Eight Unmissable Things to Do This Week: June 28 - July 5

Among the BC Alliance for Arts + Culture's 445 members are artists, performance groups and cultural workers at museums, theatres, concert venues, community organizations, professional associations and more. Here's what some of them are up to this week.

Kaayd hllngaay skaayxan (spruce-root basket), with Wasgo (Sea Wolf) imagery, c. 1890 – 1920. Woven by Skidegate Haida artist, and painted by Neeslant, John Cross (1867 – 1939). Photo: MOA / Tyler Hagan.

Museum of Anthropology's new Gallery of Northwest Coast Masterworks
It’s a good time to go to University of British Columbia. The Nitobe Memorial Garden offers serene respite, the Botanical Garden is blooming gloriously, and Belkin Art Gallery has a new show focusing on the practices of photography as both art and documentary.

Also be sure to check out Museum of Anthropology’s new exhibition space. The Gallery of Northwest Coast Masterworks has a highbrow name, but its launch last week was a packed party with multiple DJs. And that energy suits the show in the new space: the 110 artifacts on display are presented in a fresh, modern way. You can hear contemporary Indigenous artists and community members talk about the objects in a nifty audio set-up around display cases and while sitting in comfy chairs that emit stories from their headrests. Listening to these stories, you will come to see these artworks in a different light.

Speaking of light: microchips embedded in the glass cases bring in the subdued natural light from outside in real time. MOA is the first ever museum to use this new technology (which is currently being explored for its impact on health, such as in children’s hospitals).   
(Vancouver: ongoing)   

A Plastic Ocean
Mother Nature can’t digest plastic. Let’s hope everyone who watches Australian journalist Craig Leeson’s documentary — one of the most beautiful films you’re likely to see about the astounding amount of plastic pollution in the world's oceans — avoids using plastic bags, bottles and other harmful products as much as possible. Thanks to Alliance member Kay Meek Centre for screening this film. 
(West Vancouver: Jun. 28)

Canada Day on Granville Island
Mortal Coil's roving rainforest creatures, a parade of decorated bikes, and a plethora of craft-making opportunities (moose hats, beaver puppets, Canadian-themed buttons) are just some of the things to check out as you make your way to several stages, offering Salish song and dance, world music, and Vancouver International Jazz Festival showcases.
(Vancouver: Jul. 1)

Canada Day Celebrations on Gabriola
Gabriola Arts Council and Village Food Market present a community celebration with everything we want: A parade, live music, BBQ by donation, kids’ activities and a beer and wine garden.
(Gabriola Island: Folklife Village, Jul. 1) 

Postcards from Canada
Portraits and village scenes can be painted on a grain of rice so postcard size paintings can contain whole worlds. Artists from across Canada created the 4 by 6 inch works that fill the walls of Fort Gallery (run by the eponymous 13-member artist collective).
(Fort Langley: Jun. 28 - Jul. 16)

A painting by Shawn Hunt, who presents an immersive art work during FUSE. (Photo by Paul Hodgson)

FUSE: 2167
The theme of the popular late-night party at Vancouver Art Gallery is time travel — 150 years into the future. Taking you there is Alliance member Radix Theatre, known for site-specific excursions that play with the audience’s relationship to the performance. More adventures are presented by theatre groups Felix Culpa, Rice and Beans and The Performance Corporation, artists Shawn Hunt and Connie Watts, and DJ/VJ See Monsters. 
(Vancouver: Jun. 30)

Charlie Gallant and Nadeem Phillip star in The Two Gentlemen of Verona.

The Two Gentlemen of Verona
The fourth and final play to open at Bard on the Beach, The Two Gentlemen of Verona is Shakespeare’s first stab at comedy — about two friends, one honest, the other devious, in love with the same woman. Add two clowns, a scene-stealing dog and the sunset, and you’ve got a sweet night out. (Last week, Alliance executive director Brenda Leadlay attended the opening night of Bard's The Winter’s Tale: “I liked the director’s interpretation of the play as he made everything revolve around the idea that we need to honour the wisdom of women.”)
(Vancouver: Jun. 29)

David Wisdom Slide Show Evening
Former CBC Radio host David Wisdom moves his legendary slideshow series from Vancouver Art Gallery to the Gordon Smith Gallery. This version features Rodney Graham, Neil Wedman, and Kathy Slade showing images on art, music, cars and school — all paired to music. These three important artists have work in the Gallery’s current exhibition, Art School High. 
(North Vancouver: Jul. 4) 

For more member events, check out our Member News page. To see your event on the Alliance website, email your press release to Nancy Lanthier at nancy@allianceforarts.com.