Vancouver Arts Alternative
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Vancouver Arts and culture - Alternative
If you love to discover the more offbeat culture in a city, the places that only
the locals know about, the up-and-coming, then this is Suggestions for your day
Location: This arts and culture itinerary begins downtown at some of the smaller
galleries. It winds its way into Yaletown, then ends in Gastown. The evening
offers theatre options at smaller, more intimate venues. The entire time you’re
seeing the next wave of art to come from this part of the world.
Plan ahead! This arts and culture itinerary ends with an evening at the one of
the two theatres. Remember to book your tickets in advance. For an up-to-date
listing of events in Vancouver, pick up a Georgia Straight, the city’s free
weekly paper.
10:00 a.m.
The Downtown Gallery
595 Howe Street (between Dunsmuir and Pender)
604-682-8990 This gallery offers collections of contemporary Canadian art,
landscapes and some abstracts.
11:00 a.m.
Walk half a block north to Pender. Turn right. Walk along Pender Street
eastbound (away from Stanley Park). Five blocks later, you’ll arrive at Hamilton
Street. Turn right to 555 Hamilton Street.
11:30 a.m.
Belkin Satellite
555 Hamilton Street
604-687-3174 The “satellite” references the original gallery at UBC. The
exhibits vary but you can count on contemporary Canadian art.
12:30 p.m.
Art Works
225 Smithe Street
604-688-3301 Continue south on Hamilton to Smithe.
Turn right.
This larger, light-filled space offers collections of landscapes and still life
as well as sculpture.
1:00 p.m.
Blue Water Café
1095 Hamilton
604-688-8078
Return to Hamilton Street . Walk two blocks south to 1095 Hamilton.
This area has a variety of restaurants to explore. Blue Water Café specializes
in seafood. It’s listed as one of Condé Nast’s 100 Hot Tables.
2:30 p.m.
Contemporary Art Gallery
555 Nelson
604-681-2700 When you’re finished with your lunch, walk two blocks west along
Nelson to 555 Nelson.
This Gallery is like a small contemporary art museum. Exhibits change regularly.
3:45 p.m.
Inuit Gallery of Vancouver
206 Cambie Street
604-688-7323Walk one and a half blocks back to Homer. Turn left. Continue down
Homer until it ends at Cordova. You’ve reached part of Gastown.
Turn right to Cambie Street (one block.)
Turn left to the Inuit Gallery of Vancouver
This gallery features art by Northwest Coast native artists, and, as the name
implies, Inuit artists as well. Exhibits change monthly.
5:00 p.m.
Wild Rice
117 West Pender Street
604-642-2882 After all that culture, it’s time for an early pre-theatre dinner.
Consider Wild Rice. Turn left on Cambie. Walk two blocks to Pender. Turn left
This new restaurant features contemporary Chinese cuisine in an even more
contemporary setting.
5:15 p.m.
Beaumont Playhouse
316 West 5th Ave (at Alberta)
Box office: 778.371.9629 Grab a cab to the theatre. For more alternative
theatre, consider the Beaumont Playhouse, a 60-seat blackbox theatre. Their
offerings change regularly. Call in advance for tickets and information. Or pick
up a Georgia Straight.
If you want to stay in the area, consider the
Firehall Arts Centre 280 E. Cordova St 604-689-092
The Firehall offer alternative theatre and dance. Call ahead for tickets and
information. Please note that this theatre is in a less desirable part of the
city. Be aware of your surroundings.
Alternatively, Havana on Commerical Drive offers small-venue theatre. Their
50-person theatre and small gallery provides an opportunity for up-and-coming
artists to have a voice.
Havana 1212 Commercial Drive 604- 253-9119
10:00 p.m.
After dinner drinks.
If you’re at the Beaumont, your best after-theatre drinks venue would be
Granville Island. Grab a cab to Bridges, on Granville Island.
If you’re at the Firehall, consider the Irish Heather for an after-theatre
drink. It’s a charming Irish pub and restaurant. Walk one block south to Powell
Street. Walk three blocks west to Carrall Street. Turn left. Irish Heather is at
217 Carrall.
If you’re at Havana on Commercial Drive, simply cross the street to Stellas (a
half-block north) and enjoy Belgium’s finest beer.
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