Leila Getz is a true pioneer in the Vancouver arts scene. Her Vancouver Recital Society was an audacious start-up in 1980. A solo recital series with up-and-coming international artists? Here in Vancouver? “It won’t work,” Getz heard over and over again. “You won’t get the audiences. Recitals are dead. You’re setting

Great-Grandmothers and Grandfathers offer chilling stories – their stories, their parents’ stories – detailing how horribly Chinese immigrants were treated in British Columbia, from the Gold Rush through the late 1800’s and into World War II. ‘In Chinatown, as in Old China, so many men walked about with scarred faces and limbs.

The Main Street corridor is a whole lot brighter today. Thanks to the Vancouver Mural Festival – founded by David Vertesi and Gabriel Hall and supported by the City and community partners – Main Street now has more than 35 new permanent murals between 16th Avenue and Prior Street. On a sunny Saturday,

His arms are outstretched, welcoming visitors as they pass on foot or by water. This beautifully weathered Kitsilano totem pole stands strong beside the Burrard Street Bridge. You will see Master Carver Darren Yelton’s work as you walk between Vanier Park and Granville Island. “It’s a large K’aya’chtn totem pole to welcome all newcomers to the city

From its start in 1883, The Metropolitan Opera has nurtured artists of all stripes: singers, conductors, musicians, set designers, stage directors, choreographers, dancers. This New York institution continues its artistic leadership in a collaboration with visual artists. Their Gallery Met Shorts engage these artists to create short films set to musical excerpts from

Are you a film noir fan? The Vancouver Film Noir festival is on now – August 4th through the 22nd – at The Cinematheque on Howe Street. See if you can identify one of the best-known films playing in the Vancouver festival. Which actor said this in which movie? Extra points if you

Will they come? With umpteen choices for entertainment, what is it that brings people to any one arts event? Artists put so much time into creating their works. What can they do to encourage the public to come and see their offerings? The National Endowment for the Arts has conducted research on what it

It was the neon lady’s fault. This flashing bombshell turned here and there, courtesy of a 40 foot span neon swing. She was said to be so enchanting that drivers who passed her 1234 Kingsway Street car dealership could not focus on the road and started crashing into each other. This Petty Girl was transforming the intersection at

With the Rio Olympics coming soon, Vancouverites are remembering our time in the 2010 Olympic whirlwind. So many people across the city were involved in planning, developing artwork, volunteering, performing, building. One of the legacy buildings from the 2010 Olympics is the uniquely designed Richmond Oval, now a mixed-use athletic

If you are heading north on Fir Street, down from Broadway towards Granville Island, you will happen upon a beautifully curated boutique: the Natural Eclectic by Heather Ross. Ross – an artist, photographer, stylist and author – has been sharing her unique style with Vancouverites since 2001. The Natural Eclectic,