Join us at the Rio Theatre for a slice of something seriously 80's, the oft-requested, always capitalized, cult-classic RAD. 

The 1986 BMX racing film is returning to theaters with a new 40th anniversary restoration. Bill Allen stars as a bicycle-motocrosser who tries to enter a corrupt promoter's nationally televised cash-prize race. Also starring Lori Loughlin, Talia Shire, Jack Weston, and Ray Walston, along with 1984 Olympic gymnastics champion Bart Conner.

"Whooshing and swirling with mad abandon, Hal Needham's teen flick is a blast of nostalgic joy." (Screen Anarchy)

"Brimming with energy, passion, and an underdog spirit... there's not a cynical note to be found in the absolutely delightful RAD!" (Cinapse)

Tuesday, March 24
Doors 6:00 pm | Movie 6:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

RAD (Hal Needham, 1986 / 91 mins / PG) A BMX racer, who lives in a small town with his mother and sister, is faced with a tough decision, qualify for Helltrack or take his SATs in order to attend college.

Make it a Double Bill with Extra Lives: Interactive Video Game Concert at 8:30 pm for one low price. This is a once in a lifetime event for gamers and nerds to come together and choose their own adventure in classic video game nostalgia. Tickets here: https://riotheatretickets.ca/events/40655-extra-lives-interactive-video-game-concert

Extra Lives is the world’s first Audience RPG — a live choose-your-own-adventure concert where the audience becomes the main character.

Using their phones, the crowd votes at key moments to decide how the story unfolds, sending the adventure down different narrative paths while the music is performed live.

Inspired by the legendary console games of the ’80s, ’90s, and 2000s, the show blends storytelling, comedy, and live performance into a nostalgic interactive experience with 60+ possible story variations.

Part video-game concert, part interactive theatre, part live RPG session... bring your phone on March 24th, because the fate of the story is in your hands!

"I was blown away… the skill and communication required to pull off their live show is, to borrow some gamer language, the stuff of legends… it’s truly a remarkable feat and something that needs to be experienced to be believed." Rick Bickerstaff - The Drill Magazine

"Truly this group is the definition of “interactive experience.” I absolutely love how creative and on par this group is to allowing their content captivate new audiences while bringing back the old with new surprises in their musical story line and arrangements of classic games that give that ol’ nostalgic feeling." Veronica Christie - Portland Retro Gaming Expo

Tuesday, March 24
Doors: 8:00 pm | Event: 8:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

General Admission Tickets $18

Make it a Double Bill with the 40th Anniversary screening of RAD at 6:30 pm for one low price!

Who is Extra Lives?

The musician-nerds of Extra Lives have shared the stage with countless industry heavy hitters including Beck, Britney Spears, Danny Elfman, Ramin Djawadi and Mansionair. With over 10,000 social media subscribers and a growing list of accomplishments, Michael Kohl (guitar), Wendell Phipps (synths), Marc Dolgin (drums) and Dave Maciel (bass) now bring this unprecedented live experience to fans around the world. Their mission: to transport inclusive audiences of all ages—nerd and non-nerd
alike—back to the happiest days of childhood.

5 Second Day… Night!!! Is BACK!

Come celebrate the 20th anniversary of 5 Second Day at the Vancouver premiere of Titmouse’s one-of-a-kind annual animation showcase. This special anniversary edition will feature a unique, uncensored compilation of brand new short-form cartoons created by Titmouse animators and creative staff as part of the studio’s long-running 5 Second Day tradition, alongside a curated selection of standout shorts from the past 20 years of the event, giving audiences a rare chance to revisit some of the weirdest, wildest, and most unforgettable cartoons from two decades of 5 Second Day.

Titmouse artists and animators will be in attendance at the event.

A limited number of seats are available to the public, so grab your tickets today. Don’t miss animation’s wildest, nuttiest, most unpredictable, most unforgettable night of the year.

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

About 5 Second Day

Every year, Titmouse designates a day for the studio to “shut down” in order to give anyone who wants to participate an entire paid day off to focus on producing animated shorts. A tradition spanning 20 years, 5 Second Day gives Titmouse animators and team members the ultimate playground for creativity and the chance to unleash all the quirky, beautiful, downright bizarre, and laugh-out-loud ideas that have been brewing in their minds.

About Titmouse

Since its inception over 25 years ago, Titmouse has evolved into an award-winning, multi-hyphenated animation studio and pop culture brand. Some of the studio’s most celebrated recent projects include Big Mouth, The Legend of Vox Machina, The Venture Bros., Star Trek: Lower Decks, and Beavis and Butt-Head, to name a few. With the strength of a major studio and the mindset of an indie company, Titmouse has become one of the most well-known and prolific animation studios in the world, challenging the idea of what an animation company can look like by focusing on comedy, subversive and counterculture communities, and expanding into other avenues for fans to enjoy including merchandise, live shows and events, festivals, interactive experiences, and so much more. For more information, please visit www.titmouse.net. 

These screenings are intended for an adult audience and some films contain adult content. Viewer discretion advised. Must be 18+ w/ID for entry.

For more information about Titmouse and its recent projects, visit www.titmouse.net.

Maverick French filmmaker Julia Ducournau (RAW, TITANE) returns to the body-horror genre with her latest film ALPHA, which made its debut in competition at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. When 13-year-old Alpha (Mélissa Boros) is tattooed with a dubious needle at a party, she’s suspected of contracting an illness that turns people to stone. After turning our stomachs with cannibalistic coming-of-age debut Raw and making mechanophiliac magic with her Palme d’Or-winning follow-up Titane, body-horror queen Julia Ducournau returns with Alpha — a melancholy meditation on grief, heavily influenced by the AIDS epidemic.

"'Alpha' is more evidence of [director Julia] Ducournau’s genius for evocative imagery and striking compositions, but it also suggests she’d benefit from boundaries to push against." (New York Magazine / Vulture)

"Alpha is an inherently vulnerable film, no gross-out moments or big body horror showstoppers for us – or Ducournau – to hide behind. Alpha is as thorny as her previous two features, but there's something lonely and longing here too." (Little White Lies)

Thursday, March 26
Doors: 8:45 pm | Film: 9:15 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

ALPHA (Julia Ducournau | 2026 | 128 mins | PG)  When 13-year-old Alpha (Mélissa Boros) is tattooed with a dubious needle at a party, she’s suspected of contracting an illness that turns people to stone.

After a brutal assault by an ice cream man, punk girl Candy becomes host to a mutant baby. As her body transforms into ice cream, those around her see her not as a person, but as something to be consumed. Fueled by a blistering punk soundtrack and dripping with grotesque body horror, this wild exploitation film oozes with feminist subtext.

Locally lensed and even partly filmed at the Rio Theatre, SUGAR ROT features music by Canadian punk legends the Dayglo Abortions, and Vancouver punk bands Daddy Issues and Pet Blessings.

“It's very good... It's kind of troma-ish, but it's totally original. It's great.” (Lloyd Kaufman)

“Color me impressed. Writer/director Becca Kozak is a talent to watch for. I can't wait to see what's next for her, as this is a real stunner of a debut feature.” (Art Ettinger)

Friday, March 27
Doors 11:00 pm | Movie 11:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Late Night Date Night! Bring a friend, date or both Ben AND Jerry and get two-for-one entry!

SUGAR ROT (Becca Kozak | 2025 | 82 mins | NR) After a brutal assault by an ice cream man, punk girl Candy becomes host to a mutant baby. As her body transforms into ice cream, those around her see her not as a person, but as something to be consumed.

Pavel "Pasha" (33) is a teacher and event organizer at a small primary school in a Russian town with a population of 10,000. In ordinary times, he is a beloved mentor, prankster, and nonconformist, known for hanging up democracy posters and offering a safe haven in his office for students who feel out of place.

However, after the 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine began, Pasha took on the role of an international whistleblower, exposing the devastating effects of Russia's aggressive militarization within its own schools. Haunted by his painful years as a student at the same school, Pasha remains a lighthearted and mischievous presence on campus. Yet his mission as a teacher is challenged when a new patriotic education policy is introduced during the early weeks of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Pasha is shocked to learn that his responsibilities now include facilitating daily state-sanctioned propaganda events. To cope with his guilt and feelings of powerlessness, he decides to document how the war is transforming his school. Under the guise of his actual role as the school's videographer, he records hundreds of hours of footage inside classrooms and on school grounds.

What emerges is the story of an institution abruptly transformed: propaganda, repressive new laws, militarized children's organizations, and the eventual recruitment of graduating students to fight in Ukraine. Pasha reaches his emotional breaking point as he films farewell parties for cherished students being sent to the frontlines in Ukraine. As the body bags return, Pasha and the rest of the school community grapple with the twin traumas of violence and repression. When Pasha learns his own life may be in danger, he is forced to plan a daring escape from Russia.

MR. NOBODY AGAINST PUTIN was Denmark's official submission for 'Best International Feature Film' category of the 98th Academy Awards in 2026, and WON the Oscar in the Best Documentary Feature category.

"A touching, intimate chronicle." (The Hollywood Reporter)

"His principled resistance by filming, joking and refusing to teach lies makes for a riveting, courageous portrait of dissent in a place where truth can land you in jail -- or a cemetery." (Toronto Star)

Saturday, March 28
Doors 11:45 am | Movie 12:15 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

MR. NOBODY AGAINST PUTIN (David Borenstein & Pavel Talankin, 2025  / 90 mins / NR / Russian w.EST) A Russian teacher secretly documents his small town school's transformation into a war recruitment center during the Ukraine invasion, revealing the ethical dilemmas educators face amid propaganda and militarization.

Directed with pristine precision by Park Chan-wook, NO OTHER CHOICE is a wickedly clever takedown of the corporate rat race that finds a perfect avatar in Lee Byung-Hun's skillfully hapless performance.

Man-soo (Lee) had it all: a loving wife, two talented children, two happy dogs. He even bought the beautiful forest-enclosed house where he grew up. Then, after 25 years of dedicated work for Solar Paper — where he was awarded Pulp Man of the Year in 2019 — Man-soo is suddenly given the axe.

"Brilliantly scripted by Park Chan-wook, Lee Kyoung-mi, Jahye Lee, and Toronto’s own Don McKellar, 'No Other Choice' is a chilling satire on workplace politics and ruthless status-seeking." (TIFF)

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

NO OTHER CHOICE (Park Chan-wook, 2025 / 135 mins / 14A / Korean w.EST) After being laid off and humiliated by a ruthless job market, a veteran paper mill manager descends into violence in a desperate bid to reclaim his dignity.

Elvis sings and tells his story like never before in a new cinematic experience from visionary filmmaker Baz Luhrmann (MOULIN ROUGE!, ROMEO + JULIET).

"Resurrecting Elvis Presley at the peak of his showmanship, Baz Luhrmann's truly epic concert documentary restores some joy into The King's legacy, thank you very much." (Rotten Tomatoes)

"This is a fun movie, and a revealing one, too." (New York Times)

Sunday, March 29
Doors: 11:30 am | Movie: 12:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

EPiC: ELVIS PRESELY IN CONCERT (Baz Luhrmann, 2025 / 96 mins / PG) Follows Elvis Presley, featuring never-before-seen footage and recordings.

FAREWELL MY CONCUBINE is a 1993 Chinese epic historical drama film, directed by Chen Kaige, starring Leslie Cheung, Gong Li and Zhang Fengyi.

Cheng Dieyi (Cheung) and Duan Xiaolou (Fengyi) grow up enduring the harsh training of the Peking Opera (Jing-Ju) Academy, where instructors regularly beat the students to instill in them the discipline needed to master the complex physical and vocal techniques of this ancient art. As the two boys mature, they develop complementary talents: Dieyi, with his fine, delicate features, assumes the female roles (Dan-Jue) while Xiaolou plays masculine warlords (Sheng-Jue). Their dramatic identities become real for Dieyi when he falls in love with Xiaolou, who fails to fully reciprocate his affections and marries a courtesan, Juxian (Li), creating a
dangerous, jealousy-filled romantic triangle.

Hailed as a “cultural achievement” (The New York Times) and widely considered one of the most important motion pictures ever made, FAREWELL MY CONCUBINE is a “gorgeous, intoxicating epic” (Los Angeles Times) that is both “visually spectacular” and
“sumptuous in every respect” (Time Out). Spanning 50 years from the early 20th century to the tumultuous Cultural Revolution, Chen Kaige' passionate, exquisitely shot film captures the vast historical scope of a changing country while revealing the intimate and touching details of a unique, tender, heartrending love story.

Based on the bestselling novel by Lillian Lee, it was selected as one of the “100 Best Films in Global History” by TIME Magazine, was awarded the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film, and remains the only Chinese-language film to ever win the Palme d’Or.

This film is the latest restored uncut 4K version (20 minutes longer than its original Miramax theatrical release) .

Sunday, March 29
Doors 2:00 pm | Movie 2:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

程蝶衣（张国荣 饰）和段小楼（张丰毅 饰）从小在京剧学校接受严苛的训练长大，师傅
们经常以体罚的方式来灌输纪律性，使学生掌握这门古老艺术所需的复杂身段与唱腔技巧
。随着两人逐渐成长，他们形成了互补的才华：眉清目秀、气质纤细的蝶衣主要扮演旦角
，而小楼则饰演阳刚的武将角色。
对蝶衣而言，舞台上的身份逐渐走入现实，他爱上了小楼；然而小楼并未完全回应这份感
情，反而娶了名妓菊仙（巩俐 饰），由此形成了一段充满危险与嫉妒的情感三角关系。
而这段复杂的关系，在近代中国的时代洪流之下，必然地逐渐把三人撕扯破碎，并拖至深
渊…
《霸王别姬》改编自李碧华同名小说，由陈凯歌执导，张国荣、巩俐、张丰毅主演的电影
。本片获得第46届法国戛纳电影节金棕榈奖，成为第一部也是迄今唯一获得此奖项的华
语电影。亦被视为有史以来最伟大的华文电影之一。此外，该片还荣获美国金球奖最佳外
语片，以及第66届奥斯卡最佳外语片奖提名，并于2005年被美国《时代》周刊评为“百大
不朽电影”之一。2006年，《首映》杂志将巩俐饰演的“菊仙”列为“有史以来最伟大表演
100位”第89名。
片源为2023年为纪念本片上映30周年，而重新修复的 4K 无删减版本，比早先上院线版
多出约 20 分钟。

Award获奖情况
1993 Cannes Film Festival Palme d'Or and FIPRESCI Prize
1993 法国戛纳电影节｜金棕榈奖、费比西奖
1994金球奖｜最佳外语片
1994 Golden Globe Award Best Foreign Language Film
1994英国电影学院奖｜最佳外语片

1994 British Academy Film Awards Best Film not in the English Language
1994洛杉矶影评人协会奖｜最佳外语片
1994 Los Angeles Film Critics Association Best Foreign Language Film
1994奥斯卡金像奖｜最佳外语片，最佳摄影奖 提名
1994 Academy Awards Best Foreign Language Film and Best Cinematography
Nomination

Presented by AMOMENT BOOKS

AMOMENT BOOKS is a Toronto-based cultural brand that bridges Chinese-language literature and cinema with audiences across North America, found in 2018. We are both an independent bookstore and a film festival/distributor, curating Chinese-language
books and bringing Chinese-language films to theaters across Canada and the U.S. Through book sales, reading clubs, cultural talks, and film screenings, we create spaces for dialogue and community connection — continuously promoting high-quality Chinese-language literature and cinema to local audiences.

旦夕书店 AMOMENT BOOKS 是一家成立于加拿大多伦多的文化品牌，致力于将华语文
学，电影与艺术作品带给北美观众。我们既是一家书店，也从事电影推广和发行相关工作
，将优秀的华语电影带入加拿大与美国的影院。
通过图书销售、读书会、文化讲座以及电影放映等多种形式，我们持续打造对话与交流的
公共空间，连接社区，向本地观众推广高质量的华语文学与华语电影

Instagram: @danxi_am0ment
Rednote 小红书：@旦夕书店｜多伦多中文书店
Email: info@am0ment.com
Website: www.amomentbooks.com

Maverick French filmmaker Julia Ducournau (RAW, TITANE) returns to the body-horror genre with her latest film ALPHA, which made its debut in competition at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. When 13-year-old Alpha (Mélissa Boros) is tattooed with a dubious needle at a party, she’s suspected of contracting an illness that turns people to stone. After turning our stomachs with cannibalistic coming-of-age debut Raw and making mechanophiliac magic with her Palme d’Or-winning follow-up Titane, body-horror queen Julia Ducournau returns with Alpha — a melancholy meditation on grief, heavily influenced by the AIDS epidemic.

"'Alpha' is more evidence of [director Julia] Ducournau’s genius for evocative imagery and striking compositions, but it also suggests she’d benefit from boundaries to push against." (New York Magazine / Vulture)

"Alpha is an inherently vulnerable film, no gross-out moments or big body horror showstoppers for us – or Ducournau – to hide behind. Alpha is as thorny as her previous two features, but there's something lonely and longing here too." (Little White Lies)

Sunday, March 29
Doors 6:00 pm | Film 6:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

ALPHA (Julia Ducournau, 2026 / 128 mins / PG)  When 13-year-old Alpha (Mélissa Boros) is tattooed with a dubious needle at a party, she’s suspected of contracting an illness that turns people to stone.

A father (Sergi López) and his son arrive at a rave deep in the mountains of southern Morocco. They are searching for Mar -- daughter and sister -- who vanished months ago at one of these endless, sleepless parties. Surrounded by electronic music and a raw, unfamiliar sense of freedom, they hand out her photo again and again. Hope is fading, but they push through and follow a group of ravers heading to one last party in the desert. As they venture deeper into the burning wilderness, the journey forces them to confront their own limits.

SIRÂT was nominated for two Oscars including Best Sound and WON for Best International Feature.

"A brutal reminder that the journey can be more important than the destination, 'Sirât' is an unforgettable exercise in tension that wallops its audience like a deafening blast of bass to the face." (Rotten Tomatoes)

"'Sirāt' is not for everyone. But it is the sort of overwhelming cinematic experience and undeniable work of sound and vision that could be life-changing for those ready to receive it." (Rolling Stone Magazine)

Sunday, March 29 - FINAL SCREENING!
Doors 8:50 pm | Movie 9:20 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

SIRÂT (Oliver Laxe, 2026 / 14A / 115 mins / English subtitle) A father, accompanied by his son, goes looking for his missing daughter in North Africa.

In the surreal landscape of I LIVE HERE NOW, struggling actress Rose finds her life upended by unexpected news. She’s suddenly forced to confront a future she never thought possible, just as a major career opportunity with top agent Cindy Abrams comes into view. Things spiral further when her casual boyfriend, Travis brings his overbearing mother into the fold, pushing Rose to the brink.

She flees to The Crown Inn, a crumbling motel at the edge of nowhere, where time fractures and reality bends. Haunted by sleep paralysis, splintered memories, and eerie motel dwellers, especially the enigmatic Lillian, Rose begins to unravel. To move forward, she must confront the buried truth of her past that her body has never forgotten.

Shot on vibrant 35mm with striking 16mm sequences, and directed by Julie Pacino in her feature debut, I LIVE HERE NOW is a haunting, dreamlike psychodrama about identity, trauma, and the fragile line between memory and madness. Heavily inspired by the works of Dario Argento and David Lynch, I LIVE HERE NOW has heavy ties to the "'Twin Peaks' Universe" through co-star Sheryl Lee and music supervisor Dean Hurley (who worked frequently with Angelo Badalementi on Lynch's work). Also starring comedian Matt Rife, Lucy Fry, and Madeleine Brewer, I LIVE HERE NOW is one of this year's true midnight movies.

Official Selection Fantasia Film Festival 2025, Locarno Film Festival 2025

"A kind of gothic inner-romance, full of childhood trauma, body issues, and psychological keyholes. It is a saturated fairy tale of self-therapy-by-fire. The painful birth of a new-you, built out of the anxieties, projections, and flesh, of the old you." (Screen Anarchy)

"For viewers willing to descend into Rose’s inferno, it’s a must-watch, nightmarish journey through the female psyche in all its broken, blistering, and beautiful complexity." (Next Best Picture)

"‘I Live Here Now’ is a surrealist vision of a woman’s struggle against a lifetime of neuroses, projected expectations, and abuse. " (Dread Central)

Monday, March 30
Doors 6:00 pm | Movie 6:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

I LIVE HERE NOW (Julia Pacino, 2025 / 90 mins / NR) A woman finds herself trapped in a remote hotel where the violent echoes of her past come alive, blurring the lines between her darkest nightmares and the waking world.

In one of the most lauded performances of 2025, Timothée Chalamet stars in writer-director Josh Safdie's (UNCUT GEMS, GOOD TIME) MARTY SUPREME as Marty Mauser, a charismatic yet deeply flawed reluctant who harbours a singular, dream no one respects - to become the world's greatest tennis table champion. In his obsessive pursuit of greatness, Marty goes to hell and back and falls into frantic hustles, an affair with a movie star, and countless schemes to fund his ambition. MARTY SUPREME ably showcases Safdie's trademark, hyper-kinetic and at times rapid fire style of story-telling. With Gwyneth Paltrow, Kevin O'Leary, Tyler the Creator, Odessa A'zion, Fran Drescher and Sandra Bernhard.

"The movies can be a wonderfully amoral medium, and I found myself liking Marty Mauser -- and not just liking him, but actually rooting for him to succeed. It takes more than a good actor to pull that off. It takes one of the greats." (NPR)

"Certain to be rated the greatest 2.5-hour ping-pong movie ever, Marty Supreme takes a tired formula only to pull it apart and reassemble it with wicked intent, like a psychotic toddler experimenting on his sister’s hapless doll." (Wall Street Journal)

Monday, March 30
Doors 8:15 pm | Movie 8:45 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

MARTY SUPREME (Josh Safdie, 2025 / 149 mins / 14A) In the 1950s, young Marty Mauser pursues his dream of becoming a champion table-tennis player.

Join us on March 31st, for an extravagant night of ballroom history in celebration of Trans Day of Visibility! To start the night off, we have Frank Simon’s 1968 trailblazing documentary, The Queen, followed by a very special exhibition ball presented by Van Vogue Jam. We’ll be ending the night with Jennie Livingston’s, Paris is Burning, making it the essential ballroom double bill. You do not want to miss this, darling!

“A gutsy, funny... really very moving documentary.”
– Roger Ebert, The Chicago Sun-Times

"The pageant is riveting, but what is most memorable is the dignity of the participants: their frank conversations about the new possibilities of gender reassignment surgery, their tales of small-town life, and their various misadventures at the draft board."
– Lynn Yeager, Vogue

Tuesday, March 31
The Queen
Doors 6:30 pm | Event 7:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Approx. 8:30 pm - Exhibition ball presented by Van Vogue Jam

Paris Is Burning
Doors 8:30 pm | Event 9:00 pm *Start time is approximate.

General Admission - $26 - Go balls to the wall and experience them all with one sweet ticket!
General Admission - $19 - Single film tickets for The Queen + Exhibition Ball

General Admission - $19 - Single film tickets for Paris Is Burning also available.

THE QUEEN (Frank Simon, 1968 / 68 mins / NR) More than 40 years before RuPaul's Drag Race, this ground-breaking documentary about the 1967 Miss All-American Camp Beauty Pageant introduced audiences to the world of competitive drag. The film takes us backstage to kiki with the contestants as they rehearse, throw shade, and transform into their drag personas in the lead-up to the big event. Organized by LGBTQ icon and activist Flawless Sabrina, the competition boasted a star-studded panel of judges including Andy Warhol, Larry Rivers, and Terry Southern.. But perhaps most memorable is an epic diatribe calling out the pageant's bias delivered by Crystal LaBeija, who would go on to form the influential House of LaBeija, heavily featured in Paris Is Burning (1990). A vibrant piece of queer history, The Queen can now be seen in full resplendence thanks to a new restoration from the original camera negative.

PARIS IS BURNING (Jennie Livingston, 1991 / 78 mins / 14A) Where does voguing come from, and what, exactly, is throwing shade? This landmark documentary provides a vibrant snapshot of the 1980s through the eyes of New York City's African American and Latinx Harlem drag-ball scene. Made over seven years, PARIS IS BURNING offers an intimate portrait of rival fashion "houses," from fierce contests for trophies to house mothers offering sustenance in a world rampant with homophobia, transphobia, racism, AIDS, and poverty. Featuring legendary voguers, drag queens, and trans women — including Willi Ninja, Pepper LaBeija, Dorian Corey, and Venus Xtravaganza. Paris Is Burning brings it, celebrating the joy of movement, the force of eloquence, and the draw of community.

Join us on March 31st, for an extravagant night of ballroom history in celebration of Trans Day of Visibility! To start the night off, we have Frank Simon’s 1968 trailblazing documentary, The Queen, followed by a very special exhibition ball presented by Van Vogue Jam. We’ll be ending the night with Jennie Livingston’s, Paris is Burning, making it the essential ballroom double bill. You do not want to miss this, darling!

“A gutsy, funny... really very moving documentary.”
– Roger Ebert, The Chicago Sun-Times

"The pageant is riveting, but what is most memorable is the dignity of the participants: their frank conversations about the new possibilities of gender reassignment surgery, their tales of small-town life, and their various misadventures at the draft board."
– Lynn Yeager, Vogue

Tuesday, March 31
The Queen
Doors 6:30 pm | Event 7:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Approx. 8:30 pm - Exhibition ball presented by Van Vogue Jam

Paris Is Burning
Doors 8:30 pm | Event 9:00 pm *Start time is approximate.

General Admission - $19 - Single film tickets for Paris Is Burning

General Admission - $26 - Go balls to the wall and experience them all with one sweet ticket!
General Admission - $19 - Single film tickets for The Queen + Exhibition Ball also available.

THE QUEEN (Frank Simon, 1968 / 68 mins / NR) More than 40 years before RuPaul's Drag Race, this ground-breaking documentary about the 1967 Miss All-American Camp Beauty Pageant introduced audiences to the world of competitive drag. The film takes us backstage to kiki with the contestants as they rehearse, throw shade, and transform into their drag personas in the lead-up to the big event. Organized by LGBTQ icon and activist Flawless Sabrina, the competition boasted a star-studded panel of judges including Andy Warhol, Larry Rivers, and Terry Southern.. But perhaps most memorable is an epic diatribe calling out the pageant's bias delivered by Crystal LaBeija, who would go on to form the influential House of LaBeija, heavily featured in Paris Is Burning (1990). A vibrant piece of queer history, The Queen can now be seen in full resplendence thanks to a new restoration from the original camera negative.

PARIS IS BURNING (Jennie Livingston, 1991 / 78 mins / 14A) Where does voguing come from, and what, exactly, is throwing shade? This landmark documentary provides a vibrant snapshot of the 1980s through the eyes of New York City's African American and Latinx Harlem drag-ball scene. Made over seven years, PARIS IS BURNING offers an intimate portrait of rival fashion "houses," from fierce contests for trophies to house mothers offering sustenance in a world rampant with homophobia, transphobia, racism, AIDS, and poverty. Featuring legendary voguers, drag queens, and trans women — including Willi Ninja, Pepper LaBeija, Dorian Corey, and Venus Xtravaganza. Paris Is Burning brings it, celebrating the joy of movement, the force of eloquence, and the draw of community.

For over a decade, Dr. Steve Boyes, conservation biologist and National Geographic Explorer, has been in search of a mysterious, elusive herd of Ghost Elephants in the highlands of Angola, deep within its forests. From acclaimed director Werner Herzog ("Grizzly Man"), GHOST ELEPHANTS follows Boyes on an epic journey as he sets out with some of the best master trackers in the world, in pursuit of an animal long believed to be a myth.

"'Ghost Elephants' resides in the intersection of science and lyrical reverie — Werner Herzog’s treasured terrain. Here, the filmmaker focuses less on the elephants and more on the pursuers, the dreamers." (New York Times)

"'Ghost Elephants' steps outside the boundaries of science-based nature docs. It makes for a fantastic story." (The Hollywood Reporter)

Wednesday, April 1
Doors 5:50 pm | Movie 6:20 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

GHOST ELEPHANTS (Werner Herzog, 2026 / 98 mins / NR) Follows a mysterious herd of ghost elephants in the jungles of Angola.

Maverick French filmmaker Julia Ducournau (RAW, TITANE) returns to the body-horror genre with her latest film ALPHA, which made its debut in competition at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. When 13-year-old Alpha (Mélissa Boros) is tattooed with a dubious needle at a party, she’s suspected of contracting an illness that turns people to stone. After turning our stomachs with cannibalistic coming-of-age debut Raw and making mechanophiliac magic with her Palme d’Or-winning follow-up Titane, body-horror queen Julia Ducournau returns with Alpha — a melancholy meditation on grief, heavily influenced by the AIDS epidemic.

"'Alpha' is more evidence of [director Julia] Ducournau’s genius for evocative imagery and striking compositions, but it also suggests she’d benefit from boundaries to push against." (New York Magazine / Vulture)

"Alpha is an inherently vulnerable film, no gross-out moments or big body horror showstoppers for us – or Ducournau – to hide behind. Alpha is as thorny as her previous two features, but there's something lonely and longing here too." (Little White Lies)

Wednesday, April 1
Doors: 8:15 pm | Film: 8:45 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

ALPHA (Julia Ducournau | 2026 | 128 mins | PG)  When 13-year-old Alpha (Mélissa Boros) is tattooed with a dubious needle at a party, she’s suspected of contracting an illness that turns people to stone.

Community Trail Running presents:
The Trail Running Film Festival

After a great debut in 2023, and an even better follow-up in 2024-2025, the Trail Running Film Festival is back on tour in 2026 and coming to Vancouver once again! Expect another amazing evening of films, performance, inspiration, and community.

Our amazing sponsors will ensure you have an awesome evening. Big thanks to 5 Peaks, Odlum Brown, Sinister Sports, Coast Mountain Trail Running, RunGo and more!

Come and help us celebrate our incredible sport as we explore individual and collective potential. The festival will also have a 50/50 in support of BC AdventureSmart and include prizes and giveaways to add to our celebration!

We’re excited to bring you stories from around the world by filmmakers sharing their work of adventure, inclusivity, wilderness, art, and diversity across the trail and ultra community. Trail running is awesome and so is this film festival!

Thursday, April 2
Doors 6:00 pm | Event 7:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Tickets (Early Bird $30+ s/c until January 1) | $40 + s/c
Squad Pass Group Pricing (Group of Four $140+ s/c - Available online only)

Lee Sang-il’s surprise hit of 2025, KOKUHO (which translates as, "national treasure"), a nearly three-hour epic period drama about the cloistered world of traditional kabuki theater, has defied expectations and become Japan’s top-grossing domestic live-action film of all time. It was selected as Japan’s 2026 Oscar submission for Best International Feature, and is currently nominated for a Best Makeup and Hairstyling Academy Award.

KOKUHO traces five decades in the intertwined lives of two kabuki actors: an orphaned outsider and the heir of a prestigious stage family, whose friendship curdles into obsession and rivalry. Adapting a novel by Shuichi Yoshida, Lee — best known internationally for VILLAIN and RAGE — has crafted a “transporting and operatic” story that “blends backstage melodrama, succession saga and making-of-an-artist dynamics” into a sweeping meditation on ambition, artistry and sacrifice. With Ryo Yoshizawa, Ryusei Yokohama, Ken Watanabe, Mitsuki Takahata, and Shinobu Terajima.

"A visual knockout that patiently explores the price that artists pay for their craft, Kokuho's astonishing technical virtues are only rivaled by Ryô Yoshizawa and Ryûsei Yokohama's superb performances." (Rotten Tomatoes)

"At the center of its superb cast, Ryo Yoshizawa and Ryusei Yokohama deliver exquisitely layered performances that interweave offstage characterization and onstage theatricality. " (The Hollywood Reporter)

Friday, April 3
Doors 12:30 pm | Film 1:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

KOKUHO "Kokuhô" (Lee Sang-i, 2025 / 175 mins / 14A / Japanese w. EST) In post-war Japan's economic boom, gangster family-born Kikuo Tachibana finds himself adopted by a kabuki actor. Despite life's challenges, he develops into a gifted performer.

Join award-winning host Dandy in the rebirth-day party of the century, THE FOURTH ANNUAL FABERGÉ BALL. Join the bacchanal that folx are calling “a perfect celebration of spring solstice.” Every year we offer the gods and godd-ESSES a tribute serving of the hottest DRAG, COMEDY & BURLESQUE in East Vancouver. From a troupe of sexy bunnies to burlesque jesus, you'll get everything a Good Friday has demands. As always, Mr. Fabergé, the show’s billionaire sponsor, has requested to perform a ritual of his own, so 19+ recommended (and required).

Don’t want to be crucified on the runway? Then come coutured out in your most pagan solstice symbols or sexiest bunny lewks because COSTUMES ARE ENCOURAGED and AWARDED!

Friday, April 3
Doors 7:00 pm | Event 8:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

EARLY BIRD - Just $20! Offer expires midnight, March 8.

Main Floor Assigned $30 + s/c | $35+ s/c at the door
VIP – First 4 rows $40 + s/c | $45+ s/c at the door **VIP ticket holders also get an interactive prop bag to be used during the show!**

The Dandy's Disciples 4 Pack $100 + s/c (Available online only)

Featuring:

Jordy Matheson in the reprisal role of 'Mr. Fabergé'

Full cast list coming soon!

About your Host:

Dandy (he/him) is the award-winning host made popular on TikTok for his viral videos promoting queer joy! Winner of Host of the Year 2024 for Vancouver International Burlesque Festival and awarded runner up in the Georgia Straight’s BEST OF VANCOUVER for his show Drag Attack! – you can catch him regularly on stage in his shows at the iconic Rio Theatre in Vancouver, or touring regularly this year between LA and New York City. His all new series Dandyland, which highlights businesses, organizations, and artists in the lower-mainland’s LGBT Community, premiered this Summer on Optik TV and is currently nominated by the Costume Designers Guild Awards for Excellence in Short Form Design thanks to already award winning, multi-talented Costume Designer, Rafaella Rabinovich

@dandyandfriends

"I'm not bad, I'm just drawn that way."

WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT (Robert Zemeckis, 1988 / PG / 104 mins) 'Toon star Roger is worried that his wife Jessica is playing pattycake with someone else, so the studio hires detective Eddie Valiant to snoop on her. But the stakes are quickly raised when Marvin Acme is found dead, and Roger is the prime suspect.

For over a decade, Dr. Steve Boyes, conservation biologist and National Geographic Explorer, has been in search of a mysterious, elusive herd of Ghost Elephants in the highlands of Angola, deep within its forests. From acclaimed director Werner Herzog ("Grizzly Man"), GHOST ELEPHANTS follows Boyes on an epic journey as he sets out with some of the best master trackers in the world, in pursuit of an animal long believed to be a myth.

"'Ghost Elephants' resides in the intersection of science and lyrical reverie — Werner Herzog’s treasured terrain. Here, the filmmaker focuses less on the elephants and more on the pursuers, the dreamers." (New York Times)

"'Ghost Elephants' steps outside the boundaries of science-based nature docs. It makes for a fantastic story." (The Hollywood Reporter)

Saturday, April 4
Doors 2:00 pm | Movie 2:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

GHOST ELEPHANTS (Werner Herzog, 2026 / 98 mins / NR) Follows a mysterious herd of ghost elephants in the jungles of Angola.

Colin (Harry Melling) is a young gay man who lives with his parents and sings in a barbershop quartet. He meets Ray (Alexander Skarsgard), a leather-clad, hyper-masculine biker straight out of a Tom of Finland drawing. They hook up in a dark alleyway — a one-way transaction that sets the power dynamic for their relationship. Colin naturally adopts the role of submissive, learning to cook and clean alongside whatever else Ray tasks him with. Despite his aptitude for obedience, Colin grows tired of sleeping on the floor and begins to wish for more.

Call Me by Your Name meets Phantom Thread in leather chaps. Harry Lighton’s debut feature is a horny, wickedly funny exploration of the sub-dom relationship. Melling and Skarsgard ignite the screen with physically and emotionally intimate performances and authentic chemistry. An orgy of sex and kink that playfully examines themes of power, autonomy, compromise, but most importantly, love.

"Even the most Netflix-gagged romcom fan will realize that [director Harry] Lighton’s film is exactly the shot in the arm the genre needed. May we all live so happily ever after." (Globe and Mail)

"The sex scenes are refreshingly graphic, but they’re never used for shock value. The real shock comes from how emotionally involved the characters become within the construct of their kink." (Boston Globe)

Saturday, April 4
Doors: 4:30 pm | Film: 5:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

PILLION (Harry Lighton, 2026 /107 mins / 18A) A timid man is swept off his feet when an enigmatic, impossibly handsome biker takes him on as his submissive.

"Sometimes, I doubt your commitment to Sparkle Motion."

Before STRANGER THINGS combined science fiction, Spielbergian touches and ‘80s nostalgia to much acclaim, Richard Kelly set the high-water mark with his debut feature, DONNIE DARKO. Initially beset with distribution problems, it would slowly find its audience and emerge as, arguably, the first cult classic of the new millennium.

In a funny, moving and distinctly mind-bending journey through suburban America, one extraordinary but disenchanted teenager is about to take Time's Arrow for a ride. After surviving a freak accident, Donnie (Jake Gyllenhaal) begins to explore what it means to be alive, and in short order to be in love, he uncovers secrets of the universe that give him a tempting power to alter time and destiny. Also starring Jena Mallone, Mary McDonnell, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Drew Barrymore, Patrick Swayze Drew Barrymore, Noah Wyle, Katharine Ross, and a giant bunny.

Restoration courtesy of Arrow Video and the American Genre Film Archive.

“If revisiting an old movie is a bit like going back in time, that sense of disorientation is doubled in DONNIE DARKO. A haunted miasma of youthful alienation, suburban malaise, cosmic upheaval and 1980s pop-cultural infatuation, writer-director Richard Kelly’s captivatingly strange 2001 debut plays more than ever like its own suspended-in-time artifact.” (Justin Chang, L.A. Times)

"A stunning technical accomplishment that virtually bursts with noise, ideas and references." (Salon.com)

Saturday, April 4
Doors 10:00 pm | Movie 10:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

DONNIE DARKO (Richard Kelly, 2001 / 113 mins / PG) Donnie Darko, an awkward teenager, befriends Frank, a figure in a bunny costume only he can see, who informs Donnie that the world will end in 28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes, and 12 seconds.

A masterclass in escalating dread and shocking violence, CHIME reaffirms Kiyoshi Kurosawa as one of modern horror’s most innovative and unpredictable visionaries. During a class, culinary instructor Matsuoka (Mutsuo Yoshioka) witnesses the suicide of a young student (Seiichi Kohinata), driven to insanity by what he claims is a chiming sound that controls his mind. Soon, Matsuoka begins hearing it, too, and descends into a mental abyss that warps his perception of reality and gives vent to his darkest impulses. Expertly blending psychological portraiture and hallucinatory mystery, Kurosawa offers a chilling depiction of madness that interrogates the very stability of our everyday existence, with the director’s patented creeping tracking shots and complex sound design fashioning an immersively terrifying and unnerving cinematic experience.

Sunday, April 5
Doors 6:00 pm | Screening 6:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

CHIME (Kiyoshi Kurosawa, 2024 / 45 mins / NR / Japanese w.EST) A school teacher is woken by a sound that fills him with dread.

This film screens alongside Kiyoshi Kurosawa's SERPENT'S PATH. There will be a 10 minute break between the two films.

Obsessed with avenging his young daughter’s murder, yakuza subordinate Miyashita (Teruyuki Kagawa) recruits Nijima (Aikawa), a brilliant yet strangely detached math teacher, to help carry outcarry out a scheme to kidnap and torture the man allegedly responsible. But the plan goes awry when their target, Otsuki (Yurei Yanagi), fingers another mobster as the mastermind behind Miyashita’s tragedy. As the two partners ascend the yakuza chain of command in search of the true culprit, Miyashita and Nijima follow the cold, calculating logic of revenge, descending into a moral abyss from which they may never surface. Featuring Kurosawa’s patented long takes and his claustrophobic arrangement of space, SERPENT'S PATH is one of the legendary director’s most chilling investigations into the endless cycle of violence and the evil that lodges in every heart.

SERPENT'S PATH "Hebi no michi" (Kiyoshi Kurosawa, 1998 / 85 mins / NR / Japanese w. EST) A man enlists a friend to help him identify and exact revenge upon his daughter's murderer.

Four films. On tour.
A defining moment in climbing.

Brooke Raboutou, Sean Bailey & Connor Herson on the hardest ascents in the world, plus an Alaskan alpine curveball: two of the best in the mountains - Jackson Marvell & Matt Cornell - take Shawn Raboutou & Nathaniel Coleman way out of their element. Come watch the next generation make history.

Wednesday, April 8
Doors: 5:15 pm | Event 6:15 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time. 

The International Fly Fishing Film Festival (IF4) returns with a curated collection of world-class films spanning conservation, family, adventure and culture, including a standout short featuring prominent American chef and cultural storyteller David Chang chasing permit in Mexico.

Among the films featured are:

Against the Current — Fred Campbell brings his mother to a remote northern salmon river for one final journey, reflecting on resilience, aging and the enduring migration of Atlantic salmon

Dhala What You Must — Simon Kay journeys into Tanzania’s remote wilds in pursuit of Africa’s most coveted freshwater predator, the tigerfish

Full Circle — Jako Lucas travels with his father to Gabon’s untouched coastlines, exploring family bonds through shared waters and the pursuit of tarpon and African species

Generations — Captain Ben Whalley confronts the uncertain future of striped bass through the eyes of his daughter, weaving conservation, family and livelihood into a call for action

He Bought a Fishing Lodge — Jacob Oake leaves comfort behind to buy a remote Labrador fishing lodge in search of purpose and legendary brook trout

Let’s Make a Fishing Movie — prominent American chef and cultural storyteller David Chang steps onto the flats to chase permit with fly-fishing personality Mike Dawes

Price of Admission — three friends travel deep into Patagonia in pursuit of massive brown trout, discovering the effort required to chase the fish of a lifetime

The Lucky Place — veteran angler Helmut Zaderer journeys the globe before finally finding fortune in Mexico’s Magdalena Bay

The Only Boat on the Lake — brothers Nic and Steve Schwartz return to a small Kansas bass lake that once served as refuge during their family’s darkest moments

Tidekeepers — Hilton Graham explores life on the Bahamian flats, where guides protect ecosystems, preserve culture and shape the future of their communities

Two Roads on the River — April Vokey and Adrienne Comeau reunite on the water to reflect on ambition, identity and the different paths that shaped their lives

Thursday, April 9
Doors 5:00 pm | Event 6:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

General Admission - $17 + s/c

IF4 is a curated collection of world-class films and cinematic storytelling from independent fly-fishing filmmakers around the world. Each year, IF4 brings together powerful stories that capture the heart, soul and adventure of fly fishing. More than a film festival, IF4 is an unforgettable night of culture, connection and stoke for the global fly-fishing community.

A film screening. A live concert. A piece of history. For one night only at the Rio Theatre, experience an advanced screening of Eraserheads: Combo On The Run followed by a special live performance by Ely Buendia, legendary frontman of one of the most influential bands in Filipino pop culture. Be among the first in North America to see the film before its commercial release, then stay for an intimate concert filled with nostalgia, emotion, and the songs that shaped a generation. For fans, this is more than a ticket to a show. It is a chance to be part of something historic. Limited time. Limited seats.

Saturday, April 11
Doors: 6:30 pm | Event: 7:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Tickets (CAD):
Silver: Balcony - General Admission, $150 + s/c
Gold Premium Seats: Main Floor Assigned, $200 + s/c
SVIP: Rows C - E - Assigned, $250 + s/c includes Red Carpet Experience, Meet & Greet, and Premium Front Seats. *Red Carpet Meet & Greet (for SVIP Ticket holders only) 6:00 PM

Join us at the Rio Theatre for the world premiere of HEARD, a Vancouver made TELUS Originals film that chronicles five Hard of Hearing people searching for community in the space between Hearing and Deaf. This ALL AGES film is followed by a live Q&A with the cast.

HEARD is a documentary film about the collective experience of the space between hearing and Deafness. Hearing is a fundamental component to the way society is structured. We’ve built infrastructure, activities, culture and communication based on the ability to hear.  And on the other end of our spectrum, society has seen Deaf individuals develop a sophisticated language and culture built around Deafness. That leaves a gap between two distinct cultures where many Hard of Hearing (HoH) people lie. Heard follows Hard of Hearing filmmaker Brian Ceci as he grapples with accepting his own condition by connecting with other people on the HoH spectrum to create a small support community.

*Heard is proud to include all Hard of Hearing and Deaf individuals and is presented using Auracast. The film is open captioned and will include a Q&A featuring the cast. The Q&A will include open captions and ASL interpreters*

Tuesday, April 14
Doors 5:30 pm | Movie 6:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Q&A will follow the screening. Runtime is 72 mins.

TICKET PRICE:
First 150 tickets at $7 + s/c
Remaining 250 tickets at $12 + s/c

HEARD features filmmaker Brian Ceci's quest to accept his own hearing loss, a condition he's dealt with since birth but unconsciously avoided throughout his life to blend in. Searching for community, Brian connects with four other people whose unique hearing experiences help him connect the dots and move forward with his own hearing. This event has been made accessible for all Hard of Hearing and Deaf folks.

The film itself is open captioned, and will feature Auracast to stream audio directly into user's hearing aids. The Q&A will also have open captions and ASL interpretation.

The Vancouver Burlesque Co. welcomes you to the finale show of their Winter 2026 season - and their first student showcase event of the year at the Rio Theatre!

Join us as we celebrate our students in all their magic and glory. Prepare yourself for amazing large group acts, stunning soloists, and some extra special guests...

Full lineup coming soon!

Thursday, April 16
Doors 7:00 pm | Show 8:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Advance tickets $30+ s/c | $35+ s/c at the door

These shows tend to sell out prior to showtime, so we strongly encourage purchasing tickets in advance to avoid disappointment at the door.

Join us for an epic kickoff party for the Run N Gun 2026 season! The evening begins with a low pressure optional hour of “Cast & Crew Speed Dating,” where filmmakers and talent unite, sparking collaborations that bring unique visions to life. Following this networking session, get hyped for a throwback screening of ‘Run N Gun: David vs Golliath’ with a special screening showcasing some of the most ambitious films made by big crews as well as some small but mighty teams that made huge splashes in previous years.

The excitement ends with a lively party where you can mingle with fellow film nerds and start planning your next big Run N Gun film!

Saturday, April 18
The Evening’s Agenda

Happy Hour Cast & Crew Speed Dating 
Doors 6:00 pm | 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Screening
7:30 pm

Run N Gun Screening
8:00 pm

After Party Drinks and Raffle
10:00 pm

Tickets $20 in advance | $25 at the door

Paloma Housing Co-op was founded in 1983 by a group of Vancouverites who were interested in finding an alternative to the real estate market. Working with Inner City Housing, a developer involved in the co-op sector, and with help from government grants and low-interest loans aimed at creating affordable housing, the early members of Paloma built the co-op literally from the ground up. In the process, they learned the skills necessary to self-govern and maintain a 44 unit apartment building.

Forty years later, Vancouver has become one of the most expensive cites in North America, and the need for affordable housing is greater than ever. As the price of Vancouver real estate skyrockets, attitudes have changed around affordable housing, and many of the programs that made the co-op movement possible no longer exist or have altered significantly. IN IT TOGETHER: STORIES FROM PALOMA HOUSING CO-OP argues for the value of co-op housing as a model that empowers ordinary people, builds community, and encourages self-determination.

Sunday, April 19
Doors 3:00 pm | Movie 4:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

IN IT TOGETHER: STORIES FROM PALOMA HOUSING CO-OP (Benjamin Walsh, 2026 / 59 mins / G)

Welcome to San Zokyo. Intersecting stories unfold in a fractured cyberpunk city where a young hacker takes on the corporation behind “Meme,” a drug that mines users’ psyches to deliver personalized psychedelic trips—and hyper-targeted ads. As detectives, streamers, pop stars, and hitmen collide in a strange near-future, reality blurs into something unstable, addictive, and darkly absurd.

The latest feature from American filmmaker Tucker Bennett (PLANET HEAVEN) is a lo-fi, high-concept sci-fi comedy that channels internet culture, gamer logic, and algorithmic anxiety into a singular, handcrafted vision. Set in a world that feels both just ahead of and strangely behind our own, In the Glow of Darkness blends humor and unease into a dense, subversive portrait of life inside the feed. Featuring an ensemble cast including Groovin, Lucas Bennett, Carmen Escobar, Phillip Gladkov, Li-Ming Hu, Samantha Dela Cruz, Danny Helms, and Kat Toledo.

“One of a tiny handful I watched a second time—for pure pleasure.” (Eric Allen Hatch, New/Next Film Festival)

“A sprawling, hand-made cyberpunk ensemble film… a truly unique strain of humor.” (Filmmaker Magazine)

Director Tucker Bennett will be in attendance for a post-screening Q&A.

Sunday, April 19
Doors 6:00 pm | Movie 6:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

IN THE GLOW OF DARKNESS (Tucker Bennett, 2025 / 80 mins / NR )Intersecting stories unfold in the cyberpunk city of San Zokyo, where a young hacker takes on the corporation behind “Meme,” a drug that mines users’ psyches to deliver personalized psychedelic trips and hyper-targeted ads.

MIDDLE LIFE follows Andie (Leah Fay Goldstein), a perfectionist wedding planner in her mid-thirties and new mother, who has meticulously crafted her life but still feels unfulfilled. Fresh off maternity leave, she saves Ryan (Peter Dreimanis, SINNERS), a blue-collar plumber, from a roadside accident. As their paths intertwine over the next year, her craving for change and his newfound perspective on life spark an unexpected connection, leading them to discover that life could be great. Toronto Premiere.

Written and directed by Pavan Moondi ('Schitt's Creek,' 'Sundowners,' 'Diamond Tongues'), MIDDLE LIFE stars July Talk bandmates Leah Fay Goldstein and Peter Dreimanis. Goldstein was previously Canadian Screen Award-nominated for her starring turn in DIAMOND TONGUES, while Dreimanis made his screen debut earlier this year in Ryan Coogler’s SINNERS. Luke Lalonde, front man of the indie rock band Born Ruffians, co-stars. With Norah Sadava and Colin Burgess.

"A charming and fresh rom-com." (The Globe and Mail)

July Talk bandmaes / castmates Leah Fay Goldstein and Peter Dreimanis will be joining us live via the interwebs for a post-show Q&A following the screening.

Monday, April 20
Doors 6:00 pm | Movie 6:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

MIDDLE LIFE (Pavan Moondi, 2026 / 84 mins / NR) Andie saves Ryan from a car wreck, sparking a tumultuous year that might just prove life could be great.

Cameron Grant was a prominent Vancouver-based vocalist, bandleader, performer, loved and respected as one of Vancouver's exceptional talents.

Join us at the Rio Theatre on Thursday, April 23 for a very special legacy event featuring performances from VOC, Sacred Linoleum, Smokin' Section, Daddy and the Smokin Soul Experience (Belmont).

Featuring Bandmates and Special Guests including: 
Randal Stoll, Kris Joss, Mike Kenney, Kelly Brock, Tim Fuller, Russ Klyne, Rebecca Shoichet, Jamie Kaufmann, Tino Zolfo, Adam Stern, Dane Deviller, Krystle Dos Santos, Mark Olexson, Tim Proznick, Brad Turner.

Thursday, April 23
Doors 7:00 pm | Event 8:00 pm

GA Tickets $25+ s/c | $30 + s/c at the door

Cam’s life was filled with love, laughter, and moments of pure joy with his family, partner Caitlyn Regehr, and two beautiful daughters, Gwendolyn, and Avery who will be will receive the proceeds of the event.

For the first time in Vancouver, Korean stand-up sensation Kim Dong Ha (김동하) brings his hit comedy tour to the Rio Theatre.

“Stand-Up Comedy Made in Korea” delivers sharp, high-energy humor rooted in Korean culture — from family dynamics and generational clashes to dating, social pressure, and the absurdities of modern life. With fearless storytelling and rapid-fire punchlines, Kim Dong Ha has sold out theatres across Korea and now takes his bold voice to North America.

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to experience authentic Korean stand-up comedy live in Vancouver.

This performance is conducted entirely in Korean.

Friday, April 24
Doors 7:00 pm | Show 8:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Early bird tickets available until March 15!

VIP (Centre section, first 3 rows) - $103.95 + s/c
Main Floor Assigned - $82.95 + s/c
Balcony General Admission - $61.95 + s/c

Tickets on sale now!

On the brink of inheriting the position of The Bearded Woman (matriarchal leader to an outcast community of circus performers), a young woman defies her overbearing mother and runs away instead.  Free from the expectations and responsibilities at home, she seeks romance and adventure with the normies in a tiny farm town.  In order to fit in, she reinvents herself with stories of a fabricated past, until the truth of who she is can no longer be concealed. With Anwen O'Driscoll, Jessica Paré, Skylar Radzion, Harrison Brown.

"A charming story about the ways in which we are both beholden to and repulsed by the traditions and family obligations laid at our feet, 'The Bearded Girl' is sure to speak to young girls in a way that will truly matter." (ScreenAnarchy)

"Director Jody Wilson’s debut feature-length film is charming, dryly funny and filled with a fairy-tale aesthetic. Led by engaging performances, 'The Bearded Girl' hits all the marks as a coming-of-age story, but draws from genre favorites like HBO’s CARNIVALE, giving us subtle magic minus the darker overtones. With a distinct Western Canadian vibe and a fresh new voice in Canadian cinema, this is a must-see for quirky performances and a lesson in loving yourself just as you are." (Fantasia Film Fest)

Filmmakers including director Jody Wilson in attendance for post-show Q&A.

Saturday, April 25
Doors 2:00 pm | Movie 2:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

THE BEARDED GIRL (Jody Wilson, 2025 / 110 mins / PG) A rebellious, sword-swallowing bearded girl decides to leave her carnival sideshow home behind in search of love and adventure.

A copious cavalcade of top notch talent and captivating cabaret await at The Rio Theatre Burlesque & Variety Show on Saturday, April 25!

Local luminary April O’Peel has curated a show full of wonder sure to dazzle and delight our fun loving audience! The theme is NO THEME! That’s right! These talented performers will each be performing one act of their choosing! What act will they decide to bring to The Rio Theatre Burlesque & Variety Show!? Find out on Saturday, April 25 as these stars align for one night only!

Saturday, April 25
Doors 8:00 pm | Show 9:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Save $10 with Early Bird tickets available till midnight April 6!

General Admission $30 + s/c | $35 + s/c at the door
VIP tickets (Rows 1-3, centre section) $40 + s/c
Squad Pass $100 + s/c

Featuring

April O’Peel
Bitch Sassidy
Charlotte Strudel
Clare Voyeur
Demi Reign
Disco Squad
Hotsy Flashy
La Dame Derriere
Lady Josephine
Layna Emerald
Lynx Chase
Maria Sample
Rainbow Glitz

Hosted by Karla Marx

Presented by System Entertainment

Sportsko srce je topla komedija o sudaru dva nespojiva sveta kada mlada Maja odluči da spoji svog verenika, sofisticiranog Beograđanina Pavla, sa svojim ocem Macurom, harizmatičnim vlasnikom zemunske pečenjare. Dok Maja pokušava da "ugladi" oca za sudbonosni porodični ručak, a Pavle balansira između ljubavi i uticaja svoje dominantne majke, na površinu izbijaju generacijski jaz i duboko ukorenjene predrasude. Kroz niz komičnih nesporazuma, ova priča nas podseća da su iskrenost i prihvatanje jedini put ka zajedničkoj budućnosti, ma koliko različiti bili naši koreni.

Režiser / Directed By: Milan Karadžić
Uloge / Featuring: Mima Karadžić, Nina Nešković, Nela Mihajlović, Aleksandar Đurica, Nikola Šurbanović, Nataša Ninković...

Sport Heart is a warm comedy about the collision of two incompatible worlds when young Maja decides to unite her fiance Pavla, the sophisticated man from Belgrade, with her father Macura, the charismatic owner of a bakery in Zemun. While Maya tries to "polite" her father for the fateful family lunch, and Pavle balances the love and influence of his domineering mother, the generation gap and deep-rooted prejudices come to the surface. Through a series of comic misunderstandings, this story reminds us that honesty and acceptance are the only way to a shared future, no matter how different our roots.

Based on popular theatre play premiered at Zvezdara Theatre in Belgrade, Serbia on 4th of December 2021.

Sunday, April 26
Doors: 2:45 pm | Film 3:15 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

General Admission - $25.50 + s/c

SPORTSKO SRCE 'Sport Heart' (Milan Karadžić, 2026 / 89 mins / Serbian w. EST / 18A) A warm comedy about the collision of two incompatible worlds when young Maja decides to unite her fiancé, the sophisticated man from Belgrade, Pavle, with her father, Macura, the charismatic owner of a bakery in Zemun. While Maya tries to "polite" her father for the fateful family lunch, and Pavle balances the love and influence of his domineering mother, the generation gap and deep-rooted prejudices come to the surface.

Rogue Folk Club presents
Dervish

Music from the West of Ireland with passionate vocals and dazzling instrumentals.

Dervish have been bringing Irish traditional music to the world for more than 30 years, and received the prestigious BBC Radio 2 Lifetime Achievement Award. Described by the BBC as “an icon of Irish music”, the band have played festivals from Rock in Rio to Glastonbury, toured with the Irish President and struck up tunes on the Great Wall of China.

Dervish’s lineup features some of Ireland’s finest traditional musicians. Fronted by one of the country’s best-known singers, Cathy Jordan, joined by some of Ireland’s finest trad musicians - Shane Mitchell (accordion), Liam Kelly (flute/whistle), Brian McDonagh (mandola/mandolin), Michael Holmes (bouzouki) and Tom Morro (fiddle).

Exceptional musicianship, breath-taking vocals, vibrant sets of tunes and instantly compelling songs all come together to make Dervish as complete a band as are to be found anywhere in the tradition.

Sunday, April 26
Doors 6:30 pm | Show 7:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Early Bird Tickets $42+ s/c (Until January 1 )
Tickets $47+ s/c | $52+ s/c at the door

Tickets on sale November 28 10:00 am

Witness the debut performance of 16 emerging dance and interdisciplinary artists.

A labour of experimentation, independence, and virtuosity; this performance features 15 original works that explore the individual as part of groups, constant distance, and the dedication to original thought in the styles of contemporary, jazz, hiphop, ballet, and more.

Tuesday, April 28
Doors: 7:00 pm | Event: 8:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

All tickets are General Admission
Seniors & Students w. ID - $16
General Admission - $26

Choreographers
Ashley Sankaran-Wee, Avery Warren, Claire Martin, Daisy de Kroon, Jeya Thiessen, Lauren Butterfield, Naz Ozlu, Reese Magnayon, Sarah Wilson, Soleil Mousseau, Sonja Kwantes, Teddy Brubacher, Vivien Dang

Dancers
Ashley Sankaran-Wee, Avery Warren, Claire Martin, Daisy de Kroon, Jeya Thiessen, Lauren Butterfield, Naz Ozlu, Reese Magnayon, Sarah WIlson, Soleil Mousseau, Sonja Kwantes, Teddy Brubacher, Vivien Dang, Hannah Latta, Elijah Sam

Stage Manager
Kady Brandel

Assistant Stage Manager
Oliver Medrano

STEP RIGHT UP STEP RIGHT UP and join us at Rio Theatre on Tuesday, May 5, for a night of drag that will blow you away!

Vajayjay Abrams hosts an iconic lineup of Canada’s Drag Race stars from across the country including Vancouver’s very own PM, Toronto’s Star Doll and Dulce, and Montreal ICONS Johnny Jones and Sami Landri! The sideshow unleashes a lineup of jaw-dropping talent you won't see anywhere else so don’t miss out! See the cast perform their hit original song Not Sorry Aboot it LIVE for the first time together!

Tuesday, May 5
Doors 7:00 pm | Show 7:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

VIP (Exclusive Pre-Show Meet and Greet 6:30 pm + Preferred Seating) $50 + s/c
Main Floor Seating $30 + s/c
Meet and Greet Add-On $15 (Limited Quantity Available)

Frank Zappa’s music – reimagined!

Zappostrophe’…dares to take on Zappa’s weird and wonderful world - recreating his tunes with jaw-dropping musicianship, and a wink to his irreverent humour (CHEK TV, Victoria, 2024)

Zappostrophe' is a Vancouver-based 8-piece band, playing favourites and lesser-known works from Frank Zappa's eclectic recordings.

Our shows include a variety of FZ’s music – from favourites like Don't Eat the Yellow Snow and Montana to complex compositions like Inca Roads, with some high energy instrumentals to keep things interesting. Expect virtuoso playing, tight vocals and humour!

Plus...

LUNATICS ON THE GRASS - TRIBUTE TO PINK FLOYD pays homage to the legendary Progressive Rock band Pink Floyd.

Get ready to immerse yourself in Pink Floyd’s mesmerizing music, and Lunatics on The Grass's visuals and mind-blowing original animations !

The band will perform The Dark Side Of The Moon in its entirety, as well as other iconic Pink Floyd classics.

The band will transport you to another dimension where the spirit of Pink Floyd lives on.

Don't miss out on this epic experience !

Saturday, May 16
Doors 8:00 pm | Show 9:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Early bird tickets just $45, available till midnight March 1!

Main Floor Assigned - $50
Seniors - $45
VIP Reserved (First 5 rows) - $55

Zappostrophe’ is:

Blair Fisher  - vocals / trumpet / flute / keys
Blair Lewis – guitar / synths / vocals / rubber chicken
LJ Mounteney – vocals / kazoo
Nick Apivor – percussion / vocals
Guenter Schulz – guitar
Cole Tinney– keyboards
Brent Gubbels – bass
Jason Overy - drums

Lunatics on the Grass is:

Larry Bloom - keyboards
Joady Bell - keyboards
Carol Mason - vocals
Mike Krawchuk - vocals and sax
Lisa Dunn - vocals
Victor Yong - lead guitar
Kyle Legionhq Haynes- rhythm guitar and lap steel guitar
Kerry Paulicelli- drums
Kevin Krick - bass

The East Van Laugh RioT welcomes comedian Jeff Dye to the Rio Theatre's stage on Saturday, July 4.

Saturday, July 4
Doors 6:00 pm | Show 7:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

VIP (First 5 rows / Centre Section) $55+ s/c
Adult Entry $45 + s/c

Meet n' Greet add on $35 (Limited availability).

About Jeff Dye

Jeff Dye isn't here to play nice, he's here to wreck polite conversation and leave audiences howling. A regular on Gutfeld! and The Joe Rogan Experience, he delivers comedy that's loud, sharp, and hilariously inappropriate. He conned America on MTV's Money From Strangers, globe-hopped with legends on NBC's Better Late Than Never, and somehow kept a straight face while cracking jokes on The Tonight Show. Jeff's not chasing clout - he's chasing truth, mic in hand, and not looking back.

Connect with Jeff:
FACEBOOK: @JeffDye
TWITTER: @JeffDye
INSTAGRAM: @JeffDye
YOUTUBE: Jeff Dye

Celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the critically acclaimed, award-winning rock movie musical "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" with an unforgettable evening featuring writer, director, and Golden Globe–nominated star, John Cameron Mitchell.

The event includes a stunning 4K screening of the film, followed by a live Q&A, and a special mini acoustic performance by Mitchell.

Arrive early for the pre-show costume contest—held in every city—for a chance to win prizes from our sponsors, The Criterion Collection and The Punk Rock Museum. Come dressed as your best Hedwig or in a look inspired by the work of John Cameron Mitchell.

Post show meet and greet add-ons available!

Produced by ThisMyShow Presents

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

Balcony Tickets (GA) $58.25 + s/c
Main Floor (Assigned) $68.75 + s/c
VIP (First four rows, centre section & Meet n' Greet - includes signed poster!) $158 + s/c

Tickets on sale now!

JOHN CAMERON MITCHELL

John Cameron Mitchell wrote/directed/starred in the rock musical and film "Hedwig and the Angry Inch," for which he won the 2014 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical, a Special Tony for his performance, an Obie Award, the Best Director award at the 2001 Sundance Festival and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor, along with 25 other awards.

He wrote/directed the improv-based film SHORTBUS (2006); directed the film adaptation of Pulitzer Prize-winning play RABBIT HOLE (2010) which garnered a Best Actress Oscar nomination for Nicole Kidman; and  co-wrote and directed the YA punk romance HOW TO TALK TO GIRLS AT PARTIES  (2017) starring Kidman and Elle Fanning. He executive-produced (with Gus Van Sant) Jonathan Caouette’s TARNATION (2004) which was the most decorated documentary of 2004.

John was in the original casts of Tony-winning "Big River," "The Secret Garden," and "Six Degrees of Separation" as well as "Hello Again" (Drama Desk nomination) and Larry Kramer’s The Destiny of Me (Obie Award). TV roles include, "Girls", "Shrill", "The Good Fight", "Mozart in the Jungle", "Yellowjackets", "The Sandman", "City on Fire" and "Joe Exotic in Joe Vs Carole." He wrote and directed two scripted podcast series: the musical Anthem: Homunculus (2019) starring Glenn Close, Cynthia Erivo, Patti Lupone and Laurie Anderson; and the satirical sitcom "Cancellation Island "(2025) starring Holly Hunter.

"'Hedwig and the Angry Inch' is a powerful story about identity and creation and pain and love." (Birth.Movies.Death.)

HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH (John Cameron Mitchell, 2001 / 95 mins / 14A) | Hedwig, born male as Hansel in East Berlin, fell in love with an American G.I. and underwent a Gender Reassignment Surgery in order to marry him and flee to the West. Unfortunately, nothing worked out quite as it was supposed to - years later, Hedwig is leading her rock band on a tour of the U.S., telling her life story through a series of concerts at Bilgewater Inn seafood restaurants. Her tour dates coincide with those of arena-rock star Tommy Gnosis, a wide-eyed boy who once loved Hedwig - but then left with all her songs.

Celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the critically acclaimed, award-winning rock movie musical "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" with an unforgettable evening featuring writer, director, and Golden Globe–nominated star, John Cameron Mitchell.

The event includes a stunning 4K screening of the film, followed by a live Q&A, and a special mini acoustic performance by Mitchell.

Arrive early for the pre-show costume contest—held in every city—for a chance to win prizes from our sponsors, The Criterion Collection and The Punk Rock Museum. Come dressed as your best Hedwig or in a look inspired by the work of John Cameron Mitchell.

Post show meet and greet add-ons available!

Produced by ThisMyShow Presents

Tuesday. July 21
Doors 6:30 pm | Show 7:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

JOHN CAMERON MITCHELL

John Cameron Mitchell wrote/directed/starred in the rock musical and film "Hedwig and the Angry Inch," for which he won the 2014 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical, a Special Tony for his performance, an Obie Award, the Best Director award at the 2001 Sundance Festival and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor, along with 25 other awards.

He wrote/directed the improv-based film SHORTBUS (2006); directed the film adaptation of Pulitzer Prize-winning play RABBIT HOLE (2010) which garnered a Best Actress Oscar nomination for Nicole Kidman; and  co-wrote and directed the YA punk romance HOW TO TALK TO GIRLS AT PARTIES  (2017) starring Kidman and Elle Fanning. He executive-produced (with Gus Van Sant) Jonathan Caouette’s TARNATION (2004) which was the most decorated documentary of 2004.

John was in the original casts of Tony-winning "Big River," "The Secret Garden," and "Six Degrees of Separation" as well as "Hello Again" (Drama Desk nomination) and Larry Kramer’s The Destiny of Me (Obie Award). TV roles include, "Girls", "Shrill", "The Good Fight", "Mozart in the Jungle", "Yellowjackets", "The Sandman", "City on Fire" and "Joe Exotic in Joe Vs Carole." He wrote and directed two scripted podcast series: the musical Anthem: Homunculus (2019) starring Glenn Close, Cynthia Erivo, Patti Lupone and Laurie Anderson; and the satirical sitcom "Cancellation Island "(2025) starring Holly Hunter.

"'Hedwig and the Angry Inch' is a powerful story about identity and creation and pain and love." (Birth.Movies.Death.)

HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH (John Cameron Mitchell, 2001 / 95 mins / 14A) | Hedwig, born male as Hansel in East Berlin, fell in love with an American G.I. and underwent a Gender Reassignment Surgery in order to marry him and flee to the West. Unfortunately, nothing worked out quite as it was supposed to - years later, Hedwig is leading her rock band on a tour of the U.S., telling her life story through a series of concerts at Bilgewater Inn seafood restaurants. Her tour dates coincide with those of arena-rock star Tommy Gnosis, a wide-eyed boy who once loved Hedwig - but then left with all her songs.

One of YouTube's most popular comics with over 225 million views and half a billion more on Facebook, Steve Hofstetter is also the host of Finding Babe Ruth on FS1. Hofstetter was the host and executive producer of Laughs (FOX) and he has been on CBS’ The Late Late Show, E! True Hollywood Story, Comics Unleashed, and more. He’s sold out shows in hundreds of cities and dozens of countries. Now is your chance to find out what the fuss is about during this no-holds-barred stand-up performance, featuring some of his unfiltered observations about life.

Wednesday, September 23
Doors 7:00 pm | Show 8:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Meet and Greet:  Row A, seats 5-17: $210 + GST + s/c
Gold (Centre Section / Main): $77 + GST + s/c
Silver (Side Sections / Main)  $49 + GST + s/c
Balcony (General Admission)  $42 + GST + s/c

Guess who's back to keep Vancouver laughing in 2026... The East Van Laugh RioT is pleased to welcome the winter season return of comedian Sammy Obeid - with all-new material! We just can't keep him off our stage!

Saturday, Septemb 27
Doors 7:00 pm | Show 8:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Adult Balcony (General Admission) $39 + s/c
Adult Main Floor (Assigned Seating) $48+ s/c
VIP Meet n' Greet (Rows 2-6, centre section) $65+ s/c
VVIP Meet n' Greet (Front Row, centre section) $75+ s/c
Group Ticket Pricing (Minimum 4) $43 (ea)+ s/c (online only)

Lebanese-Palestinian American and born in Oakland California, Sammy Obeid double-majored in Business and Mathematics at UC Berkeley and then turned down a job at Google to be a comedian.

Now the host of 100 Humans on Netflix, he’s also appeared on NBC's Last Comic Standing and America's Got Talent, as well as TBS’s Conan, and is best known for his world record of performing comedy 1,001 nights in a row, a story featured in both Time Magazine and The New York Times.

Connect on Instagram @sammyobeid
Connect on Facebook
Connect on TikTok @sammyobeidthem
Connect on X @sammyobeid

Irish comedy sensation Joanne McNally is hitting the Rio Theatre's stage on October 17 with her new stand-up show, Pinotphile.

Following the successful Canadian run of The Prosecco Express, comedian Joanne McNally is returning to Canada for a limited engagement! Get ready for a night of stand-up that is as irreverent, ridiculous, and riotously funny as ever. Hailed by Variety as, “One to Watch,” she’s spent the past few years keeping herself busy—ruining men’s lives (and her own)—and now she’s back; still single, still unfertilised, and ready to turn her chaotic experiences into hilariously relatable comedy.

Pinotphile sees Joanne navigating situationships, revenge, frenemies, and rejection in her signature style, described as “Terrifyingly funny” (London Evening Standard) and “Joyously nuts” (Irish Examiner). Following her previous show being crowned Ticketmaster Ireland’s Comedy Event of the Year, Pinotphile is destined for similar acclaim in Canada.

Saturday, October 17
Doors 6:00 pm | Event 7:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Platinum (Rows A & B, Centre Section) $85.50 + s/c
Main Floor  $55.50 + s/c
Main Floor (Aisles) $65.50 + s/c
Balcony (General Admission) $45.50 + s/c

Tickets on sale here March 11 at 10:00 am PST

Joanne is also the co-host of the award-winning podcast My Therapist Ghosted Me, with memorable appearances on Taskmaster, The Jonathan Ross Show, and The Big Fat Quiz of Everything, and she hosts the hugely successful BBC Sounds series Joanne McNally Investigates: Who Replaced Avril Lavigne and Do Furbys Spy On Us?.

"Masters of no-holds barred craic" ★★★★★ (Time Out)

“The most exciting thing to happen to Irish comedy in years” ★★★★★ (Irish Times)

“Authentic, hilarious comedy” (Deadline)

“Terrifyingly funny” (London Evening Standard)

"Phenomenon" (Guardian)

The iconic “Half Italian, Half Jersey Boy” brings his viral dating stories and emotional reflections to live audiences this fall.

Outback Presents is proud to announce that viral storyteller, author, and live performer Davide de Pierro will bring his unique live storytelling experience to Canada this fall with three special performances, including at the Rio Theatre on Sunday, November 1.

Known for his candid reflections on relationships and the everyday moments that define the human experience, De Pierro has built a devoted online following of more than 6 million across TikTok and Instagram, where his commentary on dating, personal growth, and modern life regularly reaches millions of viewers.

Inspired by his newly released novel The Letters I Never Sent, the live show blends personal storytelling, humor, and audience conversation. Throughout the night, De Pierro will deliver a monologue and read selections from the book, followed by an open Q&A with the audience. Limited meet-and-greet opportunities will also be available for those who purchase in advance.

“The show is a night out together,” said De Pierro. “It’s storytelling, conversation, some laughs, and hopefully a reminder that we’re all navigating a lot of the same things — relationships, personal growth, and the moments in life that connect us. If people leave feeling a little lighter and a little less alone, then it was a good night.”

Sunday, November 1
Doors 6:00 pm | Show 7:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Platinum (Rows A & B, Centre Section) $85.75 + s/c
Main Floor  $55.75 + s/c
Main Floor (Aisle Seats) $65.75 + s/c
Balcony (General Admission) $45.75 + s/c

Pre-Sale March 18 10:00 am
On Sale March 20 10:00 am

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.

With special guest, Neil Young tribute artist Roger Potter.

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

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.