The Great Lake Swimmers Toronto indie rockers the Great Lake Swimmers bring their rural-tinged sound to the West Coast later this month after a tour of Europe and China. Last year the group released their fourth full-length studio album, Lost Channels, which was shortlisted for the 2009 Polaris Music Prize. Tony Dekker, lead singer and songwriter, continues to create haunting, sombre ballads that emit an otherworldly atmosphere – a sound that recalls “After the Gold Rush”-era Neil Young. Victoria, Jan. 27; Vancouver, Jan. 29; Prince George, Jan. 30; greatlakeswimmers.com
.jpg)
Mrs. Dexter and Her Daily Vancouver’s Arts Club gets a national premiere in the form of awa rd-winning playwright Joanna McClelland Glass’s new work, Mrs. Dexter and Her Daily (co-produced by the National Arts Centre English Theatre). Glass’s story chronicles the relationship between Rosedale matron Mrs. Dexter (Fiona Reid) and her maid Peggy (Nicola Cavendish). Dexter is getting a divorce and the two women must part ways; as they prepare for their new separate lives, the women reflect on time together and a friendship neither one expected. The Saskatoon-born Glass traces inspiration for the piece back to the late ’90s, when she befriended her Nova Scotia housekeeper while living in Toronto. Jan. 7 to Feb. 7, Stanley Theatre
BCBusiness contributor John Lee was born in St. Albans, England, but since the early ’90s h as called B.C. home – when he is, indeed, home. The prolific travel writer has penned five Lonely Plane t guides dedicated to B.C. and Vancouver, and just before Christmas saw the release of a book celebrat ing his other abiding passion: drinking. Drinking Vancouver: 100+ Great Bars in the City and Beyond features reviews and recommendations of Lotusland’s most reputable establishments, as well as some prominent drinking holes in Victoria and the Okanagan. Helpfully, for those who get lost on their pub-crawl, the book also contains maps of 11 Vancouver neighbourhoods. TouchWood Editions