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Seven Days Ahead Theatre
Out of Saigon
Miss Saigon, the hugely successful musical by the same team that created Les Misrables, comes to the Stanley Theatre May 19 and runs until July 17. In the story, an American soldier has a brief and passionate affair with an innocent Vietnamese girl, only to be tragically separated from her in the turmoil of the U.S. exodus. Sixteen of the performances have already sold out, so someone out there must like raw, uncompromising and intensely personal stories about loss and sacrifice in a world gone mad. Call 604-280-3311 for tickets.
Flaming clowns
The world's only flaming vaudeville circus, the Cirque de Flamb, comes to Vancouver for two performances, May 21 and 22, at 1601 Ontario St. (near the Science World SkyTrain station). The Seattle troupe's production, In the Shadow of the Giant, involves inflamed clowns, robots and jugglers. A local fire group, the Pyrates, also performs. Visit Red Cat, Zulu, Scratch or Highlife for tickets.
Film
Permission to land
DOXA, the documentary film and video festival, kicks off with a screening of Continuous Journey. Ali Kazimi's film tells the story of the Komagata Maru, a ship that carried 376 passengers from British India to Vancouver's harbour in 1914. The passengers had to live on board for two months and were threatened by famine and disease when the ship was refused permission to land. Kazimi attends this special screening May 24 at the Vogue Theatre. For a complete schedule of films and ticket info, visit www.doxafestival.ca.
Trouble in the Congo
Paul Cowan's award-winning documentary The Peacekeepers takes a look at how political, military and financial decisions have affected the future of one failed state, the Democratic Republic of Congo. It screens May 18, 7 p.m. at UBC's Liu Institute for Global Issues. CBC journalist Terry Milewski moderates the evening, and Cowan will be present for a Q & A.
Music
Rock 'n' roll never forgets
Are you a closet classic rocker? Come out of the darkness and into the spotlight for Classic Rock 101's Ultimate Jam. Wednesday nights the Media Club invites singers, guitarists and anyone else to sit in with a house band for a go at favourite old rock tunes.
Waste survives
Once a bratty reaction to the annual NewMusicWest music conference, Music Waste is now practically the only showcase in town. (A very small-scale NewMusicWest took place last fall.) Music Waste 2005 begins with a kickoff party featuring rockabilly band Bughouse 5, roots act Swank and local artist 12 Midnite at the Railway Club May 18. Over the next three days, music-goers have plenty of opportunities to check out other acts, including some out-of-towners. Victoria's Immaculate Machine lets loose with some soaring pop-punk at the Media Club May 19, along with Regional Hats and Basement Sweets. On May 20 the Cape May and the Christa Min, who recently opened for the Decemberists at the Commodore, get rowdy at the Railway. The most anticipated show is May 21, when Calgary psyche-rockers the Summerlad turn up the distortion and Winnipeg's Novillero delivers energizing, acerbic rock at the ANZA Club. For a complete list of shows and ticket info, visit www.musicwaste.ca.
Hsker dde
Local rock mag The Nerve recently dubbed Grant Hart "the man who invented Dave Grohl." While we wouldn't go that far-no one should have to take responsibility for the Foo Fighters frontman-Hart did drum in one of the greatest of all '80s underground bands, Hsker D. Playing material from previous incarnations such as Nova Mob (and possibly the D?) and new material, Hart visits the Lamplighter May 24. Visit Zulu for tickets.
Takin' care of business
Three albums into their career Painting Daisies have evolved into a crackling rock band. Not only that, but the four lasses beat out 4,000 competitors to win the Great Canadian Music Dream. The Vancouver act celebrates the release of its third studio album Phonography, recorded at Randy Bachman's studio, with a show at the Railway Club May 19. Cover charge in effect.
Primes time
The Primes, formed last year, includes a former member of Radio Berlin and A Luna Red and electronic DJ Miss X. Together, they put on headbanging, kinetic live shows and have a captivatingly original sound, one that has earned them an invitation to festivals such as Pop Montreal. The Primes celebrate the release of their debut disc with a Lamplighter show May 20, along with Bakelite and Mousetrap. Tickets at the door.
Total pop
Mixing electropop, disco, French chanson and a myriad of other genres and styles, the amazing and fun Stereo Total plays Richard's on Richards May 24. The decade-old Berlin duo craft infectious tunes with minimal arrangements, and their love of pop music shines onstage. Hawnay Troof and punk act the Gossip open. Visit Zulu, Red Cat, Scratch or Highlife for tickets.
posted on 05/18/2005
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