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Jeni’s Picks for the week aheadDear Picks People… hope you all have had a good long weekend and enjoyed the sunny, albeit crisp, weather. Should the relentless rain return there is so much good stuff to lift the spirits this week. As usual, please check with venues for any last minute changes/cancellations. Enjoy!!  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 – Elkhorn Pay-what-you-canFebruary 13, 2018 9:00 pm
Sawdust Collector presents … RÓISÍN ADAMS – “Mirror Compositions” KEVIN SPENST – Spoken Word and TOM WHERRETT’S ELK HORN listen here Tom Wherrett – guitarist/composer Meredith Bates – violin/viola Russell Sholberg – bass Sam Davidson – bass clarinets Mike Magnusson – drums  2018 Talking Stick FestivalFebruary 14, 2018
Full Circles Talking Stick Festival, now in its 17th year, began as a way to showcase and celebrate Indigenous art and performance to a wider audience. From its humble beginnings, this unique and exciting event has grown into a full 2-week Festival held annually in February at locations across Vancouver. Visual Arts, Dance, Theatre, Music, Pow Wow and Film in both traditional and contemporary formats. This year’s theme is Schayilhen, which translates literally to “Salmon going up”. Figuratively, it means salmon going up the stream to spawn and to sacrifice them for us to eat. More info here  Provence Marinaside – Hip Pocket Free eventFebruary 14, 2018 6:00 pm
Every Wednesday Hip Pocket Trio…. led by Adam Rohrlick on guitar/sax with rotating guest musicians This week….Hip Pocket Trio plays songs for lovers Adam Rohrlick: electric guitar & tenor saxophone Brent Gubbels: acoustic bass Jason de Couto: keyboards  VPL – Incite: Love Me True Free eventFebruary 14, 2018 7:30 pm
What could be better than spending your Valentine’s Day with talented writers discussing the triumphs — and pitfalls — of modern marriage? Acclaimed writers Mandy Len Catron and Kevin Chong and editors Fiona Tinwei Lam and Jane Silcott, from the forthcoming anthology Love Me True: Writers Reflect on the Ins, Outs, Ups and Downs of Marriage,will share their personal insights into the complexities of marriage. A witty, wondrous and love-filled event.  WISE Hall – Jazz by Committee By DonationThis event runs from January 10, 2018 until March 14, 2018.
2nd Wednesday of the month starting January 10. The band consists of some of the core members of the Sunday Soul Service which ran for over 20 years at venues like Santos, The Latin Quarter, Cottage Bistro etc. The Committee consists of: Ross Barrett on tenor sax, flute and vocals. Tim Sars on baritone sax, tuba and vocals Shelly Kantrow on guitar and vocals Bruce Mortimer on bass and vocals Martin Eade on drums and vocals. Each month there will be one or more special guest performers. They will be playing a wide variety of styles including Jazz Standards, Latin, Bebop, Swing, Blues, and New Orleans style Jazz and Funk.  Calabash Bistro -Desirée Dawson & Matt Storm By DonationFebruary 14, 2018 8:30 pm
Singer/songwriter Desirée (2017 CBC Searchlight winner) and Matt have been working on a special project and felt like February 14th would be the perfect time to show the world what they’ve been cooking up! Listen to Desiree here  Chutzpah Festival 2018February 15, 2018
Chutzpah! The Lisa Nemetz International Jewish Performing Arts Festival is the Lower Mainland’s winter music, dance, comedy and theatre festival presenting international, national and local artists.The upcoming 2018 Festival will run from February 15 to March 15 at the Norman Rothstein Theatre and other venues in and around Vancouver. Performers from cultural hubs such as Canada, Bulgaria, Israel, Italy, New Zealand, the USA and Mexico. Watch trailer here  Luppolo Brewing – Tiny Islands Live Free eventFebruary 15, 2018 7:00 pm
A variety of instruments create an evening of original and crazy dream pop and jazz Nathan Barrett– Trumpet, Sousaphone, Vocals Tim Sars–Baritone Sax, Vocals Jamie Carter–Drums Alex Flock–Guitar Conrad Good–Up-right Bass  Fairview Pub – Don Stewart QuartetFebruary 15, 2018 7:00 pm
Dance to the smooth stylings of Don Stewart with Ron Johnston – keyboards, Cameron Hood – bass, Buff Allen – drums Cover $10  The Cultch – Broken Tailbone ( with Carmen Aguirre)This event runs from February 15, 2018 until February 17, 2018.
Celebrated writer and performer Carmen Aguirre leads a Latin American dance lesson that flows into Carmen’s remarkable stories of intimacy, politics, culture, and the forgotten origins of the salsa. Explore the hidden dance halls in Canada while DJ Don Pedro creates an irresistible musical scene that will get even the most reluctant dancer up on their feet! Tickets $35 Please note that participants will be on their feet for the length of the show. Opening night sold out!  Jazz at Tangent Cafe – Chris Fraser Trio By DonationFebruary 15, 2018 8:30 pm
Chris Fraser’s guitar playing is soulful, emotional and playful. He effortlessly blends contemporary styles with traditional feels to create a unique sound that is distinctly his own. His dynamic band plays standards and original tunes. With Nick Peck – organ, Mili Hong – drums  Blue Martini – Ingrid Stitt Free eventFebruary 16, 2018 8:00 pm
INGRID STITT (saxophonist, pianist, educator) was born into a musical family in Dauphin, Manitoba, and began playing the saxophone early in life. She has performed with a variety of artists including Charlie Biddle, Tommy Banks, Bo Diddley, Slim Williams, Corey Hart, Rita McNeil, and Jim Galloway. In addition, she always led her own jazz quartets and quintets. She has been a member of the Douglas College Big Band since 1998, and for the past seven years, has played with the “Mother of Pearl” all-female Jazz Quartet. She leads a recently-formed jazz quartet, ‘Groove Manoeuver’ and is a featured soloist with the ‘Good Noise’ Vancouver Gospel Choir and the Douglas College Night Band.  Jazz @ The Pat – Dutch Robinson Quartet Free eventFebruary 17, 2018 3:00 pm
Vocalist month continues with R&B Hall of Fame legend – Dutch Robinson Singer, songwriter, music producer and actor. From South Bronx, NY, he was one of the original lead singers with the Ohio Players. He has also performed all over the U.S. and Canada and with Cirque du Soliel and at the opening of the Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver. He is regularly featured with the Nova Scotia Symphony Orchestra. Prepare to be moved. Dutch Robinson – vocals with Ron Johnston – piano, Cameron Hood – bass, and Buff Allen – drums  Frankie’s Jazz Bar – Black GardeniaFebruary 17, 2018 8:00 pm
Black Gardenia is a different kind of vintage jazz band – an exploration of the mysterious place where jazz, blues, folk and old country meet creating a sound that takes listeners to a time and place where cool was always classy and noir was the norm. Featuring the Billie Holiday-esque vocals of Daphne Roubini and songs from the new release, Lucky Star. With Paul Pigat and Andrew Smith on guitars, Brent Gubbels on bass, and Chris Davis on trumpet. $15 cover  Blue Martini – Terminal Station Free eventFebruary 17, 2018 8:00 pm
A three-piece Vancouver band that plays funky jazz and swinging blues. Scott Smith vocals/guitar, Liam MacDonald drums, and Jeremy Holmes bass have been on the scene for the better part of a decade playing with artists such as Michael Kaeshammer, Bocephus King, and others. Listen here  45th Annual Chinatown Spring Parade – Lunar Festival:Year of the Dog Free eventFebruary 18, 2018 11:00 am
This signature event of Vancouver’s Chinatown will feature lion dances, cultural dance troupes, marching bands, martial arts performances and much more. The parade will begin at 11 am. and takes about two and a half hours to complete. Celebrating the Year of the Dog in the Chinese Lunar calendar. Seventy entries, bringing over 3,000 participants from various community and cultural groups. See here for parade route  Jazz at Tangent Cafe – Hugh Fraser/Danny Kane/Tom Wherrett Quintet By DonationFebruary 18, 2018 6:00 pm
This explosive ensemble will be playing hard swinging original tunes at full blast! Canadian jazz legend Hugh Fraser, and west coast treasures Danny Kane on saxophone and Tom Wherrett on guitar colead this incredible group! With Al Johnston – bass and Kai Basanta – drums  Cafe deus Soleils – MoonbugFebruary 18, 2018 8:00 pm
Moonbug brings you a chilled Sunday evening of eclectic jazz/ funk/blues covers and original material. $5 cover  Frankie’s Jazz Bar – Dave King TrioFebruary 18, 2018 8:00 pm
Versatile and idiosyncratic Bad Plus drummer Dave King brings some lateral thinking to this trio project with pianist Matt Mitchell and bassist Billy Peterson. The trio’s melodic abstraction was showcased on 2012’s I’ve Been Ringing You, a collection of intense and sophisticated reinterpretations of standards, rich with free interplay and quiet rumination. Dave King is one of the most celebrated drummers in modern jazz. His contributions to the Minneapolis and New York jazz scenes are incalculable, and his imagination and boundless enthusiasm behind (and around) the drum set are singular and stunning. Dave has recorded or performed with such luminaries as Bill Frisell, Joshua Redman, Jeff Beck, Tim Berne, Mason Jennings, Mark Morris Dance Company, Meat Beat Manifesto, and many others Cover $25  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  Rio Theatre – Living on SoulFebruary 20, 2018 6:30 pm
LIVING ON SOUL is a hybrid docu-concert film featuring the late Sharon Jones, Charles Bradley and the rest of the Grammy-nominated Daptone Records family. Filmed largely during Daptone’s December 2014 three-night, sold-out residency at the historic Apollo Theater in Harlem, the documentary features a mixture of live performances and verité scenes that paint a robust picture of the Daptone family and culture. Tickets $10 advance/$12 at door |
"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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