Musician and producer Jack White
You might remember him from the much-missed rock band The White Stripes, and more recently from The Raconteurs or The Dead Weather, but chances are if you’re a music fan, you know Jack White. It’s taken the guitarist, producer and nine-time Grammy winner 15 years to record a solo album. He sings tracks from his debut, Blunderbuss, at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre (May 27).—Kristina Urquhart
The cast of Cats
April 10 to 15
Get ready for a whisker-twitching good time as Cats leaps onto stage for an unforgettable performance at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Rollicking characters bring T.S. Eliot’s whimsical poems to life in the only North American production endorsed by Webber. The record-breaking show is one of Broadway’s longest-running musicals, and timeless hits such as “Memory” still cause goosebumps.—Caitlin Dawson
Photo by Chris Randle
Call us crazy, but watching dancers descend into madness is entertaining, especially when it’s set to the frenzied strains of Ravel’s Boléro. Ballet BC presents Johan Inger’s Walking Mad at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre (Mar. 8 to 10), plus new works by Aszure Barton and Emily Molnar.—Kristina Urquhart
February 8 to 12
Beauty and the Beast photo by Joan Marcus
The beloved Broadway musical rolls into town this winter, filling the Queen Elizabeth Theatre with tunes such as the toe-tapping “Be Our Guest,” the heart-wrenching “If I Can’t Love Her” and the unforgettable title song. Catch Mrs. Potts, Chip, Lumiere, Cogsworth and all your other favourite characters in this tale as old as time.—Sheri Radford
W-F 7:30 pm; Sa 11 am, 3:30 and 8 pm; Su 2 and 7:30 pm. $25+. Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Hamilton St. at Dunsmuir. Tickets 1-855-985-5000. www.broadwayacrosscanada.ca
Adam Savage (left) and Jamie Hyneman, of Mythbusters
Could duct tape fix a plane that has been mauled by a bear? If a car is dangling precariously over a cliff’s edge, could the force of a pigeon landing on its roof send it plunging down the cliff? These are the types of questions that Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage have tackled in nine years of Mythbusters on the Discovery Channel, busting more than 400 myths in the process. See the duo in two shows at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre (Jan. 22).—Sheri Radford
4 and 7:30 pm. $52.50-$98. Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Hamilton St. at Dunsmuir. Tickets 1-855-985-5000.
Singing sensation Sting
How better to celebrate a 25-year solo career than a North American tour? Catch Sting’s Back to Bass Tour, filled with stripped-down versions of all his hit songs, Dec. 8 to 10 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.—Sheri Radford
More information:
8 pm. $51-$151.50. Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Hamilton St. at Dunsmuir. Tickets 1-855-985-5000.
Simone Osborne
Have ever two families feuded as much as the Capulets and Montagues? Canadian soprano Simone Osborne (pictured) stars as Juliette and Canadian tenor Gordon Gietz plays her star-crossed lover Roméo in this romantic French opera, Charles Gounod’s version of William Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy (Nov. 26 and 29, Dec. 1 and 3; Queen Elizabeth Theatre).—Sheri Radford
More information:
ROMEO ET JULIETTE (Nov 26, 29; Dec 1, 3). 7:30 pm. $35+. Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Hamilton St. at Dunsmuir. Tickets 604-683-0222. www.vancouveropera.ca
Wen Wei Dance photo by Emily Cooper
Put on Your Dancing Shoes
Wen Wei Dance (pictured), the 605 Collective, the plastic orchid factory, MACHiNENOiSY and four other local companies take centre stage at Dance in Vancouver (Nov. 23 to 26; Scotiabank Dance Centre), a biennial event that shines a spotlight on contemporary dance in BC. Other types of dance featured this month: ballet, in 3Fold (Nov. 17 to 19; Queen Elizabeth Theatre), and flamenco, in Discover Dance! (Nov. 17; Scotiabank Dance Centre).—Sheri Radford
More information:
3 FOLD Ballet BC presents three works: Doppeling, choreographed by Simone Orlando; New Work, choreographed by Robert Glumbek; and Parole Sospese (Words Suspended), choreographed by Walter Matteini (Nov 17-19). 8 pm. $22.50-$70. Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Hamilton St. at Dunsmuir. Tickets 1-855-985-2787.
DANCE IN VANCOUVER Experience the energy and innovation of contemporary dance as eight West Coast companies perform excerpts of new works and recent hits in four mixed programs (Nov 23-26). 7 and 9 pm. $28, s/s $20, double bill $44. Scotiabank Dance Centre, 677 Davie St. 604-606-6400. Tickets 604-684-2787. www.thedancecentre.ca
DISCOVER DANCE! This noon-hour series showcases BC-based companies. Flamenco dance with Spanish Passion Productions (Nov 17). 12 pm. $10, s/s $8. Scotiabank Dance Centre, 677 Davie St. 604-606-6400. Tickets 604-684-2787. www.the dancecentre.ca
Photo of Yo Gabba Gabba! TM copyright 2011 Gabbacadabra LLC. All rights reserved
Visit Gabba Land and dance your heart out with DJ Lance Rock and the rest of the gang. Just say the magic words and characters come to life to captivate kids—and young-at-heart adults—with upbeat music and singing. Catch this lively crew at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre (Nov. 11).—Jessie Colgan
More information:
YO GABBA GABBA! LIVE! 2 and 5pm. $24.50-$36.50. Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Hamilton St. at Dunsmuir. Tickets 1-855-985-5000. www.yogabbagabbalive.com
Photo courtesy Central City Opera
Start snapping your fingers: the Jets and the Sharks are back and ready to rumble in Leonard Bernstein’s beloved Broadway musical West Side Story (Oct. 22 to 29). Hearts skip a beat as Tony and Maria profess their undying love in “Tonight” and tears fall during Maria’s rendition of “A Boy Like That.” So choose your side and remember: “When you’re a Jet, you’re a Jet all the way!”—Jennifer Patterson
More information:
West Side Story (Oct 22-23, 25-29). $35+. Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Hamilton St. at Dunsmuir. Tickets 604-683-0222.
www.vancouveropera.ca
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Stay, Dine, Do
