5 minute read
The Ticket
Culture
THE TICKET
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
When Kevin Vidal took his first drama class in high school, he was looking for a quick credit, not for a career. But the stage, as they say, called—and he answered. “Rehearsal was the only thing that was getting me into school, because I wasn’t going to any other classes,” he laughs. The actor and comedian (he’s a Second City alum) was born in Toronto and relocated to Vancouver in 2020, though he made the journey back east to shoot the first season of CBC’s Strays.
A spin-off of the hit show Kim’s Convenience, Strays follows a ragtag team of Hamiltonians running an animal shelter. Vidal plays Liam, chair of the shelter’s board and a “lovable developer” (the character’s words) always on the lookout to sell a condo. He describes Liam as larger-than-life and eccentric, and equates playing the part to “channelling pure fun.” Most of that fun comes from freedom. “I was able to relinquish any anxieties and fears I had about being too feminine,” he says. “It’s been very therapeutic.” And while Kim’s paved the way for contemporary Canadian comedy, Vidal is looking for more industry change, in his current ventures and beyond. “Representation and diversity mean everything to me, not just in front of the camera. We have far to go. I want to see different stories told by different people—always.”
Strays is on CBC on Tuesdays at 8:30 p.m. @notkevinvidal
Have a Holly Jolly Calendar
Museum exhibitions, local markets and holiday theatre to cure all your humbugs.
by Alyssa Hirose
SANKOFA: AFRICAN ROUTES, CANADIAN ROOTS
DATE November 4 to March 27 VENUE Museum of Anthropology COST $15 for adults moa.ubc.ca This new exhibition features works from both Vancouver and Nigeria, and explores the relationships between African art and Black Canadian art. Look out for local Chantal Gibson’s multimedia installation, Souvenir, which features 2,000 souvenir spoons from countries all over the world.
PADDLE SONG
DATE November 9 to 21 VENUE Firehall Arts Centre COST From $15 firehallartscentre.ca Mohawk actor and singer Cheri Maracle stars in this dynamic one-woman musical that tells the story of Pauline Johnson, an Indigenous poet who made a name for herself in the late 1800s—when white men hogged the literary spotlight even more than they do now.
DOLLY PARTON’S SMOKY MOUNTAIN CHRISTMAS CAROL
DATE November 18 to January 2 VENUE Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage COST From $43 artsclub.com This adaptation of Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol features original songs from Parton (so you can bet the show is charming as hell). The classic tale is set in Tennessee during the Great Depression era.
COHO MAKERS MARKET
DATE November 27 & December 11 VENUE Coho Coffee coho.coffee After the success of their summer pop-ups, Coho Coffee is again bringing local makers together (but this time, it’s not just food). Check out handmade jewellery, candles and other very giftable goods at these Saturday markets.
COMBINE ART FAIR
DATE December 2 to 5 VENUE Griffin Art Projects COST Free griffinartprojects.ca As much as we love the VAG, little arts organizations are a low-barrier way to get in on the culture—like this collab between five emerging galleries (Franc Gallery, Griffin Art Projects, Mónica Reyes Gallery, Unit 17 and Wil Aballe Art Projects), which has free entry.
LIVONA ELLIS + REBECCA MARGOLICK
DATE December 17 & 18 VENUEScotiabank Dance Centre COST From $25 thedancecentre.ca This pair of young local dancers (they trained together at the Arts Umbrella, #throwback) are showcasing a collection of solo work, plus the world premiere of their new duet Fortress, live for the first time.
A BROADWAY HOLIDAY
DATE December 16 to 23 VENUE Online and at Gateway Theatre, Richmond COST From $29 gatewaytheatre.com
Weaving the Future artists, clockwise from top left: Anita Tetreau (Squamish), Aleen Sparrow (Musqueam), Deanna George (Tsleil-Waututh), Angela George (TsleilWaututh), Janice George (Squamish) and Debra Sparrow (Musqueam) .
Tote bags from the Coho Makers Market.
Livona Ellis and Rebecca Margolick present their duet live for the first time on December 17.
Rickie Wang and David Adams take the Stanley stage November 18. A Kriss Munsya piece from the The Eraser series, on at Griffin Art Projects from December 2 to 5.
Tune in online or get your butt in a seat (this is Gateway’s first indoor show since February 2020!) for A Broadway Holiday, a concert covering the greatest festive hits of New York’s most famous stage.
WEAVING THE FUTURE
DATE Through January 30 VENUE Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art COST $13 for adults billreidgallery.ca Three established West Coast weavers have partnered with three students in this textile-focused exhibition. It honours the traditional practice of weaving and celebrates the art’s renaissance in recent years.
The MOA’s latest exhibit features Ibeji Project from Nigerian photographer Stephen Tayo.
WE WANT TO GROW YOUR BIG IDEAS
Photo credit: Cahoots Kitchen, Harpur Farm, @leviandvictoriaphotography
Invest in your future. Expand your horizons. Choose Salmon Arm.
Bring your culinary passion to a community that savours long table dinners and goes all in for global cuisine. From farmers’ markets to grocery stores to downtown eateries, we serve a regional market of 50,000 consumers who are just waiting to sample your unique product or food experience.
Entrepreneurs in the food and beverage sector, find your home here. With over 1,500 unique farms in our region, you’ll have access to plenty of locally grown produce. We’re located directly on two major highways, midway between Calgary and Vancouver and just four hours from the US border, so getting your product to market has never been easier.
Salmon Arm has an appetite for new food businesses. Come join us. There’s a seat at the table for everyone.
Visit saeds.ca to find your opportunity!
DISCOVER ZEST!
Zest is Salmon Arm’s food business incubator, providing affordable shared use space, processing equipment, knowledge and support. This unique facility is a reflection of the community’s commitment to growing local food businesses!
Zest aims to cultivate local food businesses, connect local food resources, and build the community food system.
