Composer Claudio Simonetti has written and recorded some of the most influential scores and soundtracks in horror, including SUSPIRIA, DAWN OF THE DEAD, DEEP RED / PROFONDO ROSSO, DEMONS and many others, with his seminal work still informing the genre to this day.

This year, Simonetti's Goblin returns to the Rio Theatre to celebrate Dario Argento's critically-acclaimed 1982 classic, TENEBRE, with a live performance of the score set to a screening of the film. Following the finale of the movie, the collective will return after a brief intermission to deliver an additional performance of quintessential Goblin material and "best of" songs and scores set to their cinematic counterparts.

Friday, November 6
Doors 7:15 pm | Event 8:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Artists Circle (First two rows, centre section) $85+ s/c
Adult Entry $65+ s/c

Brixxhouse Arts in partnership with The Rio Theatre present:

Come celebrate the music, lyrics and visual artistry of one of Canada’s national treasures, Joni Mitchell. It's also her 83rd birthday!

The evening features many of Ms. Mitchell’s most iconic songs performed live by a full band and vocalists, set against a visual backdrop of her extraordinary artwork. Interspersed with video clips of interviews with the artist across her vast and storied career, the show is a heartfelt homage to the remarkable legacy of this truly multifaceted artist.

The band includes musical veterans Doug Thoms (Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Big Brown Beaver, Final Cut), Mark Richardson (Ophelia Falling), Paul LeBlanc (SHAG The Band, The Tabloids) and Colin Furness (Anthem, Them Bones, The Def Leppard Thing) and vocals by Kyrst Hogan (Singer: Norwegian Cruise Lines, Radio City Rockettes Show, CTORA Prod’s) who will also be curating the multimedia elements of the show. All members have performed together in various live band tributes with Brixxhouse Arts (Formerly Kitty Nights), selling out The Rio Theatre on many occasions.

Saturday, November 7
Doors: 7:00 pm | Event: 8:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Early Bird tickets just $25. Available till July 1, midnight.

Main Floor, Assigned ; Balcony, General Admission - $30 + s/c in advance | $35 + s/c at the door

Filmed at night from Tel Aviv rooftops, this investigative documentary examines the civilian casualties of Israel's military operations in Gaza and the systems behind targeted killings of Palestinians.

Sunday, November 8
Doors: 12:30 pm | Show: 1:00 pm

NAZA (Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor / 2026 / 75 mins / NR) Filmed at night from Tel Aviv rooftops as the city carries on below, this documentary examines the systems Israel used to select targets and approve strikes that killed civilians in Gaza after 7 October 2023.

Apple Original Films and RANGE Magazine present

Apple Original Films and RANGE Magazine invite you to a free advance community screening of Being Heumann, the new film from Academy Award-winning CODA director Siân Heder, ahead of its global release on Apple TV on November 13.

They wouldn’t take Judy Heumann’s phone calls, so she took their building.

In 1977, a young disabled woman (Ruth Madeley) and a scrappy coalition of outsiders decide they’ve had enough. What begins as one impulsive act becomes the longest occupation of a federal building in American history, as hundreds spontaneously seize government offices and refuse to leave until the bureaucrat in their way (Mark Ruffalo) takes action.

Bringing rebellion in all its forms to the hallowed halls, a movement’s accidental leaders struggle to find their path forward where none has ever been paved for them. Directed by Academy Award winner Siân Heder (CODA) and based on true events, Being Heumann is the revolutionary, irreverent and deeply human story of the least likely people trying to pull off the impossible and change the lives of millions.

Sunday, November 8
Doors 2:30pm | Movie 3:00 pm *Showtime is subject to change. Please arrive on time. 

Admission: Free with RSVP

Community Partners:
Museum of Vancouver
posAbilities
All Bodies Dance

An incisive look behind the legend of Elon Musk, the world’s most heralded “inventor-entrepreneur” who has enormous influence on the world in which we all live.

“Alex Gibney, Musk’s director, is fascinated by people who invent and then believe their own stories, and Musk’s is a whopper, nearly four hours long. (Settle in, because it’s worth it.)” (Globe and Mail)

“Oscar-winner Alex Gibney’s 4-hour documentary about Elon Musk may be the most important film of the year.” (RogerEbert.com)

“There is no question that Musk serves as a vital, nearly comprehensive document not just of Musk as a person, but of the increasingly dystopian world he is currently helping to shape. (It didn’t need the gimmicks.)” (Consequence)

“While there were very few nuggets of new information, the sheer breadth of the film makes for a stunningly comprehensive accounting of a man [director] Gibney considers a danger to society. ” (NPR)

Sunday, November 8
Doors: 5:30 pm | Showtime: 6:00 pm

MUSK (Alex Gibney, 2026 / PG / 232min)

For years, Vancouver has topped global rankings as one of the world’s most livable cities, while British Columbia has marketed itself as a paradise of mountains, rainforests and ocean—a destination unlike any other.

Monday, November 9
Doors 6:00 pm | Event 7:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

General Admission - $16 + fees

Copies of Justin's book will be available for purchasing and signing at the event.

In Searching for the Best Place on Earth, Vancouver journalist Justin McElroy embarks on an ambitious trip, visiting nearly every “world-class” city on the planet.

His personal mission was to see the world—as well as to rank as many things as he could, from cuisines to museums to national train systems. His professional mission was to see how Vancouver truly compares. Does BC’s celebrated identity hold up?

As a neurodivergent traveller, McElroy is also frank about sensory overload, but once on the road, he’s surprised by how comfortably he adapts to a new routine of being a tourist for a year.

With his signature wit and deep knowledge of his home province, McElroy offers a fresh perspective on what makes a city truly exceptional—and whether BC still deserves its reputation as the “best place on earth.”

“Justin McElroy... captures and defines what a world-class city is... A good read that I recommend you pick up.”

—Mike Harcourt, former mayor of Vancouver and premier of British Columbia

“What is a world class city? In Searching for the Best Place on Earth, Justin McElroy brings his endlessly curious eye to that question. The result is a smart, warm and often very funny travelogue—and one of the funnest books about cities I’ve read in ages.” —Charles Montgomery, author of Happy City

“Truly a joy to read, Searching for the Best Place on Earth is as much an in-depth, world travel guide as it is a look into the curious life and mind of one of British Columbia’s finest reporters.” —Bob Kronbauer, host of Now You Know BC, CHEK TV

Handsome, shallow, and ultra-muscular, Jim Queen is a gay influencer content to live off his looks. Thin, insecure, and closeted, Lucien is one of Jim’s many followers. When the gym-bod god gets infected with Heterosis — a drug manufactured by the far-right that causes heterosexuality — the two men must join forces and find a cure for straightness before Jim’s online clout runs out.

Brought to life by directors Marco Nguyen and Nicolas Athané, JIM QUEEN is a perfect satirical creation: Jim’s vanity and superficiality make for a great sendup of gay “body fascism”. Of course, the filmmakers reserve much of their scorn for homophobic conservatism, and the inversion of homo- and heterosexuality is provocative and hilarious. From the opening musical number to the spoof of conversion therapy to an outrageous Trojan-horse gag and beyond, JIM QUEEN is a raucous delight.

Audience Award, VIFF 2026

"An adoring celebration of queer culture and a spoofy critique of internet fame, 'Jim Queen' is strictly for grown-ups who don’t need polite jokes to laugh with and at its lovable characters. It’s a riot." (ELLE Magazine)

"It’s an animated charmer that blends raunch and warmth into a memorable gem." (RogerEbert.com)

"'Jim Queen' has the tender heart of a Disney classic and the raging libido of that one unmentionable weekend in Puerto Vallarta." (Cinapse)

Tuesday, November 10
Doors 6:00 pm | Movie 6:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

JIM QUEEN (Marco Nguyen and Nicolas Athané, 2026 / 2026 / 85 mins / 14A / French w.EST) A gay influencer's life crumbles when a virus turns gay men in Paris straight. He teams up with a twink to search for a rumored cure in the Marais in this satire on fame and culture.

Academy Award-winning filmmaker Alejandro G. Iñárritu (THE REVENANT, BIRDMAN, AMORES PERROS) takes one of the year's "biggest swings"  with his latest film, DIGGER. An almost unrecognizable Tom Cruise stars as eccentric, wealthy oil tycoon Digger Rockwell (who may be the most powerful man in the world). When his reckless drilling causes a massive environmental disaster—triggering a catastrophic Arctic ice-shelf break that threatens a global tsunami—he embarks on a frantic mission to save the world and convince people he is their savior. With Riz Ahmed, John Goodman, Sandra Hüller, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Jesse Plemons.

Tuesday, November 10
Doors 8:15 pm | Movie 8:45 pm

DIGGER (Alejandro G. Iñárritu, 2026 / 128 mins / 14A) The most powerful man in the world embarks on a frantic mission to prove he is humanity's savior before the disaster he's unleashed destroys everything.

Join us for a dark and stormy Fall!

Full cast reveal coming soon!

The timeless sounds and images of one of rock’s most iconic and revered bands is returning to Vancouver this fall! Vancouver-based Pink Floyd tribute band, CRAZY DIAMONDS are excited to return to the Rio Theatre, Friday, November 14 for one night only!

From the Band:
"We are super stoked to bring you our one and only show of the year. And it’s all ages! We’ve only played 2-3 all ages gigs in 20 years and to see different generations come together around the tunes we all love is incredible!

We can’t wait to see you!"

You can expect the full Pink Floyd experience with interactive visuals, an immersive multi-sensory light show, and the band's dedication to performing the songs as they were meant to be heard — true to the albums!

Saturday, November 14
Doors 8:00 pm | Event 9:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

EARLY BIRD tickets available for a limited time only!
VIP (Rows A-C, Centre Section)
Regular Entry

Connect with Crazy Diamonds:

https://www.instagram.com/crazydiamondsvancouver/
https://www.facebook.com/CrazyDiamondsVancouver

Scroll Down for English

HASSAM, OH MY DOG RECARGADO
Porque todos llevamos un ñero dentro

Una historia de vida mi perri contada con humor y música pero bien ñera

En Oh My Dog Recargado  llega  a Vancouver mi Pez para hacerlo reir, y ojo con la billetera porque viene recargado con su estilo único, convierte a los gomelitos en ñeros y a los honrados en chorizos... vamos disfrutar de los momentos más duros en una experiencia llena de risas, reflexión y esperanza.

Durante casi 2 horas, les voy a sacar la de risas porque les voy a demostrar que todos llevamos un ñero dentro aunque usted diga que no y se crea ahora muy extranja... tengo la poderosa herramienta para enfrentar las adversidades, celebrar la vida y encontrar motivos para seguir adelante y no! No es lo que piensa no llevo patecabra.

Un espectáculo que lo va a hacer reir y si no se rie los de la empresa dicen que le devuelven el billete de la boleta. NO se sienta solo mi pez  incluso en los momentos más difíciles, siempre hay espacio para una sonrisa, nos vemos en Noviembre!

HASSAM, OH MY DOG: RELOADED
Because we all have a bit of a street-smart hustler inside

A real-life story—told with humor, music, and plenty of street attitude—coming straight to you.

"Oh My Dog: Reloaded" brings the show to Vancouver to make you laugh. Watch your wallet, though—he’s back with a vengeance and his own unique style, turning the posh crowd into street-smart hustlers and the honest folks into crooks... We’ll explore life’s toughest moments in an experience full of laughter, reflection, and hope.

For nearly two hours, I’ll have you cracking up as I prove that we all have a bit of that street-smart hustler inside—even if you deny it and think you’re all fancy now. I’ve got the ultimate tool to face adversity, celebrate life, and find reasons to keep moving forward. And no—it’s not what you think; I’m not carrying a crowbar.

It’s a show that’ll make you laugh—and if you don’t, the organizers say they’ll refund your ticket money. Don’t feel alone; even in the hardest times, there’s always room for a smile. See you in November!

PLEASE NOTE: This performance will be in SPANISH.

Thursday, November 19
Doors 6:45 pm | Event 7:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time..

VIP Assigned (Front 6 Rows) - $95 + fees
Main Floor, Assigned - $75 + fees
Balcony, General Admission - $55 + fees

¡No es solo comedia, es una historia de vida que merece ser contada y compartida! ¡Accesos Limitados, no se quede sin entrada!

It’s not just comedy; it’s a life story that deserves to be told and shared! Limited tickets available—don’t miss out!

The Rio Theatre is delighted to welcome comedian Nick Colletti to the stage on Friday, November 20.

Friday, November 20
Doors 6:00 pm | Show 7:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Nick Colletti is quickly emerging as one of Hollywood’s most dynamic and sought-after comedians and personalities. As a stand-up, Nick tours across the country performing at numerous sold out venues. In television, he stars alongside Jimmy Tatro, Cody Ko and Getter in the comedy hit, THE REAL BROS OF SIMI VALLEY, which has developed a massive, dedicated following. Colletti stars as Duncan in the faux-reality show which centers on four best friends as they navigate life in Simi Valley.

Online, Colletti has developed a massive fan base where he often posts videos and interacts with his 1M+ followers combined between Instagram and TikTok.

Nick currently resides in Pittsburgh, PA.

How-dyyyyyyy!

This November marks the return of the legendary East Van Opry! 2026 will mark the 13th anniversary of this unstoppable live music event that celebrates "country" music - with a decidedly East Van twist, featuring performances from a host of your favourite local artists and special guests. Full Lineup Coming Soon!

Soooie! If one night of country isn't enough to fill your trough, how about three full nights of back-to-back-to-back heel stompin' fun at three of Vancouver's most iconic venues. See all three shows for one heck of a deal with the East Van Opry Weekend Pass!

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EAST VAN OPRY WEEKEND PASS
Friday, November 20 to Sunday, November 22

All three shows at all three different venues.

Save $10 with EARLY BIRD tickets. Limited availability.

Early Bird, General Admission - $90 + s/c
General Admission - $100 + s/c
Tickets here: https://riotheatretickets.ca/

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East Van Opry presents Friday Night Dance
Friday, November 20 @ WISE HALL
Doors 7:00 pm | Show 8:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Two steppin', Square Dancing, Jigging and more!

Square Dancing with Paul Silveria
Métis dancing with Jeanette Kotowich
Line dancing with Desirée Dawson
All with live music!

General Admission - $20 + s/c

ONLINE TICKET SALES END Friday, November 20 at 7:00 pm. TICKETS ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR.

How-dyyyyyyy!

The legendary East Van Opry! 2026 will mark the 13th anniversary of this unstoppable live music event that celebrates "country" music - with a decidedly East Van twist, featuring performances from a host of your favourite local artists and special guests. Full Lineup Coming Soon!

Soooie! If one night of country isn't enough to fill your trough, how about three full nights of back-to-back-to-back heel stompin' fun at three of Vancouver's most iconic venues. See all three shows for one heck of a deal with the East Van Opry Weekend Pass!

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EAST VAN OPRY WEEKEND PASS
Friday, November 20 to Sunday, November 22

All three shows at all three different venues.

Save $10 with EARLY BIRDS tickets. Limited availability.

Early Bird, General Admission - $90 + s/c
General Admission - $100 + s/c

single event tickets also available

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East Van Opry presents Friday Night Dance
Friday, November 20 @ WISE HALL
Doors 7:00 pm | Show 8:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Two steppin', Square Dancing, Jigging and more!

Square Dancing with Paul Silveria
Métis dancing with Jeanette Kotowich
Line dancing with Desirée Dawson
All with live music!

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The East Van Opry XII
Saturday, November 21 @ RIO THEATRE
Doors 7:00 pm | Show 8:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

The dance floor is open and so is the saloon. Boot scoot your booty to the live performances then on up to the bar for a cold one.

The Western Playboys
Stringband Sundae
Sammy Volkov
Desirée Dawson
Ringo Supernova and the East Van Playpeople
Call Before You Dig
Hank Pine
Chance Lovett
Locarno
and more!

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East Van Opry presents Stringband Sundae
Sunday, November 22 @ ANZA CLUB
Doors 7:00 pm | Show 8:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Vancouver's finest bluegrass and old time pickers band together for a superstar lineup of Stringband Sundae, and present to you their favourite singers in the west. Come feast your ears on this special presentation of Stringband Sundae with all the extra toppings!

Stringband Sundae: Trent Freeman, Miles Zurawell, John Reischman, Mark Kilianski, Cello, Lukey, eff Scroggins, Steve Holy with guests: Jayna Manning, Cello and Claire, Quinten Grimm, Owen & Aislinn, Call Before You Dig & more

How-dyyyyyyy!

Join us at the Rio Theatre on Saturday, November 21 for one of our favourite annual events - The legendary East Van Opry! 2026 will mark the 13th anniversary of this unstoppable live music event that celebrates "country" music - with a decidedly East Van twist, featuring performances from a host of your favourite local artists and special guests. Full Lineup Coming Soon!

Soooie! If one night of country isn't enough to fill your trough, how about three full nights of back-to-back-to-back heel stompin' fun at three of Vancouver's most iconic venues. See all three shows for one heck of a deal with the East Van Opry Weekend Pass!

---

EAST VAN OPRY WEEKEND PASS
Friday, November 20 to Sunday, November 22

All three shows at all three different venues.

Save $10 with Early Bird tickets. Limited availability.

Early Bird, General Admission - $90 + s/c
General Admission - $100 + s/c

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The East Van Opry XII
Saturday, November 21 @ RIO THEATRE
Doors 7:00 pm | Show 8:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

The dance floor is open and so is the saloon. Boot scoot your booty to the live performances then on up to the bar for a cold one.

The Western Playboys
Stringband Sundae
Sammy Volkov
Desirée Dawson
Ringo Supernova and the East Van Playpeople
Call Before You Dig
Hank Pine
Chance Lovett
Locarno
and more!

Early Bird, General Admission - $37 + s/c
General Admission - $40 + s/c

Join us at the Rio Theatre on Sunday, November 22 for a performances from the very funny and talented Australian comic, Jenny Tian.

Sunday, November 22
Doors 6:00 pm | Show 7:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

VIP Tickets (First 5 rows, Centre section)
$47.25 + s/c

Main Floor (Assigned Seating)
$36.75 + s/c

Balcony (GA)
$36.75 + s/c

All Tickets on sale May 15 8:00 am PST!

A regular on the Sydney comedy circuit, Jenny Tian exploded onto our #fyp during the pandemic notching up millions of likes and amassing a collective online audience of 1M+. Her debut solo show Picture This sold out to audiences up and down the east coast of Australia and was released as a YouTube special where it has nearly a million views. Her second hour Chinese Australian: A Tale of Internet Fame sold out across Australia and took her to her first ever runs at the Edinburgh Fringe and West End's Boulevard Theatre, also selling out both. Off the back of her stand up success, Jenny has secured spots on the lineup for the 2024, 2025, and 2026 Melbourne International Comedy Festival Galas and as a cast member in season 2 of Taskmaster AU, the latter earning her a Logie nomination for Best New Talent.

After a stint in London, Jenny is now living in New York and just completed her first US tour of her most recent hour, the aptly titled Jenny’s Travels, and has been named by Deadline as a stand-up to keep an eye on in 2026. Recently announced as a recipient of Screen Aus and YouTube’s funding initiative, Skip Ahead, Jenny is in post-production on Dupermarket, a web series that she's starring in and co-writing with Patrick Golamco. Her third special, Supreme Mother, launched on Veeps in May 2026.

How-dyyyyyyy!

This November marks the return of Vancouver's favourite annual events - The legendary East Van Opry! 2026 will mark the 13th anniversary of this unstoppable live music event that celebrates "country" music - with a decidedly East Van twist, featuring performances from a host of your favourite local artists and special guests. Full Lineup Coming Soon!

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EAST VAN OPRY WEEKEND PASS
Friday, November 20 to Sunday, November 22

All three shows at all three different venues.

Save $10 with EARLY BIRD tickets. Limited availability.

Early Bird, General Admission - $90 + s/c
General Admission - $100 + s/c
Tickets here: https://riotheatretickets.ca/

---

East Van Opry presents Stringband Sundae
Sunday, November 22 @ ANZA CLUB
Doors 7:00 pm | Show 8:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Vancouver's finest bluegrass and old time pickers band together for a superstar lineup of Stringband Sundae, and present to you their favourite singers in the west. Come feast your ears on this special presentation of Stringband Sundae with all the extra toppings!

Stringband Sundae: Trent Freeman, Miles Zurawell, John Reischman, Mark Kilianski, Cello, Lukey, eff Scroggins, Steve Holy with guests: Jayna Manning, Cello and Claire, Quinten Grimm, Owen & Aislinn, Call Before You Dig & more

Save $3 with EARLY BIRD tickets available till October 1!

Early Bird, General Admission - $37 + s/c
General Admission - $40 + s/c

Matthew Bowman is a lonely call center employee living an apathetic and confusing life. At work, his days consist of attempted cold call sales which are often met with rejection and a boss who's superiority complex is unmatched. At home he finds himself lost in the infinite sea of ad campaigns on TV, featuring controversial politician: Jimmy Joblinski.

Monday, November 23
Doors 9:00 pm | Film 9:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

General Admission -  $16 + fees

Feeling a spur of uncharacteristic spontaneity, Matthew accepts an invitation to a local punk show. At this show he meets another young man, Jacob Mauser. Matthew sees in Jacob what he lacks in himself, confidence, charisma, and a sense of purpose.

As the election looms, Matthew's eyes are opened to Jacob and his friends' vastly different worldview. One of sex, drugs and protest.

After an evening of lsd infused partying, Matthew Bowman wakes up in his car on the side of a dirt road... And discovers something that will forever change the course of his life, forcing him to reckon with the nightmare that his life has unraveled into, along with the battlefield his mind has become.

Shits N Giggles is back, and we're kicking off with a bang: two screenings for the price of one. A night of brand new world premieres, all of them new and weird films made by our community, just for Shits N Giggles.

One $25 ticket gets you into both screenings.

First Flush, 6:30 PM (doors 5:45 PM), about 87 minutes: the opening block, a fresh batch of comedy, drama and action with twists and turns around every corner.

The Shitpocalypse, 8:30 PM, about 87 minutes: the second block, where things get darker, weirder and fully unhinged. Hold on to your butts, because the shit is about to hit the fan.

Wednesday, November 25
Screening 1 Doors 5:45 pm | Event 6:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Screening 2 Event 8:30pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

It all comes down to this. Join us for the Shits N Giggles finals at the Rio Theatre. Watch the best of the best films made for SNG 2026. Screening starts at 7pm with awards and After party following!

One $25 ticket covers the screening, the awards and the After Party.

The Cream of the Crap - Finals and Awards 7:00 PM (doors 6:15 PM), Watch the 22 best films of the festival, the cream of the crap, competing for top honours, followed by the awards show and after party.

Thursday, November 26
Doors 6:15pm | Event 7:00pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Paper Flowers – Special Presentation
The Memorial Society of British Columbia is pleased to present an exclusive screening of Paper Flowers.

Based on an incredible true story, Shalin Shah, an ambitious USC graduate, leaves behind his loving Indian-American family, and devoted Taiwanese-American girlfriend, Fiona, to pursue his dream of making a difference as a Peace Corps volunteer. However, his life takes a devastating turn when a check-up for a lingering cough reveals a shocking diagnosis: a rare and aggressive form of cancer. Forced to return home and undergo treatment, Shalin confronts the fundamental question: what is the true meaning of life when faced with limited time? Paper Flowers is a poignant and inspirational journey of love, loss, and hope.  It serves as a roadmap to cherish the moments we have and to remember to stop and enjoy every sunset.

Award Highlights
Audience Award – San Luis Obispo Int. Film Festival
Best of Fest - Palm Springs Int Film Festival
Social Impact & Vision Award - Ojai Film Festival
Best Film - Chandler Film Festival

Panel Discussion
Following the screening of Paper Flowers, join us for a community conversation on grief and loss, death and dying.

Presented by the Memorial Society of BC
Community Sponsors:  BC Bereavement Helpline, NIDUS
Corporate Sponsor: Tru Earth

Saturday, November 28
Doors 1:30 pm | Movie 2:00pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Paper Flowers (Mahesh Pailoor, 2026 / PG / 100 mins)

BACK FOR AN ENCORE SHOWING!!

Six acclaimed burlesque performers return to the Rio Theatre‘s stage on Saturday November 28th for BURLESQUE LONG FORM: ENCORE EDITION! This show was too good to only do once! One In an artistic challenge set by producer and noted performer April O’Peel, local luminaries will have one MORE chance to perform a full ten minute act.

Will the performers be able to please, tease and captivate their audience for a full ten minutes? Expect outlandish props, projections, and over- the-top narratives as a stunning variety of unique and spectacular burlesque performers push the boundaries in Burlesque Long Form!

Saturday, November 28
Doors at 8:00 pm | Show at 9:00 pm

Tickets Advance: $30 + s/c | At the door: $35 + s/c
*$20 + s/c Early Bird tickets until November 9th using promo code

Featuring performances from
Scarlet Delirium
Mx Bukuru
Dae LeeGrind
Ariel Helvetica
Arabella Boop
April O'Peel

Hosted by Diva Fandango

The Bicycle Film Festival (BFF) been celebrating bicycles through art, film and music over the last 24 years. BFF spanned the world in over 100 cities worldwide to an audience of over one million people.

BFF Vancouver presents two short film programs: Cycle for Change and Cinematic. These short films appeal to a wide audience from film connoisseurs to avid cyclists and everyone in between. Curated documentaries, narratives, animations, award-winning directors, and emerging talents – all sharing equal billing.

Presented by HUB Cycling

Thursday, December 3
Program 1: Cinematic Shorts
Doors 5:30 pm | Show 6:15 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Program 2: Urban Bike Shorts
Doors: 8:00pm | Show 8:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Single Program: $24 + s/c
Double Bill: $45 + s/c

The Bicycle Film Festival (BFF) been celebrating bicycles through art, film and music over the last 24 years. BFF spanned the world in over 100 cities worldwide to an audience of over one million people.

BFF Vancouver presents two short film programs: Cycle for Change and Cinematic. These short films appeal to a wide audience from film connoisseurs to avid cyclists and everyone in between. Curated documentaries, narratives, animations, award-winning directors, and emerging talents – all sharing equal billing.

Presented by HUB Cycling

Thursday, December 3
Program 1: Cinematic Shorts
Doors 5:30 pm | Show 6:15 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Program 2: Urban Bike Shorts
Doors: 8:00pm | Show 8:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Single Program: $24 + s/c
Double Bill: $45 + s/c

Presented and Produced by St. Mary’s Parish Vancouver

LET IT BE DONE: The Fiat Echoes Still is an original musical that connects Mary’s courageous “Yes” to God with the struggles of today’s generation.

Set between biblical Nazareth and the modern world, the story follows Mary as she embraces God’s calling, while Anna faces her own struggles with doubt, identity, expectations, and finding her place in the world—mirroring the challenges many young people experience today.

Through all-original songs, drama, and powerful transitions between past and present, the musical reminds us that questions of faith, purpose, belonging, and hope transcend time.

At its heart, Let It Be Done is a story of courage, faith, and the power of saying “Yes” even when the path ahead is uncertain.

Saturday, December 5
Matinee
Doors 12:00 pm | Event 1:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

General Admission - $39 + fees

About:
Written and Directed by Jose Rafael Bernardo - Featuring All Original Songs
Starring: Farah Alvarina as 'Mary' | Marah Alvarina as 'Anna'

LET IT BE DONE: The Fiat Echoes Still is St Mary's Parish's first original musical feature.

Presented and Produced by St. Mary’s Parish Vancouver

LET IT BE DONE: The Fiat Echoes Still is an original musical that connects Mary’s courageous “Yes” to God with the struggles of today’s generation.

Set between biblical Nazareth and the modern world, the story follows Mary as she embraces God’s calling, while Anna faces her own struggles with doubt, identity, expectations, and finding her place in the world—mirroring the challenges many young people experience today.

Through all-original songs, drama, and powerful transitions between past and present, the musical reminds us that questions of faith, purpose, belonging, and hope transcend time.

At its heart, Let It Be Done is a story of courage, faith, and the power of saying “Yes” even when the path ahead is uncertain.

Saturday, December 5
Evening
Doors 5:00 pm | Event 6:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

General Admission - $39 + fees

About:
Written and Directed by Jose Rafael Bernardo - Featuring All Original Songs
Starring: Farah Alvarina as 'Mary' | Marah Alvarina as 'Anna'

LET IT BE DONE: The Fiat Echoes Still is St Mary's Parish's first original musical feature.

Mountains on Stage is back at the Rio Theatre for its Winter 2026 edition on Wednesday, December 9. Mountains on Stage brings the world of mountain adventure to the big screen through a selection of inspiring films and documentaries featuring climbing, mountaineering, skiing, trail running and extraordinary human adventures.

Films are presented in their original language with English subtitles.

Complete program info and lineup coming soon!

Wednesday, December 9
Doors 6:00 pm | Event 7:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

FACE TO FACE (Dir: David Arnaud and Hugo Clouzeau | Length: 85 min)
Benjamin Védrines is a man of superlatives and records. From steep skiing to the Himalayas, he is considered the world’s best mountaineer. But behind the image of an athlete whom some describe as a machine lie vulnerabilities and a severe lack of self-confidence. Since returning from K2 in 2024, where he shattered the ascent record but, paradoxically, failed to find a sense of fulfillment, Benjamin has been dreaming of a major solo project to test himself and confront his fears. That project will be a multi-day solo winter ascent of the legendary Drus Face in the Mont Blanc massif. An intense face-off with himself and the granite, to confront his dark side and find the light.

BLANDINE (Dir: Aurélien Delfosse | Length: 65 min)
Realizing at age 27 that you have a gift, extraordinary physical and mental abilities, that allow you to compete in extreme races and even win them. From the World Championships to the Diagonale des Fous and the UTMB, Blandine L’Hirondel takes us on a journey through the legendary races of ultra-trail running. This lively and sincere portrait explores her daily challenges: balancing her career as a gynecologist with the demands of elite-level competition, overcoming setbacks, and pushing herself to the limit... . But ultimately, what stands out from this meteoric rise is, above all, the joy of running! So thank you to this “everyday woman” for being exceptional and for bringing us this breath of fresh air!

KIDS (Dir: Camille Armand and Tim Giudicelli | Length: 11 min)
What does it mean to be a kid? A group of young snowboarders Camille Armand, Enzo Scotto, and Quentin Ladame set out to explore this question in the heart of the Japanese winter, where deep snow transforms the landscape into a endless playground. The film offers answers through stunning cinematography that blends freestyle skiing, ultra deep powder, animated sequences, kids’ antics, philosophical voice-overs, and, to top it all off, a good dose of laughter!

CHRISTOPHER TITUS is a prolific stand-up comedian, writer, actor, and producer. As a creator, he has sold shows to NBC, ABC, FOX and Comedy Central. His wildly innovative multi-cam half hour Titus premiered to critical and audience acclaim on Fox, earning the show an Emmy nomination, while Titus himself received a WGA Award nomination for his writing. Following Titus, Christopher starred in ABC’s Big Shots, acting opposite Dylan McDermott, Michael Vartan and Josh Malina.

He also starred in the NBC one-hour pilot, Future Tense and created and starred in the Bryan Cranston-directed pilot, Special Unit for Comedy Central. And he recently wrote, directed, and starred in a feature version of Special Unit
which won the L.A. Film Award for Best Comedy Feature and the Hope Film Awards jury prize for Best Director.

Christopher has written and starred in ten 90-minute comedy specials, with several spending months on the Billboard Top 10 comedy chart. He recently released his tenth special, Carrying Monsters, a bookend companion piece to
Norman Rockwell is Bleeding (his very first show and the source material for the Fox series). His podcast, The Armageddon Update/Titus Podcast has over 10 million downloads. During the worst days of the pandemic, he used his self-owned studio as a safe space to exec produce and direct specials for Ron Funches, Fortune Feimster and Everlast.

Christopher is currently touring his new show, DOOMED TO REPEAT to sold-out audiences at clubs and theaters across the country. With a take-no-prisoners wit and years of experience writing hilariously edgy and poignant comedy, Christopher Titus is a voice unlike any other.

Friday, December 11
Doors: 7:00 pm | Event 8:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Artist's Circle (Rows 1-4 Centre section) - $70 + s/c
Main Floor (Assigned Seating) - $55 + s/c
Balcony (GA Seating) - $55 + s/c

There’s no business like snow business and Helvetica Productions is once again proud to present the sixth edition of Tits the Season! at the Rio Theatre on Saturday, December 12!

Treat yo’elf to a holidate with this over-the-top festive extravaganza featuring drag, burlesque, circus, and variety performers from Vancouver and beyond.

This holiday spectacular lineup is sure to keep you Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree and warmer than a cup of mulled wine.

Saturday, December 12
Doors: 8:00 pm | Show: 9:00 pm

Starring: Batty Banks & Moscato Sky

With performances from:
Misty Blue
Velvet Ryder
Ariel Hevetica & Numi
Rose Butch
VBC’s Tinsel and Tease
Yuki the Juggler
Scarlet Delirium & Holly Graphic
Charlotte Strudel
VBC’s Glamourpuss
Donna Boss Rogers

Hosted by: Miss Kiss

So, meet us under the mistletoe, Yule definitely be entertained!

Cast subject to change.

Snowbells — General Admission $40
Snowballers — Best seats in the house! $55
Snow Angels — First two rows with a Meet + Greet photo opportunity with the cast and go home with a VIP swag bag full of holiday presents for yourself! $75

Limited VIP tickets available — frost come, frost served!

About Helvetica Productions:
With more than a decade of experience under her G-String, Ariel Helvetica is everyone’s type. She has boldly crossed the globe, performing in some of the top burlesque shows and festivals across the world. With her dazzling blend of glamour, cheese, and stratospheric high kicks, this ultimate showgirl has received many accolades, including being named one of 21st Century Burlesque’s Most Influential Performers and performing multiple times at the Burlesque Hall of Fame—most recently competing for Mx. Exotic World in 2025.

Underlining her performance bonafides, Ariel is also the Assistant Director of the Vancouver Burlesque Company and producer at Helvetica Productions, which is celebrated for its annual holiday variety extravaganza: Tits the Season!

Join Outside Voices Choir at the Rio Theatre on December 13 for 2 shows of powerful choral music featuring nearly 200 singers across two distinct choirs.

Each choir will perform its own set of old favourites and exciting new repertoire, with a special spotlight on the music of Radiohead. Expect lush harmonies, fresh arrangements, and a massive finale bringing both choirs together on stage!

Arranged and directed by David Beckingham (Hey Ocean!).

Sunday, December 13 (Matinée show)
Doors 2:00 pm | Show 3:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Ticket prices are $25 + s/c for adults and $10 + s/c for kids 12 and under.

Join Outside Voices Choir at the Rio Theatre on December 13 for 2 shows of powerful choral music featuring nearly 200 singers across two distinct choirs.

Each choir will perform its own set of old favourites and exciting new repertoire, with a special spotlight on the music of Radiohead. Expect lush harmonies, fresh arrangements, and a massive finale bringing both choirs together on stage!

Arranged and directed by David Beckingham (Hey Ocean!).

Sunday, December 13 (Evening show)
Doors 6:00 pm | Show 7:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Ticket prices are $25 + s/c for adults and $10 + s/c for kids 12 and under.

"Huzzah the halls - it’s everyone’s favourite holiday party in East Vancouver and you’re invited. Award-winning host, Dandy, is hosting Christmas, and subtlety is NOT on the guest list!

Dandy Cane Lane invites you into the gloriously unhinged holiday traditions of a whimsical gay socialite, where festive frivolity meets queer pageantry in a dazzling cocktail of drag, burlesque, live music, and comedy. Learn the fine art of seasonal entertaining in this how-to tell-all of the campiest holiday traditions you’ve never heard of - and that are sure to make your own party full go whimsy and absurdity. From excessive decorations to a turkey stripping recipe, Yule Boxes, and unbridled pageantry - you may even get a chance to sit in Krampus’s lap!

Forget sugarplums — this Christmas, we're dreaming of a little chaos! After all, not everyone on the naughty list gets away with it.

Featuring

Jordy Matheson
Vita Devour
Glimmer Rouge
Burna Dart
Queen Kong
Melody Mangler

and more!

Friday December 18th
Doors 7pm | Show 8pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Deck the halls with bowls of cereal...

The Saturday Morning All-You-Can-Eat Cereal Cartoon Party is returning to the Rio Theatre with a brand new collection of  specially curated retro TV goodness covered in sugary cereal, and sprinkled with endless Holiday cheer. It's Volume XVI - The Christmas Show!

Kids today may not realize the significance of the Saturday morning ritual, but once upon a time, we had to wait a whole week to get our cartoon fix, and when we got it, we tended to binge. Well – welcome to The Saturday Morning All-You-Can-Eat Cereal Cartoon Party - that special time when kids and kids-at-heart get to relive the exciting Saturday morning ritual of non-stop retro cartoons, and binge on the multi-colored sugary cereals that used to be a part of every “balanced” breakfast!

The cartoon lineup is always a mystery, but Volume VI will be covered in an extra coating designed to make merry and spread all kinds of Holiday cheer. Expect the unexpected, from faves and obscurities spanning the '30s through the '90s, all punctuated with vintage commercials, PSAs and station IDs for a 3-hour trip down memory lane! Get ready for a sugar rush and an explosion of nostalgia in one hair-raising morning.

Even better...? A Holidaze COSTUME CONTEST! Show us what you've got, or maybe just show off your best Holiday-inspired jammies. Costumes (and, as always, comfy pajamas in chic patterned flannel sporting elasticized waistbands) are welcome and encouraged.

Curated by David Bertrand

Please note: Dairy-free options are available. Compostable bowls and spoons will be provided, but we absolutely do encourage all of our guests to bring their own NON-BREAKABLE (ie, not ceramic) bowls and spoons.

Saturday, December 19
Doors 9:30 am | Event 10:00 am *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Adults $22
Kids Pricing (13 and under) $15

Please note: Dairy-free options are available. Compostable bowls and spoons will be provided, but we do encourage guests to bring their own NON-BREAKABLE (ie, not ceramic) bowls and spoons.

This Rio Theatre gift certificate is good for entry to any single regular screening and includes two medium drinks, and one large popcorn. If you prefer a physical card, this gift certificate is also available for purchase from our conession stand during open business hours.

This Rio Theatre gift certificate is good for entry to any single regular screening and includes one medium popcorn, one medium fountain beverage, and one small candy. If you prefer a physical card, this gift certificate is also available for purchase from our conession stand during open business hours.

Travis Holp Live is an unforgettable evening of connection, healing, and hope.

Join internationally known medium and author Travis Holp as he delivers powerful, evidential messages from loved ones in spirit to members of the audience. Blending heart and insight, Travis reminds audiences that love never dies, and that our connections to those who’ve passed are closer than we think.

Each show is a one-of-a-kind experience filled with evidential messages, heart-opening moments, and laughter that lifts the whole room. While not everyone will receive a reading, every person leaves feeling renewed, connected, and reminded that love doesn’t end — it only transforms.

Saturday, January 9
Doors 6:30 pm | Show 7:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Tickets on sale May 8

Artists Circle VIP (Rows A-E) $47.25+ s/c
Tickets $36.75 + s/c
After Show Meet 'n Greet Add-on (Limited Quantity Available -) $45

SHAWN CHIDIAC is the man behind @myparents_are_divorced and all the voices that come with him. Lebanese, born in Canada. Raised in Dubai by a single mum. Followed by over 1.1 million people across social media who watch him turn into other people, the accents, the characters, the impressions that feel like someone from your own family. With his mass of online success it has allowed him to sell out venues such as Dubai Opera.

Live, he does it right in front of you. He writes every word himself. The characters come out, the accents land, and stories from his own mixed-up childhood turn into jokes that feel like they're about yours. That's the whole idea.

Sunday, January 11
Doors 6:00 pm | Show 7:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

G/A Premium (first 2 full rows) - 42 seats at $59 + venue fee
G/A Floor - 259 seats at $45 + venue fee
G/A Balcony - 108 seats at $35 + venue fee

The Rio Theatre is excited to welcome comedian Matt Puzhitsky to the stage for a night of laughs on Saturday, January 16.

Saturday, January 16
Doors 6:30 pm | Show 7:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

VIP (Rows A-D, Centre Section) $45 + fees
Adult Entry $35 + fees

Matt Puzhitsky is a rising star in comedy, blending sharp writing with the absurdity of immigrant life and Slavic culture. Based in Toronto, Matt’s stand-up has been featured at Just for Laughs, Netflix Is a Joke, and Joe Rogan’s Comedy Mothership in Austin.

His viral social media skits satirizing everything from Eastern European dads to Western culture have earned him over 350,000 followers and hundreds of millions of views on his social media platforms, even landing him a nod on the PBD Podcast.

Matt tours across North America, and has worked with major names like Christina P, Frankie Quiñones, Sam Morril, and Luis J. Gomez, while building one of the most distinct and loyal fanbases in comedy.

Connect with Matt on Instagram @MattPuzhitsky

The Rio Theatre is pleased to welcome Canadian comedy legend Shaun Majumder to the stage with his new show, "Born Again New Canadian," on Wednesday, January 20. An award-winning actor, comedian, writer, producer, and director, Shaun's prolific career has spanned more than two decades across television, film, and live performance.

Wednesday, January 20
Doors 6:30 pm | Show  7:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Tickets $50+ fees

Shaun Majumder is a beloved Canadian comedian who has been active on the scene for more than two decades. He currently stars as “Father Khatri” in MGM+‘s acclaimed series FROM and recently appeared as “Gary” in Peacock’s THE MINIATURE WIFE, opposite Elizabeth Banks and Matthew Macfadyen. His recent work also includes portraying “Dr. Voor” in STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS. Equally adept in comedy and drama, Shaun’s screen credits include 24, THE FIRM, DETROIT 1-8-7, UNHITCHED, and CEDRIC THE ENTERTAINER PRESENTS.

Shaun first became a household name through his legendary seventeen-season run on CBC’s "This Hour Has 22 Minutes", where his singular voice as a performer and writer earned multiple Gemini and Canadian Screen Awards, establishing him as one of Canada’s most distinctive comedic talents.

Today, Shaun’s creative focus is increasingly centered on authorship and original storytelling through his production company, LAFBOY. Conceived as a home for bold, emotionally resonant stories, LAFBOY is dedicated to creating work that moves people. Projects that balance humour and heart while exploring identity, family, belonging, and the complexities of human connection.

As a writer, producer, and director, Shaun is developing a slate of premium film and television projects that reflect his unique perspective and genre-fluid sensibility, ranging from elevated comedy and prestige drama to socially conscious storytelling rooted in character and place.

With a career that continues to evolve beyond performance alone, Shaun Majumder is emerging as a singular creative voice, committed to building meaningful, globally relevant stories that entertain, challenge, and endure.

The Rio Theatre is pleased to welcome legendary comic Susan Rice to the stage for an evening of laughter on Sunday, February 7.

Sunday, February 7
Doors 5:00 pm | Show 6:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Tickets $35+ fees

Susan Rice was recently featured in Vulture Magazine for her widely popular appearance on Don't Tell Comedy, that garnered over 1 millions views. Susan has made appearance on ABC, NBC, HBO, Showtime, and comedy central. Moving to Los Angeles in 1986 brought Ttlevision credits and allowed her to open for comics like Jerry Seinfeld, Rich Shydner, Paula Poundstone, and recently Maria Bamford and Arsenio Hall. In the last 10 years, Rice has found her niche in fundraising and organizing charity events such as the first-ever St. Johns Comedy Festival held in her own neighborhood of N. Portland. It will help bring laughter back, and promote local small businesses.

Connect with Susan Rice
On Instagram @funnyoldbag
On TikTok @funnyoldbag

The Rio Theatre is excited to welcome Canadian comic, writer, and former All-Canadian basketball player Henry Sir to the venue on Friday, March 12.

Friday, March 12
Doors 6:30 pm | Show 7:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Main Floor $30+ fees
Balcony $25+ fees

Announce: Tuesday, September 22, 2026 @ 10:00 AM Local
ARTIST Pre-sale: Wednesday, September 23, 2026 @ 10:00 AM
Public On-sale: Friday, September 25, 2026 @ 10:00 AM Local

Known for his dry wit, sharp social commentary, and "punching up" takes on the state of the world, Henry Sir is a Canadian comedian and writer based between Canada and New York, where he performs at the top clubs like The Comedy Cellar and Gotham Comedy Club while touring North America. Henry has been featured on Comedy Central, Just For Laughs New  Faces, Don't Tell Comedy, and CBC New Wave of Stand Up, and is the host of the
satirical political podcast, "The Freedom Hour," and the popular social media series, "Current Events Chirped By A Canadian."

Connect on Instagram @henrysircomedy

The award winning improv comedians are back with a new show, more moves, and even quicker wits.
A SHOW FOR ALL GENDERS… 19+ ONLY WARNING!

No extreme nudity, just extreme hilarity.

A fictitious male stripper troupe (played by a cast of some of Canada’s best improvisational comedians) performs a sexylarious improv comedy show. They try to be sexy… it just comes out funny. Constantly grooving and gyrating in between scenes they banter with the crowd and perform their hilarious twist on improv sketches. They sing, they “dance”, and they are ready to make you laugh. Semi undressed and completely unscripted, The Comic Strippers take off their shirts and take on your suggestions to create a whole new genre of comedy.

Friday, March 19
Doors 7:30 pm | Show 8:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Early Bird Tickets $39+ fees On Sale Now For a Limited Time!
Regular Tickets  $49+ fees
Squad Pass For Groups of Six or More $44/ea+ fees

'BEST LIVE PRODUCTION' Canadian Comedy Award Winner

★★★★★ “Extremely Funny!”UK Fringe Review

“The show is suitable for both men and women. An entertaining ride where anything goes.” Rip It Up Magazine

"One of the most hilarious shows I've ever seen." Vancouver Sun

www.thecomicstrippers.com

Psychic Standup is a show unlike any other. KAREN RONTOWSKI combines her 35 years as a standup comic with her 25 years of tarot reading and the results are predictably hilarious. Karen has two DryBar Comedy Specials that currently have over 50 million views and has been seen on the Late Show with David Letterman, Comedy Central, Comics Unleashed, ComedyDotCom as well as Sirius XM Radio. The show consists of 30-40 minutes of standup and then Karen pulls out the Tarot Cards and takes questions from the crowd. Her incredible improv skills keep the crowd entertained whether they are believers or not. There is something for the serious psychic patron as well as the serious skeptic. Every show is unique and the future never looked so funny. You don’t have to believe or even be open minded, you just have to be ready to laugh.

Real tarot, real funny.

Sunday, March 28
Doors 6:30 pm | Show 7:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Artists Circle VIP (Rows A-E) $45+ Fees
Regular Entry $35+ fees