Pacific Theatre kicks off it season next week with the story of a gang member; A Good Way Out opens next Friday (September 23).
Vancouver Presents interviewed playwright Cara Norrish:
“It was inspired by someone very close to me when I was a kid who died when I was very young,” says Norrish. “I had always thought they were so awesome, and I wanted to write this as a way to honour them, as well as to explore the feelings that I had around it.”
Eleven years old at the time of his death, Norrish’s positive memories superseded the choices he made as a gang member.
“I remember them as a wonderful human,” she says. “Anyone in a gang is automatically labelled a horrible person but there was a light and joy they had. The things that they did for me and my family were very generous.”
Echoing stories from other gang members, Norrish’s inspiration for her play’s central character became entangled in the lifestyle after becoming estranged from his family.
A Good Way Out is a world premiere, but it’s also a new experience for Norrish, who wrote the play as part of her internship with Pacific Theatre.
Director Anthony Ingram (The Whipping Man, The Seafarer) was asked in a September 14 interview on Soul Food Vancouver whether gang life in a small town relates to Vancouver. He said:
Well, it’s a reality that’s happening all around us whether we’re aware of it or not. I think the script leads the audience into that part of our world that many of us – often by choice – ignore. And that is one of things I love about theatre: it can throw light into the darker parts of our world and give us a better understanding of what’s going on in places we might otherwise be afraid to look.
The play runs until October 15.
Open Bethlehem at the Rio
Director Leila Sansour will be on hand at the Rio Theatre September 26 for a screening of her film Open Bethlehem. Here’s a brief description:
Film director Leila Sansour returns to Bethlehem to make a film about her home town, soon to be encircled by a wall. She left the city as a teenager thinking that Bethlehem was too small and provincial. She never wanted to return but this time she is making an exception. She intends her film to be a tribute to her late father, founder of Bethlehem University, and a man regarded as a hero by his town’s folk. . . .
Armed with her camera and a dilapidated family car that keeps breaking down, Leila plans to make an epic film about a legendary town in crisis but just few months into filming her life and the film take an unexpected turn when cousin Carol, Leila’s last relative in town, persuades her to stay to start a campaign to save the city.
As the pair launch Open Bethlehem Leila finds herself trapped behind a wall in the very place she so much wanted to leave. The face of Bethlehem is changing rapidly with potentially detrimental consequences. Reports predict that if trends continue the Christian community of Bethlehem, a city that provides a model for a multifaith Middle East, may be unsustainable within one generation. Leila’s plan to stay a year stretches to seven, and is only resolved when she realizes that, sometimes, the biggest dreams take flight from the smallest places.
Droning in church
Droning has not been much favoured in the Western church; Stephen Leacock, for example, had some fun with The ministrations of the Rev. Mr. Drone. But a local writer has discovered a much better – and more musical – drone, which has indeed been a staple of religious music in other places and times.
The July 21 issue of The Behemoth (a Christianity Today publication), features Joel Heng Hartse’s The Pitch Goes On: My experiment with timeless, unchanging drone music.
He says:
There’s something of intentionality and slowness to this music compared to the pop and rock music that provides a backdrop for many of our lives, and that seems to open listeners up to transcendence in ways other music does not. . . .
I persuaded my pastor to let me use the sanctuary of the Anglican church our congregation rents for a couple of hours one night. . . . What we played was nothing like a Sunday morning rendition of “Blessed Be Your Name” – not something better or worse, but utterly different. No choruses, no verses, no words, just tones ringing out in an empty space designed specifically for worship. There was a stillness and a solemnity in the room I’d rarely felt in a church before. I did feel like I was in a different place, somehow.
The article is rich with historical and cultural references; well worth reading.
Heng Hartse is a lecturer in the faculty of education at SFU. He is the author of Sects, Love and Rock & Roll and is currently working on Dancing About Architecture is a Reasonable Thing to Do, a book on writing about music.
He has also found time to write an article for the September/October 2016 issue of Books & Culture (like The Behemoth, published by Christianity Today, it is a broadly evangelical version of The New York Review of Books). Language in the Wild looks at how and why languages differ.
Leafing through the new issue of Books & Culture, I also came across Racing with Chariots (The many lives of ‘Ben-Hur’) by my old friend – and Surrey dweller – Peter Chattaway, who now operates the fact-filled FilmChat blog.
Lookout Gallery: Visible Light
Artist Sarah Jane met with visitors to Regent College’s Lookout Gallery September 14, for the opening of her new show. The artist’s statement for Visible Light reads:
A visual celebration of interconnectedness between human beings, all living things, and the whole of the natural world. The artworks incorporate ceramics, stained glass, and colored light, and offer multiple opportunities for viewer interaction.
Visible Light runs until October 13.
Sep 2016
Plumbline Conference – September 15, 2016 - September 18, 2016 at All DayBishop Remi De Roo: Reflections from a Second Vatican Council Father – September 15, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Heavenly Melody Concert – September 15, 2016 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
MCC Festival for World Relief – September 16, 2016 - September 17, 2016 at All Day
Talks with Tom: Faith and Politics – September 16, 2016 at 7:00 am - 8:30 am
A Day with Forge Canada: Faithful Presence - Discipleship at the Margins (Alan Hirsch, Deb Hirsch, Kim Hammond, Cam Roxburgh) – September 16, 2016 at 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Leadership Conference with Peter Irvine – September 16, 2016 - September 17, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 12:30 pm
Heavenly Melody Concert – September 16, 2016 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Iain Provan: Seriously Dangerous Religion – September 16, 2016 - September 17, 2016 at 7:30 pm - 12:30 pm
Alpha Team Training – September 17, 2016 at 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Festival of Hope: Pastors Breakfast – September 17, 2016 at 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
GN2016: Help Evangelize Japanese Youth – September 17, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Soul Dance – with Souled Out – September 17, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Christian Legal Fellowship National Conference – September 22, 2016 - September 25, 2016 at All Day
City in Focus 2016 Annual Awards – September 22, 2016 at 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Lauren Mann in Concert – September 22, 2016 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Lauren Mann in Concert – September 23, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Walk the Wall – September 24, 2016 at 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
WorldServe Thrift Store Grand Re-opening – September 24, 2016 at 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Spiritually Rooted Direct Access Training – September 24, 2016 at 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
A Rocha: Brooksdale Volunteer Appreciation Shindig – September 24, 2016 at 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
King Road MB Church 50th Anniversary – September 24, 2016 at 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
REST International: A Night for Nigeria – September 24, 2016 at 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Life Explored Vancouver Launch – September 24, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Dedication of St. Alban's Mural – September 25, 2016 at 11:15 am - 11:45 am
Choral Evensong to Celebrate Rupert Lang's 30th Anniversary at Christ Church Cathedral – September 25, 2016 at 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Babar the Elephant by Francis Poulenc (for narrator and piano), followed by The Josquin Singers Renaissance repertoire – September 25, 2016 at 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Jazz Vespers: Flock & Hopson Quartet – September 25, 2016 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Coffeehouse Concert Series: Steve Delamar and Nightlight – September 25, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Engaging the Muslim Scriptures – September 25, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Open Bethlehem: Director Leila Sansour in attendance – September 26, 2016 at 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
An Evening with John Bell & Blackthorn – September 26, 2016 at 6:00 pm - 8:45 pm
Hillsong Young & Free Canadian Tour – September 26, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Book Signing: The Face of the Deep with Paul J. Pastor – September 27, 2016 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Verge Conference 2016: Arts & the Inklings – September 28, 2016 - September 30, 2016 at All Day
Dr. Michael Ward: Planet Narnia – The Seven Heavens in the Imagination of C.S. Lewis – September 28, 2016 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Jazz Evensong: Holly Burke & the Naturals – September 28, 2016 at 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Call for Artists: 'Living on Shared Territory' Art Show – September 29, 2016 - October 2, 2016 at All Day
Bishop Melissa Skelton: The Spirituality of Benedict of Nursia – September 29, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Enoch Daniel: Personal Knowledge, Music & Truth – September 29, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Journeying Towards Climate Justice: An Evening of Prayer – September 29, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Moriel Ministries Canada: Prophecy Conference 2016 – September 30, 2016 - October 1, 2016 at 6:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Discovery Bible Study Training – September 30, 2016 - October 1, 2016 at 6:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Life in the Margins Workshop – September 30, 2016 - October 1, 2016 at 6:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Andrew Smith & Neil Fraser – September 30, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Chapel North Shore – September 30, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Chapel Richmond-Delta – September 30, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Chapel Surrey – September 30, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Chapel Tri-Cities – September 30, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Chapel Vancouver – September 30, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Lydia Collins: Seasons of Renewal – September 30, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Two Generations Leadership Conference: Honouring Your Parents - God's Word, Cultural Heritage and Christian Community – September 30, 2016 - October 1, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Chapel Langley – September 30, 2016 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Oct 2016
Ride for Refuge Vancouver – October 1, 2016 at 7:00 am - 12:00 pmSoulStream Presents: A Day with Esther Hizsa – October 1, 2016 at 9:15 am - 3:00 pm
A Rocha: Harvest Celebration – October 1, 2016 at 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
ICR Middle East Update / Praise & Worship Service – October 1, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Life Chain: Burnaby – October 2, 2016 at 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Life Chain: Surrey/Delta – October 2, 2016 at 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Life Chain: Vancouver – October 2, 2016 at 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Saint of Calcutta: Mother Teresa – October 2, 2016 at 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Blessing of the Animals – October 2, 2016 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Jazz Vespers: Christie Grace – October 2, 2016 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
ICR Update on Muslim Conversions in the Middle East – October 2, 2016 at 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Prayer for the Festival of Hope – October 2, 2016 at 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
2016 Mahatma Gandhi Commemorative Lecture: Judy Graves - We Change the World Together – October 3, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Christian Life & Witness Course (Tuesday evenings) – October 4, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Christian Life & Witness Course (Tuesday evenings) – October 4, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Christian Life & Witness Course (Tuesday evenings) – October 4, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Christian Life & Witness Course (Tuesday evenings) – October 4, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Vancouver Pastors Prayer Fellowship – October 5, 2016 at 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Business By the Book: Jonathan Friesen – October 5, 2016 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Andy Crouch: Culture Making – October 5, 2016 at 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Christian Life & Witness Course (Wednesday evenings) – October 5, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Christian Life & Witness Course (Wednesday evenings) – October 5, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Christian Life & Witness Course (Wednesday evenings) – October 5, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Christian Life & Witness Course (Wednesday evenings) – October 5, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Christian Life & Witness Course (Wednesday evenings) – October 5, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Christian Life & Witness Course (Wednesday evenings) – October 5, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Earth & Spirit Speaker Series: Carmen Lansdowne – October 5, 2016 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Jazz Evensong: Laura Crema – October 5, 2016 at 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Christian Life & Witness Courses – October 6, 2016 at All Day
Sarah Jane: Visible Light – October 6, 2016 - October 13, 2016 at All Day
The Firs Adult Retreat – October 6, 2016 - October 11, 2016 at All Day
Ben Heppner speaks at VST's 2016 Chancellor's Dinner – October 6, 2016 at 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Christian Life & Witness Course (Thursday evenings) – October 6, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Christian Life & Witness Course (Thursday evenings) – October 6, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Christian Life & Witness Course (Thursday evenings) – October 6, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Christian Life & Witness Course (Thursday evenings) – October 6, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Christian Life & Witness Course (Thursday evenings) – October 6, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Christian Life & Witness Course (Thursday evenings) – October 6, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Dennis Venema: Surveying the Origins Landscape: What Do Evangelicals Think About Evolution? – October 6, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
The Thinking Series with Andy Steiger (Thursdays) – October 6, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
A Good Way Out by Cara Norrish – October 6, 2016 - October 15, 2016 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Love Fix Experience: Terrance Richmond & more – October 6, 2016 at 9:00 pm - 11:30 pm
Talks with Tom: Trauma – October 7, 2016 at 7:00 am - 8:30 am
Christian Life & Witness Course (Friday evenings) – October 7, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Christian Life & Witness Course (Friday evenings) – October 7, 2016 - October 9, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Christian Life & Witness Course (Friday evenings) – October 7, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Christian Life & Witness Course (Friday evenings) – October 7, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm