5 Things to Do in Vancouver This Week (January 2-8)

Your weekly roundup of the top events in the city, including art exhibitions, local theatre, restaurant openings, concerts, film, markets and other to-dos we think you’ll love. If you have a Vancouver event you’d like to submit for consideration, send an email to kdonaldson@canadawide.com.

1. The World Premiere of Instantaneous Blue

January 6-22

A powerful byproduct of art is that it can help us deal with heavy issues in our lives. This semi-autobiographical play written by Aaron Craven sheds light on a family’s struggles after his own experience with both parents being diagnosed with dementia and Alzheimer’s. His experience as a member of the “sandwich generation”—middle-aged people who raise children while parenting their parents—along with his advocacy work in the world of dementia was the catalyst for creating this new show. You can go to a post-show talkback on January 15th, hosted by the The Alzheimer Society of BC (partial proceeds from all ticket sales going towards the organization) and, if you’re a senior, there’s a seniors-only matinee on January 11th designed to help with any health concerns as barriers.

When: January 6-22
Where: Waterfront Theatre
Cost: From $15
More Info: mitchandmurrayproductions.com

2. See Some Familiar Drag Icons at Legends Cabaret with Jaylene Tyme

January 8

Looking for a fun drag experience and cabaret that just might feature some guest appearances from someone on the cover of the Women and Songs soundtrack series? Legends is a celebrity impersonation drag show—think Dolly Parton, Cher and Barbra Streisand— where your favourite divas come to life for an entertaining evening that’s suitable for all ages and levels of knowledge of the femme-folk CDs (just me?)

When: January 8
Where: The Junction Pub
Cost: From $13.75
More Info: eventbrite.ca

3. Watch 2004’s Mean Girls with Local Comedians

January 7

If you’re a fan of Tina Fey’s early 2000s comedy about mean-girl culture or just enjoy the comedy-commentary format (think Mystery Science Theatre 3000) then this might be the option for you. Join local stand-up comedians for this next edition of movie madness and get a fresh, comedic take on this cult classic; expect burn-book-worthy tear-downs.

When: January 7
Where: MOTN
Cost: $11.98
More Info: eventbrite.ca

4. Get Poetic at the Dead Poets Reading Series: January Edition

January 8

Four readers act as a medium, inviting us to time travel by reading a selection of work by their favourite dead poet. This month features Etel Adnan (1925-2021) read by Raoul Fernandes; Don Domanski (1950 -2020) read by Kevin Spenst; Steven Heighton (1961 – 2022) read by Fiona Tinwei Lam; and Phyllis Webb (1927-2021) read by Jane Munro. Enjoy an afternoon of literature (and black turtlenecks, we can only assume) as local writers explore some of their favourite posthumous works of poetry.

When: January 8
Where: Massy Arts Society
Cost: By donation
More Info: eventbrite.ca

5. Get Started on New Year’s Resolutions and Learn to Ballroom Dance

January 4

Maybe you made a resolution to learn to ballroom dance, or just want to learn something new and don’t need to make an arbitrary goal that you’ll forget about after a week: either way, ballroom dance classes await. The class runs every Wednesday and changes dance styles monthly—for January, it’s Samba and the Waltz. You’re in good hands with the seasoned instructors, who are seven-time BC Champions, Canadian Champions and World Championship Bronze Medalists of Dancesport. Come and try out these fun classes and start the year off dancing.

When: January 4
Where: Scottish Cultural Centre
Cost: From $32.84
More Info: eventbrite.ca