Jeni’s Picks of the Week November 23-27, 2016

East Van Panto Nov 23- Dec 31 (Highly recommended) Little Red Riding Hood 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?! Now in its fourth year, The Georgia Straight declares: “Theatre Replacement’s pantos just keep getting better because they keep getting wilder!” http://thecultch.com/events/an-east-van-panto-little-red-riding-hood/ The Wise Hall & Lounge … downstairs every Monday until Dec 12th Petunia & the Vipers playing 2 sets starting at 8p.m. https://www.facebook.com/events/1358199494204750/   Theatre in the Raw presents 3 Penny Opera Nov 16-27 http://www.theatreintheraw.ca/4-upcoming-productions/upcoming-productions.html 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

Continue reading

Jeni’s Picks of the Week November 16-20, 2016

It has been quite a week. Here’s to the healing power of music, poetry, literature, and film. Everything possible has already been said about Leonard Cohen but I leave you with this hauntingly beautiful cover… James Taylor & YoYo Ma Tribute to Leonard Cohen1934-2016 Suzanne https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5IpbSD4Vb0     And remembering Leon Russell and Victor Bailey, two more musical icons lost this past week. Rest in Peace and Love To All.       The Wise Hall & Lounge … downstairs every Monday until Dec 12th Petunia & the Vipers playing 2 sets starting at 8p.m. https://www.facebook.com/events/1358199494204750/   Theatre in the Raw presents 3 Penny Opera Nov 16-27 http://www.theatreintheraw.ca/4-upcoming-productions/upcoming-productions.html 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 20th Anniversary Eastside Culture Crawl Nov 17-20 A 4-day

Continue reading

Jeni’s Picks of the Week November 8-13, 2016

Dear Picks People…quite the full week ahead. The choices on Thursday alone are mindboggling! Wishing you all an enjoyable long weekend. As usual.. please check with venues for any changes and apologies to any event not listed. 28th Annual Jewish Film Festival Nov3-10 Fifth Avenue Cinemas Nov 11-13 Rothstein Theatre Comedies, narrative features and thought provoking documentaries. Guest filmmakers, directors, writers and producers. http://www.vjff.org/film-festival/                   Happy Hour At Frankie’s in November (this week) Nov 9 Oliver Gannon Trio Nov10/11 Diane Lines Tuesday November 8 (finally U.S. Election Day!!!) Rio Theatre 1660 E.Broadway 9p.m. No cover Hillary vs. Donald Live at the Rio Final season finale!! “It’s the end of the world as we know it (and I feel fine).” It’s Hillary Clinton vs. Donald Trump in the Ultimate Showcase Showdown: The 2016 US Presidential Election. . Hosted by Jacques Lalonde! Prizes for Best costume! http://riotheatre.ca/event/hillary-vs-donald-the-us-presidential-election-live-and-free/     Wednesday November 9 Provence Restaurant 1177 Marinaside Crescent at Davie 6- 9pm no cover Hip Pocket Quartet Hip Pocket Quartet plays a mix of swinging Jazz, Latin Jazz, contemporary instrumentals and Blues from 6 to 9pm at this award winning French Mediterranean Restaurant and Wine Bar

Continue reading

Jeni’s Picks of the Week November 4-6, 2016

Dear Picks People… short but sweet selections for the upcoming weekend. Please check with venues for any changes and apologies to events not listed. 20th Annual Vancouver Asian Film Festival Nov 3-6 A celebration of Asian diaspora and diversity in 12 films. This year’s theme is “Homecoming,” http://www.vaff.org   28th Annual Jewish Film Festival Nov3-10 Fifth Avenue Cinemas Nov 11-13 Rothstein Theatre Comedies, narrative features and thought provoking documentaries. Guest filmmakers, directors, writers and producers. http://www.vjff.org/film-festival/             Happy Hour At Frankie’s in November (this week) Nov 3/4 Jillian Lebeck 101 Things to Eat and Drink in Vancouver Before You Die! http://dailyhive.com/vancouver/101-things-to-eat-and-drink-in-vancouver 15 Food Events in November                                                 http://dailyhive.com/vancouver/food-events-vancouver-november-2016 Friday November 4 Frankie’s 765 Beatty St 8p.m. $15 Mazacote MAZACOTE is a hard hitting six piece latin dance band, playing horn-driven New York salsa dura and beats from Colombia, Puerto Rico and Cuba. Based in Vancouver, the band features Nicaraguan singer-songwriter David Lopez, with Grammy Award-winning percussionist Toto Berriel on congas, latin jazz trumpeter Malcolm Aiken, and a groove-heavy rhythm section featuring David Lopez

Continue reading

Jeni’s Picks of the Week October 26-November 1, 2016

Dear Picks People.. an interesting week coming up with the emphasis in the latter part on celebrating the intermingling of the living and the dead, the creepy, mysterious and spooky.    Carve out some good times and bewitch yourself!   13th Annual Downtown Heart of the City Festival Oct 26- Nov 6 Over 100 events at over 40 venues throughout the Downtown.Twelve days of music, stories, songs, poetry, cultural celebrations, films, theatre, dance, processions, spoken word, forums, workshops, discussions, gallery exhibits, public art, mixed media, art talks, history talks and history walks. http://www.heartofthecityfestival.com Beaumont Studios 316 W.5th Ave to Oct 31 Haunted Circus (in support of BC Women’s Hospital) Love clowns? Hate clowns? How about clowns with chainsaws? The Circus is in town this Halloween Season! Haunted Circus is Vancouver’s Newest Haunted House Experience with over 2500sqf. of scary Halloween terror spread throughout the amazing Beaumont Studios. http://www.bcwomensfoundation.org/events-and-community/community-fundraising/index/articles/909.php                               Kino Cafe Live Music Sat/Sun Series in October Frankie’s Jazz Bar Happy Hour 4-6p.m. No cover October 26  James Danderfer Trio October 27  NO HAPPY HOUR October 28  Willie MacCalder Wednesday Oct 26 Provence Restaurant 1177 Marinaside Crescent

Continue reading

Jeni’s Picks of the Week October 19-23, 2016

Dear Picks People, hope you are all managing to stay relatively dry and are ready to enjoy some fall offerings…. Changes happen. Please confirm times/venues/line up independently! Apologies to any event not listed. Taste Of Yaletown 2016 Oct 13-27 12th year of the tastes, treats, sips and sights of Yaletown with the Taste of Yaletown festival. Every year, Taste of Yaletown showcases the very best of Vancouver’s chefs as they create special menus, tasting plates and pairings for a distinctive festival. https://yaletowninfo.com/event/taste-of-yaletown-2016/           Vancouver Polish Film Festival Oct 21-23 An annual celebration of the best current Polish productions http://www.vpff.ca Vancouver Writers Fest October 17-23 Some tickets sold out already!!! http://writersfest.bc.ca     Frankie’s Jazz Bar Happy Hour 4-6p.m. No cover October 19  Cory Weeds Trio October 20/21  Jennifer Scott October 26  James Danderfer Trio October 27  NO HAPPY HOUR October 28  Willie MacCalder New Tuesdays at the gold saucer performance series curated by barbara adler, cole schmidt and james meger. Gold Saucer Studio 207 W.Hastings 9p.m. $5-$10 **Information for how to enter the show is posted on the front door of the building by 8:30 PM on every show night. You will need a cell phone to enter** This week Cow

Continue reading

Jeni’s Picks of the Week October 12-16, 2016

Hello Picks People. Apologies for last week’s lack. Life (and Chick Corea in Seattle) overtook me. Hoping you all enjoyed a wonderful long weekend with many things to be thankful for. Here is a sampling of this week’s offerings…. As usual, please check with venues for any changes in programming and apologies to any event not listed. 2016 Vancouver International Film Festival Sep 29-Oct 14 Expand the Frame. The Vancouver International Film Festival enters its 35th year with a fresh approach to programming and a renewed commitment to the best two weeks in a cinephile’s calendar. Plan ahead as many films sell out! https://www.viff.org/Online/default.asp   Vancouver Writers Fest October 17-23 Some tickets sold out already!!! http://writersfest.bc.ca                 Murray Adaskin Salon Series Oct 2016-April 2017 4 Intimate Concerts Celebrating 4 Legacy Canadian Composers 4 Documentary Film Premieres from award-winning Director John Bolton http://musiccentrebc.ca/concerts/?imt=1 http://www.straight.com/listings/events/795546         36 Concerts to check out in Vancouver during October http://dailyhive.com/vancouver/concerts-vancouver-october-2016 Frankie’s Jazz Bar Happy Hour 4-6p.m. No cover October 12  Cory Weeds Quartet with guest Brad Turner (piano) October 13/14 Ron Johnston October 19  Cory Weeds Trio October 20/21  Jennifer Scott October 26  James Danderfer Trio October

Continue reading

Jeni’s Picks of the Week September 28-October 2, 2016

Hello Picks People… back in the post surgery saddle. Not yet at galloping speed but ready to trot out to immerse myself in some culture. Lots on offer to start the fall off right! 2016 Vancouver International Film Festival Sep 29-Oct 14 Expand the Frame. The Vancouver International Film Festival enters its 35th year with a fresh approach to programming and a renewed commitment to the best two weeks in a cinephile’s calendar. Plan ahead as many films sell out! https://www.viff.org/Online/default.asp   For the foodies out there… 13 Food Events in Vancouver this October http://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vancouver-food-events-october-2016 And from the best of the Straight…best Jazz/Blues venues. (No comment re the Yale Saloon!) http://www.straight.com/question/771081?s=bov Frankie’s Jazz Bar Happy Hour 4-6p.m. No cover September 28         Chris Sigerson Trio September 29         Jennifer Scott And, as usual, please check with venues to ensure that there have been no changes and apologies to any event not listed. Wednesday September 28 Provence Marinaside Restaurant 1177 Marinaside Crescent at Davie 4:30 – 7:30pm no cover Adam Rohrlick’s Hip Pocket Quartet A mix of swinging’ Jazz, Latin Jazz, contemporary instrumentals and Blues a beautiful patio overlooking the seawall on False Creek. Plus great appies and 135

Continue reading

Jeni’s Picks of the Week August 24-28, 2016

Dear Picks People … can’t believe it is almost the end of August. Yikes! Where did the summer go? At least there are still a few outdoor events to be enjoyed. Please note.. I won’t be doing a list next week as I am having some surgery. I hope to be back at it in a couple of weeks. And, as usual, please check with venues to ensure that there have been no changes and apologies to any event not listed. The Fair at the PNE 102 years old! With hundreds of NEW performances and exhibits and more than 50 thrilling rides & attractions, and all that food. Free concerts every night at 8.30p.m. with price of admission. http://www.pne.ca/thefair/index.html                             Vancouver 14th Annual Latin American Film Festival Aug 25-Sep 4 A six-film retrospective of celebrated Brazilian director Anna Muylaert plus plenty of other international box-office hits from countries such as Argentina, Colombia, Guatemala, Peru, and more. Also includes “The Ballad of Oppenheimer Park” by filmmaker Juan Manuel Sepulveda. http://vlaff.org http://www.straight.com/movies/758676/vancouver-latin-american-film-festival-2016-stands-lgbt-communities     Artful Sundays 2016 August 7- Sep 4 In Napier Greenway (at Britannia Community Centre) 12-5p.m.

Continue reading

Jeni’s Picks of the Week August 17-21, 2016

Dear Picks People… picks at the last minute as I have been enjoying a visit with my son and his girlfriend. When you only have 2 immediate family members, time spent together is very precious!! Onwards to this week…. Of course, we knew this already but…. “Researchers in Australia found that people who habitually attend musical engagements are reported to have higher levels of subjective well-being” http://liveforlivemusic.com/features/people-who-go-to-concerts-lead-happier-lives-according-to-science/ Free stuff in August https://vancouversbestplaces.com/free-events-in-august-2016/ Artful Sundays 2016 August 7- Sep 4 In Napier Greenway (at Britannia Community Centre) 12-5p.m. Outdoor multi-media visual arts market. Local artists, workshops, live music, tea leaf readings and more! https://www.facebook.com/events/681798481977314/ Pacific Cinematheque’s 2016 Film Noir Festival August 4-22 Doomed romanticism, dark city streets, double-crossing dames, disillusioned anti-heroes, murderous hoodlums, cynical cops, hard-boiled dialogue, head-spinning Expressionist style — it’s time for The Cinematheque’s annual summer celebration of the giddy, gloomy, seductive glories of Film Noir! http://www.thecinematheque.ca/film-noir-2016   Musical Nooners at CBC are back for the 7th year! to August 19 Free, live music concerts will be happening every weekday on the CBC Vancouver outdoor stage on Hamilton Street from 12-1p.m. http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/british-columbia/events/musical-nooners-are-back-for-a-7th-year-1.3620227 Monsoon Festival of the Performing Arts to August 21 The welcoming of captivating and spiritual force of the monsoon dates back

Continue reading