Vancouver in October: food and arts fare previewed

Monday, 03 October 2005

Vancouver in October: food and arts fare previewed

By Joseph Planta

VANCOUVER - There are a number arts and entertainment events happening around the city that I ought to alert you to if you didn't know already.

First, the estimable Jerry Wasserman, the theatre critic from The Province, performer, and the proprietor of the very useful website Vancouverplays.com, will be a guest on the On the Line interview segment this week, so do stay tuned for that.

***

If you're looking to sample some of the fare in Yaletown, until 13 October you've got a great excuse to go down there with the first annual Taste of Yaletown presented by American Express. Thirty participating restaurants from Amarcord to Yopo Teahouse and Noodles are offering special menus, complimentary appetizers and wine parings. There are actually some good offers, like at Circolo you can expect a 20% discount off of your bill; or if you go to Glowbal you can try their pre-set menu at $30.00 per person. Doubtless, many will compare this to Visa's Dine Out, and perhaps that's a bit unfair considering Dine Out is ubiquitous, and this is the first outing for Taste of Yaletown. Nonetheless, seeing that it is the first year, why not go out and support them. Check out their website for more information and all of the deals: http://www.yaletowninfo.com/events/toy.aspx.

***

The Diary of Anne Frank, the Arts Club's latest, opened last Wednesday night. It is nearly the first theatrical opening in the city for the fall season, and it was a spectacular production. Everyone knows of Anne Frank and her fate thanks to the Nazi regime. Nonetheless, it's a compelling piece of theatre, and the performances in this production are very good. Anastasia Phillips as Anne Frank was charming and delightful, and powerful performances are turned in by Richard Newman (as Otto Frank), Jennifer Clement (as Edith Frank), Sean Devine (as Mr. Dussel), and the statuesque Gina Chiarelli, who brings unaccustomed sauciness to the part of Mrs. Van Daan. This production, which runs until 23 October 2005, is based on the recent Broadway adaptation by Wendy Kesselman, who updated the original Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett work, with material previously not included by Otto Frank. Directed by Rachel Ditor, do not miss this production of The Diary of Anne Frank. The Arts Club website is http://www.artsclub.com.

***

The Metro Theatre at 1370 SW Marine has on until 29 October The Anniversary by Bill Macllwraith. It's a dark comedy about Mum, family, and all that fun stuff that give satirists grist for the mill, and psychiatrists a living. Call the Metro's box office for more information and tickets: 604.266.7191.

***

From a press note from Steve Duncan, the 'friendly and always affordable' agent/producer/designer/poet: "Over sixty performers from across Canada and the UK will rock our socks off at the Heritage Hall (11, 12, 13 October), the Wise Hall (14 October), and the Vancouver East Cultural Centre (15 October), and the downtown campus of Vancouver Community College (daily 12-14 October)." Why? Because it's the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word. For more info check out http://www.cfsw.net.

***

Coming up this week at Yuk Yuk's (1015 Burrard, at the Century Plaza Hotel) on 05 and 06 October is the comedian Rob Brackenridge, and on 07-08 October see Emo Philips, who's guested on Letterman and Conan O'Brien. Call Yuk Yuk's for more information: 604.696.9857 (YUKS) or hit up their website: http://www.yukyuks.com/info/locations/clubs.htm.

***

Beginning previews this Saturday night at the Playhouse Theatre is their season opener, The Syrniga Tree. It's a story about two families-one white, one black-living in a home in 1960s South Africa. The Vancouver Playhouse website is http://www.vancouverplayhouse.com, where you can get info on the show and tickets ($20-51.00).

***

And later this month, Vincent Mantsoe, who's described as a dynamic dance performer, performs two solo works, Ndaa (awakening of self) and Motswa Hole (person from far away) 26-29 October at the Firehall Arts Centre. Tickets are $18-26, and available by calling 604.689.0926, or by visiting http://www.firehallartscentre.ca.

***

The 2005-2006 season of the Phoenix Chamber Choir was recently unveiled. Check out their website (http://www.phoenixchamberchoir.bc.ca) for more information on their three shows between November 2005 and May 2006, The Night Traveller (Saturday, 05 November 2005), A Phoenix Christmas (Sunday, 18 December), and The Voice of Conscience (Saturday, 13 May 2006), all at the Shaughnessy Heights United Church at 1550 West 33rd.

***

Oh and to be totally self-serving for a moment, lemme include the link of my appearance on the Dogma Radio podcast hosted by Roland Tanglao: http://www.dogmaradio.com/dr/joseph-planta-the-commentary-25-may-2005. It was fun to do, and Roland's a neat guy.

***

And with the Vancouver International Film Festival in full swing, expect a preview from our own Brendan Newton this week.

-30-

Questions and comments may be sent to: editor@thecommentary.ca

An archive of Joseph Planta's previous columns can be found by clicking HERE.