35 things to do in Vancouver this week: May 1 to 5

The first week of May is here, and Vancouver is filled with interesting events around the city! From concerts to an international night market and documentary films, here are 35 things to do in Vancouver this week.

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

Monday, May 1

Music Monday at Vancouver Art Gallery

• What: The 13th annual Music Monday will unite more than 200 young musicians from across the Lower Mainland in a free public concert supporting school music programs. Led by conductor Bramwell Tovey of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, the student ensemble will perform the new anthem Sing It Together, written by Canadian songwriters Marc Jordan and Ian Thomas in honour of Canada’s 150^th anniversary. Co-hosted by JUNO award-winning children’s musician Charlotte Diamond, Music Monday is the world’s largest single event dedicated to promoting music education.
• Where: Vancouver Art Gallery in Robson Square – 1055 Canada Place, Vancouver
• When: May 1 at 10 am
• Cost: Free

Fiction from BC Live Reading

• What: Read Local BC presents five acclaimed authors, who will each read from their latest works of fiction. Featuring Carleigh Baker (Bad Endings), Alban Goulden (As If), Shekhar Paleja (Extraordinary Destiny), Ahmad Danny Ramadan (The Clothesline Swing), and Iona Whishaw (Death in the Darkening Mist). The event will be hosted by Michael Despotovic of Caitlin Press.
• Where: grunt gallery – #116 350 East 2nd Avenue, Vancouver
• When: May 1 from 7 to 9 pm
• Cost: Free

Raindance Vancouver’s Booze ‘N’ Schmooze

• What: An evening for Vancouver indie filmmakers to gather and toast successes. Each Raindance Vancouver Booze’N’Schmooze features special guests and community partners sharing projects.
• Where: Studio Records – 919 Granville Street, Vancouver
• When: May 1 from 7 to 10 pm
• Tickets: Online, $10 for non-members, free for members

Walking on a Dream with Canadian Olympic race walker Evan Dunfee

• What: Canadian Olympic race walker Even Dunfee and Vancouver-based Mile2Marathon run group present an evening of running and storytelling. The evening kicks off with a workout led by Olympic marathoner and M2M coach Dylan Wykes, followed by refreshments and Evan Dunfee’s inspirational story.
• Where: Essentia Mattress Store — 2144 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver
• When: May 1 from 6 to 8 pm
• Cost: Free

Your Name

• What: Written and directed by Makoto Shinkai, Your Name has already received critical acclaim and commercial success overseas, dominating the burgeoning Asian box office to quickly become the fourth highest-grossing film of all time in Japan. Your Name tells the story of a high school girl in rural Japan and a high school boy in Tokyo who swap bodies. They want something more from this connection, but distance isn’t the only thing keeping them apart.
• Where: Rio Theatre – 1660 East Broadway, Vancouver
• When: May 1 and May 3 at 6:30 pm
• Tickets: Online, $12

The 1975

• What: British rockers The 1975 stop in Vancouver in support of their latest album, I Like It When You Sleep, For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It.
• Where: PNE Forum – 2901 E Hastings Street, Vancouver
• When: May 1 at 8 pm
• Tickets: Online, $49.50

Game Changers: Women Using Their Careers For Social Change

• What: Join YES! Vancouver for a night of networking and philanthropy, and hear from a panel of five remarkable women who are using their career and life’s work as a vehicle for and to inspire social change. Emceed and moderated by Candice Charleton (Hootsuite), the panel includes Anna Farrant (All City Athletics), Katie Schaeffers (SheEO), Natasha Raey (She Talks Global), Meredith Powell (The Next Big Thing Foundation), and Rachel Ricketts (loss&found).
• Where: Hootsuite – 5 East 8th Avenue, Vancouver
• When: May 1 from 5:30 to 8:30 pm
• Tickets: Online, $50 for members, $60 for non-members

Tuesday, May 2

The Harp Twins: Camille and Kennerly

• What: Camille and Kennerly Kitt, known as The Harp Twins, have achieved extraordinary success by taking Electric Harps and acoustic Concert Grand Harps to unprecedented levels and smashing boundaries between different genres of music. The duo has amassed over 650,000 fans across their social media sites and more than 33 million views on YouTube.
• Where: Christ Church Cathedral Vancouver – 690 Burrard Street, Vancouver
• When: May 2 at 7:30 pm
• Tickets: Online, $16.75

Wall Exchange lecture: The Hidden Beauty of Mathematics

• What: Professor Cédric Villani will discuss the interface between mathematics and art, showing how both these disciplines seek to illuminate hidden beauty in the world. Villani is the Director of the Institut Henri Poincaré, France’s prime and oldest international institute for research in mathematical sciences. Hosted by the Peter Wall Institute for Advanced Studies
• Where: Vogue Theatre – 918 Granville Street, Vancouver
• When: May 2 at 7 pm
• Tickets: Sold out but there will be a standing line available on the night. Free.

How to overcome the five greatest challenges in achieving your goals

• What: Clean energy engineer turned performance coach Marc Tabet helps attendees identify the greatest challenges to achieving goals and discover proven strategies to overcome them. Learn why the way our brain is wired makes it harder for us to achieve our goals, how to make inspiration your greatest ally and discover effective strategies to go about expanding your comfort zone.
• When: May 2 from 6 to 9:15 pm
• Where: The Tribe – Suite 401 – 68 Water Street, Vancouver
• Admission: At the door, $12

Pop-Up Comedy Jam: Asian Heritage Month Edition!

• What: In honour of national Asian Heritage Month in Vancouver, The Fictionals present an all-star, all-Asian edition of Pop-Up Comedy Jam! Enjoy comedy inspired by traditions and modern life, featuring VJ Delos-Reyes, Carla Mah, Curt Da Silva, Kia Rae, Travis Bernhardt, Laurence Chong, San Aung and Ed Hill.
  
• Where: Cafe Deux Soleils – 2096 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
• When: May 2 at 8 pm
• Tickets: At the door, $7 or $5 for students

Pinatas and Pies: A crafting workshop

• What: Eat delicious Aphrodite pie and get crafty with Meaghan Kennedy, who will be sharing the joy of making pinatas. Meaghan made her first pinata seven years ago for a local cable show and fell in love with the craft making process. Her pinatas have even been featured on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
• Where: Aphrodite’s Organic Pie Shop – 3598 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver
• When: May 2 from 6 to 9 pm
• Tickets: Online, $40. Includes all supplies and a slice of pie.

Together: Stories about the Impact of Global Development

• What: Join Aga Khan Foundation Canada and the Vancouver Public Library in a series of evenings featuring the stories of people with first-hand experience in global development. May’s Storyteller is Anna Kim, who is passionate about international development and education opportunities for young people. She has lived in Uzbekistan, and while living in Korea obtained a degree in International Relations and worked at a Global Fortune 500 company in Seoul. She is currently pursuing a MA in Political Science at Simon Fraser University.
• Where: Kitsilano Branch Library – 2425 MacDonald Street, Vancouver
• When: May 2 from 7 to 8:30 pm
• Cost: Free

Beta Talks 6: The Road to The BIG Stage

• What: Beta Talks is RED Academy’s hub to test new presentation material in front of live audience members. This session will feature speakers who are working towards their TEDx speech. If you want to get up on your SoapBox and share your message RSVP to community@soapboxspeakers.com . Guest speakers are welcome!
• Where: RED Academy – 1490 W Broadway #200, Vancouver
• When: May 2 from 6 to 8 pm
• Tickets: Online, $20

Wednesday, May 3

Home

• What: Home is a new and original Canadian production that shares a powerful vision of hope from local diverse youth in the search for a healthy home, both within oneself and one’s communities.
• Where: Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre — 181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver
• When: May 3 at 1:30pm, May 4 at 11 am and 1:30 pm, May 5  and 6 at 7:30pm
• Tickets: Online, Free.

Me First and the Gimme Gimmes

• What: Me First and the Gimme Gimmes’s latest album, Rake It In: The Greatestest Hits, compiles all their biggest hits onto one disc. Expect to hear many of your favourites at the Commodore Ballroom, like “I Believe I Can Fly”, “Desperado”, and “Straight Up”.
• Where: Commodore Ballroom – 868 Granville Street, Vancouver
• When: May 3 at 8:30 pm
• Tickets: Online, $30

Connect with Google and Savvy Search Marketing

• What: Google is teaming up with Savvy Search Marketing Ltd, a local Premier Google Partner, to present on topics ranging from customer micro-moments to maximizing qualified leads for your business. Speakers include Liz Austin, Agency Development Manager, Google and Savvas Kyriakides, CEO, Savvy Search Marketing Ltd.
• When: May 3 from 8:30 am to 12 pm
• Where: Hyatt Regency Vancouver – 655 Burrard St, Vancouver
• Register: Online

Bingo! by Stage 43

• What: Five former classmates come together for their 30th high school reunion. Hilarity ensues when the friends attempt to relive their glory days via their old drinking game. The more alcohol they consume, the closer they come to confronting their demons and the realization that being grown up doesn’t mean that they’ve got it all figured out.
• Where: Evergreen Cultural Centre – 1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam
• When: May 3 to 6
• Tickets: Online, $15-$22. Partial proceeds from all tickets sold to this production benefit the I AM SOMEONE Ending Bullying Society.

Wearable Art Idea Jam

• What: Port Moody Arts Centre is planning the next presentation of Wearable Art for September 2018, and they need your help. Attend the Idea Jam to reimagine Wearable Art and give it a fresh new look.
• Where: Port Moody Arts Centre – 2425 St Johns Street, Port Moody
• When: May 3 at 7 pm
• Cost: Free

Ladies Craft Beer and Book Club

• What: A monthly gathering hosted by the Beer Birds to enjoy tasty beer and good books. This month’s event will be discussing  Amy Gentry’s Good as Gone at Main Street Brewing.
• When: May 3 at 7 pm
• Where: Main Street Brewing  –261 East 7th Avenue, Vancouver
• Cost: Free

Farm Potluck

• What: Discuss Urban Farming Education and other related topics at Southlands Heritage Farms while making pizzas in the cob oven and roasting marshmallows on the fire.
• Where: Southlands Heritage Farms – 6767 Balaclava Street, Vancouver
• When: May 3 at 6:30 pm
• Cost: Free

Thursday, May 4

DOXA Festival Opening Gala Screening + Party

• What: Marie Clements’ musical documentary The Road Forward is simultaneously a piece of BC First Nations history, a call for revolution and resolve, and a portrait of a people who have retained their power and identity through community and activism. The screening kicks off the 2017 DOXA Festival.
• Where: Vogue Theatre – 918 Granville Street, Vancouver
• When: May 4 at 7 pm
• Tickets: Online, $20-$22

Bryan Callen

Image: Bryan Callen / Facebook

• What: Bryan Callen got his start as an original cast member of MAD TV. He then went on to play numerous roles on the small and big screen including Old School, Bad Santa, Sex and the City, CSI and The Hangover.
• Where: the Comedy Mix – 1015 Burrard Street, Vancouver
• When: May 4 at 8:30 pm, May 5 and 6 at 8 and 10:30 pm
• Tickets: Online, $25-$30 plus GST

Mixed Voices Raised: An Evening of Storytelling & Identity

• What: Hapa-palooza Festival kicks off its 2017 programming with Mixed Voices Raised: an evening of storytelling (true tales, no notes). Enjoy dynamic speakers sharing stories from the heart on how their heritage has informed the work they do and lives they lead.
• Where: Alice MacKay Room, Vancouver Public Library Central Branch – 350 West Georgia Street, Vancouver
• When: May 4 at 7 pm
• Admission: Free

Talent Time: The Star Wars Show

• What: Celebrate Star Wars Day with Paul Anthony’s Talent Time. It’s a variety show that takes place in Jabba the Hutt’s Palace with Darth Vader stand-up, Star Wars burlesque, comedian Harris Anderson and more.
• Where: Rio Theatre – 1660 East Broadway, Vancouver
• When: May 4 at 8 pm
• Register: Online, Free

CJ Ramone

• What: CJ Ramone is the artistic name of Christopher Joseph Ward, known as the famous and latest bass player of the most legendary American punk rock band The Ramones. CJ Ramone is an important part of punk rock history and the best part is he’s just getting started. Big Eyes and Childsplay also perform.
• When: May 4 at 8 pm
• Where: Rickshaw Theatre – 254 E. Hastings Street, Vancouver
• Tickets: Online, $17.50

Ute Lemper at Vancouver Opera Festival

• What: Vancouver Opera presents a rare performance by the world’s foremost cabaret star. Join Ute Lemper as she takes you on a journey to Berlin with the cabaret ballads of Weill and Brecht, the poetic world of Paris with chansons by Brel, Piaf, and Ferre, then Buenos Aires for a romantic tango by Piazzolla.
• When: May 5 at 7 pm
• Where: Oprheum Theatre – 884 Granville Street, Vancouver
• Tickets: Online, $50-$99

Mary Walsh in conversation with Lisa Christiansen

• What: Best known for her work on This Hour Has 22 Minutes, comedian and actor Mary Walsh has brought timeless characters to Canadians for decades. In her anticipated debut novel Crying for the Moon, Walsh tells the story of a young woman growing up in St. John’s, NL, who visits Expo 67 in Montreal for an unexpected, life-changing adventure. Presented by Vancouver’s Writers Fest.
  
• Where: Frederic Wood Theatre – 6534 Crescent Road, Vancouver
• When: May 4 at 7:30 pm
• Tickets: Online, $20-$26

Friday, May 5

Ships to Shore – King of the Sea

• What: The Ships to Shore King of the Sea festival in Garry Point Park features the Kaiwo Maru, a massive naval training vessel from Japan. The free, family event feature ship viewing and boarding on the dock, fireworks, live entertainment and more.
• Where: Garry Point Park – 12011 Seventh Ave, Richmond
• When: May 5 to 7
• Admission: Free

Casa De Amigo – A Cinco De Mayo Celebration

• What: Get ready for a fiesta as the largest Cinco de Mayo party in Vancouver returns to Robson Square. Feast on gourmet tacos, ceviche, churros, and other handheld Mexican street-style foods at four stations from the teams from Savoury Chef and Buena Onda. The event is also fully licensed and there will be a wide array of signature Mezcal and Tequila cocktails along with your favourite Mexican cervezas to sample, all available in the beverage garden. And no fiesta is complete without some Luchador wrestling, Mariachi bands, and traditional folk dancers.
• Where: Robson Square (Plaza) – 800 Robson Street, Vancouver
• When: May 5 from 5 to 11 pm and May 6 from 3 to 11 pm
• Admission: Tickets start at $18.95. Visit ticketzone.com for Friday and Saturday tickets.

Art in the City 2017 – Vernissage

• What: The 12th annual Art in the City event is a 3-day exhibition and sale of visual art works at the West End Community Centre.
• Where: West End Community Centre– 870 Denman Street, Vancouver
• When: May 5 from 7 to 9 pm, May 6 and 7 from noon to 5 pm
• Cost: Free

Melissa Etheridge

• What: Known for her confessional lyrics and raspy, smoky vocals, Melissa Etheridge has remained one of North America’s favourite female artists for more than two decades. In addition to her two Grammy Awards, Etheridge has won an Academy Award for “Best Original Song”, a Juno Award for “International Entertainer of the Year” and ASCAP’s “Songwriter of the Year” Award.
• Where: River Rock Casino Resort – 8811 River Rd, Richmond
• When: May 5 at 8 pm
• Tickets: Online

Spring Benefit Concert for East Vancouver Community Music School

• What: The Spring Benefit Concert raises money for students from low-income households to pursue a musical education. The concert features live music by Francois Houle, The Ruffled Feathers, Sidewalk Cellist and more.
• Where: Unitarian Church – 949 West 49th Avenue, Vancouver
• When: May 5 from 7 to 10 pm
• Tickets: Online, $10-$20

Illumination Summer Night Market

• What: Tropical house specialist Thomas Jack takes over Celebrities for a special open to close set.
• Where: 12631 Vulcan Way (behind Home Depot on Sweden Way), Richmond
• When: Friday and Saturday from 7 pm to midnight, Sunday from 7 to 11 pm, and long weekends from 7 to midnight.
• Tickets: Online, $3. Free Admission from May 5 to 7

True Voice Theatre Project – Legend of the Fireflies

• What: Legend of the Fireflies is a creation of the youth participants of True Voice Theatre Project, a community arts program inclusive to individuals who have experienced homelessness or are currently vulnerably housed in Vancouver. Exploring themes of home and transformation, the story and characters weave fantasy and reality into a surprising adventure that crosses different worlds and lands in the heart.
• Where: The Cultch – 1895 Venables Street, Vancouver
• When: May 5 to 6 at 7:30 pm
• Tickets: Online, $15-$23