The latest arts, culture and other happenings in Vancouver this November, 2023. Have a tip? Email kristi@looselipsmag.com
How Black Mothers Say I Love You: From the author of the blockbuster hit ‘Da Kink In My Hair comes a powerful and moving story of immigration, family, and sacrifice. How Black Mothers Say I Love You is a raw, compelling look into family dynamics and strife. But it is also a story alive with humour, love, and tenderness as it explores the complicated perceptions of immigrant mothers.
Date: November 2 – 12
Location: The Cultch Historic Theatre
Classification Crisis: A major survey of artist Sonja Ahlers’ 30+ year career, curated by Godfre Leung. Throughout the decades, Sonja has had a knack for capturing the cultural moment in her deeply personal oeuvre of collage art, poetry, books, and zines. She is a touchstone for generations of feminists, starting with her work in the zine and Riot Grrrl subcultures of the 90s.
Date: Until November 5
Location: Richmond Art Gallery
Refuge Canada at the Museum of Vancouver: Through images, soundscapes, first person accounts and artifacts, this powerful exhibition begins “no one wants to be a refugee, anyone could become a refugee.” Moving through major waves of arrival from Second World War era up to present day, Refuge Canada does not shy away from opportunities to portray the darker chapters of history. Hopeful stories of optimism and success are balanced by moving accounts of shattered lives, fear, and examples of Canada’s mixed record in welcoming refugees.
Date: Until February 2, 2023
Location: Museum of Vancouver
Queer Asian Stories Collection: Participants are invited to ‘check out’ a human book for a candid 20-minute conversation about their life experiences, culture, and beliefs. Some titles at this year’s event include “My Children of the Revolution,” “The Boy’s Department,” and more. Audience members will then have a window of time to hear their story and exchange insights in hopes to turn a new page on their worldview.
Dates: November 18,19, 25, and 26 from 1PM to 4PM
Location: Vancouver Public Library’s central branch (350 W Georgia St)
From Slander’s Brand: The group show brings together three monumental works by Hannah Darabi, Rachel Khedoori, and Ron Terada. In response to transformational historic periods — the 1979 Iranian Revolution, the Iraq War of 2003, and the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic — each artist asks how art acts as witness, interlocutor, and critical reflector on pivotal moments of historical trauma and transformation.
Dates: Nov. 10, 2023 – Feb. 4, 2024
Location: The Polygon Gallery
27th annual Eastside Culture Crawl: Nearly 450 artists in Canada’s most densely populated area of artists per capita, who open their studios and workshops to the public to get an up-close look at the process of creating art. These “open studios” include painting, jewelry, sculpture, and furniture to leather good, photography, glass works, textiles, illustration, and so much more.
Date: November 16 – 19
Location: Eastside Arts District
Etuaptmumk/Two-Eyed Seeing: Ways of Being and Seeing: A cultural gathering regarding the impact of human-made environmental destruction on Mother Earth that invites Knowledge Keepers to share stories as activists and academics to bear witness.
Dates: November 2 – 5
Location: Firehall Arts Centre
Through My Eyes: A dancer enters the stage and discovers a ball. Intrigued, she moves toward it, carefully. As soon as she touches it, the magic of the stage is unleashed: the lights go up, the décor appears all around her, shadows play their tricks…and transform one dancer into many!
Date: November 17 & 18 at 1 PM
Location: The Anvil Centre (777 Columbia Street) in New Westminster
Kid Koala The Storyville Mosquito: A young mosquito leaves his small town in the country to seek fame and fortune in the big city and fulfill his dream of playing in one of the greatest bands of all time at Sid Villa’s Music Hall. Watch as a team of performers brings this story to life simultaneously on stage and screen. The production incorporates miniature sets, live puppetry, cinematography, and live music by Kid Koala and a string trio.
Date: November 25 at 7:30 PM and November 26 at 2 PM
Location: Massey Theatre in New Westminster
2023 Chutzpah! Festival: The 2023 Chutzpah! Festival will present international performing artists representing diverse Jewish experience, in dialogue with non-Jewish artists, working in dance, music, theatre, comedy, family programming, storytelling, and multimedia performance. The festival will include performances, exhibitions, talkbacks, workshops, and community collaborations.
Date: November 2 – 23
Location: Various venues
TEDxSFU: Unmask the magic: Uncover tales of victory and vulnerability from the Olympic rings, Silicon Valley and beyond. A stellar lineup awaits from across Toronto, San Fran and Metro Vancouver.
Date: November 11
Location: The Centre for Performing Arts
How The Grinch Stole Christmas, the musical: Featuring the hit songs “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch” and “Welcome Christmas,” THE GRINCH discovers there’s more to Christmas than he bargained for in this heart-warming holiday classic. Max the Dog narrates as the mean and scheming GRINCH, whose heart is “two sizes too small,” decides to steal Christmas away from the holiday-loving Whos.
Date: November 14 – 18
Location: The Centre for Performing Arts
Elf! The musical: Join Buddy the Elf on his expedition from the North Pole to New York City, where he’s determined to win over his new family with Christmas cheer, syrupy spaghetti, and heartfelt songs. But what’s an elf to do when his dad’s on the naughty list and his half-brother doesn’t even believe in the man in red? Audiences of all ages can frolic in this romp that’s part family reunion, part rom-com, and full of heart and humour.
Date: November 2 – December 31
Location: Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage
Ms. Lauryn Hill & Fugees: Miseducation of Lauryn Hill 25th Anniversary Tour: Lauryn Hill reunites with The Fugees, performing hits from her solo album, the Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, plus songs from her tenure with The Fugees and their 1996 album, The Score.
Date: November 9
Location: Rogers Arena
Margaret Glaspy: On Margaret Glaspy’s long-awaited second album, Devotion, this highly acclaimed young artist reaffirms her status as one of the most sharp-eyed singer-songwriters of her generation while managing to audaciously reinvent her sound. She fearlessly defies expectations, and the results are exhilarating.
Date: November 10
Location: Biltmore Cabaret
CHAPPELL ROAN: Bold pop hooks, sex positivity, honest songwriting, and a heavy dose of glitter make up the world of Chappell Roan, the next multi-faceted force in pop music. Through her punchy bangers that combine fantastical narratives and heart-bearing self-reflection, the LA-based singer, songwriter, and performer born Kayleigh Rose Amstutz has emerged as the rare star who is both larger than life and real as fuck.
Date: November 10
Location: Hollywood Theatre
Shania Twain: Queen of Me tour: She’s back! The queen of Canadian country graces the stage once again with her greatest hits. Long live Shania!
Date: November 14
Location: Rogers Arena
The Japanese House with special guest Quinnie: Amber Mary Bain, known professionally as The Japanese House, is an English indie pop musician from Buckinghamshire. Bain contributes vocals and plays guitar, synthesizer and keyboard for her music.
Date: Vogue Theatre
Location: November 23
