Jeni’s Picks for the week ahead Dear Picks People…  December already!! Link here to a holiday guide of performing arts events in Vancouver. Please check my website for additions/updates during the week. And remember to also check with venues for schedule changes. They happen! Firehall Arts Theatre – Fado The Saddest Music in the World Nov 26 – Dec 14, 2019 November 26, 2019 Acclaimed Portuguese-Canadian playwright Elaine Ávila’s new play, FADO, is a tale of love and ghosts set in the back alleys and brothels of old Lisbon.  Part concert, part theatre, the story of a young woman confronting her country’s Fascist past and her own identity is interwoven with the heartbreaking national music of Portugal known as Fado, which means “fate.” Tickets $40/$35 22nd Annual EU Film Festival Nov 26- Dec 2, 2019 November 26, 2019 Europe without the jet lag! Explore 25 European countries all from the comfort of The Cinematheque’s theatre. This annual showcase of acclaimed new and recent films from across greater Europe includes award winners, domestic blockbusters, festival circuit faves, and official Oscar submissions. Comprised of entries from 25 European countries, this year’s festival promises to be a dynamic and entertaining celebration of the diversity, creativity, and accomplishments of contemporary European filmmaking.   York Theatre – East Van Panto:Pinocchio Nov 26 – Jan 5, 2020 November 26, 2019 East Van Panto returns for a seventh year. When a lonely old ice-cream seller named Gelato is given a puppet by the mysterious Beckwoman of Commercial Drive, his dreams of having a child suddenly come true. Join a locally famous cricket, an angry orca, and a dastardly fox as poor Pinocchio does his best to tell everyone the truth and become a real boy. Will there be a Cappuccino War between the Abruzzos and the Calabrias? And why are all those kids ditching class to go to Hastings Racecourse? Don’t worry, Pinocchio—just follow your nose! Tickets from $25-$75   West Point Grey Legion – WOW Jazz Orchestra By Donation November 26, 2019 8:00 pm The WOW Jazz Orchestra Jack Stafford – LEADER and Alto Sax Steve Hilliam – Tenor Sax Chris Startup – Baritone Sax Brad Shigeta – Trombone Sharman King – Bass Trombone Derry Byrne – Trumpet Tom Shorthouse – Trumpet Dave Guiney – Bass Oliver Gannon – Guitar Craig Scott – Drums First set at 8:00, second at 9:30. No cover charge but donations gratefully accepted. Gold Saucer – No Silenz/Sasha J Langford/ Noe Rodriguez PWYC November 26, 2019 9:00 pm Sawdust Collector. Weekly performance series curated by Barbara Adler, Cole Schmidt & James Meger NO SILENZ — (France/Montreal)  The foundation of this quartet lies in the desire to dig into the rich potential of bass beyond any single idiom: bass as groove; bass as a constantly shifting textural environment; bass as entwined contrapuntal melodies; bass as lyrical; and bass as a percussive driving force, to name but a few. Sasha J Langford — (Video) Noé Rodríguez — (Experimental Film) Doors at 9:00 PM, Performance at 9:30 PM, $5 – $10 or PWYC at the door, cash only   Jazz at Tangent Cafe – John Gross Band By Donation November 28, 2019 8:30 pm Over the last few years, west coast sax legend John Gross has established himself as an integral part of the Vancouver jazz community. You can often hear him playing with up and coming young musicians as well as with world renowned artists. 8East – Chris Kelly/ Bill Clark/ Karlis Silins/ Kenton Loewen PWYC November 28, 2019 9:00 pm Bill Clark Trumpet Chris Kelly Saxophone Karlis Silins Bass Kenton Loewen Drums Two sets. Doors 8p.m. Music at 9p.m. Emily Carr University – Annual Student Art Sale Nov 29-Dec 1, 2019 Free event November 29, 2019 The Student Art Sale is your chance to own an artwork from some of Vancouver’s finest emerging artists. This year’s sale includes artwork from close to 200 students, which means there is something for everyone! Purchasers can select from a wide assortment of disciplines including original paintings, photographs, prints, ceramics, sculptures, wearable works, housewares and more. The sale runs from noon to 8pm on Friday, and from noon until 5pm on Saturday and Sunday.   2019 Irish Film Festival November 29, 2019 VIRFF is Vancouver’s newest cultural event organised by a passionate group from the Irish community to celebrate the best in Irish cinema. The second Vancouver Irish Film Festival gets under way with a Gala Reception featuring an Irish Traditional Session with the Trad Lads and the Pretty Regulars and Irish Dancing performed by the Watt School of Irish Dance, with Jameson drink samples, Taytos and Irish Food Stall, followed by a screening  of A Bump Along The Way (doors from 6.30, film 7.45) Gala tickets $20 Full Festival Schedule here Red Lion – Johnston/Hood & friends By Donation This event runs from October 25, 2019 until November 29, 2019. Every Friday Ron Johnston (piano) and Cameron Hood (bass) serve up  several sets of eclectic jazz. Musical guests rotate… sometimes vocalists, sometimes not. **Also on Saturdays..same place, same time** Marin Patenaude/Mark Stuart November 29, 2019 8:00 pm With favourably raucous and precious moments, Marin Patenaude deftly stitches together an urban edge with the waving grasses of country folk. Layered, living and inspirited by wildness, Marin’s voice is strong. A purity in her lyrics pairs with the complexity of her composition, demonstrating poetic restraint and focus.  With the 2016 release of her debut album, the self-titled Marin Patenaude and the Follow Through, years of practice are distilled into a potent potion of ‘Confessional Folk’. The Follow Through features Cole Schmidt, Pete Schmitt, and Skye Brooks of Vancouver, often joined by other local treasures in the jazz/country/folk world of big feelings and risk taking including Peggy Lee and Scott Smith. After many years on the Americana/Folk circuit, Mark Stuart has cultivated a very rounded performance. His show consists of storytelling, flashy guitar chops, and songs that draw from his rock, blues, country, and folk music roots. Mostly, this artist from Tennessee has toured solo or in a notable duo with his wife Stacey Earle. Tickets $24/$20  at Highlife, Tapestry and online Jazz @ The Pat – Vancouver Legacy Orchestra plays the music of Sammy Nestico November 29, 2019 8:00 pm VLJO is back with the music of legendary Sammy Nestico! Director Fred Stride has chosen a program of Sammy Nestico music that is NOT widely known/played so come check out this rare show by 18 of Vancouver’s finest jazz musicians! $20 at the door, $15 students. Frankie’s Jazz Club – John Lee Trio with NYC saxophonist Grant Stewart November 29, 2019 8:00 pm New York City saxophonist Grant Stewart joins John Lee Trio for a performance filled with elegance and passion. Grant Stewart is one of the most highly regarded saxophonist of his generation having performed and recorded with highly acclaimed jazz artists such as Clark Terry, Peter Bernstein, Eric Alexander, Bill Charlap and Brad Mehldau. John Lee is a multi-instrumentalist known for his virtuosity and high spirited concerts, with many performances under his belt accompanying international artists such as Larry Fuller, Seamus Blake, George Colligan, Ingrid Jensen and more. With Nick Peck piano, John Lee bass, and Jesse Cahill drums.  Cover $20 Lana Lou’s – East Van Soul Night with the Van Rays and Preston & Fletcher November 29, 2019 8:30 pm Get ready to Groove at Lanalou’s! The Vanrays and Preston & Fletcher are gonna get East Van shimmyin’ and shakin’ The Vanrays – Motown sound and Stax sax take rhythm and blues and put a knife in its back. A perennial dance favourite will have you out of your seat and cutting it up. Preston & Fletcher are two of Vancouver’s best Singer/Songwriters who have a penchant for hooky melodies, insightful lyrics and British sports cars. Cover $10 at the door Memorial Jazz Space – V.III PWYC November 29, 2019 9:00 pm Ilhan Saferali and friends have a new DIY jazz dedicated space in town.  This week.. Matt Franceschini Group Matt Franceschini: Guitar Adrian Leung: Drums Issac Story: Bass Kevin Romain Group Kevin Romain: Drums Brent Mah: Saxophone Nikko Whitworth: Bass 9PM. PWYC. ($10 recommended) no outside beverage allowed. When you put the address in google maps you’ll arrive at the front of the building. To get to the jazz space, there’s entrance in a backdoor in the alley along the side.   Tyrant Studios – David Blake Trio November 29, 2019 9:30 pm Join bassist Conrad Good, drummer Joe Poole and guitarist David Blake for a night of original tunes and maybe a romantic ballad or two! Cover $10 cash at the door Jazz @ The Pat – Ingrid Stitt Quartet Free event November 30, 2019 3:00 pm Her favourite things: Standards, originals, vocals and instrumentals Conrad Good – bass ~ Duran Ritz – drums Tristan Paxton – guitar ~ Ingrid Stitt – sax and vocals Fox Cabaret – Zappostrophe November 30, 2019 7:30 pm Eight-piece Vancouver band plays all Zappa and nothing but Zappa! From familiar tunes like Peaches en Regalia to the odd-metered madness of Echidna’s Arf, this band will be a treat for both Zappaphiles and music lovers. Performing selections from different eras of Frank’s career, the music is played with excitement, precision, and humour. After two sold-out shows at Frankie’s Jazz Bar, Zappostrophe comes to the Fox Cabaret. Listen here Tickets $15 online or at the door Jazzwalk at the Shadbolt December 1, 2019 11:00 am Cory Weeds and The Cellar Music Group will take over the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts with international headliners such as organist Chris Hazelton, drummer Roy McCurdy and tenor saxophonists Grant Stewart and Stephen Riley as well as local groups led by Brad Turner, Dave Robbins, Jill Townsend and more. Travel from room to room and hear some of everything, or hang out in one room and enjoy a whole set! In addition to performances there will be round table discussions by the likes of archival record producer extraordinaire, Zev Feldman, and more. Tickets $50 (Tickets include all performances, with seating on a first come basis.  Advance booking is encouraged for Chris Hazelton (7pm & 9pm) & Stephen Riley (6:30pm & 8:30pm) See schedule  and bios here Rio Theatre – The Irishman December 1, 2019 1:30 pm Martin Scorsese’s epic saga of organized crime in postwar America, stars Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and Joe Pesci. In the 1950s, truck driver Frank Sheeran gets involved with Russell Bufalino and his Pennsylvania crime family. As Sheeran climbs the ranks to become a top hit man, he also goes to work for Jimmy Hoffa — a powerful Teamster tied to organized crime. Also starring Anna Paquin, Jessie Plemons, Ray Romano, Kathrine Narducci. Tickets $13 **Also showing on Dec 3 and 7 at different times** Jazz at Tangent – Dave Say Quartet By Donation December 1, 2019 6:00 pm Saxophonist Dave Say with Tom Wherrett – guitar, Jeff Gammon – bass and Omar Amlani – drums.     Sylvia Hotel – Angela Verbrugge/Ron Thomson Free event December 1, 2019 7:00 pm In the Sylvia Lounge.  A “December festive romp” including  jazz standards, seasonal tunes,  and songs from classic movies. Angela Verbrugge – vocals, Ron Thomson – guitar No cover and free parking under the hotel. --

"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