BeatRoute Magazine BC Edition September 2019

09.19YVRAGENDA
Fringe
Fest
Guide
Sept 5-15
Various Locations
Tix: vancouverfringe.com
Music is a frequent co-star to
theatrical performances at the
Vancouver Fringe Festival, and
this year is no exception. In
keeping with the boundary-pushing
energy of the festival, musical
accompaniment takes centre
stage in an eclectic variety, from
punctuated outbursts to a complete
rendition of one of rock
music’s most important albums.
Here are BeatRoute’s picks of
the Fringe.
by YASMINE SHEMESH
Tommy’s
Amazing
Journey
Sept 6-14,
Red Gate
Revue Stage
English mod pioneers
The Who released
their seminal
rock opera, Tommy,
in 1969, giving way
to classics like “Pinball
Wizard.” Now,
50 years on, Kevin
Armstrong takes
audiences on an
“Amazing Journey”
with his criticallyacclaimed
oneman-show,
where
he brilliantly portrays
all the characters
in the album
while channelling
his best Pete Townshend
on guitar.
Lift
Sept 5-15, Firehall Arts Centre
Making its Canadian debut at the Vancouver
Fringe, this musical is set entirely in an elevator
at London’s Covent Garden Tube Station. While
the ride is only a minute long, it moves through
eight different lifetimes and examines the many
connections and miscommunications that so
often take place in our daily interactions with
one another.
Tomatoes
Tried to Kill
Me but Banjos
Saved My Life
Sept 5-14, Carousel
Theatre
When a major event
changes the course of a
high-level CEO’s life he
re-evaluates everything.
In his award-winning
show, Keith Alessi recounts
his inspirational
true story with banjo-picking
that plucks at
the heartstrings.
Carey, OK!:
Timeless Timely
Tunes Volume. 1
Sept 7-15, Red Gate
Revue Stage
Being compared to
Robin Williams and
Reggie Watts is a tall
order of expectation,
but in his mash-up of
animated spoken word,
singing, and beatboxing,
Carey Wass delivers an
energetic performance
that stands up.
Operatic
Panic
Attack
Sept 6-15,
Firehall Arts Centre
Through bursts of opera,
Fringe mainstay
TJ Dawe takes us
back into his formative
years as a theatre
student, where he
discovers his passion
for Verdi and begins
combating an anxiety
disorder.
Fringe Bar Highlights
CÉLINE PINGET
PREET HUNDAL
DAVE TODON
KEZIA NATHE
Buckman Coe
Thurs, Sept 5, 8:00pm
Vancouver’s Buckman Coe weaves
a socially conscious narrative into
harmony-fuelled rhythms through a
unique blend of soul, world music,
and Americana.
Ings
Fri, Sept 6, 8:00pm
With rich vocals and sweet melodies,
the lullaby rock of Seattle-based
Ings will send you off
into a happy dream state.
Sleepy Gonzales
Sat, Sept 6, 8:00pm
Whether they’re churning out
dreamy pop jams, playing with ambient
textures, or flirting with punk,
this eclectic outfit always has one
constant: they’re damn good.
Rae Spoon
Thu, Sept 12, 8:00pm
Touting two Polaris Prize nominations,
a Lambda Literary Award,
and a Western Canadian Music
Award, the creative mind of this
talented musician and author is a
force to be reckoned with.
DJ Shanique
Sun, Sept 16, 7:00pm-2:00am
DJ Shawnique heads the Vancouver
chapter of Intersessions — an
organization dedicated to bridging
inequality gaps facing female-identifying
DJs. Vibrant rap sets and
hip-hop nights have made her a
local favourite.
46 BEATROUTE SEPTEMBER 2019