Community News & Opportunities
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Over 100 arts & culture events throughout the Downtown Eastside!
This year’s theme, Belonging, celebrates the experience of being seen, heard, respected, and valued for who you are. At the Festival, Belonging is something we create together; it’s sharing stories, laughter, grief, and joy. Belonging reminds us that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity, compassion, and respect.
Most Festival events are free. Donations are gratefully accepted. Tickets must be purchased for some events, and some events require registration.
Schedule, Tickets & Registration HERE!
Pivot’s 5th Annual Halloween Staged Reading!
This year, we visit Tarrytown and the tale of Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman. TWO SHOWS ONLY – October 31st and November 1st at Progress Lab.
Details & Tickets HERE!
The Browning Version by Terence Rattigan
Directed by William B. Davis
The play is set in an English boarding school shortly after the second world war. In this, his second last day at the school, a brilliant scholar and unsuccessful teacher is forced to confront the failures of both his personal and professional lives. Something totally unexpected happens to give him a new sense of purpose and meaning. A tightly focused drama, surprising in its apparent simplicity.
Oct 31 - Nov 15th, 2026
Wed – Sat 8:00 pm
Sat & Sun 2:00 pm
Ticket price: $37 general admission, $32 for seniors, $25 for students
More about the play and for tickets: www.williambdavis.com
A New Canadian Musical, written by Amy Newman, music/lyrics by Jim Hodgkinson
Vancouver premiere inspired by true events
1918. France. Two Canadians meet amid the chaos of World War I: a VAD nurse and a bandmaster. He vows to help in the search for her brother, missing at the Front. Both “of a certain age”, they are serving in a war they don’t have to fight. Together they bring music to aid the war effort and unearth clues to the disappearance of her brother. There is camaraderie, laughter, love and loss and through it all, the music that draws them together – as they experience the most exciting chapter in their lives when they least expect it.
Nov 3rd - 6th - FireHall Arts Centre, Vancouver, BC
Nov 7th - Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, Burnaby, BC
Nov 8th - Nanaimo Museum, Namiano BC
Nov 9th - Arts Spring, Salt Spring Island, BC
Nov 10th - Gabriola Theatre Centre, Gabriola Island, BC
Nov 13th - St. Andrews and St. Mary’s Church, Lillooet, BC
Nov 14 - The Clarke Foundation Theatre, Mission, BC
Tickets & More Information: HERE!
VSFF is coming back for 2027!
We are looking for Submissions from BC & Canadian filmmakers!
We accept all formats and genres of short-form content (other than VR/AR content), including but not limited to: Narrative, Documentary, Animation, Experimental, Music Video, Web Series episodes, Drama, Comedy, Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller, Fantasy, Noir, and more.
Selected eligible films can qualify for awards and prizes. In 2025, VSFF handed out $40,000 worth of in-kind and cash prizes!
Extended deadline is coming up October 30, 2026.
For full terms and details, please visit our FilmFreeway page at https://filmfreeway.com/vsff
Chutzpah! Festival returns November 3-15, 2026
This year, Chutzpah! explores and celebrates the stories and lives of our artists. From hilarious comedy that will have you in stitches to exhilarating dance pieces, concerts, and even a panto that will have everyone singing along, the festival is about art - plain and simple. There is something for everyone, and we are so happy to welcome you!
This year’s tickets are Pay What You Will with the support of presenting sponsor, the
Arnold & Anita Silber Family Foundation.
Tickets are available for $18, $36, $54, or $72!
Looking to see multiple shows? Consider getting a ChutzPack - 4 regular-price shows for just $136!
Program, Details & Tickets HERE!
November 5th - 15th, 2026
Celebrating 30 Years - In person & virtual screenings, plus Industry events we are Canada’s Longest Running Asian Film Festival!
Program, Details & Tickets HERE!
We’re thrilled to announce that Gladwell will be in conversation with Stephen Quinn, host of CBC Radio One’s The Early Edition. Be sure to book your tickets soon to hear the New York Times bestselling author discuss his powerful latest work of nonfiction: The American Way of Killing.
Tuesday, November 24 at 7:30 pm
Standard tickets start at: $45 | Youth under 25: $25
Vancouver Playhouse
600 Hamilton St, Vancouver
Get Your Tickets HERE!
Tightrope Theatre 1330 Napier Street, Vancouver
Our mission is to elevate the art of improvisation while providing joy and laughter to our community. Check out our classes & show schedule at our website, below.
Schedule & Tickets: HERE!
Maestro is a Tightrope Friday night staple! An elimination style improv show that brings twelve skilled performers together for a crash and burn competition to crown the best improvisor of the night! Your vote determines which players are eliminated until only one remains victorious, the Maestro champion!
We’re delighted to shout-out CRS regular Deb Sears, [[second from the top, right side!]] who’s been good enough to share a Complimentary tickets code below!!
Promo Code ME2526 or 2526VOUCHER - if the code doesn’t work, comp allotments for that night have been met!T
Tickets: HERE!
Ongoing Resources & Friends…..
Gender Equity in Media Society Vancouver (GEMS) is a member-based organization committed to furthering gender equity in film and television. Previously named Women in Film and Television Vancouver (WIFTV), GEMS incorporated in 1989 as a not-for-profit society registered in British Columbia.
By addressing systemic barriers, GEMS works towards supporting more inclusive, representative media.
The Genre Film Lab / Coffee Chats - past chats available to view online!
gemsvancouver.org
BIZ Books
Your online source for film, television, and theatre books. We invite you to browse through our online store where you will find thousands of titles. Let’s make your creative dreams come true!
Sign up for our newsletter with notices of sales, workshops, blogs & special events at bizbooks.net
GVPTA is a non-profit charitable organization whose membership includes theatre companies, theatre makers and artists, and other organizations and individuals that support theatre. We provide services, promotion of member news and community events, opportunities to connect and network, and hold an annual theatre conference.
Show Listings Here!
First Saturday Open Studios
First Saturday is a public monthly artist-run open-studio event in Vancouver, North Vancouver, New Westminster, Victoria & the Gulf Islands. Each month a new artist opens their doors to the public to share their work & chat…
Website & details here!
For Reviews of local & international performances & arts events, Colin Thomas [award winning playwright, Theatre Reviewer & Critic for almost four decades] offers thoughtful & insightful gems to consider in the world of theatre & art. Highly recommend!