Articles — Stir

Arts community struggles to be heard as it grapples with stagnant city funding

Twelve-percent cuts to the 2026 arts budget—while leaving grants at status quo—are the latest frustration for a community that’s repeatedly tried to voice its challenges at Vancouver City Hall

NEWSJanet SmithDecember 17, 2025Vancouver City Council, Heather Redfern, Ashley Daniel Foot, funding

Pacific Theatre hosts final Christmas Presence at its home of more than three decades, to December 23

Annual holiday variety show hosted by founder Ron Reed wraps up the company’s programming for the foreseeable future

THEATRE, MUSICJanet SmithDecember 16, 2025Pacific Theatre, Holiday 2025

At grunt gallery, Jenie Gao transforms paper, wood, and familial lore into reimagined keepsakes

In Where Mountain Cats Live exhibit, Kansas-raised printmaker and installation artist illuminates Taiwanese-Chinese American experience through everything from a “lazy Susan” to jade pendant prints

ART & DESIGNJanet SmithDecember 16, 2025grunt gallery, Homepage feature

New Ballet Jörgen production A Midsummer Night's Dream tours to Massey Theatre, February 7

Set to a score by Mendelssohn, whimsical show puts a Northern Canadian twist on Shakespeare’s timeless comedy

DANCEStir VancouverDecember 16, 2025Partner Content, Massey Theatre, Ballet Jorgen, Ballet Jörgen

Theatre review: Gateway Theatre’s ambitious Annie has girl power to burn

Energized title-role performance by Azaleah Korn leads an ensemble with a gift for the physical comedy and classic song-and-dance numbers of this beloved musical

THEATREJanet SmithDecember 15, 2025Gateway Theatre, Homepage feature, Holiday 2025

Kings Return performs effortless harmonies at the Kay Meek Arts Centre, January 18

The Grammy-nominated vocal group crafts a diverse, sophisticated, and soothing a cappella sound

MUSICStir VancouverDecember 15, 2025Partner Content, Kay Meek Arts Centre

Theatre reviews: Two plays invite viewers into the history-steeped Roedde House Museum

Christmas With the Marches welcomes viewers into the famous sisters’ home for the holidays, while A Christmas Carol animates the Victorian setting with coloured lights and projections

THEATRE, HOLIDAY25Janet SmithDecember 14, 2025Holiday 2025, Roedde House Museum, Hidden Stages, Page Turn

Artisan eggnogs to gingerbread old fashioneds, where to find festive spirits on Vancouver’s cocktail scene

At bars from Botanist to Meo, mixologists riff on Christmas pudding, mulled wine, grandma’s baking, and much more

CULINARY, HOLIDAY25Janet SmithDecember 12, 2025cocktails, Botanist, Bacchus, Meo, Holiday 2025

At Christmas With Chor Leoni, Saina Khaledi premieres Persian song inspired by her father's melodies

Composer-musician draws on years of memories in new piece for santour and choir that celebrates Yalda Night

MUSICJanet SmithDecember 12, 2025Christmas with Chor Leoni, Chor Leoni, CHOR LEONI, Holiday 2025

B3 Kings keyboardist Chris Gestrin draws on a long history of holiday music for jazz arrangements

Quartet roasts some chestnuts—and some more adventurous tunes, too—at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts

MUSIC, HOLIDAY25Janet SmithDecember 12, 2025Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, B3 Kings, Chris Gestrin, Holiday 2025

Corbin Murdoch steps in as Vancouver Folk Music Festival executive director

The musician, cultural programmer, and producer is set to work alongside artistic director Fiona Black

FESTS, NEWS, MUSICJanet SmithDecember 11, 2025Vancouver Folk Music Festival, Corbin Murdoch

The Nutcracker at Wethersfield follows New York City Ballet to a wintry estate, to December 28 at VIFF Centre

The Leading Ladies bring to life Duke Ellington’s swingy twist on Tchaikovsky score at December 14 screening

SCREEN, DANCEJanet SmithDecember 11, 2025VIFF, VIFF Centre, Holiday 2025

Goh Ballet fosters young talent and holiday cheer with 15th edition of The Nutcracker

Amid tulle tutus and fleecey lambs, director Chan Hon Goh reflects on the history of the “feel-good production”

DANCEJanet SmithDecember 11, 2025Holiday 2025, Goh Ballet

Gateway Theatre's Annie brings back classic songs and a sense of optimism, to January 3

And did we mention the live dogs playing Sandy?

THEATRE, HOLIDAY25Janet SmithDecember 10, 2025Gateway Theatre, Holiday 2025

International Guitar Night 2026 tours to Massey Theatre, February 1

All-Canadian lineup features Itamar Erez, Jocelyn Gould, Jamie Dupuis, and Caroline Planté

MUSICStir VancouverDecember 10, 2025Partner Content, Massey Theatre

Vancouver Cantata Singers bridge generations with Christmas Reprise concerts

Up-and-coming composer Sophia Colpitts contributed to the program—with a little help from her grandpa

MUSIC, HOLIDAY25Janet SmithDecember 9, 2025Holiday 2025, Vancouver Cantata Singers, Sophie Colpitts, choral

Just-released publication Enemy Alien covers Tamio Wakayama's remarkable photographic career

Edited by Paul Wong, Figure 1 Publishing release draws on the Japanese Canadian artist’s unpublished memoir, Soul on Rice

READStir VancouverDecember 9, 2025Partner Content, Figure 1 Publishing, Figure 1 Pubishing, BC books

At The Cinematheque, David Lynch retrospective In Dreams delves into Hollywood’s dark side

Legendary director’s groundbreaking movies and TV work create a visual language that reflects on some of film history’s most sinister figures—and mushroom clouds

SCREENJanet SmithDecember 8, 2025The Cinematheque, David Lynch, Homepage feature