The Sunshine Coast Film Society is planning to screen the Oscar-nominated film Perfect Days on Monday, Oct. 7 at 7:30 p.m. at the Heritage Playhouse in Gibsons, and on Thursday, Oct. 10 at 2 p.m. at the Ravens Cry Theatre in Sechelt.
The film depicts Hirayama (Koji Yakusho), who seems utterly content with his simple life as a cleaner of toilets in Tokyo. Outside of his very structured everyday routine he exercises a passion for music, books, nature and photography.
German Director Wim Wenders (Buena Vista Social Club) elevates the mundane to high art in this moving and poetic reflection on finding beauty in the everyday world. Dialogue is in Japanese with English subtitles.
Membership (ages 18+) is required to attend Film Society screenings. Memberships and admissions can be procured with cash at the door or online at scfs.ca.
Raven’s Cry opera
Grand operas are regularly broadcast live from New York City’s Metropolitan Opera to the big screen of the Raven’s Cry Theatre in Sechelt.
The screenings are part of the Raven’s Cry lineup of live performance broadcasts, which also include National Theatre Live from the United Kingdom.
On Oct. 5 at 10 a.m., the Met and the Raven’s Cry will present Jacques Offenbach’s final work Les Contes d’Hoffmann (Tales of Hoffman). The cast is headlined by tenor Benjamin Bernheim in the title role of the tormented poet. Hoffmann’s trio of lovers are sung by soprano Erin Morley as the mechanical doll Olympia, soprano Pretty Yende as the plagued diva Antonia, and mezzo-soprano Clémentine Margaine as the Venetian seductress Giulietta.
The opera premiered in 1861 at the Opéra-Comique in Paris. “Hurry up and stage my opera,” Offenbach wrote to its director from his deathbed. “I have not much time left, and my only wish is to attend the opening night. He died four months before the curtain rose.
Tickets ($26.94) are available at the door or online via ravenscrytheatre.com.
Dance, Piano and Voice returns
Last year, a groundbreaking ensemble project by dancers and musicians filled the Waldorf Ballet studio in Sechelt to capacity. Choreographers Judith Garay and Sylvain Brochu have re-united to stage another series of performances this October.
Dance, Piano and Voice features a seductive blend of contemporary dance, live keyboard accompaniment and vocals — performed in an intimate, informal stage venue produced and directed by Brochu.
The four performances (scheduled from Oct. 18 to 20) will feature local pianist Tom Kellough, guest Caroline Veillette plus local dancers and singers. Tickets for in-person performances and live Internet broadcasts are available for purchase at buytickets.at/dancepianovoice.
Art Walk in Sechelt
The Sechelt Downtown Business Association is sponsoring a self-guided Art Walk through Sechelt’s cosmopolitan core, from Oct. 12 to 26. Participants can stroll the picturesque streets and view artwork by 30 local artists at participating shops and eateries.
The ArtWalk poster appears in the window of participating shops. The event provides an opportunity for art aficionados to condition their muscles in advance of the three-day Art Crawl (Oct. 18 to 20, coordinated by the Coast Cultural Alliance), which will feature 189 distinct venues.
Coffee house sure to stir
The Pender Harbour Music Society is planning to hold another of its popular Coffee Houses on Oct. 11 at 7 p.m.
The show at the Pender Harbour School of Music features homegrown ensembles: vocalist-and-guitarist duo Rebecca and Jeremy, followed by the Westerly A Capella Group.
Doors open at 7 p.m. and music starts at 7:30 p.m. There is a suggested donation of $10 for entry at the door. Additional details are available online at penderharbourmusic.ca.
