35 things to do in Vancouver this week: April 3 to 7

April has arrived and it is filled with many exciting events and experiences around Vancouver! From inspirational talks to monster trucks and everything in between, here are 35 things to do in Vancouver this week.

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

Monday, April 3

Britannia Renewal Speaker Series

• What: A community meal and discussion on reconciliation and renewal at Britannia. Learn how the Britannia Renewal project can inspire positive change and engage community members in dialogue and transformative experiences that revitalize the relationships among Indigenous peoples and all Canadians.
• Where: Britannia Community Services Centre, Gym D – 1661 Napier Street, Vancouver
• When: April 3 from 6 to 8 pm
• Cost: Free

Virtuous Pie: A Plant-Based Mexican Fiesta

• What: Hosted by owner and executive chef, Jim Vesal, attendees will learn how to approach Mexican dishes with a plant-based twist. A mix of demo and hands-on cooking.
• When: April 3 from 6 to 9 pm
• Where: Nourish Cafe and Cooking School – 3742 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver
• Tickets: Online, $100

GoGetters Vancouver: Communicate with Impact

• What: Learn communication skills from speakers Ryan Zokol and Himanshu Narang. Features networking, coaching, and a problem solving session.
• Where: False Creek Yacht Club – 1661 Granville Street, Vancouver
• When: April 3 from 6:30 to 9:30 pm
• Tickets: Online, $25

Royal Moscow Ballet’s Don Quixote

• What: Don Quixote is one of the Royal Moscow Ballet’s most popular performances. Experience the emotion and the fascination of Old Spain wrapped up in a classic story of adventure, misadventure and love.
• Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre – 650 Hamilton St, Vancouver
• When: April 3 at 7:30 pm
• Tickets: Online, $44.50-$61

Alibi Room – Oregon Brewer’s Tap Takeover

• What: Join Copper & Theory for a total tap takeover at The Alibi Room, featuring eight Oregon Brewers and over 40 different beers.
• Where: The Alibi Room – 157 Alexander Street, Vancouver
• When: April 3 at 5 pm

Neighbourhood Small Grants Ideas Jam and Info Session

• What: This drop-in Jam and information session will be focused on ideas that connect and engage neighbours. Participants are encouraged to discuss community issues and brainstorm project ideas that could be supported by the Neighbourhood Small Grants/Greenest City Grants Program and funded by the Vancouver Foundation.
• Where: Gordon Neighbourhood House – 1019 Broughton Street, Vancouver
• When: April 3 from 6 to 8 pm
• Cost: Free

Super Scene! Anniversary-Spectacular Edition

• What: Super Scene’s anniversary special features Chelsey Stuyt, Dan Dumsha, Graham Myers, Margret Nyfors, Nikolai Witschl vying for the chance to bring their story to an epic conclusion. Hosted by Mitch Boliszczuk, featuring musical guest Kerry O’Donovan.
• Where: The Woods Studio – 7 West 2nd Avenue, Vancouver
• When: April 3 at 8 pm
• Tickets: Online, $5 or $8 at the door

Tuesday, April 4

BCAMA VISION Conference 2017

BCAMA/Facebook

• What: This one day conference is dedicated to the science and art of marketing innovation and offers attendees the opportunity to learn through an interactive, thought leadership approach. Featuring fresh insights, networking, compelling content, and a lineup of talented speakers.
• When: April 4 from 8 am to 4:30 pm
• Where: The Goldcorp Stage at the BMO Theatre Centre – 162 West 1st Avenue, Vancouver
• Price: Tickets start at $380, available online via BCAMA

Pop-Up Comedy Jam with stand-up guest Patrick Maliha!

• What: The Fictionals welcome stand-up luminary Patrick Maliha to Cafe Deux Soleils for Pop-Up Comedy Jam. Patrick has performed on CBC radio, SiriusXM, CTV’s Comedy Now, and on CBC television’s national broadcast of The Winnipeg Comedy Festivals Characters Gala. He is also the world record holder for most impressions in one minute.
• Where: Cafe Deux Soleils – 2096 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
• When: April 4 at 8 pm
• Tickets: At the door, $7 or $5 for students

Desiigner

• What: One song can change everything, and after the release of his platinum debut single “Panda,” 19-year-old Sidney Royel Selby III went from a local Brooklyn hook-man to a breakout rap star with a platinum, No. 1 Billboard single and a record deal with Kanye West.
• Where: Vogue Theatre – 918 Granville Street, Vancouver
• When: April 4 at 8 pm
• Tickets: Online, $25

Wherever I Find Myself: Stories of Canadian Immigrant Women

• What: In their own words, Wherever I Find Myself holds the diverse and personal stories by authors of all types of ethnicities and intersecting identities. The Vancouver launch features readers Sarah Munawar, Jianna Faner, NikNaz K., Esmeralda Cabral, Onjana Yawnghwe, Jasmine Sealy, Abeer Yusuf, Gina Roitman, and editor Miriam Matejova.
• Where: Vancouver Public Library – 350 West Georgia Street, Vancouver
• When: April 4 from 7 to 8:30 pm
• Tickets: Online, Free

Vancouver Art Gallery Curator’s Talk with Daina Augaitis

• What: Daina Augaitis, Chief Curator and Associate Director, will trace the history of local survey exhibitions at the Vancouver Art Gallery. This talk will look at the trajectory from the Gallery’s long history of BC Annual exhibitions, which gave many artists between 1932 and 1968 their first exposure to a broad public, to the myriad of group exhibitions in the intervening decades, to the current exhibition Vancouver Special: Ambivalent Pleasures.
• Where: Vancouver Art Gallery – 750 Hornby Street, Vancouver
• When: April 4 at 7 pm
• Tickets: Free for members or with gallery admission

United State of Cinema – 1984 Screenings

• What: On April 4, 2017, over 190 art house movie theatres across the world, including two in Vancouver, will screening the iconic movie 1984. According to the United States of Cinema website, this date was chosen because it represents, “The Day George Orwell’s protagonist Winston Smith begins rebelling against his oppressive government by keeping a forbidden diary.”
• Where: Rio Theatre and VIFF Vancity Theatre
• When: April 4
• More Info: Online

Open House: Commemorative Design to Honour Irish-Canadians

• What: Help shape the design proposals of a monument in George Wainborn Park that honours the contributions of Irish-Canadians to Canada. Attend the open house to view the proposed concepts and to share your thoughts.
• Where: Roundhouse Community Centre – 181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver
• When: April 4 from 3 to 7 pm
• Cost: Free

Wednesday, April 5

The Railway Stage & Beer Café Grand Opening

• What: The Railway Stage & Beer Café (formally Railway Club) is celebrating its grand reopening by throwing a free show by Vancouver rockers The Zolas that night. The RSVP has been closed for the show as of now, though there will be limited tickets at the door. You can also try your luck at winning one of five VIP packages (see here for details).
• Where: 579 Dunsmuir Street, Vancouver
• When: April 5 at 6:30 pm
• Tickets: Free

Tartine & Maple’s Petits Gateaux; Madeleines, Canneles, and Palmiers

• What: Learn how to make three French pastries including Madeleines – small génoise (or sponge cake) – Cannelés, and Palmiers. Guests will get to taste everything made during the class along with a savoury welcome snack and a glass of white wine. Recipes and take-home food will also be provided.
• Where: The Uncommon Cafe, 477 Powell Street, Vancouver
• When: Wednesday, April 5 from 2 to 5 pm
• Tickets: Online, $65

Paul Anthony’s Talent Time Presents Ron Lynch

• What: Paul Anthony’s Talent Time presents alternative comedy legend Ron Lynch. Plus a mini Talent Time opening act featuring bus driver turned YouTube star, Amrit Bains.
• Where: Fox Cabaret – 2321 Main Street, Vancouver
• When: April 5 at 8 pm
• Tickets: Online, $15

A Taste of Italy

• What: An evening of great food, company, and entertainment in support of Patrick Street Productions. Featuring a three-course Italian meal, live performances by Caleb DiPomponio, Rose McNeil, and Lindsay Warnock, a silent auction and more.
• Where: Federico’s Supper Club – 1728 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
• When: April 5 at 6 pm
• Tickets: Online, $75 ($25 donation receipt)

Brewga – Beer & Yoga

• What: What better a way to relax and stretch out all those tired cycling muscles than with an evening of yoga and local beer? Bring your yoga mat to the Liv shop for a one-hour yoga class, followed with beer provided by Four Winds Brewing Co.
• Where: Liv cycling Vancouver – 1709 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver
• When: April 5 at 6 pm
• Register: Online, $15 (proceeds donated to Ride like a Girl)

Change in the Making Conference

CIMC/Facebook

• What: Join hundreds of professionals and business owners at Western Canada’s biggest Marketing and PR event – The Change in the Making Conference (CIMC). This is your opportunity to learn from industry leaders and horn in on practical digital marketing skills and trends while building lasting connections within the industry.
• When: April 5 and 6 from 8:30 am to 6 pm
• Where: West Coast Railway Heritage Park – 39645 Government Road, Squamish
• Price: Online, $349.00 – $898.85

BC Book Prizes Soirée 2017

• What: The Soirée celebrates all the nominated authors for the 2017 BC Book Prizes, as well as the recipient of the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Literary Excellence. Enjoy complimentary appetizers and the cash bar while mixing and mingling with the nominees and BC’s vibrant literary community.
• Where: Emerald Supper Club – 555 Gore Street, Vancouver
• When: April 5 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
• Admission: Free

Thursday, April 6

Hank Bull: Connexion

Image: Burnaby Art Gallery

• What: Since the 1970s Bull has explored telecommunications as an artist medium to create a network of relationships worldwide. Hank Bull:Connexion features collected objects from the 70s to the 90s sparkling, unexpected associations and demonstrating Bull’s dedication to life lived as art.
• Where: Burnaby Art Gallery – 6344 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby
• When: Until April 6
• Admission: $5 suggested donation

The Zolas

• What: The Zolas are hitting the road in support of their latest album, Swooner. Held down by the two original members Tom Dobrzanski and Zach Gray, The Zolas are joined by Cody Hiles and DJ Abell for this tour. Louise Burns opens.
• Where: Vogue Theatre – 918 Granville Street, Vancouver
• When: April 6 at 8 pm
• Tickets: Online, $20

Modern Mass Meditation Party

• What: The first mindfully curated, modern mass meditation party in Vancouver’s history. People with all levels of meditation experience are welcome to an event for the senses that includes a simple technique for first time meditators, food, music, local artists, DJ, sound bath and swag bags.
• Where: Goldcorp Stage at BMO Theatre Centre – 162 West 1st Avenue, Vancouver
• When: April 6 from 7 to 10 pm
• Tickets: Online, $25

How to plan a Kits Block Party

• What: Learn how to host a block party in Kits and meet your neighbours on Car Free Vancouver Weekend. CFV will provide a step-by-step toolkit, block party ideas and insurance; deliver and pickup barricades; give you access to entertainers, and more. Includes refreshments and door prizes.
• Where: Kitsilano Neighbourhood House -2305 West 7th Avenue, Vancouver
• When: April 6 from 7 to 8:30 pm
• Cost: Free

Royal City Musical Theatre: Anything Goes by Cole Porter

• What: Set aboard an ocean liner bound from NYC to London, it’s a stem-to-stern voyage with adrenaline-pumping tap dancing and Cole Porter’s memorable music and lyrics. The talented cast will take you on this madcap voyage singing the shows famous songs
• Where: Massey Theatre – 735 Eighth Avenue, New Westminster
• When: April 6 to 23
• Tickets: Online, $29-$48

City and Colour

• What: Canadian singer-songwriter City and Colour is coming to BC for shows in Vancouver, Surrey, and Chilliwack this April.
• When: April 6 (Vancouver), April 7 (Surrey) and April 8 (Chilliwack)
• Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre – 650 Hamilton Street (Vancouver), Bell Centre for the Performing Arts – 6250 144 Street (Surrey), HUB International Theatre at Chilliwack Cultural Centre – 9201 Corbould Street (Chilliwack)
• Tickets: Online, $50.50-$66

Western World

• What: An improvised parody inspired by the popular TV series Westworld. Each night features a totally new ‘episode’ under the watchful eye and guiding mind of Robert (sometimes Roberta) Ford. Throughout the show, Guests help craft the storyline. In this artificial world of improvised comedy anything can, and will, happen.
• Where: The Improv Centre – 1502 Duranleau Street, Vancouver
• When: Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm. Opens April 6
• Tickets: Online, $17-$23.50

Friday, April 7

Whistler World Ski & Snowboard Festival 

Fam Jam/Kailani Collective

• What: An endless lineup of music, art, filmmaking, snowboarding competitions, nightlife activities, and more. Watch freestyle skiers compete for national titles in halfpipe, big air and slopestyle events as part of the Canadian Junior Freestyle National Championships. The Fido outdoor concert series features Busta Rhyme, Swollen Members, Virginia to Vegas, and Walk Off The Earth. And don’t forget about the aprés ski events, either. 
• When: April 7 to 16
• Where: Whistler, British Columbia
• Tickets: Ticket prices vary, purchase online

Duke Dumont

• What: Adam George Dyment, better known as Duke Dumont, is an English DJ, record producer and songwriter. He has topped the UK Singles Chart, owns the record label Blasé Boys Club, and was nominated for “Best Dance Recording” at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards.
• Where: Commodore Ballroom – 868 Granville Street, Vancouver
• When: April 7 at 9 pm
• Tickets: Online, $25-$35

Unfinished Works: Half-Written Scripts Meet Improv Comedy

• What: When the writing ends, improvisers take over. In the bottom of every desk drawer lies an unfinished script begging for an ending. Instant Theatre will perform scripts that have never seen the light of day – until they run out of pages and use their wits to get them to the final curtain.
• Where: Havana Theatre – 1212 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
• When: April 6 to 8 at 8 pm
• Tickets: Online, $10

Hope in Shadows: Portraits of our Community

• What: This community-based exhibition features original photographs from Megaphone’s 14th annual Hope in Shadows calendar photography contest, which is open to the hardworking homeless and low-income vendors who sell Megaphone Magazine in Vancouver and Victoria. Images are photographed on disposable cameras by Megaphone’s low-income and homeless vendors. Un-framed prints will be available for sale with all proceeds going to support Megaphone.
  
• Where: HIVE – 210–128 West Hastings Street, Vancouver
• When: April 7 from 7 to 9 pm
• Tickets: Online, Free

Micah Barnes

• What: Micah Barnes is a former member of the A Cappella group The Nylons. His new show “New York Stories” takes you on a musical tour of The Big Apple, while performing classic songs from legendary New York songwriters like Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, Fats Waller, and Carole King. Micah will also perform songs from his new album “New York Stories”.
• Where: Cottage Bistro – 4470 Main Street, Vancouver
• When: April 7 at 10:30 pm
• Tickets: At the door, $10

Monster Jam

• What: The Monster Jam Triple Threat Series makes it’s Vancouver debut with the all-new event format featuring the most extreme athletes of Monster Jam. Featuring more trucks, more racing, more freestyle, more donuts, more wheelies, more action!
• Where: Pacific Coliseum – 100 N Renfrew Street, Vancouver
• When: April 7 to 9
• Tickets: Online, $15-$90

Rich Katynski – Visual Artist Showcase

• What: The WISE showcases the work of local visual artists from East Vancouver and beyond. Rich Katynski will be featuring a few pieces from his favourite people series, as well as performing with his band The Wasted Strays.
  
• Where: The Wise Hall and Lounge – 1882 Adanac Street, Vancouver
• When: April 7 at 8 pm
• Tickets: At the door, $10 suggested donation