Monthly Archives: May 2014

Improv Comedy: It’s Good for You.

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by James  Twaites

Maybe you’ve heard of improv.  Maybe you haven’t.  Here’s the gist:  people make up plays as they perform them live in front of you.  It’s pretty great, and I recommend it.   Getting out to the theatre for your “cultural education” can feel like hard work, and it feels easier (and cheaper) to stay at home and watch six consecutive episodes of  —insert running sitcom—.  Although —insert character— is oh-so relatable and funny, it’s no substitute for getting out there and experiencing theatre.

This is why improv is a good culture fix; it isn’t homework.  No one will make you watch it, you aren’t expected to take away a life lesson or gain a better understanding of your place in the universe.  Granted, sometimes good improv is transformative, but it’s not why people go to see it.  We go to see danger.  Like a tightrope walking act or a roller-coaster, improv gives the sensation that something could go wrong at any time (and it does).  When groups of people make up stories on the spot, sometimes it doesn’t work.  Here’s the thing, that is what makes it interesting.  You see the players adjust in real time to the unexpected, and like a good game of sports, the outcome is discovered by the audience and the players together.

“Enough talk”, I hear you say.  “When and where does this happen?”

I’m glad you asked.  Here are some cool improv crews and events that run in Vancouver.

Grad School Improv

Grad School Improv is a collection of current and past UBC improvisers who perform at Seven Dining Lounge (53 West Broadway) from 8:00pm-10:00pm  every Sunday for only $4! That’s less than a grande mocha! Every week you’ll see a collection of fun games, scenes, and some bigger long-form pieces.

10 Speed

10 SPEED is a monthly improv show that features Vancouver’s finest improv groups doing 10-minute sets on the first Tuesday of every month. If groups exceed their allotted ten minutes, hosts Tom and Devin disrupt their sets in boorish, uncouth ways.  In the past, disruptions have included live crabs, flying sharks, burlesque dancers, and pizza-eating dogs. The show makes it home at the China Cloud Theatre – 524 Main Street.

Instant Theatre

Instant Theatre also runs its shows Sunday nights, starting at 9:00pm at the Havana Theatre (1212 Commercial Drive).  Shows are $8, and extra great.  Instant Theatre has popularized several show formats including STREETFIGHT and CAGEMATCH.  Don’t worry, they aren’t as scary as they sound.  Instant Theatre is better known for its classes and workshops.  Check them out online and enroll if you’ve ever wanted to give it a try!

The Sunday Service

This weekly show features two halves of fast paced, absurd and hilarious improv  The first half is a mix of classic/reinterpreted short form games, performed in the group’s unique style. The second half is Long form story-telling improv combining high energy scene work, characters, and interwoven stories.  This happens every Sunday at 9pm at The Fox Cabaret, 2321 Main Street.  It’s $7 bucks, which is the best value for entertainment you’ll ever get.

They’re all good.  Pick one at random.  No wrong answers.  Go do it.  It will be fun, and when September rolls around, come see UBC IMPROV on campus every other Friday at 7:00 in Scarfe 100.  Go watch some improv, it’s fun, and it’s good for you.

5 Great Tips for Grocery Shopping

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by Simran Cheema

Living in suite-style residence calls for grocery shopping. It is not only a daunting task but also very demanding when it comes to expenses. When shopping for groceries, one has to keep in mind about healthy food items that they SHOULD pick up, guilty pleasures that they WANT to pick up and the $$ in the pocket which will restrain them from picking everything up that is in the “SHOULD” and “WANT” list. So I am presenting to you a guide which comprises of just 5 points. But if followed, these 5 points will be very helpful in managing your budget and groceries.

  1. Pick a timeline: It is very important that you decide as to for how long you are purchasing the groceries for at a given time. Some people like to purchase groceries for 2 weeks and some go for 1 month. This will give you an idea of how much food you should pick up and save you from the hassle of going to the store too often. Additionally, it helps to avoid buying either too much or too less food. If there is something left from the past weeks, make a note of that and avoid picking it up from the store when you go in the next time.
  2. Make a list: This sounds very boring but it is an essential element of efficient grocery shopping. A lot of people prefer to pick groceries as they see them at the store. Due to this, they tend to pick up more stuff than what they need. Having a list allows you to grab products you need and avoiding the unnecessary purchase of products you do not need. I prefer to have a small pad in my kitchen, preferably on my refrigerator door, and write items I need on it as soon as they come to my mind. This way, you will also not forget things that you absolutely need.
  3. Avoid guilty pleasures: Often unnecessary items make a bulk of our grocery shopping. Avoid such items by not including them on the grocery list. It gets very tempting to pick up chocolate bars or gum at the checkout. If you do look at them, start humming a tune in your mind or think about something important that you need to go home and do. This will help you get your mind off of these items. And trust me, IT REALLY WORKS!
  4. Choose a good store: As a student at UBC, we are very lucky to have some very good and cheap grocery stores around campus. I prefer No Frills personally because it is very close to campus (15 minutes of bus ride). The University Village as a produce store which is super cost effective. If you’re someone who liked to shop at Save-On Foods in the Wesbrook Village, then get their Save-On More card. It helps you gain points and also save money every time you buy something.
  5. Pile up items on sale: A lot of times you’ll see cans and other items on sale. It is a good idea to pile up those items for later times because the sale might not last for too long. These items do not expire for a really long time. Same applies to items like cleaning supplies, soap, etc. However, it is important to purchase only such items that are needed. Do not stock pile things that are on sale but not necessarily needed by you.

So next time you go for grocery shopping, make sure you follow the above mentioned points for an efficient and cost-effective grocery shopping.

Happy Grocery Shopping!!

10 Fun Things to Do in Vancouver for FREE

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by Ahmadreza Farsaei

Have you recently moved to Vancouver? Are you an international student? Do you want to find more information about Vancouver? If your response to any of the previous questions is “Yes”, then I strongly recommend the followings. They are not only fun but also will expand your knowledge about one of the most beautiful cities in the North America.

  • Visit Granville Island

o   Once home to some serious industry (hence its former name, Industrial Island), Granville Island is now one of the best places for families to experience Vancouver.

  • Hang Out in Stanley Park

o   Stroll along the sea wall, picnic on the greens, smell the roses…it doesn’t get much better than Vancouver’s pride and joy.

  • Hike the Grouse Grind

o   The famous Grouse Grind hike is a must-do for outdoor enthusiasts. Your legs might hate you afterward, but the views at the top are incredible. Walking is free, though many hikers like to pay the $10 for the gondola ride down.

  • Walk around Canada Place

o   This is simply a great place to relax and watch the cruise ships glide into the city. Plus, the photo-ops are fantastic.

  • Visit the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver

o   Staying here might cost a pretty penny, but it doesn’t cost a cent to check out “the Grand Lady,” which has become a verifiable tourist destination for its distinctive history and architecture.

  • Window shop at Vancouver’s best shopping areas

o   Robson Street, Yaletown, and Commercial Drive…the city’s shopping neighborhoods give new meaning to “shop ’til you drop.”

  • Richmond Night Market

o   During the summer, this Chinese night market is free and definitely worth the trip to scope out (and dig into) fried squid, fish balls and Chinese knick-knacks.

  • Wander around Lynn Canyon

o   This is one of Vancouver’s most popular free activities. Hit the hiking trail, and be sure to brave the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge for epic views.

  • Visit Vancouver’s free museums

o   The city’s handful of free museums (BC Golf Museum) and learning centers (Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre) offer a great way to spend the day without spending money.

  • Visit the beach

o   Vancouver’s quintessential beach experience presents views of the mountain, water, downtown core and forest – all absolutely free of charge.