Editor’s choice

Chamber sounds old and new

The Vancouver Bach Festival, which closes on Friday (August 12) with esteemed violinist Monica Huggett and the Pacific Baroque Orchestra tackling the four Orchestral Suites, isn’t the only chamber-music extravaganza in town. Operating on a smaller scale—but with a wider range, and a similarly impressive cast of performers—is the Blueridge Chamber Music Festival. Appropriately enough, the festival takes a highly ecumenical approach to its programming, featuring classics from the likes of Felix Mendelssohn and Ludwig van Beethoven alongside newer works from German avant-gardist Helmut Lachenmann and composer-in-residence Dorothy Chang (shown here).

The Blueridge Chamber Music Festival takes place at St. Mark’s Anglican Church and Mount Seymour United Church from tonight (August 10) to August 21.

Guest pick

Tremors Festival

Our choice comes from Kenji Maeda, program manager of artsVest BC at Business for the Arts, president of ProductionHeads, and actor. Here are his words on what he’s most looking forward to this week:
“I love festivals. They give you the opportunity to watch, hear, and experience a whole bunch of shows within the span of a few days, and sometimes a few hours. I’m excited for Tremors this year and their selection of three shows. I’ve always been impressed with the quality of the work coming out of Rumble Theatre; add in the element of showcasing and mentoring emerging talent, and this is definitely one arts event not to miss.”

The Tremors Festival runs at the Italian Cultural Centre from Thursday (August 11) to August 20.

High five

Five events you just can’t miss this week

Robson Square Salsa

Shake it like you’re in Havana alongside some spectacular pros.
At Robson Square on Sundays to August 28

Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet)

Smart, female-powered Bard satire at the Fakespeare fest.
At the York Theatre to August 28

Cello Suites

String star Beiliang Zhu does beyond-beautiful baroque.
At Christ Church Cathedral on August 11

Dry Land

At Tremors, a prizewinning play from an exciting millennial writer.
At the Italian Cultural Centre from August 11 to 20

Tim Nutt

He hasn’t become a comedy-fest fave across the country for nothing.
At the Comedy Mix from August 11 to 13