I've decided that it's my love for the unexpected that draws me to the Vancouver Opera. Every production is creative and entertaining in ways that I'd never predict. Richard Strauss' Salome is no exception.

This opera starts without the audience realizing it; the house lights dim slowly after the first performers take the stage. The voice of Narroboth (tenor Sean Panikkar) breaks the silence and sets a high bar for subsequent vocalists. The story that follows is erotic and controversial. Strauss's one-act opera is based on a the Oscar Wild play; a dramatic interpretation of the martyrdom of John the Baptist. The production is particularly infamous for Salome's "Dance of The Seven Veils" (where she strips naked for her step-father, Herod), and her necrophilic love-making session with the severed head of John the Baptist. Did I say that the opera never ceases to surprise me?

The Ting Ting's had an easy time riding the wave of energy that was the Commodore's dance floor on April 11. Fans sang along to every lyric, and the dancing started the moment the beat dropped in 'We Walk'. The U.K. duo Jules De Martino and Katie White may have started out at a walk, but hard hitting pop-rock beats had the audience gyrating on the dance floor until the end of their 50-minute set. Performing tracks from their debut album, 'We Started Nothing,' each song matched in intensity—save for 'Traffic Light', which passed as a slow song only when compared to the others.

India Arie is an artist who rejects the status quo. She dismisses ordinary performer-to-audience gaps by acting as though she's hanging out in her living room. Arie strongly believes that her testimonies of love and music can influence the world—and with the amount of talent that she holds, not many people can argue with her.

Arie hit the Commodore on April 5, touring her latest album 'Testimony: Volume II, Love and Politics' with the talented Laura Izibor. Words, song and heart transformed simple anecdotes into powerful means of spiritual expression. Arie's multi-instrumental skills were inspiring and captivating; her lyrics relayed stories of strength, courage, and wisdom.

Good spoken word is something I've quietly hoped to happen upon. I've had brief encounters with the art-form at open mics in hip cafes. I've noted it's potential but, inevitably, I've been let down by the quality of performances I've seen.

On April 1st, I finally happened upon Shane Koyczan: a giant of a man who knows how to choose his words. His poems are humorous yet intriguing; personal but universally meaningful. This BC boy has been mentioned on BR from time to time, but his words are known world over. He's a hopeless hopeful romantic who manages to never come off as a cheeseball. He says the things that my girlfriend wishes I said—and he delivers it in a way that anyone can appreciate.

Hey Ocean! is busking outside of Zulu Records today from 4:00pm - 4:30pm. Check it out!

See the Facebook Event.

Acoustic neo-soul lovers will be pleased to hear that India Arie is performing at the Commodore on April 5th. Arie is touring her latest album with Dublin's Laura Izibor (imagine a female version of John Legend).

Tickets are $39.50 and are available at Live Nation and Ticketmaster.