MARSHA LEDERMAN
VANCOUVER — From Monday's Globe and Mail Published on Monday, Oct. 26, 2009 12:00AM EDT Last updated on Tuesday, Nov. 03, 2009 4:10AM EST
FILM
Get Animated!
The National Film Board showcases animated films with special presentations by the filmmakers, including Oscar-winning animator Chris Landreth (Ryan, The Spine). Pacific Cinémathèque and VanCity Theatre, today through Wednesday. Family program at the Vancouver Public Library on Sunday (nfb.ca/getanimated).
Vampyre Weekend The vampire is enjoying a pop-cultural renaissance at the moment. But long before Twilight there were films like the 1935 classic Mark of the Vampire (starring Bela Lugosi and Lionel Barrymore), Vampire's Kiss (starring a cockroach-loving Nicolas Cage) and the unforgettable (if illogical) The Hunger, with Catherine Deneuve, Susan Sarandon and David Bowie. You can drink your fill with 11 horror films this Halloween weekend. VanCity Theatre, Friday to Sunday (vifc.org).
LITERARY
Poetry Launch x 3
Poets Gillian Jerome, Joe Denham and Chris Hutchinson get together to launch their respective books: Jerome's Red Nest, Denham's Windstorm and Hutchinson's Other People's Lives. Vancouver poet laureate Brad Cran will host the event.
Heritage Hall, Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
David Sedaris A literary rock star, Sedaris recounts tales of growing up with his eccentric family in suburban America, working a string of odd jobs (including, most famously, as a Christmas elf at Macy's), and life in France with his boyfriend Hugh. A special presentation of the Vancouver Writers & Readers Festival.
The Centre for Performing Arts in Vancouver, Sunday at 7 p.m. (writersfest.bc.ca).
MUSEUMS
Ravishing Beasts The Museum of Vancouver presents Ravishing Beasts, an exhibition about what the museum calls the strangely alluring world of taxidermy. Highlights include a white rhinoceros head, measuring over 1.5 metres (five feet) tall, the now extinct passenger pigeon, and Lucky the dog, representing the less common stuffed-pet genre of taxidermy. Strangely alluring, indeed.
Museum of Vancouver until Feb. 28, 2010 (museumofvancouver.ca).
MUSIC
Ani DiFranco
The feminist icon is a prolific singer-songwriter and runs her own label, Righteous Babe Records. She also puts on a great show. Centre for the Performing Arts in Vancouver, Tuesday at 8 p.m.
Stephen Sondheim
The legendary Broadway composer and lyricist (West Side Story, A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd) will speak about his life in the theatre.
Vogue Theatre, Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
U2
The boys from Dublin wind up their North American tour with a show that promises to be spectacular. The Black Eyed Peas open. Boy, should be an Unforgettable October night for pop fans.
BC Place, Wednesday at 7 p.m.
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