Summer might be creeping to a close (not the passage of time!) but fall’s the perfect time to get serious about shows. Burnaby’s Shadbolt Centre for the Arts has unveiled its full fall lineup, with everything from heart-wrenching theatre to jazzy Christmas concerts. 

Kicking off the fall season is the Marc Atkinson Trio, bringing JUNO-nominated musician Marc Atkinson to the stage for an evening of West Coast-inspired guitar and violin melodies. The trio’s joined by Cameron Wilson, local violinist and fiddler who’s played with everyone from Bryan Adams to Nickelback. 

Country-slash-blues-slash-folk musician Little Miss Higgins comes to the Shadbolt on September 29 as a real touring troubadour. She’s been releasing music since 2002, though in 2020 vowed to no longer record new tracks and exclusively tour her Canadiana catalogue.

Comedy lovers will delight in November, as there are two delicious plays up for grabs. Arts Club are going on tour with The Birds and the Bees: it’s CanCon about love, lust, and animal husbandry that plays on November 2 and 3. Later, The Spinsters promises a darkly comedic look at Cinderella’s step-sisters complete with Priscilla: Queen of the Desert-style costumes from November 16 to 18.

And for something more serious, Bunk #7 dramatizes the true story of a riot at Edmonton Indian Residential School in 1960 to 1961, demonstrating the resilience and revolution that was forced by Canada’s brutal colonization.   

To round out the season, get festive with the B3 Kings’s jazzy holiday concert. Led by Denzal Sinclaire on vocals and drums, the band has three separate Christmas albums (honestly iconic) so you know you’re in glad yuletide hands.  

In between all the live music and theatre, there are also continuing favourites. Local jazz stalwart Cory Weeds hosts regular improvised jams, open to all ages and abilities; meanwhile, films including Haida Modern and Nosferatu get immersive screenings.

Check out all of Shadbolt’s upcoming shows or buy tickets here.