British Columbia

Dine Out Vancouver serves up film, theatre with dinner

There is more than four-course meals and interesting wine pairings on the menu at Dine Out Vancouver. The festival mixes some of the dinners with film, theatre and even a drag show.

Six events that will satiate more than your palate

Film and theatre are also on the menu at this year's Dine Out Vancouver Festival. (Dine Out Vancouver)

Tickets for Vancouver's Dine Out festival go on sale today, with food, drink film, theatre and even a drag show on the menue

Food and performance aren't all that different according to festival co-ordinator Lucas Pavan.

"Everything is all about art. Food is art, and theatre is art," he told The Early Edition's Margaret Gallagher.

"It's all about being creative and exhibiting your passions and wanting to share your passions with the people that are experiencing what you're doing."

Here is a list of this year's events:

1. Film Feast - Big Night 

Held in the Shangri-La Hotel's private movie theatre. Big Night, a 1996 movie about a failing Italian restaurant is shown. A cocktail and gourmet popcorn are served during the movie, followed by a four-course meal themed after the film.

On mobile? Click here to see the trailer for Big Night.

2. Feast on Film - Like Water for Chocolate

Four emerging chefs from the Pacific Culinary Institute are preparing a three course meal, to be served before, during and after a screening of Like Water for Chocolate.

"It's a passionate story about forbidden love and how food has magical powers. It really gets things saucy and sensual and it's a lot of fun," said Pavan.

The night includes VQA wine pairings, and is held at the Granville Island Cultural Society.

On mobile? Click here to see the trailer for Like Water for Chocolate.

3. PuShFeast - 7 Important Things

A communal three-course dinner experience at Al Porto Ristorante, followed by a live performance of 7 Important Things. The play is presented in partnership with the PuSh International Performing Arts Festival. It tells the story of character George Acheson, a "rebel with a cause," and his journey through the counter-culture movements of the 60s and 70s.

4. PuShFeast - Séquence 8

After a three-course meal at The Abbey, diners are led to the Vancouver Playhouse for a night of contemporary circus. The event is also a partnership with the PuSh Festival.

"The PuSh International Performing Arts Festival is all about live theatre. There's dance and acrobatics. Each has some important story element to it and hopefully there is going to be a recognizable connection between the meal that you're having at the restaurant and the performance that you'll be seeing later," said Pavan.

5. Act I Eat 1 - Underneath the Lintel 

Another live theatre experience, the play is a quirky mystery about a library book returned 113 years after it was due. The show is at the Pacific Theatre, with a three-course dinner across the street at Siena Restaurant.

6. Dinner at the Birdcage 

Pasvan describes Dinner at the Birdcage as "dîner en drague." A three-course meal at Vancouver FanClub is followed by a cabaret drag show featuring three of Vancouver's celebrated drag queens, Joan-E, Carlotta Gurl, and Coco.

The show is a benefit for the Vancouver Friends for Life Society.

"If you've never been to a drag show ... this is a great opportunity to do so in a very comfortable environment."

Dine Out Vancouver runs from January 16th to February 1st.

To hear more about the theatre and film events in the Dine Out Vancouver festival, click the audio labelled: Dine Out Vancouver serves up film, theatre with dinner.