aram Bajakian Colin Edward Cowan JP Carter Kenton Loewen Giorio Magnanensi Tommy Babin Meredith Bates + more !  Rio Theatre: Bombshell :The Hedy Lamarr StoryJanuary 7, 2018 2:00 pm
Saw it and recommend it… The world’s most beautiful woman was also the secret inventor of secure wifi, bluetooth and GPS communications, but her arresting looks stood in the way of her being given the credit she deserved… until now. Hollywood wild-child, Hedy Lamarr, was infamous for her many marriages and affairs with everyone from Spencer Tracy to JFK. In Alexandra Dean’s stunning new documentary portrait BOMBSHELL, Lamarr’s very image is re-framed and brought into a modern focus – not only as an actress, but as the brilliant mind who co-invented 1940’s wireless technology. Tickets $10  Rio Theatre – Golden Globe Awards Live on the Big Screen Free eventJanuary 7, 2018 4:00 pm
The 75th Annual Golden Globe Awards… hosted by Seth Meyers Because botox looks better on the big screen. (Truth.) The Rio Theatre’s annual Golden Globe Awards Party LIVE and FREE! As always, the red carpet will be rolled out and everyone is encouraged to dress up like the #EastVan star that they are. Get ready for trivia, prizes, good times and more. Doors 4:00 pm | Show 5:00 pm *This party hits capacity every year. This is a free event – first come, first served! Go early to ensure entry and a great seat.  Frankie’s Jazz Club – Karin Plato/Lorraine Foster QuintetJanuary 7, 2018 8:00 pm
Vancouver vocalists Lorraine Foster and Karin Plato share a love of songs from the Great American Songbook: lyrics that tell stories of the heart and melodies that crave being sung. Since the early 90’s the two have been friends, performing various duet shows together with a natural ease and chemistry. Their program features a variety of duets and solos, arrangements of familiar standards along with some lesser known songs. Originally from Toronto, Lorraine sang with Dal Richards and his orchestra for 11 years. She performed and recorded with legendary pianists Linton Garner and with internationally acclaimed Oliver Jones. Karin, originally from Saskatchewan has called Vancouver home since 1985 where she continues to compose, record and perform a variety of music styles. With Dan Reynolds- piano, Paul Rushka – bass and Buff Allen – drums |
"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
- This mailing list is a public mailing list - anyone may join or leave, at any time.
-
This mailing list is announce-only.
Jeni's Picks of the week.
Privacy Policy:
I'll never share or misuse your email address.