THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT

 

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John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John star in
"Grease", playing in Stanley Park August 14.

SUMMER CINEMA IN STANLEY PARK

Tuesdays through August 21
Second Beach / Stanley Park
Entry from 5 p.m.  Showtime at Sunset
General Admission is Free / VIP Tickets from $23
(click here)

Drive-in theatres are few and far between these days, but West Enders (and others of course) can catch some flicks under the stars Tuesday nights through August. Fresh Air Cinema returns for a 2018 season of outdoor movies at Second Beach in Stanley Park. The movies begin at dusk, and you’ll be watching popular films on one of the biggest screens in the Lower Mainland.

The August schedule includes: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (August 7); Grease (August 14); and Titanic (August 21).

SHAME SPIRAL DRAG @ 1181

Every Tuesday
11 p.m.
1181 Lounge (1181 Davie)

Vancouver drag artist Peach Cobblah, known in a parallel universe as playwright Dave Mackenzie Deveau ("My Funny Valentine", "Elbow Room: The Musical", etc.) brings together a revolving cast of Vancouver’s finest drag artists every Tuesday, with cocktails at 10 and showtime "after 11". Note the disclaimer "after 11". Things can get pretty shameful for a Tuesday night, and promptness was never a drag show hallmark. 

THEATRE UNDER THE STARS

July 11 through August 18
8 p.m. except on Fireworks nights, when showtime is 7 p.m. No shows July 6 - 8)
Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park
Tickets $30 - $49 at
tuts.ca or 604.631.2877

This year, TUTS presents a season of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” , running on alternating evenings. Brimming with wit and warmth, the Tony Award-winning “Cinderella” promises the classic magical fable of fairy godmothers, glass slippers, and the triumph of true love. “42nd Street” is a celebratory ode to the grandest musicals of yesteryear, bursting with all-time classics like 'Lullaby of Broadway,' 'Shuffle Off To Buffalo,' and 'We're In The Money.’ And all that in the West End’s back-yard. 

Ben Henriques and his Trio at Roedde House Museum August 9.

Ben Henriques and his Trio at Roedde House Museum August 9.

ROEDDE HOUSE JAZZ CONCERT SERIES

Second Thursdays (August 9)
7 p.m.
Roedde House Museum (1415 Barclay)
By Donation

The second Thursday of each month you’ll find an afternoon of top-notch jazz in the parlour at Roedde House Museum, the elegant and historic (1893) West End former home of Vancouver’s first book-binder and his wife, Gustav and Matilda Roedde. The Thursday, August 9 will feature the Ben Henriques Trio. As part of Roedde House's Summer Porch Jazz Concert Series, this concert will be held outside on the porch and the Roedde House lawn. Bring your chairs and blankets and make yourself comfortable. 

Lonesome Sinners take the stage at Alexandra Park on August 12.

MUSIC IN THE PARK

Sundays from 1 - 3 p.m.
Haywood Bandstand / Alexandra Park (Beach and Bidwell)
Free

Any Sunday through to August 26, bring a picnic lunch and enjoy some fine live music, with an emphasis on jazz and blues, and a touch of country.  

The August lineup includes: Lonesome Sinners on August 12, Rio Samaya Band on August 19, and The Just Jazz Trio on August 26.

Darlene Ketchum, along with Bill Semple, is the core of Wild Blue Heron. 

JAZZ VESPERS

Every Sunday
4 to 5 p.m.
St. Andrew’s Wesley Church (1022 Nelson @ Burrard)
By Donation

Every Sunday afternoon the folks at the historic church at Burrard and Nelson present the finest jazz musicians in the Lower Mainland in an afternoon performance where jazz meets, and dances, with the spirit.

The August lineup includes: the Geoff Claridge Quartet on August 5; Palo de Rosa on August 12; Super Trumpet on August 19th; and Wild Blue Heron on August 26.

SUNDAY LEGENDS

Every Sunday
8 to 11 p.m.
XY Nightclub (1216 Bute)

If you’re not quite done weekending by Sunday, there’s always Sunday Legends, a weekly showcase of fabulous old-school glamour and celebrity impersonation.

Presiding over all this glitz and glam is celebrated drag artist Jaylene Tyme, who recreates Dolly Parton, Mariah Carey, Tina Turner, and many more, right before your dazzled eyes. Each week features a special guest artist as well as featured performer Xanax, with DJ Dom Top keeping the beat.

Jim Byrnes appears August 23 at PAL Studio Theatre as part of the Coal Harbour Music Festival.

COAL HARBOUR MUSIC FESTIVAL

August 15 - 29
PAL Studio Theatre (581 Cardero)
Free & Ticketed Events (see below)
For information on the ticketed evening events see the PAL Studio Theatre calendar here.
PAL Studio Theatre and Performing Arts Lodge (PAL) Vancouver team up with the Coal Harbour Residents’ Association (CHRA) this summer to launch the Coal Harbour Music Festival, running August 15 to 29. Building on the popular Jazz in the Park series that has run the last two summers through the CHRA, the new festival offers free Wednesday evening concerts, a Sunday afternoon of music and family events, and two ticketed evening concerts, all taking place at PAL Studio Theatre.

Ticketed Evening Performances: Jim Byrnes (August 23) and Dawn Pemberton (August 24) with showtimes at 7 p.m.  Tickets $27 here for Byrnes and here for Pemberton.

Free Twilight Jazz Series performances: Gordon Grdina & Hamin Honari, (August 15), the Joani Taylor Trio (August 22), and Van Django (August 29).

Family Day (August 26, 12 noon - 6 p.m.: Free music and entertainment for the whole family including the Dixie Stars children's entertainment from 12 noon to 4 p.m., the Mike Higgins Trio (12 p.m.), the Robin Layne Community Beats Free Drum workshop from 1 to 2:30 p.m., and Tiny Islands at 3 p.m.

The Hot Mammas ... From left Julie Brown, Mary Ella Young, and Georgina Arntzen, with accompanist (and chauffeur) Tom Arntzen. ( Wendy D Photo)

THE HOT MAMMAS!

Thurs. Aug. 30
8 to 10 p.m.
The Sylvia Hotel Lounge
No cover.

The Hot Mammas are a Vancouver trio of seasoned performers who between them have a book’s worth of stage, concert, television, and recording credits.

Longtime friends Julie Brown (known during her years as a local broadcaster as Downtown Julie Brown), Mary Ella Young, and Georgina Arntzen will be accompanied by Tom Arntzen on piano in a series of performances at The Sylvia Hotel Lounge. This dynamic, contemporary jazz vocal trio love harmony, rollicking rhythms, and saucy lyrics and so will you as they sing the songs they love — tunes that go back to The Boswell Sisters of the roaring 20’s and encompassing Ella Fitzgerald, The Andrews Sisters, and Lady Gaga.

Dates include: Thurs. Aug. 30 (8 to 10 p.m.); Sun. Oct. 28 (7 to 9 p.m.); Thurs. Nov. 15 (8 to 10 p.m.); and Sun. Dec. 9 (7 to 9 p.m.). 

Visit their website for more information.