Daniel Chai is a writer and event host based in Vancouver, BC. Please send your story suggestions to danielc@dailyhive.com

<p>One of the most anticipated events in Vancouver&#8217;s art calendar is coming up fast, and there&#8217;s still time for you to take part in all of the festivities.</p>
<p>The 2025 Polygon Award in First Nations Art &#8211; Dinner &amp; Award Presentation is happening on Wednesday, Nov. 19, at the Roundhouse Community Centre.</p>
<p>Those wanting a look at the <span style="font-weight: 400;">work by all of the 2025 recipients across both programs</span> can check out the free public exhibition at the Roundhouse from Tuesday, Nov. 18 to Tuesday, Nov. 25.</p>
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<p>&#8220;<span style="font-weight: 400;">The 2025 Polygon Award in First Nations Art recognizes artists whose work reflects deep cultural roots and a powerful creative voice,&#8221; said Walter Pela, Chair of the BC Achievement Foundation, in a statement.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">&#8220;This year’s recipients carry forward tradition while shaping new ways of seeing, reminding us of the strength, courage, and vitality of First Nations art today.&#8221;</span></p>
<p>The 19th annual <a href="https://bcachievement.com/award/bc-achievement-first-nations-art-award-2025/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Polygon Award in First Nations Art</a> program recognizes First Nations artists from British Columbia for excellence in traditional, contemporary, or media art.</p>
<p>Artists from BC First Nations who have shown a commitment to their art, accumulated a body of work, and been recognized in their communities for their talents were encouraged to apply.</p>
<div id="attachment_2210888" style="width: 1010px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2210888" class="size-full wp-image-2210888" src="https://images-dh-production-baselayer.dailyhive.com/uploads/2025/11/art-exhibit.jpg" alt="art exhibition" width="1000" height="669" srcset="https://images-dh-production-baselayer.dailyhive.com/uploads/2025/11/art-exhibit.jpg 1000w, https://images-dh-production-baselayer.dailyhive.com/uploads/2025/11/art-exhibit-500x335.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><p id="caption-attachment-2210888" class="wp-caption-text">Gordon Dick/BC Achievement Foundation</p></div>
<p>The 2025 Polygon Award in First Nations Art recipients are:</p>
<ul>
<li>Rebecca Baker-Grenier, Kwakiutl, Musgamagw Dzawada&#8217;enuxw, Chilliwack</li>
<li>Gordon Dick, Tseshaht, Port Alberni</li>
</ul>
<p>Crabtree McLennan Emerging Artist:</p>
<ul>
<li>Kari Morgan, Nisga’a, Terrace</li>
</ul>
<p>Award of Distinction:</p>
<ul>
<li>Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun Lets’lo:tseltun Cowichan (Hul’q’umi’num Coast Salish) and Okanagan (Syilx), Vancouver</li>
</ul>
<p>The 2025 recipients are chosen by an independent jury of past award recipients, as well as First Nations artists acclaimed for their artistic accomplishments.</p>
<p>They include Lisa Hageman Yahgulanaas (Haida), Thomas Cannell (Musqueam), James Harry (Squamish), Connie Watts (Nuu-chah-nulth, Gitxsan, Kwakwaka’wakw) and Brenda Crabtree, OBC (Spuzzum Band, Nlaka’pamux, Sto:lo).</p>
<div id="attachment_2210889" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2210889" class="size-large wp-image-2210889" src="https://images-dh-production-baselayer.dailyhive.com/uploads/2025/11/art-exhibit-1-1024x583.jpg" alt="art exhibit" width="1024" height="583" srcset="https://images-dh-production-baselayer.dailyhive.com/uploads/2025/11/art-exhibit-1-1024x583.jpg 1024w, https://images-dh-production-baselayer.dailyhive.com/uploads/2025/11/art-exhibit-1-500x285.jpg 500w, https://images-dh-production-baselayer.dailyhive.com/uploads/2025/11/art-exhibit-1.jpg 1148w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><p id="caption-attachment-2210889" class="wp-caption-text">Gwiis Gaak feather cloak and beadwork by Rebecca Baker-Grenier</p></div>
<p>The BC Achievement Foundation is hosting a ticketed award ceremony and dinner on Nov. 19 to celebrate all of the recipients.</p>
<p>The event will include a delicious dinner, a screening of short films to honour each artist, and a live presentation of the awards. Tickets to the event are <a href="https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/2025-polygon-award-in-first-nations-art-dinner-award-presentation-tickets-1596076420539?aff=oddtdtcreator" target="_blank">on sale now</a>.</p>
<h2><a href="https://bcachievement.com/award/bc-achievement-first-nations-art-award-2025/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Polygon Award in First Nations Art &#8211; Free Public Exhibition</a></h2>
<p><strong>When:</strong> Tuesday, Nov. 18 to Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025<br />
<strong>Where:</strong> Roundhouse Community Centre &#8211; 181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver<br />
<strong>Cost: </strong>Free</p>
<div id="article-218465" class="wp-content" data-word-count="571" data-p-count="15">
<h2><a href="https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/2025-polygon-award-in-first-nations-art-dinner-award-presentation-tickets-1596076420539?aff=oddtdtcreator" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2025 Polygon Award in First Nations Art &#8211; Dinner &amp; Award Presentation</a></h2>
<p><strong>When:</strong> Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025<br />
<strong>Time:</strong> 5:30 to 9 p.m.<br />
<strong>Where:</strong> Roundhouse Community Centre &#8211; 181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver<br />
<strong>Tickets: </strong>$150, purchase <a href="https://www.artsumbrella.com/events/splash-2025/">online</a></p>
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Vancouver

One of the most anticipated events in Vancouver's art calendar is coming up fast, and there's still time to take part in the festivities.

Free art exhibit comes to Vancouver this month as part of awards celebration

<p>The Arts Club Theatre Company production of <em>Kimberly Akimbo</em> runs from April 2 to May 3, 2026, at the Stanley BFL CANADA Stage. Directed by Arts Club Theatre Company Artistic Director <strong>Ashlie Corcoran</strong>, this Tony Award–winning musical by David Lindsay-Abaire and Jeanine Tesori is a heartfelt and hilarious coming-of-age story that celebrates resilience, hope, and humour.</p><p> </p><p>On the eve of her 16th birthday, Kimberly Levaco (<strong>Lisa Horner</strong>) is navigating all the usual challenges of a typical teenager—first crushes, family drama, and a new school. She just also happens to look like she’s 72 years old. Despite her rare genetic condition, Kimberly is determined to make the best of her fresh start. As she struggles with a chaotic home life, the uncertainties of new friendships, and a budding romance, Kimberly decides to make the most of the time she has and embarks on a great adventure to find the happiness she craves.</p><p> </p><p>Winner of five Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, and Best Original Score, <em>Kimberly Akimbo</em> blends sharp wit with profound heart. Lindsay-Abaire’s quick-witted storytelling paired with Tesori’s catchy and emotionally rich score create a memorable musical that is both laugh-out-loud funny and quietly moving.</p><p> </p><p>The production begins at the Stanley BFL CANADA Stage on April 2 and runs until May 3, with opening night on April 8. Tickets from $29. Buy now at ArtsClub.com or through the Box Office Call Centre at 604.687.1644.</p><p> </p><p><em>Kimberly Akimbo</em> is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.www.mtishows.com</p><p> </p><p><strong>SPECIAL PERFORMANCES</strong></p><p>  Sunday Salon Performance – Sun, April 12, 2 PM</p><p>  Talkback Tuesday Performance – Tue, April 21, 7 PM</p><p>  VocalEye Performances – Sun, April 26, 2 PM &amp; Fri, May 1, 7:30 PM</p><p> </p><p><strong>CAST</strong></p><p><strong>Sarah Cantuba</strong> (Teresa), <strong>Angella Cody</strong> (Delia), <strong>Steffanie Davis</strong> (Pattie Levaco), <strong>Josh Epstein</strong> (Buddy Levaco), <strong>Lisa Horner</strong> (Kimberly Levaco), <strong>Joaquín Little</strong> (Martin), <strong>James Ross </strong>(Aaron), <strong>Jason Sakaki</strong> (Seth), <strong>Madeleine Suddaby</strong> (Aunt Debra)</p><p> </p><p><strong>MUSICIANS</strong></p><p><strong>Caitlin Hayes</strong> (Leader/Keyboard 1), <strong>Clare Wyatt</strong> (Associate Music Director/Keyboard 2), <strong>Monica Sumulong Dumas</strong> (Bass), <strong>Peter Serravalle</strong> (Guitar), <strong>Colin Parker</strong> (Drums), <strong>Finn Manniche </strong>(Cello), <strong>Kevin Woo</strong> (Reeds)</p><p> </p><p><strong>CREATIVE</strong></p><p><strong>Ashlie Corcoran</strong> (Director), <strong>Shelley Stewart Hunt</strong> (Choreographer), <strong>Caitlin Hayes</strong> (Musical Director), <strong>Pam Johnson</strong> (Set Designer), <strong>Stephanie Kong</strong> (Costume Designer), <strong>Itai Erdal</strong> (Lighting Designer), <strong>Kate De Lorme</strong> (Sound Designer), <strong>Lisa Goebel </strong>(Intimacy Director), <strong>Geoff Jones</strong> (Stage Manager), <strong>Peter Jotkus</strong> (Assistant Stage Manager)</p><p> </p><p>  </p>

The TONY Award-Winning Musical about Growing Up and Living Boldly

Kimberly Akimbo

Stanley BFL CANADA Stage

<p><strong>Join prominent Canadian writers and leaders in the arts, business, and society for a national conversation on connection.</strong></p><p>Canadian writers create the connective tissue that bonds us — their insights inform our thinking on the issues that shape culture and their voices represent us to the world abroad. Authors tell stories of who we are and who we might become. Through the shared heritage of their books and the deep thinking that informs them, writers bring complexity and nuance to a time that needs them. Yet, the work of building connection is fraught with questions about how community can be held together when individuals hold disparate views, and misinformation and misunderstanding are weaponized to sow discord.</p><p>With 50 years of supporting writers as the truth-tellers of our world, Writers’ Trust of Canada believes that we need writers to help us navigate the future. Writers’ Trust beneficiaries of 50 years of literary programming will bring their ideas to stages and communities across the country with the goal of helping us see that, despite how it can feel in tumultuous times, there is more that connects us than divides us.</p><p>The Vancouver event features the following authors:</p><p><strong>Kamal Al-Solaylee</strong></p><ul><li>2017 Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing winner</li><li>2012 Hilary Weston Writers’ Trust Prize for Nonfiction winner</li></ul><p><strong>Elizabeth Hay</strong></p><ul><li>2018 Hilary Weston Writers’ Trust Prize for Nonfiction winner</li><li>2015 Atwood Gibson Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize finalist</li><li>2002 Writers’ Trust Engel Findley Award winner</li><li>1997 Atwood Gibson Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize finalist</li></ul><p><strong>Eden Robinson</strong></p><ul><li>2017 WT Fellowship winner</li><li>2016 Writers’ Trust Engel Findley Award winner</li></ul>

Join award-winning authors Kamal Al-Solaylee, Elizabeth Hay, and Eden Robinson for a 50th Anniversary Event for Writers’ Trust of Canada.

Conversations in Trust Vancouver: Canadian Authors Make Sense of Our World

Olympic Village Stage at the BMO Theatre Centre, Arts Club Theatre Company

<p><strong><em>La Bohème</em> has FIVE performances</strong> at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver </p><p>Vancouver Opera’s blockbuster 2025-2026 season culminates in April and May with five performances of Giacomo Puccini’s beloved <em>La Bohème</em> at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. One of opera’s most cherished works, <em>La Bohème</em>’s passion, heartbreak, and soaring melodies will close the season on an unforgettable high note, both artistically and at the box office. As of today, <em>La Bohème</em> is the fastest selling show in VO history, on pace to sell out all five performances!</p><p><br></p><p>Set in the Latin Quarter of Paris, <em>La Bohème</em> follows a group of young artists struggling to survive, create, and fall in love. At its heart is the tender and tragic romance between the poet Rodolfo and the ailing seamstress Mimì, a simple story that has resonated since its 1896 premiere and directly inspired more recent works like the Broadway musical RENT. From the playful camaraderie of bohemian life to the devastating beauty of its final act, Puccini’s score bursts with some of the most recognizable and emotionally resonant music ever written, conducted here by Vancouver Opera’s Music Director Emeritus, Maestro <strong>Jonathan Darlington, </strong>with an all-star cast steered by director <strong>Brenna Corner</strong>. A true and transcendent masterpiece<em>, La Bohème</em>’s deeply human story, sweeping arias, intimate duets, and vivid orchestration continues to captivate seasoned opera lovers, while arguably offering the best and most memorable experience for first-time attendees. Want to open someone’s heart to opera? <em>La Bohème</em> can convince the unsure, and convert even the staunchest detractors.</p><p><br></p><p>The principal cast for<em> La Bohème</em> includes <strong>Jonelle Sills</strong> as Mimì (April 25, April 30, May 2), alternating with <strong>Lucia Cesaroni</strong> (April 26, May 3), <strong>Matthew White</strong> (April 25, April 30, May 2) as Rodolfo, alternating with <strong>Zachary Rioux</strong> (April 26, May 3), <strong>Gregory Dahl</strong> as Marcello, <strong>Lara Ciekiewicz</strong> as Musetta, <strong>Alex Halliday</strong> as Colline, <strong>Justin Welsh</strong> as Schaunard, and <strong>Thomas Goerz</strong> as Benoit/Alcindoro. They are joined by members of the Vancouver Opera Chorus.</p><p> </p><p>Tickets are on sale now for <em>La Bohème</em> and are selling fast. Subscriptions for the 2026-2027 season are also available. For more information and to subscribe, please visit vancouveropera.ca. </p><p><br></p>

Vancouver Opera presents Puccini’s Cherished Masterpiece La Bohème

Puccini’s beloved La Bohème

Queen Elizabeth Theatre

<p><strong>XUUYA: Raven Brings the Light returns for another year, and early bird tickets are now live! </strong></p><p>A unique fundraising evening of Indigenous art, music, food, and performance in a lively, after-hours celebration in the heart of Downtown Vancouver.</p><p>Enjoy curated tastings, powerful performances, and creative moments that celebrate both traditional and contemporary Indigenous expression!</p><p><strong>EVENT HIGHLIGHTS </strong></p><p> • Captivating 2Spirit drag performances by Vancouver favourites Xana and Cheryl Trade</p><p> • Emceed by Squamish comedian Keith Nahanee</p><p> • Live music by The Thomson Band </p><p> • Hip-hop performance by Mandy Nahanee-Campbell (Lady Sinncere)</p><p> • Curated silent auction featuring experiences, travel, and artworks</p><p> • Tastings by NK’MIP Cellars and Locality Brewing</p><p> • Indigenous hors d'œuvres</p><p> SPONSORED BY </p><p>Fasken • Genus Capital Management • McCarthy Properties • Pedersen's • NK'MIP Cellars • Locality Brewing</p>

A vibrant, after-hours fundraising celebration of Indigenous art, music, food, and performance in one of Vancouver’s cultural gems.

Free art exhibit comes to Vancouver this month as part of awards celebration

Polygon Award in First Nations Art – Free Public Exhibition

2025 Polygon Award in First Nations Art – Dinner & Award Presentation