Newt’s top 10 (or 12) things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, September 8 to 10

Colleen Rennison plays Mel Lehan Hall

By Steve Newton

FRIDAY: Saskatchewan guitar virtuoso and singer-songwriter Jack Semple leads his current band at Blue Frog Studios. Here’s my interview with Jack from back in 1993.

FRIDAY: late-night screening at the Rio Theatre of Planet Terror director Robert Rodriguez’s underrated 1998 sci-fi/horror flick The Faculty. Here’s my original review from ’98.

Yo-Yo Ma plays the Orpheum

FRIDAY: virtuoso cellist Yo-Yo Ma performs with the Vancouver Symphony under music director Otto Tausk at the Orpheum Theatre. SOLD OUT. Snooze ya lose.

FRIDAY AND SATURDAY: TheatreSports features two teams of improvisers creating comedy sketches inspired by audience suggestions at the Improv Centre on Granville Island.

FRIDAY TO SUNDAY: the Fashion Fictions exhibition, running until October 9 at the Vancouver Art Gallery, explores the increasing influence of research-based, materially driven practices on the global fashion scene.

FRIDAY TO SUNDAY: the Arts Club Theatre Company and Edmonton’s Citadel Theatre present performances of the musical comedy Little Shop of Horrors, based on the film by Roger Corman, at the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage until October 8.

The Fringe Fest runs on Granville Island

FRIDAY TO SUNDAY: the Vancouver Fringe Festival features emerging local artists and talent from around the globe performing theatre, comedy, dance, drag, spoken word, and music runs until September 17 at various Granville Island venues.

SATURDAY: local 10-piece Steely Dan tribute band Steelin’ in the Years plays the Rickshaw Theatre. Hope they do “Deacon Blues”.

SATURDAY: the City of Delta presents its annual Luminary Festival, a free community event featuring music and dance, crafts, light installations, lantern parade, food trucks, and a mainstage concert at North Delta’s Sunstone Park.

SATURDAY: the Rogue Folk Club presents former frontperson for No Sinner, Colleen Rennison, performing songs from her new album Persephone at Mel Lehan Hall at St. James.

SATURDAY: American alt-rockers The Pixies, featuring frontman Black Francis, play Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre, with guests Modest Mouse and Cat Power.

Burgundy Brixx benefit at the Rio

SATURDAY: Boobies for Burgundy is a burlesque fundraiser at the Rio Theatre, featuring performances by Susie Sweet Cheeks, Shaboobie Boobarella, Tonya Kay, Fionna Flauntit, and Ann Narkyall, with live music by the Hang-Ten Hangmen. All proceeds go directly to local burlesque artist and producer Burgundy Brixx to help offset her costs while she recovers from her ongoing cancer treatments.

If you’re a concert promoter, arts organization, music store, or just somebody wanting to support my work, I’m looking for an exclusive sponsor of my twice-weekly Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver blogs. If interested, please contact me at steve@earofnewt.com.

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