Jeni’s Picks of the Week March 2-5, 2017

A few things from the long list of events on around town this week. Please check with venues in case of changes and apologies to any event not listed. Chutzpah Festival 2017 February 16-March 13 The Lisa Nemetz International Jewish Performing Arts Festival is the Lower Mainland’s winter music, dance, comedy and theatre festival presenting international, national and local artists http://chutzpahfestival.com/?http%3A%2F%2Fchutzpahfestival.com%2FPl ———————————————————————————————— 100 Concerts in March http://www.straight.com/blogra/871206/100-vancouver-concerts-march ————————————————————————————————— Kino Cafe in March —————————————————————————————————- Happy Hour at Frankie’s This Week
 March 2 Willie MacCalder Mar 3 Adam Thomas —————————————————————————— Thursday March 2 Tangent Café 2095 Commercial Drive 8.30p.m. No cover Steve Kaldestad Quartet Saxophonist Steve Kaldestad plays soaring improvisations, deeply informed by the traditions of jazz yet always pushing into exciting new territory. With David Blake – guitar, Jesse Cahill – drums and bass- t.b.a. —————————————————————————— Frankie’s 765 Beatty St 8p.m. $15 Chris Gestrin plays Bill Evans Live at the Village Vanguard Vancouver-based pianist Chris Gestrin is unquestionably one of the major jazz talents in the country and is in high demand as a musician, composer, and producer. With an ear for texture and subtlety, Gestrin also swings hard and is equally comfortable playing straight-ahead jazz and free improv. This fantastic

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Jeni’s Picks of the Week February 25- 28, 2017

Dear Picks People… free time was in short supply this week. A few weekend/early week suggestions. **Please check with venues for any changes and apologies to any event not listed** East Van’s New Brewery Passport http://dailyhive.com/vancouver/east-vancouver-brewery-passport-2017 10 Must Try Wine Bars in Vancouver http://dailyhive.com/vancouver/best-wine-bars-vancouver-2017 Black History Month February 2017 A month-long celebration of contributions to history and culture by citizens of African and Caribbean descent… music, dance, film, poetry and more https://www.facebook.com/BlackHistoryMonthBC/ Chutzpah Festival 2017 February 16-March 13 The Lisa Nemetz International Jewish Performing Arts Festival is the Lower Mainland’s winter music, dance, comedy and theatre festival presenting international, national and local artists http://chutzpahfestival.com/?http%3A%2F%2Fchutzpahfestival.com%2FPl Saturday February 25 Pat’s Pub 403 E.Hastings St 3-7p.m. No cover Vocal month continues.. Sarah Kennedy Quintet Sarah Kennedy – vocals Nick Peck – piano Cesar BenHur Madrigal – guitar Marcos Fló – bass Juan Encinales – drums                     Sunday February 26 Peretz Centre 6184 Ash St 2p.m. $5 Saul Berson Trio Saul Berson- alto, soprano saxophones, clarinet Dave Ivaz- guitar Sam Shoichet-bass Delivering a unique sound melding Klezmer, Middle-Eastern overtones and jazz improvisation, the Saul Berson Trio lays down an engaging and impressive musical statement with

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Jeni’s Picks of the Week February 15-19, 2017

Happy Valentine’s Day Picks People…whether you are celebrating the day or not, let’s all try to do something to put a little more love in the world!!     Black History Month February 2017 A month-long celebration of contributions to history and culture by citizens of African and Caribbean descent… music, dance, film, poetry and more https://www.facebook.com/BlackHistoryMonthBC/ Winterruption 2017 February 17-19 Music, Arts, Film, Performance, Food on Granville Island http://granvilleisland.com/winterruption http://www.coastaljazz.ca/winterruption_festival_tips                 Talking Stick Festival 2017 February 16-26 A 2 week festival exploring Aboriginal Culture through the Arts http://fullcircle.ca/talking-stick/events/           3rd Annual KDocs 2017 February 16-17 Documentary film festival from Kwantlen Polytechnic University in partnership with VIFF at VanCity Theatre. The festival showcases award-winning documentary films, speakers, filmmakers, panelists, exhibitors, and community members. Participants engage in lively discussion, debate, and dialogue as they investigate today’s most pressing global issues. Click here for a PDF file with full information.                                         Chutzpah Festival 2017 February 16-March 13 The Lisa Nemetz International Jewish Performing Arts Festival is the Lower Mainland’s winter music, dance,

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Jeni’s Picks of the Week February 7-12, 2017

Dear Picks People…. diversion definitely a necessity this week if you are loathing the weather as much as I am. Hopefully there will be no cancellations, but please check with venues before braving the elements. Black History Month February 2017 A month-long celebration of contributions to history and culture by citizens of African and Caribbean descent… music, dance, film, poetry and more https://www.facebook.com/BlackHistoryMonthBC/ http://www.insidevancouver.ca/2015/02/03/where-to-celebrate-black-history-month-in-vancouver/ 2017 Hot Chocolate Festival (to February 14) 61 kinds of Hot Chocolate!!! http://dailyhive.com/vancouver/hot-chocolate-festival-vancouver-2017-participants Plus… 15 food events in Vancouver in February http://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vancouver-food-events-february-2017 A shout out for this one as it is one of the few good things to come out of the town where I was born… QE Theatre February 7-12 Kinky Boots Winner of 6 Tony Awards, Kinky Boots is Broadway’s over the top, huge-hearted, high-heeled hit! With songs by Grammy and Tony-winning pop icon Cyndi Lauper. Inspired by true events, Kinky Boots takes you from a gentleman’s shoe factory in Northampton to the glamorous catwalks of Milan. http://vancouver.broadway.com/shows/kinky-boots-baa/ http://www.straight.com/arts/863506/over-top-musical-kinky-boots-finally-hits-vancouver                 Happy Hour at Frankie’s this week… Feb 8 Mike Allen Trio Feb 9  Bill Coon Feb 10 Bill Coon Tuesday February 7 Gold Saucer Studio 211-207 W.Hastings

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Jeni’s Picks of the Week February 1-5, 2017

Dear Picks People… love, compassion, and community Trump fear and hate. Be very good to yourselves during these trying times. Go forth, feed your soul, and stay hopeful. PuSh International Arts Festival 2017… to February 5 Presenting groundbreaking work in the live performing arts… visionary, genre-bending, multi-disciplined, startling and original https://pushfestival.ca Dine Out Vancouver Festival… to February 5 Dining adventures, brunch crawls, cocktail classes, wine debates,wine & beer tastings, street food markets and special menus at many restaurants http://www.dineoutvancouver.com                 Black History Month February 2017 A month-long celebration of contributions to history and culture by citizens of African and Caribbean descent… music, dance, film, poetry and more https://www.facebook.com/BlackHistoryMonthBC/ http://www.insidevancouver.ca/2015/02/03/where-to-celebrate-black-history-month-in-vancouver/   Happy Hour at Frankie’s this week… February 1 Oliver Gannon Trio February 2/3 Tom Arntzen Please check with venues for changes and apologies to any event not listed. Wednesday February 1 Provence Marinaside Restaurant 1177 Marinaside 6-9pm No cover Hip Pocket Quartet A mix of swinging Jazz, Latin Jazz, contemporary instrumental. With Adam Rohrlick: electric guitar and tenor saxophone, Tilden Webb: keyboards, Brent Gubbels: acoustic bass & Joel Fountain: drums & vocals https://www.reverbnation.com/hippocketjazz Orpheum Annex 823 Seymour St 7.30p.m. No cover (NEW VENUE)

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Jeni’s Picks of the Week December 29-January 1, 2017

Dear Picks People… the last instalment of 2016! I hope you are all enjoying the holiday season and may the new year be a little kinder, gentler, and brighter than the one gone by. In 2017 may you be given the opportunity to rediscover your strengths and realize your dreams. I’ll be taking a short hiatus getting warmed up in Mexico but expect another picks instalment on/around January 24/25th. TILL NEXT YEAR…. Still time to attend the Cabaret     Happy Hour at Frankie’s 4-6p.m.                                                                                                   Dec 29 Bill Coon                                                                                                                              

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Jeni’s Picks of the Week Dec 20-15, 2016

Just in case you have time to take in an event or two in the middle of all the preparations. If not, just take a deep breath and have a happy and safe holiday season. Please confirm with venues. Cancellations/changes have been known to happen (especially weather related ones lately!). And apologies to any event not listed. Happy Hour at Frankie’s… this week No happy hour on Dec 21 Dec 22/23 Paul Pigat Tuesday Dec 20 Gold Saucer Studio 207 W.Hastings 8p.m. No cover Sawdust Collector Christmas Party… featuring SOUP FESTIVE COCKTAILS RECORDS w/ Invisible Taste (Colin Cowan and Dan Gaucher) JOLLINESS A BIT OF HEARTBREAK DECORATIONS MADE OF PAPER TWINKLE LIGHTS YOUR FRIENDS, OUR FRIENDS, NEW FRIENDS, THE FRIENDS *A 50\50 DRAW **A DRESSED UP DOG *** SOMEONE PRETENDING TO BE SANTA https://www.facebook.com/events/213622069076326/ Wednesday Dec 21 Vancity Theatre 1181 Seymour St 11.45 p.m. $12 Best of 2016 presents… Eye in the Sky London-based military intelligence officer Colonel Katherine Powell (Helen Mirren) is remotely commanding a top secret drone operation to capture a group of dangerous terrorists from their safehouse in Nairobi, Kenya. The mission suddenly escalates from a “capture” to a “K*ll” operation when Powell realizes that the terrorists

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Jeni’s Picks of the Week December 13-18, 2016

  Dear Pickers… hope you are not too caught up in the holiday rush to take some time out and enjoy live music, theatre, dance, a movie etc. Here is a small sampling of what is on offer this week. Please confirm with venues before venturing out (especially in this wintry weather for last minute cancellations) and apologies to any event not listed. now until Dec 31 East Van Panto: Little Red Riding Hood RECOMMENDED (opening night was a hoot!) Here she comes! Little Red Riding Hood is bombing down the Adanac bike trail to deliver a basket of goodies to her sweet little granny. Easy, right? Not in the East Van Panto where everything gets real wacky, real fast! Cheer Little Red along as she battles everything from bike thieves to distracted drivers to The Big Bad Wolf. And what the heck are Three Little Pigs doing here?! http://thecultch.com/events/an-east-van-panto-little-red-riding-hood/ http://www.straight.com/arts/836071/east-van-panto-little-red-riding-hood-fresh-fun-and-full-west-coast-hilarity Where to see Holiday Lights in Vancouver http://vancouver.about.com/od/annualwinterevents/tp/Vancouver-Christmas-Lights.htm Happy Hour at Frankie’s … this week Dec 14 Chris Sigurson Trio Dec 15 Wilie MacCalder Kino Cafe during December Tuesday Dec 13 Frankie’s 765 Beatty St 8p.m. $15 (all proceeds to Bruno) **Make a reservation** We Love Bruno! (A fundraiser for

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Jeni’s Picks of the Week Dec 6-11, 2016

Hope you are all surviving the blast of winter weather. Lots here to help ward off the chill… Mistakes can be made and events change so please double check with venues.  Apologies to any event not listed. Where to see Holiday Lights in Vancouver http://vancouver.about.com/od/annualwinterevents/tp/Vancouver-Christmas-Lights.htm Dec 8-11 Ballet BC presents the Royal Winnipeg Ballet Nutcracker http://balletbc.com/performance/nutcracker-2016/               now until Dec 31                                                                                                                                            East Van Panto: Little Red Riding Hood RECOMMENDED (opening night was a hoot!) Here she comes! Little Red Riding Hood is bombing down the Adanac bike trail to deliver a basket of goodies to her sweet little granny. Easy, right? Not in the East Van Panto where everything gets real wacky, real fast! Cheer Little Red along as she battles everything from bike thieves to

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Jeni’s Picks of the Week November 30-December 4, 2016

Hello Picks People… here is a short list for this week with a few seasonal samplings thrown in. It’s getting busy already! There may be an addendum… As usual, please check with venues for any late minute changes and apologies to any events not included. Lessons from jazz for a flourishing life http://www.timescolonist.com/opinion/blogs/spiritually-speaking/innovating-yourself-lessons-from-jazz-for-a-flourishing-life-1.3235860#undefined.uxfs 19th Annual European Union Film Festival Nov 18-30 EUROPE WITHOUT THE JETLAG | The Cinematheque’s annual celebration of new cinema from the European Union is proudly presented with the Vancouver consulates and the Ottawa embassies of the member states of the European Union and the Delegation of the European Union to Canada. This year’s festival showcases entries from 23 EU members celebrating the diversity, dynamism, and accomplishment of contemporary European filmmaking while experiencing the work of Europe’s most provocative and entertaining filmmakers. http://www.thecinematheque.ca/eufilmfestival   Vancouver Opera Nov 24-Dec 7 Hansel & Gretel https://www.vancouveropera.ca/Hansel-and-Gretel?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=hanselgretel_brand   East Van Panto: Little Red Riding Hood now until Dec 31 RECOMMENDED (opening night was a hoot!) Here she comes! Little Red Riding Hood is bombing down the Adanac bike trail to deliver a basket of goodies to her sweet little granny. Easy, right? Not in the East Van Panto where everything gets real

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