20 things to do in Vancouver this week

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Monday morning, you sure look fine – and this week is only going to get finer! A whole week of sun awaits us, so we’re guessing it’s the beach or bust right?

Well, just in case you need a break from all those BBQs, here are 20 things to do in Vancouver this week, from a greasy spoon dinner to a craft brew cruise.

Monday, August 15

Greasy Spoon Vol 18

What: An evening affair that will defy your preconceptions of diner food! The Greasy Spoon Diner pairs a chef and his chosen kitchen team, with a front of house team of people from all over Vancouver. A new menu is created each month, which fuses together fine dining and diner food to deliver a four-course meal to remember.
Where: Save On Meats – 43 W Hastings St, Vancouver
When: Monday, August 15, from 5:30 to 11 pm
Tickets: On Eventbrite, $95, proceeds go to A Better Life Foundation, which supports the marginalized populations of Vancouver

The Strumbellas

What: Jim Beam Presents The Strumbellas, a Juno-award winning, six-piece Canadian band, whose music has been described as “folk popgrass.” With special guest opener Luke Austin.
Where: The Roxy Cabaret – 932 Granville St, Vancouver
When: Monday, August 15, doors at 8 pm, show starts at 9 pm
Tickets: Check Facebook, there’s currently an option to win your way in

HarpPixie

What: Singer songwriter, harpist and spoken word poet HarpPixie blurs the line between performance and transformational offering. As a workshop leader and as a performer, HarpPixie aims to light you up.
Where: Empower Health Clinic – #208 2555 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
When: Monday, August 15, from 7 to 9 pm
Tickets: On Eventbrite, $20-$30

A Tasting of Vegetables

What: With summer in full swing and the fields and forests of the Pacific Northwest overflowing with a bounty of produce, ELEMENTA is offering this surprise eight-course vegetarian menu, including canapés and petit fours.
Where: Medina – 780 Richards Street, Vancouver
When: Monday, August 15, from 7 to 11 pm
Tickets: On Eventbrite, $90 without drinks or $140 to include a drink pairing for each course

Tuesday, August 16

Yoga Foundations Workshop

What: A free, two-hour workshop designed to start from the basics at a slower pace, including ujjayi breath, sun salutations, various standing, seated postures with an introduction to back bend, shoulder stand and headstand prep.
Where: lululemon Guest Education Centre – 1380 Burrard Street Yoga Studio, Vancouver
When: Tuesday, August 16, from 5:15 to 7:15 pm
Register: On Eventbrite, totally free

Unveiling the Universe

What: A journey through creativity in fundamental physics, art and music, via
the work of a theoretical physicist seeking mathematical magic, S. James (Jim) Gates Jr., who serves on President Obama’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.
Where: Science World – 1455 Quebec St, Vancouver
When: Tuesday, August 16, doors open at 6:15 pm, lecture starts at 7:15 pm
Register: On Eventbrite, totally free

Push It Bootcamp

What: Push It is a full body work out, for women only, that incorporates various equipment free pushing movements. This class will offer lots of great ideas for workouts to do outdoors, at home or travelling.
Where: Public Myth Kitsilano – 2005 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver
When: Tuesday, August 16, from 6:15 to 7:15 pm
Register: On Eventbrite, totally free

Wednesday, August 17

Strike A Pose

What: This moving documentary, being shown as part of the Queer Film Festival, tells the story of the seven men—all Black, Latino, Asian, and most of them gay—chosen to be Madonna’s back-up dancers for her 1990 Blonde Ambition tour. Followed by a Q&A with two of the men, Jose Gutierez Xtravaganza and Kevin Stea.
Where: Vancouver Playhouse – 600 Hamilton Street, Vancouver
When: Wednesday, August 17, 6:30pm
Tickets: Sold out online, but rush tickets are available on the door, so join the hope line

InstameetVancouver x Value Village

What: A pop-up art installation like you’ve never seen before. Take photos and Instagram this massive art piece made out of 3,000 pounds of used clothing and learn how you can give a sh!rt about the environment by thrifting.
Where: Vancouver Aquarium – 845 Avison Way, Vancouver
When: Wednesday, August 17, from 5 to 6:30pm
Register: On Eventbrite, totally free

Raging Bull/Taxi Driver

What: Another classic double bill of cinematic triumphs at the Rio. Watch as Robert De Niro becomes boxer Jake La Motta, filled with rage and jealousy, then marvel as he turns his hand to Travis Bickle, the taxi driver rebelling against big city immorality.
Where: The Rio Theatre – 1660 East Broadway, Vancouver
When: Wednesday, August 17, doors at 6 pm, Raging Bull at 6:30 pm, Taxi Driver at 9:15 pm
Tickets: From the Rio, double bill is $13 in advance or $15 at the door; individual screenings $10 in advance or $12 at the door

Keep Summer in a Jar

What: A two-hour intro to canning, including how to make quick blackberry jam and dill pickles, and process them to become shelf stable for months. Recipes will be provided, plus ice tea, garlic and herbs toasts, and a small jar of canned goodies.
Where: The Uncommon Cafe – 477 Powell Street, Vancouver
When: Wednesday, August 17, from 6 to 8 pm
Register: On Eventbrite, $50

Thursday, August 18

Undressing Drag

The Bovines ensemble performed throughout the Lower Mainland during the 1980s (Museum of Vancouver)

What: Drinks and a lively discussion about the fashion of local drag performers – the Bovines – an ensemble that performed throughout the Lower Mainland during the 1980s. Followed by drag shows from the lovely Peach Cobblah and Isolde N. Barron.
Where: Museum of Vancouver – 1100 Chestnut Street, Vancouver
When: Thursday, August 18, at 6 pm
Tickets: At the MOV, $15 full price or $11 for students

Neural Constellations

What: Curiosity Collider and H.R. MacMillan Space Centre are colliding neuroscience and astronomy with performance art, sound, dance, and animation for one amazing evening under the planetarium dome.
Where: H. R. MacMillan Space Centre – 1100 Chestnut Street, Vancouver
When: Thursday, August 18, doors open at 6:30 pm, show is from 7:30 to 10 pm
Tickets: On Eventbrite, $20-$30, 19+

Ce Soir à Pois

What: Come out for a picnic in your finest and not-so-finest Polka Dot attire. This will not be your stuffy dinner in white. Bring your friends, food and drinks, and a blanket to enjoy an evening in the park.
Where: Mount Pleasant Park – 3161 Ontario Street, Vancouver
When: Thursday, August 18, from 6 to 9 pm
Register: On Eventbrite, totally free

The Last Art Exhibition

What: A final, three-day exhibition of much of Canadian artist James Picard’s watercolours, ink and pencil drawings and oil and acrylic paintings, before he closes his Granville Street studio and moves to LA.
Where: Picard Studios Granville – 1067 Granville St, Vancouver
When: Closing party on Thursday, August 18, from 6 to 11 pm, plus two more exhibition days Friday, August 19 and Saturday, August 20, from 11 am to 7 pm
Register: On Eventbrite, totally free

Silk Road Music

What: Playing Vancouver as part of the Enchanted Evenings Concert Series, award winning husband and wife team Silk Road Music delivers an innovative blend of Asian, jazz, Latin, Celtic music and classical Chinese instruments.
Where: Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden – 578 Carrall Street, Vancouver
When: Thursday, August 18, doors open at 7 pm, concert runs from 8 to 10 pm
Tickets: On Eventbrite, $25-55

Friday, August 19

Anime Evolution

Anime Evolution poster (Anime Evolution/Facebook)

What: This annual celebration of Japanese animation and Asian popular culture kicks off on Friday, featuring interactive panel discussions with anime and video game industry guests, table top, CCG, and console gaming, and more.
Where: Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre – 1088 Burrard Street, Vancouver
When: Friday, August 19, to Sunday, August 21, from 10 am to 1 am
Tickets: Online, $5-$65

VidLaser Dark Side Of The Moon

What: For one night only, the VidLaser Dark Side Of The Moon laser and light show is back! Performed live, it now features 360° real-world, real-time Fulldome video, multiple RGB diode lasers, both classic analog and digital star projectors, and immersive full concert sound, in BCIT’s undiscovered planetarium.
Where: BCIT Planetarium – 3700 Willingdon Avenue Building, Burnaby
When: Friday, August 19, from 8 to 8:55 pm
Tickets: On Eventbrite, $11 per person, or $10 with a BCIT card

Music in the Park

What: A free night of music and fun in Oak Park. There will be kids’ activities, a youth fundraising hot dog BBQ, spray park and live music from Angie Faith.
Where: Oak Park – 990 West 59th Avenue, Vancouver
When: Friday, August 19, from 6 to 8 pm
Admission: Totally free

Craft Brew Cruise

What: This annual session-style beer festival is for the true craft connoisseur – on board the Magic Spirit yacht in Vancouver Harbour. Taste a selection of BC’s finest craft brewers on one of three sailings, starting Friday.
Where: Magic Spirit, Magic Yacht Charters – 750 Pacific Blvd, Vancouver
When: Friday, August 19, at 7 pm, two more sailings on Saturday, August 2o
Tickets: On Eventbrite, $50