Happy Asian Heritage Month and Canadian Jewish Heritage Month! May also brings us Dutch Heritage Day, Komagata Maru Remembrance Day, and Victoria Day. A month to celebrate and remember all kinds of things; and what better way to do it than through art? 

Here are our Vancouver arts picks for May 2024.

I Know Your Secret: To May 4 @ Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre 

Youth creatives explore social media dangers in an all-new production.

The Incredible Adventures of Mary Jane Mosquito: To May 5 @ Granville Island Picnic Pavillion

Carousel Theatre for Young People presents a cabaret following a misfit mozzie.

Handcuffed: To May 5 @ Waterfront Theatre

A tragicomedy exploring addiction, arguing “theatre ought to elicit a certain level of trepidation.”

Sexy Laundry: To May 12 @ Granville Island Stage 

There’s still time to catch this raunchy romcom kicked off with Sex for Dummies.

Les Automatistes: To May 18 @ Petley Jones Gallery 

Avant-garde artworks from Canadian greats are up for display—and sale.

Love You Wrong Time: May 2 @ Tightrope Theatre

Maddie Bautista and Deanna H. Choi send up Asian fetishization with an interactive, inventive comedy show.

True Colours Spring Art Show: May 3 to 4 @ Welch Street Studios 

Art, music, and conversation at a North Van gallery.

East of the Sun: May 3 to 4 @ Anvil Theatre

Renowned Korean ensemble SE:UM present their unique mix of Korean, Chinese, and Western jazz.

Little Pea: May 3 to 4 @ Presentation House Theatre

Pulling double duty as a play and an exhibition, this tale will forever change how you look at petits pois.

All That Rhythm with Cateen: May 4 @ Chan Centre for Performing Arts 

YouTube piano sensation Cateen かてぃん (Hayato Sumino) joins the Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra Society in concert. 

LiterAsian Festival: May 4 to 5 @ Various venues 

The Asian-Canadian writers’ fest returns for its 12th year. This year’s theme: (re)dress.

Golden Delicious: May 8 @ Vancouver Public Library Central Branch 

Director Jason Karman and writer Gorrman Lee attend a screening of their award-winning queer Asian feature. 

Sophie Grégoire Trudeau and Gabor Maté: May 9 @ Frederic Wood Theatre

Not who I would have expected to interview the former first lady about her memoir. 

Zombies, Mannequins, and Talking Heads: May 9 to 11 @ Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre 

Realwheels Theatre presents three works in process from artists with disabilities. 

For Ever: May 9 to 11 @ Queen Elizabeth Theatre

Ballet BC premieres abound as the company looks to the future.

Earth & Aether: The Archaeology of Soul and Sky: May 10 to 11 @ St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church

Chor Leoni gets esoteric in this pair of premieres. 

Las Cafeteras: May 11 @ Blueshore Financial Centre for the Performing Arts 

Afro-Mexican rhythms combine with hip-hop, punk, funk, dance, and more.

Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Art Studios Tour: May 11 to 12 @ Various Locations 

The “little country cousin to the Culture Crawl” opens up 27 studios in the ‘burbs.

David Sedaris: May 14 @ Queen Elizabeth Theatre

The award-winning humourist comes armed with his latest collection, Happy-Go-Lucky.

Artemisia Gentileschi: Woman Painter of the Italian Baroque: May 16 @ Ferry Building Gallery 

CapU art history professor Efrat El-Hanany uncovers the 17th century artist.

A Case for the Existence of God: May 16 to June 9 @ Pacific Theatre 

Two young fathers tackle big ideas and search for meaning. Canadian premiere. 

Bring It On, Broadway!: May 19 @ Centennial Theatre 

A show tune bonanza from 150 performers and a six-piece band. 

Cassie and Maggie: May 19 @ Mel Lehan Hall at St. James 

The Juno-nominated Nova Scotian sisters play bilingual Celtic tunes. 

Rooted in the Land: Beadwork as Sovereignty: May 23 @ Ferry Building Gallery 

Megan Smetzer discusses matriarchal power in Indigenous bead artistry.

Danny Nielsen: The New Standards: May 23 to 24 @ Scotiabank Dance Centre 

There are so few adult men who tap dance that the ones who do deserve our respect!

Here’s Bowen Arts! Tour: May 25 to 26 @ Various locations 

Check out over 130 artists and artisans on this self-guided tour.

The Simon and Garfunkel Story: May 26 @ Queen Elizabeth Theatre

Immersive concert show chronicling the musical lives of the beloved, troubled duo.

Jeff Rubin: May 27 @ BlueShore Financial Centre for the Performing Arts 

The economist discusses his snappily-titled new book, A Map of the New Normal: How Inflation, War, and Sanctions Will Change Your World Forever.

Vancouver International Children’s Festival: May 27 to June 2 @ Various locations

All-ages family fun from around the world takes over Granville Island. 

Michel(le): May 29 to June 8 @ Studio 16

A Francophone play following two siblings as one transitions. 

Daniel O’Donnell: May 31 @ Centre for the Performing Arts 

Donegal’s “Wee Danny” brings charming Celtic folk to the coast.

West Vancouver Community Cultural Fest: May 31 to June 1 @ Ambleside Park

West Vancouver celebrates the city’s diversity in a two-day festival.

Listings are a public service provided free of charge, based on available space and editorial discretion. Submit events via our online form at straight.com/AddEvent. Events that don’t make it into the paper due to space constraints will appear on our website.