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Jeni’s Picks for the week aheadDear Picks People… in order to attend two events on the list myself this evening I have to stop writing now! Hope you can all make time to get out there this week and ward off the dreariness. Plus a shout out for the Save The Rio Theatre Campaign. Please sign this petition if you are a supporter and haven’t done so already. It will be a huge loss to the cultural life of Vancouver if the building is sold and the theatre lost. As usual, please check with venues for any last minute changes/cancellations. Enjoy!!  2018 Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival January 20-February 14This event runs from January 20, 2018 until February 14, 2018.
Spanning a total of 26 days, this popular event will feature 35 participating cafés, bakeries, chocolatiers, ice-cream shops, and pastry joints offering 75 mouth-watering flavours. More info in this article  Pacific Cinematheque – Todo Sobre el Asado (All About Asado)February 6, 2018 6:30 pm
All About Asado is a trip into the culinary heart of Argentina. Asado, the tradition of grilled meat, is a food and also a ritual. It is primitive and modern, wild and sophisticated, an art and a science. Few phenomena reveal the essential characteristics of Argentina’s national identity with more originality and precision. Equal parts road-movie, documentary and fiction, Gastón Duprat and Mariano Cohn’s playful film delves into the almost sacred tradition of asado, using a sharp and irreverent gaze to explore the country’s meaty fixation. Tickets $13  Cabrito Tapas – Stephanie Pedraza Trio Free eventFebruary 6, 2018 6:30 pm
Latin Groove Night with … Stephanie Pedraza, Andre Stepanian and Lyndon Dewitt  The Heatley – Adventures in Steel Guitar #10 Don Helms Free eventFebruary 6, 2018 8:00 pm
10th instalment of “Scott Smith’s Adventures in Steel Guitar” pays tribute to the legendary Don Helms. Don’s steel guitar was featured on over 100 Hank Williams recordings (including 10 Number 1 hits), and his memorable intros and solos are the very definition of the classic country music sound. In addition to playing with Hank, Don also recorded with Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Lefty Frizzel and Loretta Lynn, as well as recording some fine solo instrumental albums. An amazing cast of guest singers including: Ben Rogers, Bob Sumner, Rich Hope, Marin Patenaude, Laura Crema, James Green, Dennis Bouwman and the Heatley’s own Michael Brennan Scott Smith – steel guitar Paul Pigat – guitar Jeremy Holmes – bass Liam MacDonald – drums  Libra Room – Big Top By DonationThis event runs from January 9, 2018 until June 12, 2018.
Guitarist/composer Scott McLeod brings his band Big Top to the Libra Room most Tuesdays.A musical dedication to the life and times, both past and present, of the roustabouts, carnies, rubes, misfits and performers of the circus. A Roots Americana soundscape.  Gold Saucer – Carter/Reed/Loewen and Kelly/Meger/Smulovitz/Brooks Pay-what-you-canFebruary 6, 2018 9:00 pm
Sawdust Collector is a weekly performance series taking place at Gold Saucer Studios This week… Nikki Carter, Clyde Reed, and Kenton Loewen Chris Kelly, James Meger, Stefan Smulovitz and Skye Brooks  Provence Marinaside – Hip Pocket Free eventThis event runs from January 10, 2018 until March 28, 2018.
Every Wednesday Hip Pocket Trio…. led by Adam Rohrlick on guitar/sax with rotating guest musicians This week…. Hip Pocket presents a New Orleans Mardi Gras party featuring special guests Gary Comeau (Voodoo All-Stars) & Chris Nrodquist (Cannery Row) who will bring their hot and spicy Cajun musical gumbo to Yaletown Adam Rohrlick: electric guitar & tenor saxophone Gary Comeau: keyboards and vocals Chris Nordquist: drums, washboard and vocals  Anza Club – Blues Dance with The Burying Ground Pay-what-you-canFebruary 7, 2018 7:30 pm
LiveWire presents The Burying Ground, coming to grace the stage with some ‘20s/30s style foot-tapping blues! 7:30 – Doors are open! 8:00 – Dance Practica hosted by Michael Bean 8:00 – First-Timer Beginner lesson by Bex Winnick 9:00 – 11:30: Dance with the Burying Ground! You don’t have to dance to enjoy the music. Woody Forster – Guitar, Vocals Devora Laye – Washboard, Saw, Vocals Bonnie Northgraves – Trumpet Joseph Lubinsky-Mast – Bass  Tangent Cafe – The Rubber Band featuring Daniel Hersog By DonationFebruary 7, 2018 8:00 pm
The Rubber Band is happy to be back at Tangent Cafe this month featuring everybody’s favourite Big Band composer: Daniel Hersog! He’ll be in small-group-trad-jazz-land this Wednesday night, playing toe-tapping slap-happy jazz. This gig will also feature the return of bassist-extraordinaire Wynston Minckler to the Rubber Band’s regular lineup. Daniel Hersog – Trumpet Josh Roberts – Guitar Wynston Minckler – Bass Nick James – Drums/Vocals  Libra Room – Hint of Lime By DonationFebruary 7, 2018 8:30 pm
Hint of Lime is a jazz quintet featuring Gary Sures on mandolin, Hana Hermanek on flute, Scott Polzen on guitar, Libor Michalak on bass, and Ken Leedham on percussion. Brazilian bossa novas, sambas, and choros, Gypsy jazz, jazzified bluegrass, and music by David (Dawg) Grisman.  China Cloud – Snakebark & Filthy Rich Pay-what-you-canFebruary 7, 2018 9:30 pm
Invisible Taste Wednesdays presents… S N A K E B A R K – The brain child of Tom Wherrett, Snakebark bites with just the right venom for these winter blues. Featuring: Tom Wherrett – Guitar James Meger – Bass Kai Basanta – Drums DAN GAUCHER’S F I L T H Y R I C H ! Exploring a wealth of mayhem, misinformation, misunderstanding and pure energy. Graphic scores played by improvisors! Featuring: Daniel Gaucher – Drums, Compositions James Meger – Bass Aram Bajakian – Guitar Joshua Zubot – Violin  Looking for Beauty: A Designers Eye with James K M Cheng and Trevor Boddy Free eventFebruary 8, 2018 6:00 pm
Book launch for “City Builder: The Architecture of James K M Cheng”. Visual presentation by James Cheng and a short talk by author/architect Trevor Boddy on the design of the book. Followed by a closing party. In a tent on the Plaza Pavilion. Fairmont Pacific Rim. RSVP here.  Frankie’s Jazz Club – Cari Burdett QuintetFebruary 8, 2018 8:00 pm
French Swing meets Gypsy Jazz Cabaret chanteuse Cari Burdett delivers a vibrant, genre-defying, fusion of jazz, folk, opera and world music that blends French swing, Spanish gypsy jazz and romantic Italian ballads, all infused with a timeless, theatrical air. With Adrian Dolan on piano/accordion, Meredith Bates on violin, John Lee on bass, and Marc Atkinson on guitar. $15 cover  Jazz at Tangent Cafe -Thad Bailey-Mai Quartet By DonationFebruary 8, 2018 8:30 pm
Prodigious young trumpet player Thad Bailey-Mai is quickly making a name for himself as one of Canada’s most exciting new voices on the instrument. His virtuosic playing soars through his compelling original compositions. With David Blake – guitar, Eli Davidovici – bass and Miles Wong – drums  Frankie’s Jazz Club – From NYC: Pat Bianchi TrioThis event runs from February 9, 2018 until February 10, 2018.
B3 for Bunny Series continues with … Grammy-nominated organist and winner of Downbeat Magazine’s 2016 rising star poll, Pat Bianchi is one of the premiere organists on the international scene today. His command of the instrument, harmonic prowess, rhythmic intensity and versatility are rivalled by few. Bianchi has collaborated with musical icons such as Pat Martino, Lou Donaldson, Chuck Loeb, Joey DeFrancesco and Mark Whitfield. With Paul Bollenback guitar and Sanah Kadoura drums. $20 cover  Elan Fine Art – Geoff Rees Exhibition Opening and Reception Free eventFebruary 10, 2018 1:00 pm
An iconic figure in Vancouver’s painting community, Geoff Rees is the recipient of major Canadian and International art awards. He taught for 35 years at Emily Carr and retired in 1992. All the while, he maintained his own studio practice as an important priority and necessity. Although he constantly produced exceptional new works in his studio, many have not been available for viewing since the closing of Buschlen Mowatt. This is his first major solo exhibition in over 20 years.  Jazz @ The Pat – Sarah Kim Free eventFebruary 10, 2018 3:00 pm
Showcasing a highly recommended up-and-comer on the scene…. recent Cap grad Sara Kim. With some of her classmates she’ll be performing material from her Watermill Project: traditional Korean folk songs infused with folk, improvisation, and jazz. Listen here: Sara Kim – Vocals Dan Reynolds – Piano Chris Fraser – Guitar Eli Davidovici – Bass Mili Hong – Drums  Cafe Deux Soleils -Ilhan Saferali QuartetFebruary 10, 2018 8:30 pm
Jazz standards as well as some of Ilhan’s contemporary compositions. $10 cash at the door. Trumpet/piano: Ilhan Saferali Piano/Saxophone: Ardeshir Pkmati Bass: Marcos Flo Drums: Alexander Marr  The Heatley – Monica Lee Band Free eventFebruary 10, 2018 9:00 pm
East van mama Monica Lee is back at the Heatley with her long standing bandmates Jesse Waldman on guitar, Michael Simpsonelli on drums, Beth Marie Southwell on backup vocals and Steven Huston on stand up bass.  Jazz Vespers at St. Andrews Wesley: Heather Soles & West Coast Charisma By DonationFebruary 11, 2018 4:00 pm
Where Jazz meets the Spirit every Sunday.. This week with vocalist Heather Soles and West Coast Charisma featuring songs of Love and Positivity Heather Soles vocals, Nick Peck keys, Steve Holy bass, and Kristian Braathen drums,  Jazz at Tangent Cafe – Dave Sikula Trio By DonationFebruary 11, 2018 6:00 pm
Soulful guitarist David Sikula’s post bop influenced sound has made him one of Canada’s busiest side men. His vast resume includes performances with Lonnie Smith, Ian Hendrickson-Smith and Brian Charette, many national tours and countless recording dates. With James Meger – bass and Omar Amlani – drums  The Arc – Aram Bajakian’s KefFebruary 11, 2018 8:00 pm
Hosted by Highlife Records… Arc Sessions #4 The music of guitarist, composer and educator Aram Bajakian has been called “a masterpiece”. As an instrumentalist, Bajakian had the privilege of performing alongside Velvet Underground frontman Lou Reed during his last two tours in 2011 and 2012. In 2013, Bajakian toured in Diana Krall’s band, performing over 100 concerts with the multiple-Grammy-award-winning singer, along with violinist Stuart Duncan (Yo-Yo Ma’s Goat Rodeo, Robert Plant) and drummers Karriem Riggins (Kanye West, Common, J-Dilla) and Jay Bellerose (Elton John, Rhiannon Giddens). Through these tours and others, Bajakian has had the opportunity to play in many of the world’s greatest venues, including Carnegie Hall, Royal Albert Hall, the Acropolis, L’Olympia, as well as the Montreaux, Newport, Northsea, Monterey and Antibes jazz festivals, among others. Tickets $20 available at Highlife Records  Libra Room – Jesse Waldman & friendsThis event runs from January 7, 2018 until June 10, 2018.
Every Sunday guitarist/singer/songwriter Jesse Waldman and special guests…. (expect great musicians like Marc L’Esperance, Noah Walker and Paul Pigat)  WISE Hall – Petunia & The Vipers Monday Residency By DonationThis event runs from January 29, 2018 until April 30, 2018.
Petunia & The Vipers every Monday in the Lounge all winter long! A man rooted in as much talent as mystery, Petunia is a Canadian country treasure. His began with busking his way through Canada and the NYC subways, playing over 150 shows a year to enthralled audiences. Since then, he has racked up the achievements with several celebrated solo releases and frequent tours spanning continents. Together with his Vancouver-based backing band, The Vipers, he is a fireball ripping and roaring with eclectic instrumentation and an energy only attainable through big band camaraderie. Suggested donation $10  Libra Room – John Korsrud Latin Jazz Band By DonationThis event runs from January 8, 2018 until June 11, 2018.
Monday Latin Night returns to Libra Room… trumpet player/composer/band leader John Korsrud (Goma Dura/Hard Rubber) will bring some of Vancouver’s finest players to the Drive most Mondays. See here for more info on weekly line-up  Vancity Theatre -Mama Africa: Miriam Makeba (Black History Month)February 12, 2018 9:00 pm
Miriam Makeba was one of the first African musicians to win international stardom and whose music was always anchored in her traditional South African roots. Miriam Makeba was forced into exile in 1959. She sang for John F. Kennedy, performed with Harry Belafonte and Nina Simone, was married to Hugh Masekela and also Stokely Carmichael. Her life was tumultuous. She always stood for truth and justice. She fought for the oppressed most importantly for black Africans, as a campaigner against apartheid. She died November 2008 after a concert in Italy. Mika Kaurismaki’s documentary, traces fifty years of her music and her performing life. Through rare archive footage of her performances and through interviews with her contemporaries we discover the remarkable journey of Miriam Makeba. Tickets $11 |
"Jeni's Picks" is a curated list of eclectic events that I feel are of particular interest to my readership. If you know of an event of interest, let me know and I'll consider it for inclusion.
Jeni Mastin, JenisPicks.com
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