Winterruption - Vancouver Gets A Winter Carnival

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Filed in Arts, Books & Lit, City, Music
February 20, 2007

Just when you're starting to get tired of the grey wall of rain outside your window, Granville Island has some relief for you in the form of Winterruption.

Designed in the style of mid-winter carnivals of cities who are colder than ours, Winterupption is nevertheless a welcome distraction in the midst of all this grey. Happening this weekend on Granville Island, there are musical performances, theatre, fire shows, art walks, a writing night with Vancouver authors, culinary workshops and kid stuff, add that to all the usual awesomeness that goes on at Granville Island and it sounds like it's going to be one heck of a party.

Check out the schedule on the site for a complete itinerary of what's going on and make sure you get tickets in advance for the paid events. I don't know what to suggest for the free ones, except dress warmly and get there early! Boca del Lupo's summer play was sold out every night running and I expect the winter version will be no different. That goes double for some of the musical events. This is what my itinerary looks like this so far:

11 AM - Brunch and Caesars at the Cat's Meow. This is a summertime tradition for me and my partner, but I don't see any reason why it can't make the jump to winter.

1 PM - Go on the artist walking tour. This is something I do quasi-regularly anyways, but I'm always game to hear what people have to say and of course check out new work.

2 PM - Check out Boca del Lupo's theatre piece, Suspended under the Granville Bridge.

5:30 PM - Visit the Charles H. Scott Gallery to see Jamie Hilder's art project "Miracle Mile". Being interested in both art and running, I think the tie-in here between "urban memory, urban body and the recuperation of everyday activity into a creative and artistic sphere" will be quite interesting.

6:15 PM - Take in Kira Schaffer's Fire Show, Phoenix Rising Above Vancouver Rain.

AFTER - Drinks at the Backstage Lounge.

If at the end of Saturday you still don't feel up to facing winter again, you can do it all again on Sunday.