20 things to do in Vancouver this week: August 1 to 5

August is here, the sun is shining and it’s time to bask on the beach – what more could you ask for? But just in case…

Here are 20 things to do in Vancouver this coming week, from cruising your Pride hangover away to catching some Saturday Night Fever.

Monday, August 1

Pride Recovery Cruise

• What: This event takes place on the MV Britannia, and has been nicknamed the industry cruise – this boat tends to be much more chill and laid back compared to Sunday, and is known for hosting many locals, industry staff, The Vancouver Pride Board, extended visitors and special out of town guests.
• When: Monday, August 1; boarding is at 3 pm, sailing 4 to 8 pm
• Where: Harbour Cruises – 501 Denman Street, Vancouver
• Tickets: $65. Click here to purchase.

Catch ‘Em All

• What: It’s a Pokémon showdown at the BC Sports Hall of Fame. Get 50% off when you show your Pokédex at the door, visit Pokéstops within the stadium, and watch out for lures that will be activated throughout the day.
• Where: BC Sports Hall of Fame – 777 Pacific Boulevard, Vancouver
• When: Monday, August 1; 10 am to 5 pm

Holi Colour Festival 2016

• What: A day full of colour, music, dance, vendors, food, and stuff for kids, the Holi Colour Festival promises fun for people of all ages from just $5.
• Where: Lakshmi Narayan Mandir – 8321 140th Street, Surrey
• When: Monday, August 1; from 2 to 7 pm

Lift Off Film Festival

• What: This film festival showcasing grassroots, indie filmmakers will be fusing the spirit of the Canadian people and combining it with a full international programme of films about people from every walk of life – including Vancouver artist Ken Foster.
• Where: VIFF Vancity Theatre – 1181 Seymour Street, Vancouver
• When: Monday, August 1, from 1 pm, and Tuesday, August 2, from 6:30 pm
• Tickets: At VIFF, all screenings $12 full price, $10 for students

Tuesday, August 2

Tickled

• What: This jaw-dropping documentary film follows a journalist who intends to document an international tickling competition for kicks. Instead, he finds a bizarre, threatening world created by a bully with deep pockets.
• Where: The Rio Theatre – 1660 East Broadway, Vancouver
• When: Tuesday, August 2, doors at 7 pm, movie at 7:30 pm
• Tickets: From the Rio, $12 on the door, $10 in advance

10 Weeks to a 10K

• What: The Rackets & Runners Run Club is offering a fun clinic geared to new runners and runners looking to establish a regular training routine heading into the Fall. The end of this clinic coincides perfectly with the Granville Island Turkey Trot.
• Where: Rackets & Runners – 3880 Oak Street, Vancouver
• When: Clinic runs from Tuesday, August 2, until Friday, October 7; sign up permitted until August 16.
• Tickets: From Eventbrite, $60

The Cat Empire

• What: This Australian ska and jazz band is bound to get you jumping, with their signature fusion of jazz, ska, funk and rock with heavy Latin influences. They’re in Vancouver touring their latest album, Rising With The Sun.
• Where: Commodore Ballroom – 868 Granville Street, Vancouver
• When: Tuesday, August 2 and Wednesday, August 3, doors at 8 pm, show at 9 pm
• Tickets: From Ticketmaster, $35

Vancouver Tech Cocktail Mixer

• What: Sick of cans of beer and pizza in a box? Time to class it up. No boring speeches here, no guy standing up there talking about his startup – this event is full of fun cocktails for all the sexy techies out there.
• Where: The Blackbird Public House – 905 Dunsmuir Street, Vancouver
• When: Tuesday, August 2, from 8 to 10:30 pm
• Tickets: From Eventbrite, $15-20

Wednesday, August 3

Free Morning Meditation

• What: YYoga and Mala Collective are offering this free short flow yoga sequence to awaken the body and prep the mind for a guided meditation that will get you ready for the day. Bring your own mat and arrive 15 minutes early.
• Where: David Lam Park – 1300 Pacific Blvd., Vancouver
• When: Wednesday, August 3, from 7 to 8 am
• Register: On Eventbrite, totally free

Paul Becker Master Class

• What: Learn and sweat with an intense master class from one of the best choreographers in the dance industry, Paul Becker. Having worked with everyone from Kanye West to Miley Cyrus, Becker’s story-driven class will push you to the limit.
• Where: Grant D. Burnyeat Studio, BMO Theatre Centre – 162 West 1st Avenue, Vancouver
• When: Wednesday, August 3, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm
• Tickets: On Eventbrite, $35-$40

Character Comedy Workshop

• What: An eight-week course on character comedy, in which the one and only Cameron MacLeod will help you find the hilarity in all of your characters, whether they be improvised or written, focusing on both physicality, voice and writing.
• Where: Instant Studios – 529 East Broadway, Vancouver
• When: Every Wednesday, starting August 3, from 8 to 10 pm
• Tickets: On Eventbrite, $220 for full course

The Fakespeare Festival

• What: The Fakespeare Festival turns some of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedies into uproarious comedies. This season you can see The Light and Delightful Musical Comedy of Titus Andronicus and Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet.)
• Where: Instant Studios – 529 East Broadway, Vancouver
• When: Wednesday, August 3, to Sunday, August 28, shows at 2 pm or 8 pm
• Tickets: At the Cultch, $15-$35

Thursday, August 4

Mixology Night on the Pier

• What: This terrific new fundraising event will showcase Vancouver’s top bartenders and the growing cocktail culture. The evening will feature an exciting pop up beach lounge, a cocktail competition, catered food, and great music.
• Where: Ambleside Pier (foot of 14th Street in West Vancouver)
• When: Thursday, August 4, from 8 to 10 pm
• Price: Available online, $105 per person; the goal is to sell 250 tickets and raise $15,000 for local art programs

Fin De Fiesta Flamenco

• What: Fin De Fiesta Flamenco presents Audacia, a bold new show full of ancient rhythms and avant-garde ideas that will leave you breathless, with the pulsing rhythms of flamenco beating in your heart.
• Where: The Dance Centre – 677 Davie Street, Vancouver
• When: Thursday, August 4, from 8 to 10 pm
• Price: On Eventbrite, $30 full price, or $26 for students

Hot Summer Nights

• What: A casual, free weekly bike ride, ending at a different Vancouver eatery each week. All rides will last about 30 minutes, be family friendly, and relaxed. All skill levels are welcome. This week’s ride ends at Tacos Catrina at English Bay.
• Where: West Point Cycles – 215 East 2nd Ave, Vancouver
• When: Every Thursday in August, starting August 4, check-in from 5:45 to 6:25 pm, ride starts 6:30 pm
• Register: On Eventbrite, totally free

Night Photography & Light Painting

• What: A photo tour focusing on practising low light and night photography techniques around Granville Island. Topics covered include tripods, ISO, white balance, starbursts and sparklers.
• Where: Meet outside Arts Club Backstage Lounge –  1585 Johnston Street, Vancouver
• When: Thursday, August 4, at 8 pm
• Tickets: On Eventbrite, $65

Friday, August 5

Eric McCormack

• What: Eric McCormack, the Emmy-winning star of Will & Grace, is coming to Vancouver to give a concert full of insider anecdotes and iconic songs in memory of his parents – on two nights only.
• Where: Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage – 2750 Granville Street, Vancouver
• When: Friday, August 5 and Saturday, August 6 at 8 pm
• Tickets: Available on Vancouver Tix, $95-$115. All proceeds go to Prostate Cancer Canada.

YVR Food Fest

• What: Food Cart Fest has rebranded to YVR Food Fest and will feature long table dinners, food talks, private dinners, and cocktail parties. Its flagship event will be the Street Food Showdown – over two days, 80 food carts, restaurants, wineries, and breweries will gather, offering an unlimited tasting menu for a feeding frenzy.
• Where: Various locations cross Vancouver
• When: Friday, August 5 to Sunday, August 7
• Info/tickets: Available online; tickets $10-59

Sunset Yoga

• What: A free vinyasa inspired flow class, guided by the waves of the ocean and the soft beat of a drum, in the golden hue of the setting sun on Kits Beach.

 Bring your own mat and some water.
• Where: Kitsilano Beach – Vancouver
• When: Friday, August 5, from 8 to 9:30 pm
• Register: On Eventbrite, totally free

Grease + Saturday Night Fever

• What: How can you resist a double bill of summer lovin’ and night fever? Make sure you don your best Sandy or Danny costume for the Grease Sing-a-Long, then kick back and enjoy the sweet, sweet disco as Travolta proves he’s king of the dance floor.
• Where: The Rio Theatre – 1660 East Broadway, Vancouver
• When: Friday, August 5; for Grease, doors at 8 pm, movie at 8:45 pm; for Saturday Night Fever, doors at 11:30 pm, movie at 11:55 pm
• Tickets: From the Rio; for Grease, $18 on the door, $15 in advance; for Saturday Night Fever, $12 on the door, $10 in advance