35 things to do in Vancouver this week: April 23 to 27

Apr 16 2018, 2:33 am

The last week of April is upon us! Make the most of it with our checklist of 35 great events to check out from Monday, April 23 to Friday, April 27. Verses 2018, Vancouver Whitecaps, and more to enjoy.

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

Monday, April 23, 2018

Laurie Anderson: All the Things I Lost in the Flood

  • What: Using spoken word, video, live music, and electronics, multimedia artist Laurie Anderson explores the power and perils of language and storytelling in a stunning presentation that mines her own forty-year archive. Directly following the release of her brand new book — a collection of essays titled All the Things I Lost in the Flood — Anderson dissects the relationship between words and images, provoking questions about beauty, time, reality, and memory.
  • When: Monday, April 23, 2018
  • Time: 8 pm
  • Where: Chan Centre for the Performing Arts – 6265 Crescent Road Vancouver
  • Tickets: Online

BC Book Day at the Vancouver Public Library

  • What: BC Book Day is a time to celebrate this province’s abundance of authors, publishers, bookstores, libraries, and all others in this cultural ecosystem. Step into the lives of three authors and one artist, each with their own unique story of how they came to shape and be shaped by this land we live on.
  • When: Monday, April 23, 2018
  • Time: 6:30 pm
  • Where: Vancouver Public Library, Central Library – 350 West Georgia Street, Vancouver
  • Tickets: Online, Free

Beer Tasting Dinner with East Van Brewing Co.

East Van Brewing

@eastvanbrewing/Instagram

  • What: Nomad Restaurant is teaming up with East Van Brewing Company to present a three-course beer tasting dinner.
  • When: Monday, April 23, 2018
  • Time: 6:30 to 10:30 pm
  • Where: Nomad Restaurant – 3950 Main Street, Vancouver
  • Tickets: Online, $45

Trying to Conceive

  • What: Learn natural ways to boost your fertility and find out how the latest advances in fertility treatment can help you get pregnant. Featuring an interactive discussion with fertility experts Dr. Gary Nakhuda (Reproductive Endocrinologist), and Dr. Kali MacIsaac (Naturopathic Physician).
  • When: Monday, April 23, 2018
  • Time: 6:30 to 8:30 pm
  • Where: City Center Library – 10350 University Drive, Surrey
  • Admission: Free

Glass Sponge Reefs – Marine Life Sanctuaries Society

  • What: Adam Taylor from Marine Life Sanctuary Society and Underwater Council of BC will be sharing images, video and stories about ongoing Marine Conservation efforts in Howe Sound. Learn more about the discovery and exploration of Glass Sponge reefs which are considered “Living Fossils.”
  • When: Monday, April 23, 2018
  • Time: 6:30 pm
  • Where: Vancouver Diving Locker – 2745 West 4th Ave. Vancouver
  • Tickets: Online, $5

Picks and Pixels – Art Exhibition

  • What: An exhibition of art from Emily Carr University students. The exhibit name refers to the connection between the rough material, the rock, and the actual colour used in the artworks. Each participant has their own unique way of approaching the exhibition theme – some more literal, some symbolic and abstract, but all have explored alternative ways of creating art.
  • When: Now to 
  • Time: Various times
  • Where: Britannia Mine Museum – 1 Forbes Way, Britannia Beach
  • Admission: Included in Museum admission

Luke Combs

  • What: Luke Combs brings his Don’t Tempt Me With A Good Time Tour to Vancouver with special guest Ashley McBryde.
  • When: Monday, April 23, 2018
  • Time: Doors 7 pm
  • Where: The Commodore Ballroom 868 Granville Street, Vancouver
  • Tickets: Online

Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Big Idea Pitch Contest

Company of Young Professionals/Greater Vancouver Board of Trade

  • What: “As young professionals, what is one important change you would like to see made to Greater Vancouver’s transportation system by 2030?” Teams have submitted reports on this topic, with the hopes of earning the chance to step on stage at the Company of Young Professionals’ Big Idea Pitch Contest. The top six teams will be chosen to pitch their ideas to a live panel of judges – in hopes of being declared the 2018 Big Idea champions.
  • When: Tuesday, April 24, 2018
  • Time: 5:30 pm
  • Where: CBC Vancouver Studio 700 – 700 Hamilton Street, Vancouver
  • Tickets: Online, $50, Free for CYP members

Bats at Night

  • What: Check out local habitat and watch for bats with the Burke Mountain Naturalists.
  • When: Tuesday, April 24, 2018
  • Time: 7:30 pm
  • Where: Rocky Point Spray Park – 2800-block Murray Street, Port Moody
  • Admission: Free

Improv X Comics aka Boom! Pow!

  • What: Inspired by the upcoming Avengers: Infinity War and Free Comic Book Day, The Fictionals present a comedy celebration of comic books. Featuring new superheroes, capes, and classic improv games.
  • When: Tuesday, April 24, 2018
  • Time: 8 pm
  • Where: Cafe Deux Soleils – 2096 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
  • Tickets: $7 or $5 for students

A Month of Tuesdays 2018

Image: Fox Cabaret

  • What: Music on Main presents intimate evenings of great music at The Fox Cabaret. Featuring performers from Montreal to Estonia, on-the-rise musicians to legendary performers. It packs a big punch into one night.
  • When: Now to Tuesday, April 24, 2018
  • Time: 8 pm
  • Where: The Fox Cabaret – 2321 Main Street, Vancouver
  • Tickets: Online, $10-$29

Writing Workshop for Artists: Bio and Artist Statement

  • What: Learn how to write your Artist Statement and/or Artist Biography.  Starting with the basics (your name and your medium), you will document your key themes and what you hope to accomplish with your art. Led by Joanna Garfinkel.
  • When: Tuesday, April 24, 2018
  • Time: 3 to 4:30 pm, and 6 to 7:30 pm
  • Where: Carnegie Community Centre – 401 Main Street, Vancouver
  • Admission: Free

Book Launch: Iona Whishaw’s It Begins in Betrayal

  • What: Iona Whishaw celebrates the launch of her fourth Lane Winslow Mystery, It Begins in Betrayal, at Book Warehouse.
  • When: Tuesday, April 24, 2018
  • Time: 6:30 pm
  • Where: Book Warehouse Main Street – 4118 Main St., Vancouver
  • Admission: Free

Word Whips: The North Shore Edition

  • What: A writing workshop that is open to everyone and great for all age groups and levels of writers. Write to a prompt for 10 to 15 minutes and see what you get.
  • When: Tuesday, April 24, 2018
  • Time: 6:30 to 8:30 pm
  • Where: Silk Purse Arts Centre, 1570 Argyle Ave., West Vancouver
  • Admission: $5

Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Vancouver Story Slam Invitational Verses 2018 Edition

  • What: A special invitational edition of the Vancouver Story Slam storytelling show for Verses Festival of Words. Ten storytellers share original short stories in a competition for cash and prizes. 50 audience members will receive voting ballots to select the night’s winning storytellers.
  • When: Wednesday, April 25, 2018
  • Time: 6:45 pm
  • Where: The WISE Hall – 2048 Pandora Street Vancouver
  • Tickets: Online, $10

MyBizDay – Surrey

  • What: This Small Business BC series connects entrepreneurs to the province’s leading tools and resources through a mix of educational workshops, networking and exhibits.
  • When: Wednesday, April 25, 2018
  • Time: 9 am to 3:45 pm
  • Where: Surrey City Hall – 13450 104 Avenue, Surrey
  • Register: Online, Free

French Gastronomy Series: Brittany

  • What: Take a trip to France’s Brittany and enjoy savoury crepes, mussels and tarte tatin, with a glass of wine. This event features a three-course meal demonstrated, after which you’ll sit in the restaurant and eat it all. Take home recipes included.
  • When: Wednesday, April 25, 2018
  • Time: 6 to 9 pm
  • Where: The Uncommon Café – 477 Powell Street, Vancouver
  • Tickets: $69; buy via Eventbrite

Gastown Cocktail Crawl

Gastown Cocktail Crawl

Cocktail cheers/Shutterstock

  • What: Vancouver Gourmet Club is putting on a Gastown Cocktail Crawl to give attendees the chance to taste some of the best spirits the area has to offer. Guests on this crawl can expect three cocktails paired with small bites at three separate locations. At each stop, they’ll learn about cocktail culture from some of the city’s top mixologists. Ticket holders are asked to meet at the Vancouver Steam Clock (305 Water Street) at 5:30 pm for the 2.5-hour crawl.
  • When: Wednesday, April 25, 2018
  • Time: 5:30 to 8 pm
  • Where: Gastown Vancouver Steam Clock – 305 Water Street, Vancouver
  • Price: $39 – $120; buy online

Film and Media Showcase: Cineworks, WIFTV, DOC BC

  • What: The Film and Media Showcase is a forum for members of Cineworks, WIFTV and DOC BC. It provides filmmakers with an opportunity to share their work, across genres and in a variety of lengths, in a space dedicated to discovery, discussion and inspiration. Each event is framed by a question and answer session with creators, followed by informal conversation and networking.
  • When: Wednesday, April 25, 2018
  • Time: Doors 7 pm
  • Where: The Cinematheque – 1131 Howe St, Vancouver
  • Admission: Free

Incite: The Boy on the Beach

  • What: On September 2, 2015, a photo of a little boy’s body on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea went viral, alerting the world to the cold, devastating reality of the Syrian refugee crisis. The boy’s name was Alan Kurdi, nephew of author and refugee advocate Tima Kurdi. Discussing The Boy on the Beach with journalist Kathryn Gretsinger, Kurdi takes us back to the streets of Damascus to follow a family’s flight from the war-torn borders of Syria to the suburbs of Vancouver, and their persistent search for safe harbour in a shattering time of war.
  • When: Wednesday, April 25, 2018
  • Time: 7:30 pm
  • Where: Vancouver Public Library – 350 West Georgia, Vancouver
  • Register: Online, Free

Inniskillin Wine Dinner

Water Street Café/U-Feast

  • What: Discover some of the best wines produced in Canada with Inniskillin Okanagan Estate Winemaker Derek Kontkanen at Water Street Cafe.
  • When: Wednesday, April 25, 2018
  • Time: 6:30 pm reception, 7 pm dinner served
  • Where: Water Street Cafe – 300 Water Street, Vancouver
  • Tickets: $68 per person (does not include tax or gratuity). To reserve your seat, contact the restaurant at 604 689 2832.

Thursday, April 26, 2018

West Vancouver Spring Carnival

Richmond spring carnival

West Coast Amusements/Facebook

  • What: West Coast Amusements, the largest Canadian midway operation in Western Canada will be making a stop at the Ambleside Park. They’ll be setting up shop with a massive selection of rides, games, and traditional carnival eats. And no, it’s never too early in the day to have a cotton candy.
  • When: Thursday, April 26 to Sunday, April 29, 2018
  • Time: Can be found online, vary by date and weather
  • Where: Ambleside Park – 1150 Marine Dr, West Vancouver
  • Tickets: Available on-site

Wild Child 

  • What: Wild Child from Austin, Texas brings the Expectations Tour to Fox Cabaret with special guests.
  • When: Thursday, April 26, 2018 
  • Time: Doors 8 pm
  • Where: Fox Cabaret – 2321 Main St, Vancouver
  • Tickets: Online, $15

Giggles & Gags

  • What: Giggles & Gags is jam-packed with sketches, parodies of favourite songs, satires of West Coast culture, and more. Funds raised will go towards for Vancouver’s Mom2Mom Poverty Initiative.
  • When: Thursday, April 26, 2018
  • Time: 8 pm
  • Where: PAL Studio Theatre – 581 Cardero Street, Vancouver
  • Tickets: Online, $26

Cove Rat Comedy Show

  • What: Rachel Schaefer and Shawn Lawrence host a new comedy night at The Raven Pub in Deep Cove. Featuring Randee Neumeyer, Ben Fawcett, Ed Konyha, Jenny Toews, Sean McDonnell, Ryan Williams, Shawn Lawrence, and headliner Darcy Boon Collins.
  • When: Thursday, April 26, 2018
  • Time: 9 pm
  • Where: The Raven Pub – 1060 Deep Cove Rd Lwr, North Vancouver
  • Tickets: $5

Blindside – Stephanie Morin-Robert

  • What: One-eyed comedic performer Stephanie Morin-Robert has turned her glass eye into a superpower, recounting her early life with a disability. A daring and honest one-woman show that has had sold-out performances across Canada and Europe, Blindside takes a closer look at how this interdisciplinary artist overcame her obstacles.
  • When: Thursday, April 26 to Saturday, April 28, 2018
  • Time: 8 pm
  • Where: Studio 1398 – 1398 Cartwright Street, Granville Island, Vancouver
  • Tickets: At Theatrewire; $25

Tacofino Beer Dinner Series: Strange Fellows Brewing

Tacofino food events

Tacofino and Strange Fellows Brewing is teaming up for a dinner this month.
(@tacofinovan/Instagram)

  • What: Strange Fellows Brewing and Tacofino are teaming up for a 5-course dinner at the taco spot’s Hastings Sunrise location.
  • When: Thursday, April 26, 2018
  • Time: 6 pm to 11 pm
  • Where: Tacofino Hastings – 2327 East Hastings Street, Vancouver
  • Tickets: $50 per person; buy online

ChefmeetsBCGrape – Vancouver

  • What: Dive into the largest sampling of BC wines in Western Canada, offering hundreds of premium BC VQA wines in a walk-around tasting. Pair these wines with small plates prepared by top chefs from renowned local restaurants. Participate and vote along with celebrity judges for your favourite local wine and food pairing.
  • When: Thursday, 26, 2018
  • Time: 7 pm to 10 pm
  • Where: JW Marriott Parq Vancouver – 39 Smithe Street, Vancouver
  • Tickets: $90 per person; buy online

Friday, April 27, 2018

Post Malone

Post Malone/Brandon Artis Photography

  • What: Mixing genres and original beats, Post Malone is known for his intoxicating and invigorating double-platinum certified full-length debut album, Stoney. From being the #1 album on iTunes, and top 10 on the Billboard Top 200, his album accumulated over 4 billion streams globally. Not bad for a 22-year-old whose lead single “White Iverson” became an anthem upon its release in 2016.
  • When: Friday, April 27, 2018
  • Time: Doors at 7 pm / Show at 8 pm
  • Where: Rogers Arena – 800 Griffiths Way, Vancouver
  • Tickets: via Live Nation

Artist Talk and Demonstration with Alex McLeod

  • What: Alex McLeod will provide visitors with a rare insight into his creative process, showing them how he makes his mesmerizing digital art. The talk will include a Q & A session, along with an invitation to join McLeod afterwards to see his artwork PHANTASMAGORIA onsite at UrbanScreen. This will be followed by the screening of youth digital art projects from Chuck Bailey’s skate park and gym programs, the City’s Community Art Program, and the Gallery’s Art Together participants.
  • When: Friday, April 27, 2018
  • Time: 7 to 9 pm
  • Where: Surrey Art Gallery – 13750 88 Avenue, Surrey
  • Admission: Free

James & Jamesy in the Dark

  • What: Performed in the dark, lit by the performers themselves, James & Jamesy conjure answers to the age-old questions ‘Who are we?’ and ‘Why are we here?’.
  • When: Friday, April 27, 2018
  • Time: 10 pm
  • Where: Red Gate Revue Stage – 1601 Johnston Street, Vancouver
  • Tickets: Online, $20

Vancouver Whitecaps vs Real Salt Lake

davies kamara whitecaps

Image: Vancouver Whitecaps FC / Twitter

  • What: Vancouver Whitecaps take on Real Salt Lake at BC Place.
  • When: Friday, April 27, 2018
  • Time: 7:30 pm
  • Where: BC Place – 777 Pacific Blvd, Vancouver
  • Tickets: Online

4th Annual Vancouver World Music Festival

  • What: The three-night celebration of world beats and melodies features world-class artists from Mexico, Iran, Africa, Spain, USA, and  Canada. New this year is WorldBeat Sunday, a free Family-Friendly event at the Trout Lake Community Centre.
  • When: Thursday, April 26 to Sunday, April 29, 2018
  • Time: Various times
  • Where: Various locations
  • Tickets: Online

Refresh Market

  • What: Shop the selection of clothing, ceramics, jewelry, dry goods, vintage and more from 100 local designers, makers and shops. Plus, take in food trucks, music and good vibes in a carefree community environment. Be one of the first 50 on both days to receive a Refresh Market swag bag.
  • When: Friday, April 27 and Saturday, April 28, 2018
  • When: Various times
  • Where: West Coast Railway Heritage Park – 39645 Government Road, Squamish
  • Tickets: Online

The Happiest Big Band on Earth

  • What: With arrangements by Matt Grinke, this 17-piece jazz band exclusively plays a repertoire of songs inspired by your favourite Disney movies. This performance, presented by Friday Night Live and Lynn Valley United Church, will be the world premiere performance of this new “Disney Big Band”.
  • When: Friday, April 27, 2018
  • Time: 8pm
  • Where: Lynn Valley United Church – 3201 Mountain Highway, North Vancouver
  • Tickets: $10 for adults, free for children under 12 (with a paying adult)
See also
Daniel ChaiDaniel Chai

+ Listed
ADVERTISEMENT