Six More Great Days of Cultural Olympiad Events

"There's this 'one never knows what's going to happen' aspect to street performing," says busker Neil Burnett, leaning on his Celtic harp after his Sunday afternoon performance on Granville Island. "You begin to develop superstitions, sensitivities to moon phases... then a crowd arrives like a flock of birds."

He's describing musical spaces, but by now, many Vancouverites have experienced it -- the magical ebb and flow of humanity on the streets of our city during the past week, hundreds of thousands strong. Despite the hectic schedule of the Cultural Olympiad, it has been easy to defer our plans and join an energetic street mob, to dance for a djembe drummer on a corner, or to coo for a magician flipping cards, or to just stand dumbstruck while a man on a ten-foot tall unicycle shoots hoops.

Still, with less than a week left for the official Olympic festivities, it is time to focus, and to take advantage of the awesome display of arts and culture still remaining. Though the Cultural Olympiad will officially end on March 21, many of the best performances are happening this week, so I've created a quick time-line to help your wandering heels find their way. These are my picks, but I'm sure you may have your own. Feel free to comment if I've missed out on something essential.

That being said, the first recommendation goes to the amazing buskers and street performers that have fascinated us and eased our frustrations with Skytrain lines and confusing venue locations. When in doubt, head downtown, follow the crowds, and soak up the street life. You won't be disappointed.

All week

Take in the week-long Talking Stick Festival and experience some of the Aboriginal artists and art forms from across Canada. The festival runs until Feb. 28.

Tuesday, Feb. 23

Start on Granville Island with a frothy Guiness at the Candahar, a functioning Irish pub art project, then slip over to Performance Works for the Club 2010 series, featuring the Jodi Projnick Quartet, followed by the hard-bob band Ugetsu. Proznick is a three time National Jazz Award winner and was awarded Bassist of the Year in 2008. She's a native of White Rock, and has shared stages with many legendary players, including Oscar Peterson. She's in town for just one event, starting at 10:00 p.m. A steal at $10.

Or, if jazz won't get your mojo working, there is always opening night of The Erotic Anguish of Don Juan at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts in Burnaby. The 8:00 p.m. show is presented by Calgary's Old Trout Puppet Workshop and is on a national tour, touted as a 4.5 star performance by the Calgary Herald. The tale, reminiscent of Dickens' A Christmas Carol, brings old Don Juan back from Hell to atone for his sins and to warn the audience against infamy. The LA Times called it "Visually stunning and endlessly entertaining." Tickets are $30.

Wednesday, Feb. 24

Today is a toss-up, featuring two major performances which are here for one night only.

Head to Performance Works on Granville Island for the Andre Lachance Quartet at 10:00 p.m., followed by the Gordon Grdina Trio at 11:45. Lachance is a rising jazz guitarist while Grdina plays oud and guitar with a classical Arabic influence. Both call Vancouver home. $10 cover.

Or, take in the symphony with the Turning Point Ensemble at the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre. This Vancouver-based group will play two harmonic performances from Arnold Schoenberg and John Adams, while also featuring a third composition written for the Olympics from local composer John Oliver, entitled Five-Ring Concerto. You can listen to him here. Tickets are $35, $20 for students. Show starts at 8:00 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 25

Without a doubt, this night belongs to K'Naan, the Somali-Canadian musician whose song "Wavin' Flag" has become the World Cup anthem for 2010. But since it is pretty unlikely you'll find yourself with a last minute ticket to the sold-out show, the next best thing is The Blue Dragon, by Marie Michaud and Robert Lepage.

Lepage's theatrical masterwork has been a spectacle, featured in the Georgia Straight and on CBC's Q, among many others, but it should be mentioned that reviews on LePage's performance, in particular, have been mixed. Some call his acting lackluster, some blame the writing. Still, the Shanghai tale of an art dealer's bizarre love triangle gone serpentine is set by a stage that has fascinated even the toughest critics, making it the current darling of the Cultural Olympiad.

Today is the best time for a seat, before the weekend brings in the heavier crowds. Unfortunately, the best seats are currently sold out, but there are still lots of options available, beginning at $55 for adults and a flat rate of $35 for students. The 8:00 p.m. show takes place at the SFU Contemporary Arts Theatre at the Woodward’s building, 149 West Hastings Street.

Friday, Feb. 26

With only a couple of days left and the weekend upon us, it's time to pay homage to the Francophones for their great musical offerings. Start the day on Granville Island with Soir de Semaine at 11:00 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. at the Picnic Pavillion. The band is from Whitehorse, and the sound is a fusion of reggae, folk, rock and funk. Hear them here.

Sometimes promoting an all ages show is risky, but this band is no kiddie business. Their tight arrangements and slap n' wobble bass will infect even the most jaded of hipsters to boogie while their bright, bouncy numbers will delight the mid-day munchkins. No charge for this one, either.

For the evening, bring on the Cajun hoedown. Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys grace the stage for a one-night swamp-stomp, replete with furious fiddles and accordions. Offbeat Magazine nominated them for best Cajun album, David Greely for best fiddler, and Steve Riley for best accordionist. With French harmonies, bluesy two-steps and ambient acapella breaks, this band will wax the winter chill from your bones and get you ready for the big Olympics finale. See them at Performance Works on Granville Island for $10. Show starts at 9:00 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 27 and 28

Drum roll please. The weekend advice is anyone's guess at this point. The best bets will depend on how well Canada does in the medal pursuit, with the hockey race having the potential to draw the crowds out by the hundred-thousands. A gold medal can throw any arts and culture projections straight to the pavement, where they will be picked up once again by Vancouver's brave buskers and street performers. So perhaps we should expect a rampaging street party, one to rival Carnivale? We'll keep you posted.