37 things to do in Vancouver this week: February 13 to 17

Welcome to the week of love! Between Family Day and Valentine’s Day, it’s a great opportunity to spend time with loved ones and have some fun. To inspire your adventures, here are tons things to do around the city, from concerts to film festivals, and everything in between.

For more things happening around town, check out our events section.

Monday, February 13

Family friendly activities at Tsawwassen Mills

• What: There’s much more than just shopping at Tsawwassen Mills this Family Day. From a 7,000-square-foot indoor skatepark to Uncle Buck’s Bowling Alley, via kid-friendly activities such as magic shows and balloon animals there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
• Where: Tsawwassen Mills, 5000 Canoe Pass Way, Delta
• When: February 13

Children’s Arts Festival

• What: Children and their families are encouraged to spark their imagination through music, visual, literary and performing arts lead by professional artists. Located in the heart of City centre, the Richmond Cultural Centre will transform into a vibrant, colourful atmosphere with interactive workshops, activities and events tailored for children ages 3 to 12.
• Where: Richmond Cultural Centre – 7700 Minoru Gate, Richmond
• When: February 13 at 10 am
• Tickets: $5

Fam Jams with Will Stroet and Dianna David

• What: Bring out the family to celebrate with children’s entertainer and CBC Kids star Will Stroet and movement storyteller Dianna David. Will and his Backyard Band will share favourites from Will’s Jams and his new album Wordplay, which will have kids chuckling and singing along to high-energy interactive music. Dianna will tell stories through the fusion of clown, mime, urban dance, juggling, in her visually-dynamic multimedia show.
• Where: Jewish Community Centre – 950 West 41st Avenue, Vancouver
• When: February 13 at 10:30 am
• Tickets: Online, $15 or $50 for four tickets. Babies under 1 are free

Take in some art at Vancouver Art Gallery

• What: Bring the whole family to the Vancouver Art Gallery to explore current exhibits and try hands-on activities. Join their team of Art Agents as they bring the exhibitions to life. Then move on to The Making Place to experiment with themes, processes and materials in a number of engaging art-making activities.
• Where: Vancouver Art Gallery – 750 Hornby Street, Vancouver
• When: Noon to 4 pm
• Cost: See online

Kitsilano Family Day Celebration

• What: Celebrate Family Day at Kitsilano Community Centre with fun for grown ups and children alike. There will be a family playtime gym, bouncy castle, arts and crafts, popcorn and interactive activities
• Where: Kitsilano Community Centre – 2690 Larch Street, Vancouver
• When: February 13 at 10:30 am
• Cost: Free

Family Day at the Carousel

• What: Bring the family and enjoy a day at the Carousel, including a children’s entertainer, arts activities, heritage games, and unlimited carousel rides!
• Where: Burnaby Village Museum – 6501 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby
• When: February 13 at 11 am
• Tickets: $6.50 per person ($5.85 per member). Pre-registration recommended

music intima Family Day Concert

• What: musica intima will perform with special guest artist VYC Kids, which is the newest ensemble at the Vancouver Youth Choir. By presenting popular kids’ music, new and traditional choral music, and folk songs, the professional vocalists of musica intima will create a welcoming musical environment where families can experience live music together.
• Where: Heritage Hall – 3102 Main Street, Vancouver
• When: February 13, at 4 pm
• Tickets: Online, $40

Second Annual Family Day on Commercial Drive

• What: Free skating, caricatures, hot beverages, balloons, and more at Brittania Ice Rink. Plus Family Day specials along The Drive.
• Where: Brittania Community Centre – 1661 Napier Street, Vancouver
• When: February 13 at 1 pm
• Cost: Free

Tuesday, February 14

Vintage Valentine’s at the Fox Cabaret

• What: Experience an ultra-swanky evening of live performance, cocktails, and music inspired by vintage Hollywood glamour and Rat Pack era cool. Also featuring a dance party in the Projection Room, Space Age Bachelor Pad Music curated by Trevor Risk, and stand-up comedy.
• Where: Fox Cabaret – 2321 Main Street, Vancouver
• When: February 14 at 9 pm
• Tickets: Online, $15-$20

Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival

• What: The sweetest festival of the year is back as Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival brings new and unique flavours to the city.
• Where: At participating locations around the city
• When: Running until February 14

Burlesque Duos

• What: Following last year’s sold out show, the highly-anticipated Burlesque Duos returns to the Rio’s stage on Tuesday, February 14. Featuring performances by April O’Peel & Diva Fandango, Melody Mangler & Voracious V, Vixen Von Flex & Ava Lure, and Jungle Kat & Ruthe Ordare. Hosted by Mister Mickel & Connie Cahoots.
• Where: Rio Theatre – 1660 East Broadway
• When: February 14 at 8 pm
• Tickets: Online, $20-$25

Take in one last skate at Robson Square Skating Rink

• What: The Robson Square Ice Rink wraps up its season on February 14. Skating is free with your own skates, and rentals are available. The rink also features a concession stand with snacks and warm drinks.
• Where: Robson Square – 800 Robson Square, Vancouver
• When: Open 9 am to 9 pm
• Cost: Free, skate rentals are extra

Valentine’s Day Decentralized Dance Party – Vancouver!

• What: The world is in need of a little more love these days, and there is no better way to spread the good vibes than with good old fashioned a dance party. The #SaveLove Decentralized Dance Party (DDP) is planned for Vancouver on Valentine’s Day and will also launch simultaneously in Austin, San Francisco, and New York.
• Where: Location will be announced the night before the party. Check online for updates.
• When: February 14 at 7 pm
• Tickets: Free. Everyone is also strongly encouraged to bring out props, lights, fog machines and other party necessities in order to take everything to the next level.

Elle

• What: Elle is the story of Marguerite de La Rocque de Roberval, a French noblewoman who set out in 1542 for Canada with her uncle, Jacques Cartier to colonize the new-found country. Adapted from Douglas Glover’s novel by Severn Thompson,  Elle reinvents the beginnings of this country’s national narrative.
• Where: Firehall Arts Centre – 280 E. Cordova Street, Vancouver
• When: February 8 to 18 at various times
• Tickets: Online, $23-$28

Gastown Cabaret – Babes for Days

• What: Three entertaining sets of belly dances, stunts, hilariousness, and more. Plus a Donut Eating Competition and a Lip Synch Battle
• Where: Guilt & Co. – 1 Alexander Street
• When: February 14 at 8 pm
• Tickets: At the door, $10

Vancouver Improv Fight Club: Valentine’s Day Destruction

• What: A special comedy event guaranteed to break hearts and funnybones. The stage will run red as two teams of Cupids battle for the audience’s affection! Plus there will be award-winning comedy, chocolate hearts, and a special presentation of TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs!
• Where: Cafe Deux Soleils – 2096 Commercial Drive
• When: February 14 at 8 pm
• Tickets: At the door, $7 or $5 for students

Wednesday, February 15

Flirt

• What: The Dinner Party and Big Love Ball are teaming up to hold this free Valentine’s Day event for singletons, all about flirtation, fun and the potential for love. Dress code – wear pink. And prepare yourself to “practice connection.”
• Where: Zend Conscious Lounge – 1130 Mainland St, Vancouver
• When: February 15, from 7 to 10 pm
• Admission: Free, but to gain entry you must bring two members of the opposite sex that you are not romantically involved with. And wear pink.

LunarFest at Oakridge Centre

• What: Started in 2009 and built to be a Vancouver Winter Olympics Legacy event, LunarFest is Canada’s premier presenter of contemporary expression in Asian arts and culture.
• Where: Oakridge Centre, Vancouver
• When: Saturday, January 28 to February 15

The Maple Leaf Singers Syrian Family Fundraiser

• What: Enjoy a night of music with the Maple Leaf Singers to help raise funds to sponsor a Syrian refugee family. Following a brief introduction to the family, Burnaby’s 50 member show-chorus will give a dynamic performance featuring a variety of songs complemented by choreography.
• Where: Eagle Ridge Bible Fellowship – 1160 Lansdowne Drive, Coquitlam
• When: February 15 at 7 :30 pm
• Tickets: $20

WR53 Sketch Wars: Night One!

• What: Vancouver Film School Writing Class 53 Presents Two Nights of Live Sketch Comedy! Featuring 13 writers and seven sketch comedians. Directed by Jackie Blackmore and produced by Shelley Stein-Wotten.
• Where: VFS Cafe – 390 West Hastings Street, Vancouver
• When: February 15 at 8 pm
• Tickets: At the door, $5

Data to the People with Jer Thorp

• What: TILT Curiosity Labs, Graphic Designers of Canada, and CAPIC Vancouver present data artist Jer Thorp talking about his work with The Office For Creative Research designed to create real, functioning data publics. From data performances at the Museum of Modern art to data sculpture in the world’s busiest public place, these projects seek to change the way that the public interacts with and understands information.
• Where: HCMA Architecture + Design – 400-675 West Hastings Street, Vancouver
• When: February 15 at 6 pm
• Tickets: Online, $20

Post-Valentines Day – Dominion Reading Series #7

• What: Dominion Reading Series celebrates Post-Valentines Day with happy, sad, funny and I-don’t-care stories and poems.
• Where: Cafe Deux Soleils – 2096 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
• When: February 15 at 8 pm
• Admission: By donation, $2-$5 recommended

Heather O’Neill in conversation with Hal Wake

• What: Heather O’Neill, author of Lullabies for Little Criminals and The Girl Who Was Saturday Night, is a renowned Canadian novelist, poet and short-story writer. She has won Canada Reads and was shortlisted for a Governor General’s Award, the Orange Prize for Fiction, the Scotiabank Giller Prize and the Hugh MacLennan Prize for Fiction. Presented by Vanc0uver Writers Fest
• Where: Performance Works – 1218 Cartwright Street, Vancouver
• When: February 15 at 7:30 pm
• Tickets: Online, $20-$26

Thursday, December 15

Chutzpah!

• What: Chutzpah! The Lisa Nemetz International Jewish Performing Arts Festival is the Lower Mainland’s winter music, dance, comedy and theatre festival presenting international, national and local artists.
• Where: 950 West 41st Avenue, Vancouver
• When: February 16 to March 13
• Tickets: Available online

JFL NorthWest 2017

• What: A huge range of comedians will perform at the second annual JFL NorthWest, including headliners Sarah Silverman, Trevor Noah, and Piff the Magic Dragon. Local stars also hit the stage in Best Of The West, including The Hero Show, The Ryan & Amy Show, and Graham Clark’s Quiz Show.
• Where: Multiple venues around Vancouver
• When: February 16 to 25 at various times
• Tickets: Online, $5 – $69

Talking Stick Festival

• What: A vibrant, two-week celebration of extraordinary Aboriginal performance.
• Where: 1425 Charles Street – Vancouver
• When: February 16 to 26

Steveston Folk Guild Presents “Just Duets”

• What: A roots-country and folk music duet that performs a wonderful selection of traditional and songwriter material from Canada and elsewhere. Andrea Smith and Dave Lidstone present their music with strong harmonies supported by solid guitar work. In addition to accompanied vocal pieces, their concerts include a cappella and instrumental pieces.
• Where: Brittania Shipyards National Historic Site – 5180 Westwater Drive, Richmond
• When: February 16 at 7:30 pm
• Tickets: At the door, $10

KDocs 2017: Kwantlen Documentary Film Festival

• What: Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s annual documentary film festival. KDocs at Vancity Theatre showcases 12 award-winning documentaries, along with guest speakers, filmmakers, panel discussions, Q&As, and exhibitors.
• Where: Vancity Theatre – 1181 Seymour Street, Vancouver
• When: February 16 to 19
• Tickets: Online, $5-$12

Happy Hour: Collaborative Poetry reading with Daniel Zomparelli

• What: In response to Erdem Taşdelen’s ‘The Quantified Self Poems’, poet Daniel Zomparelli will speak about his work with Taşdelen and the central role collaboration plays in his creative practice. Zomparelli and frequent collaborator Dina Del Bucchia will follow with a reading from recent work.
• Where: Contemporary Art Gallery – 555 Nelson Street, Vancouver
• When: February 16 at 7 pm
• Tickets: Online, Free

Billy Talent

• What: Warner Music Canada recording artists Billy Talent are starting off their year on a high note, heading out on a coast-to-coast Canadian tour that will take them all the way across the country. With guests Monster Truck and The Dirty Nil.
• Where: Abbotsford Centre – 33800 King Road, Abbotsford
• When: February 16 at 7 pm
• Tickets: Online, $40.50-$70.50

Friday, February 10

Matthew Good

• What: Vancouver’s Matthew Good is taking his latest album on the road, and he’s coming home for two shows. With the release Matthew Good’s EP titled I Miss New Wave: Beautiful Midnight he will embark on a 28 date Canadian tour, in which he will perform Beautiful Midnight in its entirety.
• Where: Commodore Ballroom– 868 Granville Street
• When: February 17 and February 18 at 8 pm
• Tickets: Online,$42.50

Winterruption

• What: Granville Island’s Winterruption Festival returns with lots of free events in the mix this year, including a look behind the scenes of theatre magic, a groove-heavy performance from the Robin Layne Band, and a winter-themed art exhibit.
• Where: Multiple locations on Granville Island, Vancouver
• When: From Friday, February 17 to Sunday, February 19, various times
• Full schedule: Online at granvilleisland.com/winterruption

Dumpling Pop-Up

• What: The Dumpling King – aka Matt Murtagh-Wu – serves up his signature varieties of Johnnie Walker Black Pork Belly and Scallion and Five Spice Vegetarian dumplings. Pop-up attendees can also sip on Strange Fellows craft beer.
• When: February 17 and 18; February 24 and 25 from 6 to 9 pm
• Where: Hives For Humanity, 580 Powell Street, Vancouver
• Tickets: $20 at the door for open dumpling bar access

7 Inches Of Pleasure Winter Tour

• What: Grammy Award-winning Brooklyn producer Kenny Dope performs at The Waldorf Hotel. Also featuring DJ Scratch, Vinyl Ritchie, Mat The Alien, DJ Illo (Ottawa), and DJ Pump (Calgary) spinning a genre-blend of everything from hip-hop and funk to punk and heavy metal while honouring the history of the sound format.
• Where: The Waldorf Hotel – 1489 East Hastings Street, Vancouver
• When: February 17 at 8 pm
• Tickets: At Do604, free with RSVP

Vancouver Magic: The Gathering Grand Prix 2017

• What: A special event for every kind of Magic enthusiast, from the casual player to the Pro. Some of the most popular artists in the game will be on site for autographs along with plenty of vendors from all around the world and special activities.
• Where: Vancouver Convention Centre West – 1055 Canada Place, Vancouver
• When: February 17 to 19
• Registration: Online

Spoken Word Night at Banyen Books

• What: Banyen’s first-ever Spoken Word poetry evening, with readings by Emily Carr, Julie Peters, Timothy Shay, Emilee Nimetz, & Kelsey Savage. The evening’s theme is wonder.
• Where: Banyen Books – 3608 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver
• When: February 17 at 6:30 pm
• Tickets: Free

The Town Pants’ St. Practice Day Party!

• What: With a decades worth of headlining roots and celtic festivals to selling out nights at rock venues, the Town Pants own brand of celtic roots rock rebel spans five albums so far, and backed up with and a legendary live show that’s garnered them fans internationally from Ottawa to Oslo. Grab your gleaming garments of green and get ready to ShamROCK.
• Where: The Backstage Lounge – 1585 Johnson Street, Vancouver
• When: February 17 at 8 pm
• Tickets: Online, $15