From the filmmaker whom the Vatican once called, “the most dangerous director in the world." Jess Franco's 1971 retelling of the "Dracula's Guest" story, VAMPYROS LESBOS, has gained a following over the decades via its erotic flights of surreal imagery, a memorable psychedelic soundtrack, and iconic performance by his muse, Soledad Miranda.

Ewa Stoemberg (SHE KILLED IN ECSTASY) stars as Linda, a woman with recurring dreams about a woman seducing her. When Linda’s sent to an island off the coast of Istanbul, she meets the very Countess (Miranda) of those dreams. After quickly falling under the woman’s spell, Linda finds she’s not the only one with an obsession for the Countess. With a thin plot to roll with, Franco creates dazzling scenes of arty softcore bliss infused with psycho-sexadelic tunes.

“The most prolific of Euro-Cult directors, Jess Franco wrote and directed at least 200 films in a career that spanned 57 years: 1955-2013. Franco was a compulsive filmmaker with a scattered filmography that presents a daunting challenge to scholars trying to impose some semblance of order on the director’s protean output.” (Diabolique Magazine)

"[In 'Vampyros Lesbos'] Franco brings it across with a bright yet minimalist color scheme, scene-setting shots of Istanbul's spires and glimmering seas, and more zooms than a Formula One car on race day." (The Dissolve)

"A pyscho-sexadelic celebration of soft-core lesbianism and vampire lore." (Slant Magazine)

Friday, March 28
Doors 11:00 pm | Movie 11:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Late Night Date Night! Bring a friend or date and get 2-for-1 entry!

VAMPYROS LESBOS "Las Vampiras" (Jesús Franco, 1971 / 90 mins . NR / Spanish & German with EST) Linda Westinghouseis an American living in Istanbul. After having a recurring dream in which she is seduced by a gorgeous vampire, Linda is sent to a small island for her work. There, she meets and is actually seduced by Countess Nadine , a dark, beautiful nightclub owner whom she immediately recognizes as the seductress from her dreams. When the conniving Dr. Seward learns of this, he contacts Linda, hoping to use her to become undead himself.

BECOMING LED ZEPPELIN explores the origins of this iconic group and their meteoric rise in just one year against all the odds. Powered by awe-inspiring, psychedelic, never-before-seen footage, performances, and music, Bernard MacMahon’s experiential cinematic odyssey explores Led Zeppelin’s creative, musical, and personal origin story. The film is told in Led Zeppelin’s own words, diving deep into the rise of the epochal rock group, is the first (and only) documentary of its kind that the band themselves have participated in.
The documentary includes new interviews with Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Paul Jones, as well as rare archival interviews with the band's late drummer John Bonham.

"A rich vein of anecdotes is found in Page and Jones's busy history as session players, with Jones particularly emerging as an affable raconteur with a juicy portfolio of anecdotes." (Uncut Magazine)

"A hagiographic look at the group’s beginnings, the movie is as straightforward as it is headbangingly diverting." (New York Times)

"The main attraction is finally the music, of which there is plenty." (RogerEBert.com)

Saturday, March 29
Doors 3:15 pm | Movie 3:45 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

BECOMING LED ZEPPELIN (Bernard MacMahon, 2025 / 122 mins / PG) The film traces the journeys of the four members of the Stairway To Heaven rockers through the music scene of the 1960s and their meeting in the summer of 1968, culminating in 1970.

Like so many movie-lovers around the world, we were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of filmmaker David Lynch, whose contribution to arts and culture is immeasurable. His monumentally beloved catalogue is its own impressive, cinematic legacy rich with old friends and oddball characters who make regular visits upon our silver screen. In the wake of his passing, there is no better way for us to pay tribute to his enigmatic career than by raising a glass, dimming the lights, and firing up the projector in his honour with a selection of some of his best loved works on the big screen, as he undoubtedly intended.

A dream of dark and troubling things . . .

David Lynch's debut feature, ERASERHEAD is a strange surreal examination of male paranoia with a serious underlying "creep factor."

While Lynch famously refuses to overly deconstruct his films, "stubbornly" insisting instead that all interpretations are subjective and therefor equally valid, it i widely appreciated that ERASERHEAD is a nightmarish analogy for the discomforts and fears of a new father accepting the role of fatherhood. Our hero and title character, Henry, faces a number of horrifying obstacles in meeting someone of the opposite sex, meeting her parents, and procreating. Produced during a one-and-a-half-year period while director Lynch was a student at the American Film Institute, the film launched him as a major new talent admired by cinephiles and filmmakers all over the world. It stands today as a milestone in personal, independent filmmaking.

Henry (John Nance) resides alone in a bleak apartment surrounded by industrial gloom. When he discovers that an earlier fling with Mary X (Charlotte Stewart) left her pregnant, he marries the expectant mother and has her move in with him. Things take a decidedly strange turn when the couple's baby turns out to be a bizarre lizard-like creature that won't stop wailing. Other characters, including a disfigured lady who lives inside a radiator, inhabit the building and add to Henry's troubles.

"Despite constant ambiguity within it, a key part of 'Eraserhead's' meaning relates to the fear of fatherhood. It depicts the anxiety of becoming a parent and taking on the responsibilities involved. It's not a passive fear either, but rather a full-blown terror about the entire process from start to finish. After the baby comes into his life, Henry's world becomes a rolling nightmare." (ScreenRant)

"David Lynch's surreal ERASERHEAD uses detailed visuals and a creepy score to create a bizarre and disturbing look into a man's fear of parenthood." (Rotten Tomatoes)

"What makes EREASERHEAD great -- and still, perhaps the best of all Lynch's films? Intensity. Nightmare clarity. And perhaps also it's the single-mindedness of its vision." (Chicago Tribune)

"What a masterpiece of texture, a feat of artisanal attention, an ingenious assemblage of damp, dust, rock, wood, hair, flesh, metal, ooze." (Village Voice)

Saturday, March 29
Doors 11:00 pm | Movie 11:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.
All Tickets Just $10!!

ERASERHEAD (David Lynch, 1977 / 89 mins / NR) Henry Spencer tries to survive his industrial environment, his angry girlfriend, and the unbearable screams of his newly born mutant child.

One afternoon in 1971, Rubens Paiva, a former congressman and outspoken critic of Brazil's newly instituted military dictatorship, was taken from his home in Rio de Janeiro by government officials, told nothing more than that he must give a "deposition" to authorities, and disappeared.

Adapted from his son Marcelo Rubens Paiva's memoir, this overwhelming, richly realized political drama from Walter Salles (THE MOTORCYCLE DIARIES) stays tightly wedded to the perspective of Rubens's wife, Eunice (a shattering Fernanda Torres, in a Golden Globe-winning performance), whose indefatigable search for the truth about her husband would stretch out for decades.

A devastating true story, I'M STILL HERE is exhilarating in its portrayal of human tenacity in the face of injustice. Featuring a deeply affecting appearance from Fernanda Montenegro (Fernanda Torres' real-life mother), Oscar nominee for Salles's CENTRAL STATION.

I'M STILL HERE is currently nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best International Picture, Best Actress (Fernanda Torres), and Best Picture.

"It's one measure of Latin America's arduous history that it has spawned so many books and movies about dictatorship... What they share is the awareness that history hurts. Few films have shown this with more delicate intelligence than I'm Still Here." (NPR)

"Torres's deeply internalized performance exerts a magnetic appeal, pulling us into her character's unimaginable grief and loss as she fights to remain strong for her family." (Toronto Star)

"How often do we get to watch a movie and recognize the unmistakable geniality that adorns a mother’s love? Rarely do we witness a performance that’s so unembellished and yet so memorable and moving." (Salon.com)

"Torres’s performance here is a marvel of expressive restraint, every glance merging horrified disbelief and meticulous self-control." (The New Yorker)

Sunday, March 30
Doors 3:00 pm | Movie 3:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

I'M STILL HERE "Ainda Estou Aqui" (Walter Salles, 2024 / 137 mins / PG / Portuguese with English subtitles) BRAZIL, 1971 - Brazil faces the tightening grip of a military dictatorship. Eunice Paiva, a mother of five children, is forced to reinvent herself after her family suffers a violent and arbitrary act by the government. Based on Marcelo Rubens Paiva's biographical book, the film tells the true story that helped reconstruct an important part of Brazil’s hidden history.

Basel Adra, a young Palestinian activist from Masafer Yatta, has been fighting his community's mass expulsion by the Israeli occupation since childhood. Basel documents the gradual erasure of Masafer Yatta, as soldiers destroy the homes of families -the largest single act of forced transfer ever carried out in the occupied West Bank. He crosses paths with Yuval, an Israeli journalist who joins his struggle, and for over half adecade they fight against the expulsion while growing closer. Their complex bond is haunted by the extreme inequality between them: Basel, living under a brutal military occupation, and Yuval, unrestricted and free. This film, by a Palestinian-Israeli collective of four young activists, was c0- created during the darkest, most terrifying times in the region, as an act of creative resistance and a search for a path towards equality and justice.

NO OTHER LAND was recently awarded an Academy Award in the Best Feature Documentary category.

"A vital and wrenching documentary." (indieWire)

"What goes unsaid in this movie is sometimes even more powerful than what is spoken.” (Vulture)

"Along with the documentation of material destruction and displacement, the movie is a record of psychological warfare, of the effort to demolish morale, suppress energy, break will. This, as much as the physical violence that it documents, gives the movie immense moral authority.” (The New Yorker)

"If anything can be described as essential viewing, it’s this stark and unflinching account of life on the ground in a contested region of the West Bank." (Observer)

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

NO OTHER LAND (Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, 2025 / 95 mins / NR) For half a decade, Basel Adra, a Palestinian activist, films his community of Masafer Yatta being destroyed by Israel’s occupation, as he builds an unlikely alliance with a journalist from the other side who joins his fight.

"Nothing wrong with a man taking pleasure in his work. I won't deny my own personal desire to turn each sin against the sinner."

Gluttony, greed, sloth, envy, wrath, pride, lust — everyone has a sin. In director David Fincher's intensely claustrophobic, gut-wrenching psychological thriller SE7EN, "sin" takes centre stage - in one of cinema's most memorably grisly displays of pathological horror.

For detectives William Somerset and David Mills they live among these sins, every day, a crumbling city of crime all around them. But nothing can prepare the partners for the killings they are about to experience, all of which begins when they find a morbidly obese man who has died from the forced ingestion of spaghetti. What starts as one bizarre crime turns into a case of serial murders as a predator named John Doe begins to execute victims by paying homage to the "deadly sin" they represent.

Starring Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt, Gwyneth Paltrow and Kevin Spacey, SE7EN is an intensely claustrophobic, grisly thrill ride - and one of the defining movies of the mid-90s.

"From its stylish opening credits to its utterly shocking denouement, it’s a master class in nerve-fraying nihilism." (Film Frenzy)

"A stone cold classic, especially from a technical point of view. It's incredibly moody, cements a number of tropes for serial killer/crime texts, and (despite the presence of Spacey), John Doe and that finale are iconic." (Horror Queers Podcast)

"'Seven', a dark, grisly, horrifying and intelligent thriller, may be too disturbing for many people, I imagine, although if you can bear to watch it, you will see filmmaking of a high order. " (Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times)

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

SE7EN (David Fincher, 1995 / 127 mins / 18A) When retiring police Detective William Somerset (Morgan Freeman) tackles a final case with the aid of newly transferred David Mills (Brad Pitt), they discover a number of elaborate and grisly murders. They soon realize they are dealing with a serial killer (Kevin Spacey) who is targeting people he thinks represent one of the seven deadly sins. Somerset also befriends Mills' wife, Tracy (Gwyneth Paltrow), who is pregnant and afraid to raise her child in the crime-riddled city.

Teenager Owen is just trying to make it through life in the suburbs when his classmate introduces him to a mysterious late-night TV show — a vision of a supernatural world beneath their own. In the pale glow of the television, Owen’s view of reality begins to crack. With Justice Smith, Brigette Lundy-Paine, Fred Durst, Danielle Deadwyler.

"'Glow' blends the real and the surreal in a neon-drenched nightmare that leaves a trail of thematic breadcrumbs for its audience." (USA Today)

"‘I Saw the TV Glow’ is about to become Gen-Z’s favorite cult movie... Filmmaker Jane Schoenbrun's addition to the midnight-movie canon starts with a shared love of a TV show — and then goes down the fandom rabbit hole" (Rolling Stone Magazine)

"Director Jane Schoenbrun blurs the lines between reality and fantasy with an intoxicating, Lynchian flair." (Washington Post)

"With all this talk of universal emotions and inherent hope, it is easy to lose track of the fact that I Saw the TV Glow is an unnerving and disarming genre film. It gets under the skin, and is a welcome disruption." (Rue Morgue)

Monday, March 31
Doors 6:00 pm | Movie 6:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

I SAW THE TV GLOW (Jane Shoenbrun, 2024 / 100 mins / PG) Two teenagers bond over their love of a supernatural TV show, but it is mysteriously cancelled.

Visionary filmmaker Robert Eggers (THE VVITCH, THE LIGHTHOUSE, THE NORTHMAN) latest cinematic vision is a lifelong passion project borne from a stage play production he co-directed in high school based off of F.W. Murnau's iconic 1922 silent film "Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror." The experience left a deep impression, and sparked his love of the horror genre. In 2024, he came full circle with the hyper-stylized visual stunner NOSFERATU, which elevates the classic story through its refined, narrative depth, incredible production value, and its fantastic ensemble.

Set in the 1830s, estate agent Thomas Hutter travels to Transylvania for a fateful meeting with Count Orlok, a prospective client. In his absence, Hutter's new bride, Ellen, is left under the care of their friends, Friedrich and Anna Harding. Plagued by horrific visions and an increasing sense of dread, Ellen soon encounters an evil force that's far beyond her control. With Lily-Rose Depp, Nicholas Hoult, Bill Skarsgård, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Willem Dafoe, Emma Corin.

NOSFERATU is nominated for four Academy Awards in 2025, including Best Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Achievement in Cinematography, Best Achievement in Production Design, and Best Achievement in Costume Design.

"Robet Eggers has now made a Dracula movie that’s more than an exercise, more than an assertion of talent. There’s a vision at work." (New York Times)

"Bill Skarsgård does his thing phenomenally, backed by top-notch prosthetic makeup and the use of a sinister voice." (Los Angeles Times)

"What [Robert] Eggers truly comprehends is that Nosferatu is not about sex. It’s about power. Pure, malevolent, selfish, devastating power." (Austin Chronicle)

"Robert Eggers is a filmmaker with astonishing visual flair." (Seattle Times)

Monday, March 31
Doors 8:30 pm | Movie 9:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

NOSFERATU (Robert Eggers, 2024 / 132 mins / 14A) A gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman and the terrifying vampire infatuated with her, causing untold horror in its wake.

Community Trail Running presents:
The Trail Running Film Festival 2025

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

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 3
Doors 6:00 pm | Event 7:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Early Bird Tickets (December 1-31) $25+ s/c
Tickets $30+ s/c | $35+ s/c at the door
Squad Pass Group Pricing (Group of Four) $100+ s/c (Available online only)

Tickets on sale December 1

Escaping post-war Europe, visionary architect László Toth arrives in America to rebuild his life, his work, and his marriage to his wife Erzsébet after being forced apart during wartime by shifting borders and regimes. On his own in a strange new country, László settles in Pennsylvania, where the wealthy and prominent industrialist Harrison Lee Van Buren recognizes his talent for building. But power and legacy come at a heavy cost... With Oscar and Golden Globe-winner Adrien Brody, Guy Pearce, Felicity Jones (in an Oscar-nominated performance), Joe Alwyn, Raffey Cassidy.

THE BRUTALIST is one of the most critically acclaimed films of the year, and was nominated for an incredible 10 Academy Awards, winning trophies in categories including Best Actor (Adrien Brody), Original Score (Daniel Blumberg), and Cinematography (Lol Crawford).

"It is so specific, lived-in and vibrant that you want to spend more time in this world even when it's harrowing." (Filmweek NPR)

"Brady Corbet’s seismic drama reaches for the sky as it surveys the soul of a man and a nation. There will be Oscars." (Empire Magazine)

"The magisterial (yet also often funny) performances from virtually every member of the cast... and the sheer painterly beauty of its compositions make this one of the few movies this year I almost immediately went back to see for a second time." (Slate)

"A harrowing 215-minute epic of perseverance, trauma, exploitation, and anti-Semitism, it’s a bracing examination of the scars of war, the difficulty of recovery, and the genius, madness, and self-destruction begat by calamity. " (The Daily Beast)

"Brady Corbet’s engulfing masterpiece about an immigrant architect (an Oscarbound Adrien Brody) is the best movie of the year, but it’s also way more than that— an unsentimental; uncompromising thunderbolt of pure cinema that Corbet has built to last." (ABC News)

Friday, April 4
Doors 6:45 pm | Movie 7:15 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

*Please note: This film screens with a brief intermission.

THE BRUTALIST (Brady Corbet, 2024 / 214 mins / 18A ) When a visionary architect and his wife flee post-war Europe in 1947 to rebuild their legacy and witness the birth of modern United States, their lives are changed forever by a mysterious, wealthy client.

"Dead or alive, you're coming with me!"

The Rio Theatre's Friday Late Night Movie series continues with Paul Verhoeven's 1987 sci-fi action juggernaut ROBOCOP, an action film that balances ultra-violence with black comedy and cutting social satire. Set in a violent, near-apocalyptic Detroit, evil corporation Omni Consumer Products wins a contract from the city government to privatize the police force. To test their crime-eradicating cyborgs, the company leads street cop Alex Murphy into an armed confrontation with crime lord Boddicker so they can use his body to support their untested RoboCop prototype. But when RoboCop learns of the company's nefarious plans, he turns on his masters. Starring Peter Weller, Nancy Allen, Dan O'Herlihy, Kurtwood Smith, Miguel Ferrer, and Ronny Cox.

"When the law-enforcing RoboCop cleans up corrupt Motown, his victory is satisfying because he's got machinery and morals on his side. RoboCop is where high-tech meets High Noon." (Philadelphia Enquirer)

Friday, April 4
Doors 11:30 pm | Movie 11:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Late Night Date Night! Bring a friend, date, or rehabilitated cyborg human and get 2-for-2 entry!

ROBOCOP (Paul Verhoeven, 1987 / 102 mins / 18A) In a dystopic and crime-infested Detroit, a terminally injured policeman returns to the force as a potent cyborg haunted by submerged memories.

Join us at the Rio Theatre as we dim the lights, raise a glass, and tip our collective cinematic hats to one of the all-time great actors of his generation, Gene Hackman, with a screening of one of his most indelible performances in one of the greatest action films ever made, William Friedkin's THE FRENCH CONNECTION.

"It moves at magnificent speed, and exhausts itself in movement." (New York Times)

"'The French Connection' is as amoral as its hero, as violent, as obsessed and as frightening." (Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times)

"Gritty, downbeat and, in Hackman’s “Popeye” Doyle, fronted by one of the most unlikely heroes that cinema had seen, this was one of the great films of Hollywood’s most creatively uncompromising period." (Times UK)

"If you want a dog-eared guide book, stuffed with authentic detail, to the work of the New York narcotics squad, this is your film. It certainly is mine. Every element coalesces into a hard bunch of excitement you can't imagine better done." (London Evening Standard)

"William Friedkin's symphony of long, sharp shocks is memorable for any number of sequences." (Time Out)

Saturday, April 5
Doors 7:30 pm | Movie 8:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

THE FRENCH CONNECTION (William Friedkin, 1971 / 104 mins / 18A) A pair of NYPD detectives in the Narcotics Bureau stumble onto a heroin smuggling ring based in Marseilles, but stopping them and capturing their leaders proves an elusive goal.

Given the success and popularity of the recent film adaptation of WICKED, we thought the time was right to "ease on down the road" and revisit Sidney Lumet's iconic, star-studded 1978 adaptation of the beloved Tony-award winning Broadway musical, THE WIZ, with a family-friendly screening on Sunday, April 6.

When Harlem schoolteacher Dorothy (Diana Ross) tries to save her dog from a storm, she's miraculously whisked away to an urban fantasy land called Oz. After accidentally killing the Wicked Witch of the East upon her arrival, Dorothy is told about the Wiz (Richard Pryor), a wizard who can help her get back to Manhattan. As Dorothy goes in search of the Wiz, she's joined by the Scarecrow (Michael Jackson), the Tin Man (Nipsey Russell) and the Cowardly Lion (Ted Ross). With Lena Horne

"Director Sidney Lumet has created what amounts to a love letter to the city of New York, which he equates with Oz." (Variety)

"Whether you love or hate this movie, there is no denying how memorable it truly is and how impactful it has been on the culture of Oz enthusiasts and Black cinema, alike." (ScreenAnarchy)

Sunday, April 6
Doors 10:30 am | Movie 11:00 am *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

THE WIZ (Sidney Lumet, 1978 / 145 mins / G) An adaptation of "The Wizard of Oz" that tries to capture the essence of the African-American experience.

Escaping post-war Europe, visionary architect László Toth arrives in America to rebuild his life, his work, and his marriage to his wife Erzsébet after being forced apart during wartime by shifting borders and regimes. On his own in a strange new country, László settles in Pennsylvania, where the wealthy and prominent industrialist Harrison Lee Van Buren recognizes his talent for building. But power and legacy come at a heavy cost... With Oscar and Golden Globe-winner Adrien Brody, Guy Pearce, Felicity Jones (in an Oscar-nominated performance), Joe Alwyn, Raffey Cassidy.

THE BRUTALIST is one of the most critically acclaimed films of the year, and was nominated for an incredible 10 Academy Awards, winning trophies in categories including Best Actor (Adrien Brody), Original Score (Daniel Blumberg), and Cinematography (Lol Crawford).

"It is so specific, lived-in and vibrant that you want to spend more time in this world even when it's harrowing." (Filmweek NPR)

"Brady Corbet’s seismic drama reaches for the sky as it surveys the soul of a man and a nation. There will be Oscars." (Empire Magazine)

"The magisterial (yet also often funny) performances from virtually every member of the cast... and the sheer painterly beauty of its compositions make this one of the few movies this year I almost immediately went back to see for a second time." (Slate)

"A harrowing 215-minute epic of perseverance, trauma, exploitation, and anti-Semitism, it’s a bracing examination of the scars of war, the difficulty of recovery, and the genius, madness, and self-destruction begat by calamity. " (The Daily Beast)

"Brady Corbet’s engulfing masterpiece about an immigrant architect (an Oscarbound Adrien Brody) is the best movie of the year, but it’s also way more than that— an unsentimental; uncompromising thunderbolt of pure cinema that Corbet has built to last." (ABC News)

Sunday, April 6
Doors 4:00 pm | Movie 4:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

*Please note: This film screens with a brief intermission.

THE BRUTALIST (Brady Corbet, 2024 / 214 mins / 18A ) When a visionary architect and his wife flee post-war Europe in 1947 to rebuild their legacy and witness the birth of modern United States, their lives are changed forever by a mysterious, wealthy client.

One afternoon in 1971, Rubens Paiva, a former congressman and outspoken critic of Brazil's newly instituted military dictatorship, was taken from his home in Rio de Janeiro by government officials, told nothing more than that he must give a "deposition" to authorities, and disappeared.

Adapted from his son Marcelo Rubens Paiva's memoir, this overwhelming, richly realized political drama from Walter Salles (THE MOTORCYCLE DIARIES) stays tightly wedded to the perspective of Rubens's wife, Eunice (a shattering Fernanda Torres, in a Golden Globe-winning performance), whose indefatigable search for the truth about her husband would stretch out for decades.

A devastating true story, I'M STILL HERE is exhilarating in its portrayal of human tenacity in the face of injustice. Featuring a deeply affecting appearance from Fernanda Montenegro (Fernanda Torres' real-life mother), Oscar nominee for Salles's CENTRAL STATION.

I'M STILL HERE is currently nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best International Picture, Best Actress (Fernanda Torres), and Best Picture.

"It's one measure of Latin America's arduous history that it has spawned so many books and movies about dictatorship... What they share is the awareness that history hurts. Few films have shown this with more delicate intelligence than I'm Still Here." (NPR)

"Torres's deeply internalized performance exerts a magnetic appeal, pulling us into her character's unimaginable grief and loss as she fights to remain strong for her family." (Toronto Star)

"How often do we get to watch a movie and recognize the unmistakable geniality that adorns a mother’s love? Rarely do we witness a performance that’s so unembellished and yet so memorable and moving." (Salon.com)

"Torres’s performance here is a marvel of expressive restraint, every glance merging horrified disbelief and meticulous self-control." (The New Yorker)

Tuesday, April 8
Doors 5:45 pm | Movie 6:15 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

I'M STILL HERE "Ainda Estou Aqui" (Walter Salles, 2024 / 137 mins / PG / Portuguese with English subtitles) BRAZIL, 1971 - Brazil faces the tightening grip of a military dictatorship. Eunice Paiva, a mother of five children, is forced to reinvent herself after her family suffers a violent and arbitrary act by the government. Based on Marcelo Rubens Paiva's biographical book, the film tells the true story that helped reconstruct an important part of Brazil’s hidden history.

Like so many movie-lovers around the world, we were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of filmmaker David Lynch, whose contribution to arts and culture is immeasurable. His monumentally beloved catalogue is its own impressive, cinematic legacy rich with old friends and oddball characters who make regular visits upon our silver screen. In the wake of his passing, there is no better way for us to pay tribute to his enigmatic career than by raising a glass, dimming the lights, and firing up the projector in his honour with a selection of some of his best loved works on the big screen, as he undoubtedly intended.

Perhaps due to its relative narrative simplicity and conventional approach to humble storytelling, THE STRAIGHT STORY may be David Lynch's most overlooked film, despite its relative commercial success when it was released in 1999. The late, great Richard Farnsworth (beloved by Canadians for his performances in both THE GREY FOX and as Matthew Cuthbert in the iconic CBC series 'Anne of Green Gables') stars as a Alvin Straight, a retired farmer and widower in his 70s who learns one day that his distant brother Lyle has suffered a stroke and may not recover. Alvin is determined to make things right with Lyle while he still can, but his brother lives in Wisconsin, while Alvin is stuck in Iowa with no car and no driver's license. Then he hits on the idea of making the trip on his old lawnmower, thus beginning a picturesque and at times deeply spiritual odyssey. With Sissy Spacek, Harry Dean Stanton.

"It's intriguing to watch the Lynch of 'Blue Velvet' and 'Lost Highway' feel his way toward a less wounding surrealism -- into images that have power to hurt and will do none." (The New Yorker)

"When the movie’s end arrives, it’s a scene of cosmic beauty, accompanied by Angelo Badalamenti’s ethereal score—pure cinematic liftoff, a triumph of writing, direction, acting, casting, all the things that make a movie take flight." (Slate)

"... An elegiac portrait of a fading American heartland wrapped around a tear-jerking depiction of a man reflecting on his life losses with regret and resignation." (Times UK)

"With his sweet, lyrical masterpiece... David Lynch frees himself from the heavy irony and noir affectations of his last few films, discovering the pure, mythical slice of Americana previously confined to Agent Cooper's coffee and donuts in 'Twin Peaks.'" (AV Club)

"Richard Farnsworth's easy, twinkle eyed charm is a winner all the way, but it's finally the film's deceptive simplicity and unabashed warmth that make it one of Lynch's most artistically and emotionally satisfying movies." (Variety)

Wednesday, April 9
Doors 5:45 pm | Movie 6:15 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

THE STRAIGHT STORY (David Lynch, 1999 / 112 mins / G) Alvin Straight, a 73-year-old, learns that his estranged brother, Lyle is critically ill. Unable to drive, Alvin embarks on a journey from Iowa to Mt. Zion, by riding a lawn mower. Will he succeed?

Andy Kaufman's provocative comedy often outraged audiences, challenging them to confront their own presumptions. Through never-before-seen footage and intimate recollections, filmmaker Alex Braverman explores Kaufman’s brief but impactful life and career. As the lines between performance and reality blur in our present age, Kaufman’s genius resonates more than ever.

"Arguably the most transparent portrait of the comedian while still trying to perpetuate some of his mystery." (The Playlist)

"... by demystifying Kaufman, the more of a mystery his career becomes as he tested the limits of what the public would tolerate and still stick with him, becoming as much a film about us as much as him." (Movable Fest)

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

THANK YOU VERY MUCH (Alex Braverman, 2025 / 99 mins / NR) A look at the all-too-short life and career of enigmatic comedy legend Andy Kaufman, including never-before-seen footage and intimate interviews with friends, colleagues and family members.

You’ve watched his clips on Instagram, you’ve shared his standup with your friends and family on TikTok, now it’s time to see Jarlath Regan’s funny bits live - and in person. The brand new standup show from the man behind some of the most hilarious viral standup comedy clips is finally here! After selling out every single seat on his “Yer Man” tour in 2024, Jarlath is on the road again and travelling around the world with a completely fresh, never before seen standup comedy show guaranteed to have you “In Bits”.

Friday, April 11
Doors 6:00 pm | Show 7:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.
Advance tickets $42+ s/c

Artist Pre-Sale - Thursday, September 12 10:00 am
General On Sale - Friday, September 13 10:00 am

“The jewel in the Irish comedy crown.” (The Examiner)

“Universally enjoyable – 90 minutes of jaw-achingly funny anecdotes which spanned every topic
imaginable.” (The Post)

“A subtle yet sublime helping of observational wit” (The Herald ★★★★★)

“Downright hilarious…comedy genius” (The Irish Times ★★★★)

“Had the audience shaking so violently with laughter they probably could have charged their phones” (Edinburgh Festivals Magazine)

“Regan is an expert storyteller and this is a beautifully constructed show that I could have happily
listened to for twice its length.” (★★★★ The Arts Desk)

You’ve watched his clips on Instagram, you’ve shared his standup with your friends and family on TikTok, now it’s time to see Jarlath Regan’s funny bits live - and in person. The brand new standup show from the man behind some of the most hilarious viral standup comedy clips is finally here! After selling out every single seat on his “Yer Man” tour in 2024, Jarlath is on the road again and travelling around the world with a completely fresh, never before seen standup comedy show guaranteed to have you “In Bits”.

Friday, April 11
Second Show Added!>/i>
Doors 9:00 pm | Show 9:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.
Advance tickets $42+ s/c

“Regan is an expert storyteller and this is a beautifully constructed show that I could have happily
listened to for twice its length.” (★★★★ The Arts Desk)

Director Robert Harmon's criminally overlooked film THE HITCHER is a violent thrill-ride featuring strong performances from Rutger Hauer and C. Thomas Howell in a tense, cat-and-mouse gem that, "did for hitch-hiking what JAWS did for ocean swimmers." In other words, this newly restored slice of 80s-era "cinema obscura" is perfect for inclusion in the Rio Theatre's Friday Late Night Movies series.

While transporting a car from Chicago to San Diego, Jim Halsey (Thomas Howell) picks up a hitchhiker named John Ryder (Hauer), who claims to be a serial killer. After a daring escape, Jim hopes to never see Ryder again. But when he witnesses the hitchhiker murdering an entire family, Jim pursues Ryder with the help of truck-stop waitress Nash, pitting the rivals against each other in a deadly series of car chases and brutal murders. With Jennifer Jason Leigh.

"It's a highly competent sick-fright version of the evergreen chase formula." (Time Out)

"An odyssey of horror and suspense." (Newsweek)

Friday, April 11
Doors 11:15 pm | Movie 11:45 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Late Night Date Night! Tickets are two-for-one admission.

THE HITCHER (Robert Harmon, 1986 / 98 mins / 18A) A young man who escapes the clutches of a murderous hitchhiker is subsequently stalked by the hitcher and framed for his crimes.

The teasingly entwined ambiguities of love and death continue to fascinate Alain Guiraudie (STRANGER BY THE LAKE), who returns with a sharp, sinister, yet slyly funny thriller. Set in an autumnal, woodsy village in his native region of Occitanie, his latest follows the meandering exploits of Jérémie, an out-of-work baker who has drifted back to his hometown after the death of his beloved former boss, a bakery owner. Staying long after the funeral, the seemingly benign Jérémie begins to casually insinuate himself into his mentor’s family, including his kind-hearted widow and venomously angry son, while making an increasingly surprising—and ultimately beneficial—friendship with an oddly cheerful local priest.

In Guiraudie’s quietly carnal world, violence and eroticism explode with little anticipation, and criminal behavior can seem like a natural extension of physical desire. The French director is at the top of his game in MISERICORDIA, again upending all genre expectations.With Félix Kysyl, Catherine Frot, Jean-Baptiste Durand, Jacques Develay.

"While it may initially appear to be straightforward, nobody could ever accuse this increasingly twisted psychodrama of playing it straight." (Variety)

"'Misericordia' finds Alain Guiraudie revisiting old standbys under a relatively conventional set of aesthetic strategies. Fortunately, the ideas roiling under the former wildman’s newly placid surfaces are as potent as ever." (Slant Magazine)

"A fantastically tender, alluring, and peculiar small-town tale of murder, desire, and repression." (RogerEbert.com)

"Every once in a while, you go into a film like Misericordia (Miséricorde) where the ride is so wild, so unpredictable and so outrageous that good and bad seem far too binary of terms to dissect what just unfolded before you." (Loud and Clear)

Saturday, April 12
Doors 7:30 pm | Movie 8:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

MISERICORDIA "Miséricorde" (Alain Guiraudie, 2024 / 104 mins / NR / French with EST) Returning to Saint-Martial for his late boss's funeral, Jérémie's stay with widow Martine becomes entangled in a disappearance, a threatening neighbor, and an abbot's shady intentions.

Anime Expo Cinema Nights Presents a special 40th Anniversary screening of the cult-classic VAMPIRE HUNTER D. In the year 12,090 AD, technology and the supernatural have overtaken the world, leaving the land desolate and despotic. The remnants of humanity are scattered into small communities and live in fear of vampires who compose the ruling Nobility. When Count Magnus Lee tastes the blood of Doris Lang, she is forcibly chosen to be his next wife. In an effort to escape her ill-gotten fate, she hires a mysterious vampire hunter known only as D, who comes from a peculiar lineage.

VAMPIRE HUNTER D is a prime example of old-school cult-classic 80's Japanimation, and a title that has been requested by Rio Theatre fans for years. So get ready for it - beautifully restored for its 40th anniversary! This mythical anime is set in a post-nuclear holocaust dystopia, when the Earth is ruled by the supernatural and vampires, mutants and demons, "slither through a world of darkness" (in the words of the film's opening introduction). Starring Kaneto Shiozawa, Michie Tomizawa, Seizô Katô, Satoko Kifuji, Kazuyuki Sogabe, Motomu Kiyokawa.

"This is the D that your body craves. This is the D that takes place in a far-flung, post-nuclear hellscape where vampires, werewolves, and all manner of things that go bump in the night reign supreme." (Nerdist)

Saturday, April 12
Doors 10:00 pm | Movie 10:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

This screening includes bonus content, including a special introduction to the film by HIDIVE's Star Butler and Shudder's Head of Programming, Sam Zimmerman.

VAMPIRE HUNTER D (Toyoo Ashida, 1985 / 90 mins / 18A / Japanese with English subtitles) The film follows the story of a young lady after she is bitten by an evil vampire in medieval Romania, and asks for the help of a mysterious stranger known only as "D" to kill the vampire, thus sparing her a similar fate. Battling gothic creatures along the way, the mystery of who "D" really is soon becomes apparent, to himself and the viewer.

Join us at the Rio Theatre as we dim the lights, raise a glass, and tip our collective cinematic hats to one of the all-time great actors of his generation, Gene Hackman, with a screening of one of his most indelible performances in Francis Ford Coppola's THE CONVERSATION. In 2022, Coppola's 1974 masterpiece of societal paranoia in the guise of a techno-thriller was beautifully restored and remixed by legendary sound designer Walter Murch.

Sandwiched between the filmmaker's first two GODFATHER epics, THE CONVERSATION was a smaller, more personal exploration of humanity becoming enslaved and ultimately destroyed by the development of highly sophisticated surveillance technology. The film's timing couldn't have been more prescient, with the concurrent revelation during the Watergate hearings of a secret taping device in the Oval Office. Although the cutting-edge electronics of that time now look like Victrolas compared to the pocket-sized gadgetry of today, the themes of social alienation, ruthless corporate behavior, and a testing of one's faith resonate even deeper as we enter the second decade of the 21st century.

Winner of the 1974 Palme d'Or at Cannes, and nominated for three Oscars including Best Picture (losing out to Coppola's own THE GODFATHER: PART II ), THE CONVERSATION features a cast of future stars, including John Cazale, Robert Duvall, Harrison Ford, Teri Garr, Frederick Forsythe, and Cindy Williams. The minimalist piano music by David Shire is considered one of the great film scores of that era.

"AN IMMACULATE THRILLER, a study in paranoia and loneliness, partly inspired by Antonioni's 'Blow-Up,' and released as the Watergate scandal was unfolding, [with] one of Gene Hackman's greatest performances. (The Guardian)

"A BLEAK AND DEVASTATINGLY BRILLIANT FILM!" (Time Out)

"This tense, paranoid thriller presents Francis Ford Coppola at his finest -- and makes some remarkably advanced arguments about technology's role in society that still resonate today." (Rotten Tomatoes)

""The Conversation" truly feels both timeless and of the moment." (LA Times)

"Thanks to Walter Murch's keen, intuitive sound montage and Hackman's clammy, subtle performance, the movie captures [an] elusive and universal fear-that of losing the power to respond, emotionally and morally, to the evidence of one's own senses." (The New Yorker)

Sunday, April 13
Doors 1:00 pm | Movie 1:30 pm *Please arrive on time. Times subject to change.

THE CONVERSATION (Francis Ford Coppola, 1974 / 113 mins / 14A) Lonely wiretapping expert and devout Catholic Harry Caul is hired to record a seemingly innocuous conversation in San Francisco's Union Square between two lovers. Upon re-hearing the tapes, however, Caul believes he may be putting the couple in danger if he turns the material over to his client. But what one hears can ultimately turn out to be quite different from what was actually recorded.

MUR (You [Romance]) is Ukraine’s first original historical musical, offering a unique opportunity to witness past-century writers as living, breathing people. The story revolves around Slovo House in Kharkiv, a building where the Soviet regime executed hundreds of members of Ukraine’s early 20th-century creative elite.

Мюзикл «Ти [Романтика]» в кіно – це перший в Україні історичний оригінальний мюзикл, який дає можливість подивитися на живих письменників минулого сторіччя, на живих людей. Історія розповідає про Будинок Слово в Харкові, в якому було вбито радянською владою сотні представників української творчої еліти початку ХХ століття.

Monday, April 14
Doors open 6:00 pm | Film starts at 6:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Don't miss this unforgettable movie night, followed by an exclusive Q&A session with the cast!

Please note: This film screens in Ukrainian with English subtitles.

Ти [Романтика]» змітає пил часу з імен Хвильового, Курбаса, Сосюри, Семенка… Вперше покладені на музику історія зради поета Павла Тичини, служба у Третій Штурмовій Володимира Сосюри, розстріл кожного другого з українських письменників у Будинку Слово, самогубство Миколи Хвильового… Імена, що оживають на екрані, просто на ваших очах, – непередаваний словами досвід.

Режисер «Ти [Романтика]» Олександр Хоменко: «Це не вистава про трагедію Розстрільного відродження, бо скільки вже можна сумувати. Це не вистава з ключовою ідеєю, що «треба любити Україну і тоді все буде добре». Ні. Цього недостатньо. Це вікно у минуле, коли ти приходиш і розчиняєшся в Харківському Будинку Слова, в тій епосі, в діалогах Сосюри, Хвильового. Ось що таке романтика — це можливість подорожувати у часі.»

Проєкт МУР створений під час повномасштабної російсько-української війни українськими митцями з Києва та Донецька. До його складу входять: Олександр Хоменко (тексти, речитатив), Віктор Ткаченко (тексти, музика, саундпродакшн) і Микола Шмундир (речитатив), Марія ОʼРайлі (режисер монтажу), Соломія Козолуп (арт-директор, рісьорч), Олександр Заїка (обличчя проєкту, речетатив) . У соцмережах гурт зібрав навколо себе багатотисячну аудиторію. Документальні відео музикантів про історію Щедрика, Павла Тичину, Івана Багряного, Василя Стуса й Василя Симоненка стали найпопулярнішим освітнім контентом про українську літературу в Instagram. На рахунку гурту – три студійні релізи: «МУР Vol. 1», «Захалявна книжечка» та «Ти [Романтика]».

Двері відчиняються о 18:00 | Початок фільму о 18:30

Не пропустіть цей неповторний кіновечір із подальшою ексклюзивною розмовою з акторами у форматі Q&A!

This production sweeps away the dust of time from the names of Mykola Khvylovy, Les Kurbas, Volodymyr Sosiura, Mykhailo Semenko, and others. For the first time, events such as poet Pavlo Tychyna’s betrayal, Sosiura’s service in the Third Assault Brigade, the execution of every second Ukrainian writer at Slovo House, and Khvylovy’s tragic suicide are set to music. These figures come alive on screen right before your eyes—an experience beyond words.

Director Oleksandr Khomenko describes the musical as not just another play about the tragedy of the Executed Renaissance, questioning how much longer people can mourn. He emphasizes that it is not a simplistic call to "love Ukraine, and everything will be fine," as that alone is not enough. Instead, he sees it as a window into the past, a chance to step into Slovo House in Kharkiv, dissolve into that era, and experience the dialogues of Sosiura and Khvylovy. To him, this is what romance truly means—the ability to travel through time.

The MUR Project was created during the full-scale Russian-Ukrainian war by artists from Kyiv and Donetsk. It was founded by Oleksandr Khomenko, who is responsible for the lyrics and recitative, Viktor Tkachenko, who handles the lyrics, music, and sound production, and Mykola Shmundyr, who also performs recitative. The team also includes Maria O’Reilly as the film editor, Solomiia Kozolup as the art director and researcher, and Oleksandr Zaika, who serves as the lead performer and recitative artist.

On social media, MUR has built a massive following. Their documentary-style videos on the history of Shchedryk, Pavlo Tychyna, Ivan Bahrianyi, Vasyl Stus, and Vasyl Symonenko have become the most popular educational content on Ukrainian literature on Instagram. The group has released three studio albums: MUR Vol. 1, Zakhaliavna Knyzhechka, and You [Romance].

Come see the Vancouver premiere of Titmouse’s one-of-a-kind annual animation showcase, featuring a unique, uncensored compilation of the latest short-form cartoons made by the studio’s animators and creative staff as part of its long-standing annual 5 Second Day tradition.

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

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

Tuesday, April 15
Early Show
Doors 6:00 pm | Event 6:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

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

Come see the Vancouver premiere of Titmouse’s one-of-a-kind annual animation showcase, featuring a unique, uncensored compilation of the latest short-form cartoons made by the studio’s animators and creative staff as part of its long-standing annual 5 Second Day tradition.

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

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

Tuesday, April 15
Late Show
Doors 9:00 pm | Event 9:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

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

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 over 15 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

Titmouse is a full-service, award-winning animation studio and pop culture brand behind many of your favorite shows, such as Big Mouth, The Legend of Vox Machina, The Venture Bros., Star Trek: Lower Decks, and Beavis and Butt-Head. Founded in Los Angeles in 2000 by School of Visual Arts alumni Chris and Shannon Prynoski, the artist-run studio has since expanded to include locations in New York City, Vancouver, and Los Angeles, with facilities in both Hollywood and Burbank. This year marks Titmouse's 25th Anniversary—a testament to a quarter-century of creative innovation. Employing some of the most talented artists in the industry, Titmouse continues to push creative boundaries while delivering high-quality cartoons for audiences of all ages and interests.

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

Join us for an epic kickoff party for the Run N Gun 2025 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, immerse yourself in the cinematic world of 'Run N Gun: Game Changers' with a special screening showcasing innovative filmmaking from our previous competitions that changed the game. Engage with the creative minds behind these masterpieces during an insightful Q&A session.

The excitement crescendos into a festive celebration, complete with a lively party where you can mingle with fellow film nerds.

Let's party!

Thursday, April 17

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 Gamechangers and Q&A
8:00 pm

After Party Drinks and Raffle
10:00 pm

Tickets $20 | $25 at the door

Join award-winning host Dandy in the rebirth-day party of the century, THE THIRD ANNUAL FABERGÉ BALL. Join in at the bacchanal that folx are calling "a perfect celebration of spring solstice." Every year we offer the gods and goddesses a tribute serving of the hottest drag, burlesque & musical comedy that the iconic Rio Theatre can muster.  Unexpectedly, 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 renaissance Saint inspired bedsheets.

Friday, April 18
Doors 7:00 pm | Event 8:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

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)

Early Bird Tickets Available Until Midnight, March 15

Featuring:

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

and Introducing:

Angora Phobia as 'The Easter Bunny'
Gvil as 'Altar Boy'
Melrose Twist as 'Crocus Flower'
Cherry Ontop as 'Mrs. Faberge'
Malandro as 'Saint Deville'
Mx. Black Ice as 'Jesus'
Strawberry Short King as 'Judas'
and Phyllis Hull as 'Drag-Mother Superior'

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

Part of the Rio Theatre's tribute to Movies Made In Canada, we're excited to showcase Director, John Fawcett's (Orphan Black, The Dark, Da Vinci's Inquest) award winning, GINGER SNAPS as part of our #FridayLateNight film series where tickets are 2-for-1!

Ginger Snaps is a 2000 Canadian supernatural horror film directed by John Fawcett and written by Karen Walton. The film stars Emily Perkins and Katharine Isabelle as Brigitte and Ginger Fitzgerald, two morbid teenage sisters whose relationship is tested when Ginger (who has started her period for the first time) is attacked and bitten by an unknown animal, and then later, during the next full moon, slowly starts to transform into a werewolf. The supporting cast features Kris Lemche, Jesse Moss, Danielle Hampton, John Bourgeois, Peter Keleghan, and Mimi Rogers.

After premiering at the Munich Fantasy Filmfest in August 2000 and screening at the 2000 Toronto International Film Festival, Ginger Snaps received a limited theatrical release in May 2001. Despite modest box office receipts, the film was a critical success. It has since amassed a cult following and has been reexamined for its feminist themes.

"A smart, resourceful, and wickedly funny teen-horror film that reinvents the werewolf myth as a potent metaphor for pubescent angst and humiliation." (AV Club)

"The sharp feminist narrative makes up for the admirable but underwhelming werewolf makeup and other practical effects." (Chicago Reader)

Friday, April 18
Doors 11:00 PM | Film 11:30 PM *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

#FridayLateNight = 2 for 1, date night! Bring a date, a friend or your favorite goth bestie and get two tickets for the price of one!

GINGER SNAPS (John Fawcett | 2000 | 108 mins | 18A) The story of two outcast sisters, Ginger and Brigitte, in the mindless suburban town of Bailey Downs. On the night of Ginger's first period, she is savagely attacked by a wild creature. Ginger's wounds miraculously heal but something is not quite right. Now Brigitte must save her sister and save herself.

The Rio Theatre is delighted to welcome Austin. Texas ensemble The Invincible Czars back to our stage for a double bill night featuring two classics from the silent era  - THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA and THE CABINET OF DR CALIGARI - accompanied with a live, original score.

PHANTOM OF THE OPERA The iconic moment when Mary Philbin removed Lon Chaney's mask in The Phantom of the Opera (1925, dir. Rupert Julian) is one of cinema’s most enduring images. Now, The Invincible Czars will bring their signature blend of eclectic instrumentation, adventurous arrangements and sense of  emotional depth to this 100-year-old classic with their new, tastefully modern soundtrack, performing it live with the film in art house cinemas across the US and Canada in 2025.

The tour will celebrate the 100th anniversary of this early American horror film.  The band has been captivating both music and film enthusiasts across North America since 2015 when their soundtrack for Nosferatu earned them accolades in the art house community and made them staple of the silent film circuit.

The Czars’ Phantom of the Opera soundtrack is the culmination of nearly a year of meticulous composition, recording, and collaboration. The group drew inspiration from the film’s gothic visuals and haunting narrative to craft a score using their primary instruments: piano, violin, electric guitar/bass, organ, flute, drums and bass clarinet.  They create a live experience so immersive that it’s easy to forget the music is being played live at times!

THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI tells the story of a group of friends who encounter the mysterious Dr. Caligari and his scary, sleepwalking sidekick Cesare at a carnival.  When a series of murders brings the town to its knees, Franzis sets out to prove Caligari is responsible... But is he?

There is simply no better way to experience these icons of of the silent era than on the big screen, accompanied with a live score!

Saturday, April 19
PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Centennial Tour Live
Doors 6:15 pm | Film 7:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI
Movie 9:15 pm *As this is screening as part of a double feature, the start time is subject to change.

PHANTOM OF THE OPERA & DR. CALIGARI Double Feature Pricing - See them BOTH for one incredible price!
Double Feature Kids (Under 12) $22 + s/c
Double Feature Early Bird Tickets $28 + s/c (Until March 24)
Double Feature Seniors & Students (Must provide ID) $30 + s/c | $35 at the door
Double Feature Adult Assigned (Main Floor) Tickets $35 + s/c | $40 at the door
Double Feature VIP Tickets (Priority Seating in the first 6 rows, centre section) $40 + s/c | $45 at the door

Sorry, single film tickets for 'Phantom' not available. But trust us, once you experience the first film, you won't want to miss the next!

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THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI

Single Feature tickets on sale here: https://riotheatretickets.ca/events/34882-the-cabinet-of-dr-caligari-w-the-invincible-czars-single-film-tickets

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Following the film(s) The Invincible Czars will participate in a brief talkback with the audience, meet and greet, and will also be selling their amazing, one-of-a-kind merch!

The iconic moment when Mary Philbin removed Lon Chaney's mask in The Phantom of the Opera (1925, dir. Rupert Julian) is one of cinema’s most enduring images. Now, The Invincible Czars will bring their signature blend of eclectic instrumentation, adventurous arrangements and sense of  emotional depth to this 100-year-old classic with their new, tastefully modern soundtrack, performing it live with the film in art house cinemas across the US and Canada in 2025.

The tour will celebrate the 100th anniversary of this early American horror film.  The band has been captivating both music and film enthusiasts across North America since 2015 when their soundtrack for Nosferatu earned them accolades in the art house community and made them staple of the silent film circuit.

The Czars’ Phantom of the Opera soundtrack is the culmination of nearly a year of meticulous composition, recording, and collaboration. The group drew inspiration from the film’s gothic visuals and haunting narrative to craft a score using their primary instruments: piano, violin, electric guitar/bass, organ, flute, drums and bass clarinet.  They create a live experience so immersive that it’s easy to forget the music is being played live at times!

Who are The Invincible Czars?

Phil Davidson (violin, keyboards, percussion)
Skunk Manhattan (piano, keyboards, bass)
Josh Robins (guitar, bass, samples, percussion)
Louis Landry (drums, percussion, keyboards)
Hampton Rattan (winds, keys)

Hailing from Austin, Texas, The Invincible Czars make cinematic, experimental "rock" for music nerds, horror fans, film lovers, followers of science fiction and fact, comics, cartoons & humor and anyone with a complicated relationship with heavy metal and classical music.

Do you like Primus, Tchaikovsky, Frank Zappa, Steve Martin, Louis Armstrong, Danny Elfman, Ween, Monty Python and Mr. Bungle? 

They do, too, and their revolving door of players keeps them sounding and looking different from project to project.

The Alamo Drafthouse called them, "one of the best silent film orchestras in the nation."

“(The Invincible Czars' soundtrack for Nosferatu is) a brilliantly realized wedding of contemporary musical sensibility and technology with early 20th century cinema.”
Chico News Review 

PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (Rupert Julian, 1925 / 107 mins) The deformed Phantom who haunts the Paris Opera House causes murder and mayhem in an attempt to make the woman he loves a star.

THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI "Das Cabinet des Dr. Caligari" (Robert Wiene, 1920 / 67 mins) Hypnotist Dr. Caligari uses a somnambulist, Cesare, to commit murders.

The Rio Theatre is delighted to welcome Austin. Texas ensemble The Invincible Czars back to our stage for a double bill night featuring two classics from the silent era  - THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA and THE CABINET OF DR CALIGARI - accompanied with a live, original score.

PHANTOM OF THE OPERA The iconic moment when Mary Philbin removed Lon Chaney's mask in The Phantom of the Opera (1925, dir. Rupert Julian) is one of cinema’s most enduring images. Now, The Invincible Czars will bring their signature blend of eclectic instrumentation, adventurous arrangements and sense of  emotional depth to this 100-year-old classic with their new, tastefully modern soundtrack, performing it live with the film in art house cinemas across the US and Canada in 2025.

The tour will celebrate the 100th anniversary of this early American horror film.  The band has been captivating both music and film enthusiasts across North America since 2015 when their soundtrack for Nosferatu earned them accolades in the art house community and made them staple of the silent film circuit.

The Czars’ Phantom of the Opera soundtrack is the culmination of nearly a year of meticulous composition, recording, and collaboration. The group drew inspiration from the film’s gothic visuals and haunting narrative to craft a score using their primary instruments: piano, violin, electric guitar/bass, organ, flute, drums and bass clarinet.  They create a live experience so immersive that it’s easy to forget the music is being played live at times!

THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI tells the story of a group of friends who encounter the mysterious Dr. Caligari and his scary, sleepwalking sidekick Cesare at a carnival.  When a series of murders brings the town to its knees, Franzis sets out to prove Caligari is responsible... But is he?

There is simply no better way to experience these icons of of the silent era than on the big screen, accompanied with a live score!

Saturday, April 19
PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Centennial Tour Live
Doors 6:15 pm | Film 7:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

brief intermission

THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI
Movie 9:15 pm *As this is screening as part of a double feature, the start time is subject to change.

Double Feature tickets on sale here: https://riotheatretickets.ca/events/34881-the-phantom-of-the-opera-100th-anniversary-silent-sinema-screening-with-the-invincible-czars-live

Sorry, single film tickets for 'Phantom' not available. But trust us, once you experience the first film, you won't want to miss the next!

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THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI Single Film Tickets
Single Feature Kids (Under 12) $20 + s/c
Single Feature Early Bird Tickets $22 + s/c (Until March 24)
Single Feature Seniors & Students (Must provide ID) $25 + s/c | $30 at the door
Single Feature General Admission Tickets $30 + s/c | $35 at the door

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Following the film(s) The Invincible Czars will participate in a brief talkback with the audience, meet and greet, and will also be selling their amazing, one-of-a-kind merch!

The iconic moment when Mary Philbin removed Lon Chaney's mask in The Phantom of the Opera (1925, dir. Rupert Julian) is one of cinema’s most enduring images. Now, The Invincible Czars will bring their signature blend of eclectic instrumentation, adventurous arrangements and sense of  emotional depth to this 100-year-old classic with their new, tastefully modern soundtrack, performing it live with the film in art house cinemas across the US and Canada in 2025.

The tour will celebrate the 100th anniversary of this early American horror film.  The band has been captivating both music and film enthusiasts across North America since 2015 when their soundtrack for Nosferatu earned them accolades in the art house community and made them staple of the silent film circuit.

The Czars’ Phantom of the Opera soundtrack is the culmination of nearly a year of meticulous composition, recording, and collaboration. The group drew inspiration from the film’s gothic visuals and haunting narrative to craft a score using their primary instruments: piano, violin, electric guitar/bass, organ, flute, drums and bass clarinet.  They create a live experience so immersive that it’s easy to forget the music is being played live at times!

Who are The Invincible Czars?

Phil Davidson (violin, keyboards, percussion)
Skunk Manhattan (piano, keyboards, bass)
Josh Robins (guitar, bass, samples, percussion)
Louis Landry (drums, percussion, keyboards)
Hampton Rattan (winds, keys)

Hailing from Austin, Texas, The Invincible Czars make cinematic, experimental "rock" for music nerds, horror fans, film lovers, followers of science fiction and fact, comics, cartoons & humor and anyone with a complicated relationship with heavy metal and classical music.

Do you like Primus, Tchaikovsky, Frank Zappa, Steve Martin, Louis Armstrong, Danny Elfman, Ween, Monty Python and Mr. Bungle? 

They do, too, and their revolving door of players keeps them sounding and looking different from project to project.

The Alamo Drafthouse called them, "one of the best silent film orchestras in the nation."

“(The Invincible Czars' soundtrack for Nosferatu is) a brilliantly realized wedding of contemporary musical sensibility and technology with early 20th century cinema.”
Chico News Review 

PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (Rupert Julian, 1925 / 107 mins) The deformed Phantom who haunts the Paris Opera House causes murder and mayhem in an attempt to make the woman he loves a star.

THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI "Das Cabinet des Dr. Caligari" (Robert Wiene, 1920 / 67 mins) Hypnotist Dr. Caligari uses a somnambulist, Cesare, to commit murders.

30 Years of Gut-Busting Laughs with Don Burnstick!

Burnstick Promotions and the Rio Theatre proudly present Don Burnstick live on stage on Monday, April 21. It’s time to celebrate 30 years of belly laughs, side-splitting humor, and the kind of comedy that makes your face hurt from grinning—and not your auntie bum flat from sitting to long.

After performing across North America, selling out thousands of shows, and spreading joy to countless people, Don Burnstick is bringing the funny to you. Expect an unforgettable night of raw, edgy comedy that’ll have you rolling in the aisles and begging for more. A proud Cree from Alexander First Nation, Don’s comedy transcends borders, blending cultural truths with universal laughs. It’s no wonder he’s a global sensation with a schedule so packed he probably tours more than Santa.

From relatable res stories to his razor-sharp satire, Burnstick’s unique brand of humor connects deeply with audiences all over the world. Whether you’ve followed him from his first joke to now, or you’re experiencing his comedy genius for the first time, one thing’s for sure—you’re in for a treat (or maybe a roast).

“Prepare for a night of storytelling so good, even your chattiest cousin will shut up and listen.”

Monday, April 21
Doors 4:00 pm | Show 5:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Balcony Tickets $30+ s/c (Perfect for those who laugh louder with a bird’s-eye view.)
Main Floor $50+ s/c (Front-row splash zone: Comedy tears and laughs guaranteed!)
VIP $80+ s/c (Includes a post show meet and greet, and exclusive merch. Selfies with Don are priceless!).

Warning: This show contains real comedy. May cause tears of joy, sore ribs, and dangerously funny memories you’ll repeat to your friends forever.

Buy your tickets now before they’re gone faster than a bag of bannock at a family gathering!

Fresh out of prison, Billy Skinner returns to his transformed low-income neighbourhood, now populated by Syrian refugees. Struggling to overcome his dark past, Billy forges an unexpected bond with Mo, a compassionate Syrian immigrant determined to build a better life for his family. With Jay Abdo, Lawrence Barry, Kate Corbett.

Official Selection
TIFF INDUSTRY SELECTS 2024 https://tiff.net/events/skeet, ATLANTIC INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2024, BUFFALO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2024, YELLOWSTONE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2024, VICTORIA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2025
'
Awards
Best Actor (Atlantic International Film Festival), Best Cinematography (Atlantic International Film Festival), Audience Award - (Buffalo International Film Festival), Best Actor (Yellowstone International Film Festival)

Tuesday, April 22
Doors 6:00 pm | Movie 6:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

SKEET (Nik Sexton, 2025 / 104 mins / NR) Seven years in the making, SKEET tracks the unlikely friendship of an ex-con and a Syrian newcomer as they face their demons and seek a fresh start in Newfoundland.

Mountains on Stage is back at the Rio Theatre for its Summer 2025 edition on Wednesday, April 23. This renowned international festival aims to bring the mountains to the city and to share all the beauty of mountain sports!

A selection of the best films related to mountain activities are presented. Details coming soon!

Wednesday, April 23
Doors 6:00 pm | Event 7:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Nikola Đuričko
Presented by System Entertainment

Join us at the Rio Theatre on Thursday, April 24 for a live performance from actor and comic Nikola Đuričko ("Stranger Things").

Thursday, April 24
Doors 6:00 pm | Event 7:00 pm *Start time subject to to change. Please arrive on time.

Please note: This performance is in the Serbian language.

Nikola Đuričko spremio je novi program pod nazivom ,, Showbiz” i u okviru velike turneje nakon Srbije, Evrope i Amerike dolazi u Vankuver 24. aprila. Novi material kao i prošlog puta Nikola Đuričko je pisao sam a tiče se njegovog života karijere i porodice. I ovaj šou ima za cilj da ispriča na duhovit način zanimljive detalje iz njegovog života i karijere.

Nikola Đuričko: ’’SHOWBIZ?’’ je moj novi stend up šou

Skoro tri godine nisam nastupao pa sam se uželeo ljudi, publike. Imam puno novog materijala, recimo zašto su me hvatali u kragnu, zašto sam morao da prisustvujem porođaju ili zašto sam prijavio sina u policiju.

To su samo neka nova životna iskustva i saznanja koja želim da podelim sa ljudima.”
Džoni zlatousti, čovek koji rečima leči. Humor za duhovite.

www.systementertainment.com

"Just one man can make a difference."

The Rio Theatre's Friday Late Night Movie series continues on April 25 (aka ANZAC Day) with a screening of one of the biggest action movies from one of the biggest action franchises ever, Australian filmmaker George Miller's 1981 blockbuster MAD MAX 2: THE ROAD WARRIOR.

This wildly successful sequel to Miller's original 1979 cult-classic MAD MAX finds Mel Gibson reprising his role as Max Rockatansky, who, after avenging the death of his wife and young son at the hands of a vicious gang leader, drives the post-apocalyptic highways of the Australian outback while fending off attacks from nomadic tribes that prey on outsiders. Falling into an encampment led by the relatively peaceful Pappagallo, Max at first schemes to steal their oil, but soon becomes the group's reluctant defender against the hulking Humungus and his ruthless marauders. With Mike Preston, Kjell Nilsson.

"Out of the countless action movies produced in the 1980s, there only a few genuine works of art; [this film] might very well be the best of that extremely rarefied company." (Antagony & Ecstasy)

"Miller's choreography of his innumerable vehicles is so extraordinary that it makes Spielberg's Raiders of the Lost Ark look like a kid fooling with Dinky Toys." (Time Out)

"'The Road Warrior' isn't 'Citizen Kane,' but it has a lot of things -- power, speed, brains and energy -- in massive quantities and at a high degree of quality that many films can only dream of." (The Wrap)

Friday, April 25
Doors 10:30 pm | Movie 11:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Late Night Date Night! Bring a friend, or maybe your best Aussie mate your best Kiwi pal and get two-for-one entry!

MAD MAX 2: THE ROAD WARRIOR (George Miller, 1981 / 94 mins / ) Max Rockatansky returns as the heroic loner who drives the dusty roads of a postapocalyptic Australian Outback in an unending search for gasoline. Arrayed against him and the other scraggly defendants of a fuel-depot encampment are the bizarre warriors commanded by the charismatic Lord Humungus, a violent leader whose scruples are as barren as the surrounding landscape.

旦夕艺术片展映｜《出走的决心》中英双字幕 加拿大首映 - Screened by A Moment Books｜LIKE A ROLLING STONE

李红一生都奉献给家庭，恪守“好女儿”、“好妻子”、“好母亲”的角色。如今，她即
将迎来人生中新的身份——外婆。正当她准备安于一成不变的生活时，一封突如其来的高
中同学会邀请唤醒了她内心尘封已久的青春梦想。
她小心翼翼地提出想参加聚会，却遭到丈夫孙强的强烈反对。多年来被压抑的问题随之爆
发。孙强有一套固守不变的家庭幸福定义，并固执地捍卫自己所谓的“正确”。
为了怀孕的女儿，李红再次压抑自己的愿望，投入到“好外婆”的新角色中。然而沉重的
家务与看不到尽头的生活让她陷入抑郁。在绝望中，她开始意识到，人生也许还有另一种
可能。
她悄悄策划一段新的旅程，在过程中一点点找回那个真正的自己。

LI Hong has dedicated her life to her family, dutifully fulfilling her roles as a good daughter, wife, and mother. Soon, she is set to become a grandmother. Just as LI Hong is about to resign herself to a stagnant life, an unexpected invitation to a high school reunion rekindles her youthful dreams. Tentatively, she asks to attend the reunion, but her husband vehemently opposes the idea,  stirring up decades of unresolved issues between them. Her husband, SUN, has his own rigid definition of marital and familial happiness and fiercely defends what he believes to be right.
For the sake of her pregnant daughter, LI Hong suppresses her dreams once again, fully dedicating herself to the new role of a "good grandmother" The burden of heavy household chores and a hopeless life drives her into depression. In her despair, she discovers another option for her life. She begins to carefully plan a new journey, gradually rediscovering her true self.

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导演寄语 DIRECTOR'S NOTES
这部电影改编自真实故事：一位来自中国中部的普通女性，在56岁那年离开了家庭和生活
了一辈子的城市，独自开启了一场自驾之旅——至今，她仍在路上。
影片中的她名叫“李红”——一个曾经再普通不过的名字。因为在我们身边，有成千上万
个“李红”：外婆、母亲、我们自己，甚至我们的女儿，都可能是“李红”。她们都在面
对女性所处的结构性困境，或类似的个人难题；她们都渴望拥有改变的勇气。
这不是一部宏大风光的公路片，我们更在意的是：她为什么要离开，以及她在这条路上经
历的挣扎与冲突。这不是一个非黑即白的世界。李红面对的，不只是一个缺乏爱的婚姻或
一个强势的丈夫，更艰难的，是那些根植于她内心的传统与社会期待，是家庭的需要，是
她与自己觉醒意识的碰撞。
她最终选择聆听内心的声音：“我想看看更广阔的世界，找回最真实的自己。”
挣扎不分性别、身份与年龄，改变亦然。我们希望这部电影能为每一位观众带来温暖与力
量。

This film is based on a true story: an ordinary woman from the Central China, at the age of 56, left her family and city behind to embark on a self-driving journey, and she is still on the road today.
In the film, she is called "LI Hong,: once the most common name. Because around us, there are tens of thousands of LI Hong's: grandmothers, mothers, ourselves, and our daughters, all could be LI Hong. They all face structural challenges of women or similar personal difficulties, and they all hope to have the courage to bring about change. Instead of choosing to create a grand, scenic road movie, we focus on why she left and the struggles and conflicts she faced. This is not a world of clear-cut rights and wrongs. LI Hong is not only confronting a loveless marriage and an
oppressive husband; her biggest challenge is the traditional and societal expectations that have shaped her, the demands of her family, and her own self awareness. She chooses to listen to the voice within: "I want to explore a broader world and find my truest self."; Struggles transcend gender, identity, and age, and so does change. We hope this film can offer warmth and encouragement to all who watch it.

周六 Saturday, April 26
影院开门 Doors 2:00 pm | 电影开始 Movie 2:30 pm *开场时间可能会有变动，请准时到
达。Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

出走的决心 LIKE A ROLLING STONE (2024 | 中国大陆 Mainland China | 尹丽川 Yin, Li Chuan | 中文 配双语字幕 Chinese with Chinese and English Subtitle | 106 minutes)
在履行了30年的家庭角色后，一位56岁的女性决定卸下“妻子”、“母亲”和“祖母”的
身份，暂时抽身离开原本的生活。她踏上一场没有归期的公路之旅……
After 30 years of enduring her family roles, a 56-year-old woman decides to step away from her life as a wife, mother, and grandmother. She embarks on a road trip with no set return date...

关于旦夕书店 About A MOMENT BOOKS
旦夕书店成立于2018年，是一家位于多伦多的独立中文线上书店，致力于为北美读者提供
纸质书籍的阅读选项。 全北美发货，多伦多热门社区免运费pickup服务。旦夕书店专注
书籍，读书会，艺术，电影，与阅读相关的其他。

A MOMENT BOOKS, founded in 2018, is an independent online Chinese bookstore based in Toronto. Dedicated to providing reading options for readers across North America, the store offers shipping service in Canada & US and free pickup services in popular Toronto neighborhoods. A MOMENT BOOKS focuses on books, reading clubs, art, film, and all things related to the reading life.

Celebrating its 10th Anniversary!

An astounding collection of top notch Vancouver burlesque performers will take to the Rio Theatre‘s stage on Saturday April 26th for Burlesque Long Form. In an artistic challenge set by producer and noted performer April O’Peel, local luminaries will have one 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 at Burlesque Long Form!

Saturday, April 26
Doors at 8:00 pm | Show at 9:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Tickets $30 + s/c in advance | $35 + s/c at the door
VIP Seating $40 + s/c

Featuring performances by

Scarlet Delerium
Portia Favro
Monday Blues
Jungle Kat
Cherry Ontop
April O'Peel

Hosted by Diva The Violet Femme

Bappa Mazumder & Elita Karem
Presented by Dhaka Club Vancouver

Bangladeshi stars Bappa Mazumder and Dilshad Karim Elita will be coming to perform with Bappa Mazumder’s band, Dalchhut, live onstage at the Rio Theatre on Sunday, April 27. Get ready, and let’s all make the lasting memories together.

Bappa Mazumder is a versatile Bangladeshi singer, lyricist and music composer who won the Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Music Composer for the song "Na Jani Kon Oporadhey" in the 2017 film, SWATTA.

Dilshad Karim Elita, better known as Elita Karim, is a Bangladeshi singer, versatile performer, anchor and voice artist.

Sunday, April 27
Doors 6:30 pm | Show 7:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Balcony (General Admission) $30+ s/c
Main Floor (Assigned) $45+ s/c

PINK FLOYD: LIVE AT POMPEII - MCMLXXII, the groundbreaking 1972 film directed by Adrian Maben, returns to cinemas this spring. Featuring iconic songs, stunning visuals, and behind-the-scenes moments, this beautifully restored create a timeless masterpiece of sight & sound. Digitally re-mastered in 4K from the original 35mm footage, with enhanced audio newly mixed by Steven Wilson, the upcoming theatrical release presents the definitive version of this
pioneering film.

Monday, April 28
Doors 6:00 pm | Movie 6:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

PINK FLOYD: LIVE AT POMPEII pre-dates the release of "The Dark Side of the Moon." The film documents what the band did before they became giants of the album charts on both sides of the Atlantic - where their music remains celebrated to this day. Set in the hauntingly beautiful ruins of the ancient Roman Amphitheatre in Pompeii, Italy, this unique and immersive film captures Pink Floyd performing an intimate concert without an audience. Filmed in October 1971, the performance marked the very first live concert to take place at Pompeii, and features the vital ‘Echoes,’ ‘A Saucerful of Secrets,’ and ‘One of These Days.’ The breathtaking visuals
of the amphitheatre, captured both day and night, amplify the magic of the performance. Additionally, the film includes rare behind-the-scenes footage of the band beginning work on The Dark Side of the Moon at Abbey Road Studios.

The film has been meticulously hand restored, frame-by-frame, from the original 35mm cut negative - discovered in five dubiously labelled cans within Pink Floyd's own archives. This momentous breakthrough unearthed the very film that rolled through the cameras during those sweltering days amidst the ruins of Pompeii over 50 years ago.

Led by Lana Topham, Director of Restoration for Pink Floyd, the team’s mission was to preserve the integrity and beauty of the original picture. The film was scanned in 4K using advanced techniques to ensure the finest, sharpest detail. Colors were enhanced, and every frame was meticulously reviewed and repaired, maintaining a natural and vivid appearance
with minimal grain adjustments.

“Since 1994, I have searched for the elusive film rushes of Pink Floyd At Pompeii, so the recent discovery of the 1972 original 35mm cut negative was a very special moment. The newly restored version presents the first full 90-minute cut, combining the 60-
minute source edit of the performance with the additional Abbey Road Studios documentary segments filmed shortly after,” said Topham. The film also features stunning sound quality with a new theatrical and home entertainment mix by Steven Wilson in 5.1 and Dolby Atmos that enhances the film's depth and clarity, preserving the authenticity and spirit of the original 1972 release. Wilson’s aim was to remain faithful to how the band would have sounded on those scorching hot days in 1971.

PINK FLOYD: LIVE AT POMPEII (Adrian Maben, 1971 / 92 mins / G) British progressive rock band Pink Floyd perform at the ancient Roman Amphitheater in the ruins of Pompeii, Italy in 1971. Although the band perform a typical live set from the era, there is no audience beyond the basic film crew.

Kyivska Perepichka
Presented by Ukraine Harmony Foundation

Tuesday, April 29
Doors 6:00 pm | Show 7:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.
Please note: This play is performed in the Ukrainian language)

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Про виставу:

«Київська перепічка» - щемка і провокативна моновистава-гойдалка Ірми Вітовської в якій через особистий досвід розповідається про життя і мрії українців після повномасштабного вторгнення.

Ця вистава – суміш протилежних емоцій і жанрів: від сліз до сміху, від лірики до помсти, від інтимної сповіді до радикальної фантасмагорії.

Про акторку Ірму Вітовську:

Заслужена артистка України Ірма Вітовська відома своїми численними ролями у театрі та кіно. Вона посідає особливе місце в серцях де-кількох поколінь українців у всьому світі. Оскільки крім своєї акторської діяльності, пані Ірма веде активну громадську та волонтерську діяльність. Вона є однією з провідних лідерок думок, яка надихає та своїм прикладом виховує в українцях глибокий патріотизм та любов до українського.

Про сценаристу вистави Наталку Ворожбит:

Сценаристка вистави «Київстка Перепічка» Наталка Ворожбит. Саме вона колись написала сценарій до популярного серіалу «Спіймати Кайдаша»

Пʼєса Наталки Ворожбит «Погані дороги» з 2017 року у постановці лондонського Crow’s Theatre успішно демонструється на Бродвеї, та проводить гастролі по всьому світі.

У 2020 році Наталка стала режисеркою та екранізувала пʼєсу. На екрани вийшов надпотужний фільм «Погані Дороги», який згодом боровся за Оскар як представник від України.

Ця сінергія двох жіночих талантів гарантувала, що їхня спільна робота відгукнеться в душі кожного українця. Так і сталось. Аншлаги в кожному місті і безперервний графік гастролів, запрошення та планування вистави в коженому куточоку світу. Черга Канади у квітні 2025 року. Приходьте і відчуйте потужну силу, яку можуть створити дві талановиті українські жінки.

ВХІД ВІДКРИТИЙ О 18:00 | ПОЧАТОК ВИСТУПУ: 19:00

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"Kyivska Perepichka" is a poignant and provocative solo show-swinger by Irma Vitovska, which tells about the life and dreams of Ukrainians after a full-scale invasion through personal experience.

This performance is a mixture of opposing emotions and genres: from tears to laughter, from lyrics to revenge, from intimate confession to radical phantasmagoria.

About actress Irma Vitovska:

Honored Artist of Ukraine Irma Vitovska is known for her numerous roles in theater and cinema. She holds a special place in the hearts of several generations of Ukrainians around the world. Because in addition to her acting career, Ms. Irma is actively involved in public and volunteer activities. She is one of the leading thought leaders who inspires and, by her example, cultivates deep patriotism and love for the Ukrainian language in Ukrainians.

About the play's scriptwriter Natalka Vorozhbyt:

The scriptwriter of the play "Kyivstka Perepichka" is Natalka Vorozhbyt. She once wrote the script for the popular TV series "Catch Kaidash"

Natalka Vorozhbyt's play "Bad Roads" has been successfully shown on Broadway since 2017, staged by London's Crow's Theatre, and has toured around the world.

In 2020, Natalka became a director and adapted the play into a film . The powerful film “Bad Roads” was released, which later competed for an Oscar as the representative of Ukraine.

This synergy of two female talents guaranteed that their joint work would resonate in the soul of every Ukrainian. And so it happened. Full houses in every city and a non-stop tour schedule, invitations and planning of performances in every corner of the world. Canada's turn in April 2025. Come and feel the powerful force that two talented Ukrainian women can create.

More monsters! More Magic! More Mayhem! More Off-Brand soda!

The live, smash hit epic comedy returns for more monstrous merriment (and snacks!) - it's THE CRITICAL HIT SHOW! Join Vancouver's best comedic performers at the Rio Theatre for your favorite #DNDLive improv night inspired by the world's most popular role-playing game. As always, our intrepid performers will venture on a quest for comic glory (and snacks!) in a live, hilariously improvised spectacular - an adventure saga that has been running continuously since 2012.

Spanning over 100 live performances in both Canada and the United States, two years of “at-home” streaming, and frequent festival appearances, The Critical Hit Show is one of the longest running comedy shows around. #DNDLive is an improvised adventure that takes its inspiration from tabletop role-playing games, fantasy film and TV, and (most importantly) you!

Whether you’re a longtime fan, you’ve been enjoying our live-streamed shows, or you’re brand new to The Critical Hit Show - you’re going to have a great time.

Wednesday, April 30
Doors 6:15 pm | Show 7:00 pm *Please arrive on time. Start time subject to change.
Advance tickets $17 +s/c | $20+ s/c at the door

THE ADVENTURERS

Eric Fell as The Dungeon Master
Ian Boothby as Benoit the Anointed, the Half-Elf Cleric
Joanna Gaskell as Freya, the Elf Warlock
Barbara Beall as Ingrid, the Halfling Fighter
Ellen MacNevin as Belle Strummer, the Half-Elf Ranger
Allen Morrison as Spitz Lube’n, the Human Wizard
Shaun Stewart as Brask Hellbeard, the Dwarf Bard

Twitter: @critshow
www.criticalhitshow.com
www.facebook.com/dndlive

PINK FLOYD: LIVE AT POMPEII - MCMLXXII, the groundbreaking 1972 film directed by Adrian Maben, returns to cinemas this spring. Featuring iconic songs, stunning visuals, and behind-the-scenes moments, this beautifully restored create a timeless masterpiece of sight & sound. Digitally re-mastered in 4K from the original 35mm footage, with enhanced audio newly mixed by Steven Wilson, the upcoming theatrical release presents the definitive version of this
pioneering film.

Wednesday, April 30
Doors 9:00 pm | Movie 9:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

PINK FLOYD: LIVE AT POMPEII pre-dates the release of "The Dark Side of the Moon." The film documents what the band did before they became giants of the album charts on both sides of the Atlantic - where their music remains celebrated to this day. Set in the hauntingly beautiful ruins of the ancient Roman Amphitheatre in Pompeii, Italy, this unique and immersive film captures Pink Floyd performing an intimate concert without an audience. Filmed in October 1971, the performance marked the very first live concert to take place at Pompeii, and features the vital ‘Echoes,’ ‘A Saucerful of Secrets,’ and ‘One of These Days.’ The breathtaking visuals
of the amphitheatre, captured both day and night, amplify the magic of the performance. Additionally, the film includes rare behind-the-scenes footage of the band beginning work on The Dark Side of the Moon at Abbey Road Studios.

The film has been meticulously hand restored, frame-by-frame, from the original 35mm cut negative - discovered in five dubiously labelled cans within Pink Floyd's own archives. This momentous breakthrough unearthed the very film that rolled through the cameras during those sweltering days amidst the ruins of Pompeii over 50 years ago.

Led by Lana Topham, Director of Restoration for Pink Floyd, the team’s mission was to preserve the integrity and beauty of the original picture. The film was scanned in 4K using advanced techniques to ensure the finest, sharpest detail. Colors were enhanced, and every frame was meticulously reviewed and repaired, maintaining a natural and vivid appearance
with minimal grain adjustments.

“Since 1994, I have searched for the elusive film rushes of Pink Floyd At Pompeii, so the recent discovery of the 1972 original 35mm cut negative was a very special moment. The newly restored version presents the first full 90-minute cut, combining the 60-
minute source edit of the performance with the additional Abbey Road Studios documentary segments filmed shortly after,” said Topham. The film also features stunning sound quality with a new theatrical and home entertainment mix by Steven Wilson in 5.1 and Dolby Atmos that enhances the film's depth and clarity, preserving the authenticity and spirit of the original 1972 release. Wilson’s aim was to remain faithful to how the band would have sounded on those scorching hot days in 1971.

PINK FLOYD: LIVE AT POMPEII (Adrian Maben, 1971 / 92 mins / G) British progressive rock band Pink Floyd perform at the ancient Roman Amphitheater in the ruins of Pompeii, Italy in 1971. Although the band perform a typical live set from the era, there is no audience beyond the basic film crew.

You’ve watched his clips on Instagram, you’ve shared his standup with your friends and loved ones, now it’s time to see Manhar Seth’s poetic bits live and in-person.

Manhar Seth is one of the most viral and sensational figures on Instagram known for his unique fusion of poetry (shayari) and comedy. He has captivated audiences with his remarkable ability to blend heartfelt shayari with humor creating a refreshing and relatable experience for fans across the globe. Manhar doesn’t just perform on stage—he connects with his audience through interactive crowdwork making each show a dynamic and personal experience.

With a strong fanbase of 2 Million Followers that spans across India and internationally he has toured over 45 cities in his home country and garnered overwhelming responses during his recent tours in Dubai and the UK. His Canada tour is already generating huge excitement with pre-sale registrations amassing around 500 responses and early ticket sales estimated at 1500 tickets across multiple cities.

Presented by Reality Entertainment

Friday, May 2
Doors: 6:30 pm | Show: 7:30 pm
Language: English, Hindi | Age: 16+

Early Bird Ticket Pricing! (Limited Number Available)

First two rows: $60+Fees
Other Rows(Middle Section): $45+Fees
Other Rows(Left & Right Section): $35+Fees
Balcony(General Seating):$30+Fees

For Group Bookings & Sponsorships:
Reality Ent - (639) 999 0390
ContactRealityEntertainment@gmail.com

Fabled English record producer Mark Pritchard, luminary songwriter Thom Yorke (Radiohead) and groundbreaking visual artist Jonathan Zawada present TALL TALES – a debut collaborative visual and audio cinema experience a decade in the making.

Landscapes of synth-pop, prog, dub, 70s synth, Joe Meek, Ivor Cutler, Library, kraut and classic Warp™️ – TALL TALES sounds like musicians meeting in the Hinterland. Transmitted by Australian visual artist Jonathan Zawada, TALL TALES is a fairy tale for the modern world; depicting rising tides, kings & queens, amazon logistics and robotic arms under iridescent skies. We wanted computers to do our accounting – instead, they try to paint our pictures and sing our songs. Like all good fairy tales – this work edges light with the dark as Thom's echoed chants intertwine with Mark's shimmering electronics. On TALL TALES, we hear seasoned musicians continue down the path of experimentation.

A prophetic visual album, TALL TALES has been years in the making, but delivered right on time.

Thursday, May 8 One Night Only!
Doors 6:00 pm | Movie 6:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Sign up for more info here:
http://tall-tales.info/

TALL TALES (Jonathan Zawada, 2025 / 65 mins, NR)

East Van Laugh RIOT
Presented by Charlie Demers and Friends

The Rio Theatre's comedy night featuring Vancouver’s top stand-up comedians from CBC, Netflix, Just For Laughs and more returns on Friday, May 16.

(Because we could all use a good laugh…)

Friday, May 16
Stay tuned for guest info and details!
Doors 7:15 pm | Show 8:00 pm *Please arrive on time. Start time subject to change.

BONUS! Health care workers get in free with valid ID.

Charlie Demers is a Juno-nominated stand-up comedian, a regular on CBC Radio's "The Debaters," and co-star of two Emmy-winning Netflix animated series, "Beat Bugs" and "The Last Kids on Earth." He lives four blocks from the Rio Theatre.

JOE LIST: SMALL BALL is the fourth stand up comedy special from comedian Joe List. Following the smash successes of his previous specials “I Hate Myself”, “This Year’s Material” and “Enough For Everybody," SMALL BALL finds Joe shortly after the birth of his first child, musing on the life-altering experiences of childbirth, married sex and ordering at Starbucks. Shot at two different clubs on back to back nights, “Small Ball” captures Joe at his best and promises to have moviegoers spilling their popcorn and spitting out their coke.

Wednesday, May 21 One Night Only!
Doors 6:30 pm | Movie 7:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Joe List - Biography

Joe List is an American stand-up comedian, writer, and actor best known for his comedy specials “I Hate Myself”, “This Year’s Material” and “Enough For Everybody”, as well as his starring role in the feature film, FOURTH OF JULY (directed by Louis CK). During Joe’s two decade tenure as a comedian, he has released three specials, earned a spot as a finalist on NBC's “Last Comic Standing”, starred in season 2 of Netflix's “The Stand Ups” and appeared on “The Late Show with David Letterman”, “The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon” and “Conan”. List’s albums 'So Far No Good' and 'Are You Mad at Me?' (through Comedy Central Records) can frequently be heard on Sirius Radio. Joe currently serves as the co-host of the popular weekly podcast “Tuesdays with Stories' alongside comedian Mark Normand as well as his own podcast “Mindful Metal Jacket”. Based in New York City, List can be seen regularly at The Comedy Cellar.

JOE LIST: SMALL BALL (Willie Rockefeller, 2025 / 72 mins / NR)

Cinematography: Derek Gildersleeve
Editor: Matthew Pearson
Produced by: Chris Burns

In the midst of darkness, we discover who we truly are.

THERE IS ANOTHER WAY (Stephen Apkon, 2025 / 67 mins / NR) A grassroots group of Palestinians and Israelis work together through non-violent means to build a social infrastructure to end conflict and occupation.

Hard Rubber Orchestra, Canada’s 18-piece jazz powerhouse, will reprise the music of the famed Mahavishnu Orchestra. In the early 70's, this five-piece unit, lead by guitarist John McLaughlin, blew minds and drew a cult following with their ground-breaking fusion of jazz, Indian ragas and high volume rock.

Hard Rubber will perform original arrangements by John Korsrud, Fred Stride, Bill Runge and others, with guests; drummer Randall Stoll, and Chris Gestrin on keyboards, along with the 18-piece orchestra. HRO last presented this popular tribute more than a decade ago, and is excited to once again give audiences a chance to see the Mahavishnu Orchestra re-visited and re-imagined by Vancouver's one and only Hard Rubber Orchestra. Special guests: The Fits (Veda Hille and Patsy Klein).

7:30 pm: Short music films
8:15 pm: The Fits
9 pm: Hard Rubber Orchestra
Schedule subject to change

“John Korsrud likes a good challenge. Last year, he and his Vancouver-based 18-piece Hard Rubber Orchestra performed two big-band concerts of songs by the Mahavishnu Orchestra, the 1970 jazz-rock quintet that favoured odd time signatures and high-octane delivery. To these ears, that second concert was the best show at last year’s jazz festival.” (Marke Andrews, Vancouver Sun)

Saturday, May 31
Doors 6:30 pm | Event 7:30pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Main Floor (Assigned Seating) - Sliding Scale $20+ s/c | $25+ s/c | $30+ s/c ('Sliding Scale' pricing = Pay what you can while supporting local, Canadian artists)
Balcony (General Admission) -  $15+ s/c

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Formed by artistic director John Korsrud in 1990, the Hard Rubber Orchestra has consistently been one of Canada's most active and unpredictable ensembles of creative music, presenting concerts of original music by some of Canada's most exciting composers, performed by Vancouver's finest musicians. The orchestra has recorded five albums, toured across Canada and to Europe. In 2005, they were the recipients of the Alcan Arts Award, the largest arts award in Canada for the creation of new work. They have produced several large theatrical works such as operas, avant ice shows, and arts raves and commissioned nearly 100 new works by composers such as Kenny Wheeler, John Hollenbeck, Darcy James Argue, Christine Jensen, Peggy Lee, Marianne Trudel, and Brad Turner. @hardrubberorchestra

Iron Dog Books and Black Bond Books/Book Warehouse proudly present An Evening With V.E. Schwab at the Rio Theatre, in celebration of "Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil." The evening promises a lively discussion, hosted by local author and podcaster Hannah McGregor, and an in-depth question period.

Ticket price includes a signed and specially embossed copy of "Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil." Additionally, autographed copies of V.E. Schwab's previous books will be available for purchase, while quantities last.

VICTORIA “V. E.” SCHWAB is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty books, including the acclaimed Shades universe, the Villains series, the City of Ghosts series, Gallant, and the international bestseller The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. Translated into over two dozen languages and optioned for television and film, V.E. Schwab’s work is widely loved and critically acclaimed.

Monday, June 16 - Over 75% sold!
Doors 6:00 pm | Event 7:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Ticket price includes one signed copy of Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil, admission to event, and all taxes and fees.

Ticket purchasers will be contacted ahead of the event for the opportunity to submit questions.

CJ The X: You're Not God, I Am!
The Case Study of the Century

Our taboo desire for social status, the anthropomorphization of God, and the most pivotal rap beef of our generation.

CJ The X is an independent interdisciplinary artist and an autodidactic philosopher. They have been making music since 2015, releasing videos since 2021, writing essays since 2023, and performing lectures since 2024. Their philosophy focuses on religion, art, technology, community, relationship and love.

CJ The X’s work is crowdfunded through Patreon, where they host a book club, powerpoint parties, and Q&As.

Friday, June 20
Doors: 7:00 pm | Event 7:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

For first access to tickets subscribe to their mailing list @ cjthex.com/subscribe
cjthex.com
youtube.com/cjthex
patreon.com/cjthex

KEVIN NEALON
Presented by Gotpop? Concerts

The Rio Theatre is pleased to welcome Kevin Nealon to the stage for a night of standup comedy on Sunday, March 24.

Sunday, August 24
Doors 6:00 pm | Show 7:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Main Floor (Assigned) $85+ s/c
Balcony (General Admission) $75+ s/c

Kevin Nealon is an Emmy and SAG-nominated actor and comedian who sets himself apart from other comedic performers with his unique sense of humor, dry wit and likable demeanor. Nealon is best known for his nine-year stint as a cast member of NBC’s Saturday Night Live, and received critical acclaim for his role in the hit Showtime series Weeds. Kevin currently produces and hosts his digital series Hiking with Kevin, and tours his stand-up globally. In 2022 he released his, I Exaggerate: My Brushes with Fame. Part art book, part memoir -- the book is full of original full-color caricatures Kevin has created along with funny, endearing personal essays about his famous friends.

Nealon’s extensive television credits include the CBS sitcom, Man With a Plan, in which he starred alongside Matt LeBlanc; Showtime’s Weeds, which ran for eight seasons. Additional television roles include two critically acclaimed stand-up
specials for Showtime and a number of appearances on Hot In Cleveland, Franklin & Bash, Monk, Curb Your Enthusiasm and Still Standing.

Kevin has also has found great comedic success in his extensive film career. In Anger Management, he played opposite Jack Nicholson and fellow SNL comedian, Adam Sandler. He and Sandler also teamed up in Eight Crazy Nights, The Wedding Singer, Happy Gilmore, Just Go With It, Blended, and You Don’t Mess with the Zohan, the latter of which grossed over $200 million worldwide. In Joe Dirt, Nealon joined another SNL alumnus David Spade. Additional film credits include Daddy Day Care with Eddie Murphy, Good Boy with Molly Shannon, Bucky Larsen: Born to be a Star with Nick Swardson, Roxanne with Steve Martin and the cult hit Grandma’s Boy, also with Nick Swardson and Jonah Hill.

As one of the longest running cast members on NBC’s Saturday Night Live (1986-1995), Nealon created some of the show’s most memorable characters, including ‘The Subliminal Man’ and ‘Hans and Franz.’ Nealon’s recurring role as an anchor on ‘Weekend Update’ helped make the sketch a show staple. In 1988, he earned an Emmy nomination as part of the SNL writing team. In 2008, Nealon released his first book, Yes, You’re Pregnant, But What About Me? - a comical look at the male perspective of pregnancy.

Currently, Kevin resides in Los Angeles with his wife and son.

Ashwyn Singh comes to the Rio Theatre's stage with his latest show on Thursday, September 18.

Thursday, September 18
Doors 6:00 pm | Show 6:45 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

VVIP (Front Row) $45 + s/c
VIP (Rows B-F) $35+ s/c
Main Floor $30+ s/c
Group Pass (4 Tickets) $108+ s/c

Ashwyn Singh is a standup comedian, musician, and writer whose work blends incisive humor with heartfelt social commentary. An Indian immigrant turned Canadian resident, Ashwyn draws on his unique perspective to explore themes of cultural identity, immigration, and family with wit and relatability.

His viral Desi Translations series, which has over 40 million views, celebrates the artistry of Hindi and Urdu lyrics by reinterpreting everyday English phrases. Beyond social media, Ashwyn’s standup comedy tackles social issues like immigration, religion, politics, mental health, and global conflicts, highlighting the hypocrisy in human behavior with sharp humor.

Featured on Canada’s Got Talent, CBC’s The Debaters, and major comedy festivals like Winnipeg and Halifax, Ashwyn has opened for acclaimed acts such as Mark Normand, Sammy Obeid, and Zarna Garg, establishing himself as a standout talent in comedy.

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.

This Rio Theatre gift certificate is good for entry to any single regular screening and includes two medium drinks, and one large popcorn.