20 things to do in Vancouver this week

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The sun may be disappearing, and the barbecues on the beach may be postponed, but there’s still plenty to do here in the city.

Here are 20 things to do in Vancouver this week, from marvelling at classic black and white movies, to yearning after the tattooed one who got away.

(Oh – and this is a bumper week for film fans!)

Monday, July 4

Embrace of the Serpent

What: The first screening in a VIFF series entitled B&W By Design: Monochrome Movies in the Colour Era. Other movies coming up are director Christopher Nolan’s first film, Following, Noah Baumbach’s Frances Ha, and Darren Aronofsky’s Pi.
Where: VIFF Vancity Theatre – 1181 Seymour Street, Vancouver
When: Monday, July 4, at 6:30 pm
Tickets: On VIFF, $12 full price, $10 for students

JAWS

What: If you prefer your movies in colour, and scary as hell, here’s a throwback for you. Steven Spielberg’s JAWS retains its rightful place in movie history as a true classic four decades after its release. Best enjoyed on the big screen (if you dare!).
Where: The Rio Theatre – 1660 East Broadway, Vancouver
When: Monday, July 4, doors 8:35 pm, movie 9 pm
Tickets: From the Rio, $12 on the door, $10 in advance, 19+

Summer Gardening Workshop

What: An interactive, hands-on evening, designed to give you the tools you need to grow your own food. In this two-hour workshop, you’ll learn about soil, spacing and timing, what can grow now, how to use different spaces in gardening, and much more.
Where: The Juice Truck – 28 West 5th Avenue, Vancouver
When: Monday, July 4, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Tickets: On Eventbrite, priced $5

The Comics’ Table: ID4

What: The Comics’ Table is a unique comedy experience – a live version of the backstage conversations and busting chops so rarely seen by an audience, with four of Vancouver’s best comedians. And you get to ask the questions.
Where: The Kino – 3456 Cambie Street, Vancouver
When: Monday, July 4, from 8 to 9:30 pm
Tickets: On Eventbrite, priced $10

Tuesday, July 5

Outdoor Movies in Stanley Park

Fresh Air Cinema

What: The Evo Summer Cinema Series of free outdoor movies, shown on a four-storey inflatable movie screen starts in Stanley Park this week. This year’s schedule includes Purple Rain, Dirty Dancing, and more.
Where: Ceperley Meadows (Second Beach), Stanley Park
When: Every Tuesday from July 5 to August 23, movies start at dusk
Schedule: Free outdoor movies Vancouver 2016 at Stanley Park schedule

Grandview-Woodland Community Plan open house

What: A chance to find out more and tell the City what you think about its plans for Grandview-Woodland area, stretching from Broadway to Burrard Inlet, and from Clark Drive to Nanaimo Street, with Commercial Drive at its heart.
Where: Croation Cultural Centre, Room A – 3250 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
When: Tuesday, July 5, from 5 to 9 pm
More info: On vancouver.ca, totally free

Latin American Film Night

What: Two special screenings ahead of the Vancouver Latin American Film Festival later this year. The Amazing Catfish (Mexico) tells the story of a lonely woman taken in by another family, while The Mystery of Happiness (Argentina) is part buddy movie, part detective story, and part romance.
Where: The Cinematheque – 1131 Howe Street, Vancouver,
When: Tuesday, July 5, from 6:30 to 10:30 pm
Tickets: From wannawatch.it/vlaff, priced $12 per film or $20 for both

Newsies

What: Direct from Broadway comes Newsies, the smash-hit new musical from Disney. Based on true events, it follows a band of underdogs – the men delivering the papers – who become unlikely heroes when they stand up for what they believe in.
Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre – 630 Hamilton Street, Vancouver,
When: Tuesday, July 5, from 7:30 to 10 pm, through Sunday, July 10
Tickets: From Ticketmaster, priced $30-$106

Wednesday, July 6

Some Like it Hot + The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

What: A double bill of cross dressing at the Rio – Marilyn Monroe’s iconic screwball comedy, Some Like It Hot, and the glittering delight of The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, a road trip movie quite unlike any other.
Where: The Rio Theatre – 1660 East Broadway, Vancouver
When: Wednesday, July 6
- Some Like it Hot, doors 6 pm, movie 6:30 pm
- The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, doors 9 pm, movie 9:30 pm
Tickets: From the Rio, $12 on the door, $10 in advance

Tour the UBC Museum of Anthropology

What: The Native Education College invites you to observe how heritage interpreters are preserving and protecting our Indigenous cultures. Transportation and lunch are included.
Where: Meet at Native Education College – 285 East 5th Avenue, Vancouver
When: Wednesday, July 6, from 10 am to 2 pm
Register: To register, contact Tanya at 604-873-3772 ext. 333

Adventures in Wine Pairing

What: Join chef Cory Bildstein and sommelier Rachelle Goudreau on an adventure for your palate, as they pair five unique wines with different flavours and dishes. Seating will be at a single long table and lively conversation is encouraged.
Where: Harkness and Co. Butchers – 666 East Broadway, Vancouver
When: Wednesday, July 6, from 7:30 to 10:30 pm
Tickets: On Eventbrite, $85

Appies & Desserts

What: Learn how to make appies and desserts that need no oven time and almost no cooking, including hummus, gazpacho, ceviche, blueberry panna cotta and fruit sorbet. Tickets include a snack, all food made, plus wine, chosen to pair with the food.
Where: The Uncommon Cafe – 477 Powell Street, Vancouver
When: Wednesday, July 6, from 6 to 9 pm
Tickets: On Eventbrite, $75

Thursday, July 7

Greek Summerfest

Greek Food / Shutterstock

What: Vancouver Greek Summerfest is returning to the city for its 30th consecutive year, bringing you delicacies like barbecued lamb and loukoumades, a traditional Greek dessert. Who can resist gyros, spanakopitas, and souvlaki?
Where: St. Nicholas and Dimitrios Greek Orthodox Church – 4641 Boundary Road, Vancouver
When: Thursday, July 7 to Sunday, July 17; Monday to Thursday: noon to 10 pm and Friday to Sunday: noon to 11 pm
Cost: Free to enter

Opening Gala: Culinary Border Crossings

What: Glamorous guests, fine sips and delectable nibbles curated by Vikram Vij – Indian Summer Festival’s Opening Gala is one of the city’s most sought after summer parties. Dress code is your finest saris and handmade bowties.
Where: Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre – 181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver (enter through Turntable Plaza on Davie Street)
When: Thursday, July 7, from 7 to 11 pm
Tickets: On Eventbrite, priced $95, includes food (vegan and vegetarian options available) and a complimentary beverage

BC Lions vs Toronto Argonauts

What: See the BC Lions tackle the Toronto Argonauts, as the CFL season gets underway.
Where: BC Place – 777 Pacific Blvd, Vancouver
When: Thursday, July 7, at 7 pm
Tickets: At bclions.com/tickets, priced $28.75-$138.75

International Trova Fest

What: Trova songs, which evolved in Cuba in the 19th century, are a cultural expression, in which lyrics convey ideas and emotions. At the International Trova Fest you’ll be able to enjoy a rainbow of music from Latin America and Spain.
Where: Tom Lee Music Canada – 929 Granville Street, Vancouver
When: Thursday, July 7, from 7 to 11 pm
Info: On Facebook

Friday, July 8

Waltz in Robson Square

Dancers in Robson Square (DanceSport BC)

What: Dance the night away for free as DanceSport BC brings back the Robson Square Summer Dance Series. This Friday, it’s waltz time, with a free lesson from Zillion Wong, followed by demonstrations from the Crystal Ballroom.
Where: Robson Square – 800 Robson Street, Vancouver
When: Every Friday through September 2 between 7:30 pm and 11:30 pm; lessons at 8 pm, demonstrations at 9 and 10 pm, general free dancing in between.

CBC Musical Nooners

What: This annual series of free, live, lunchtime concerts on the CBC Plaza kicks off on Friday, July 8 with The Tourist Company, and special guest Jordan Klassen.
Where: CBC Plaza – 740 Hamilton Street, Vancouver
When: From July 8 to August 19, Monday to Friday, noon to 1 pm

Any Night

What: A Stone’s Throw apprentice show telling the story of Anna, who moves in to the basement suite below Patrick. An unlikely romance ensues, but as she suffers increasingly strange behaviour in her sleep, it sends them both down a dizzying spiral.
Where: Pacific Theatre – 1440 W 12th Avenue, Vancouver
When: Friday, July 8, at 8 pm, through July 16
Tickets: Pay what you think it’s worth at the theatre, cash only

The One That Got Away

What: The opening reception for a new exhibition, tackling the myth of the tattooed woman and her supposedly wildness and unpredictable nature, through watercolour works of tattooed female subjects by Gwen D’arcy and Aaron White.
Where: Hot Art Wet City – 2206 Main Street, Vancouver
When: Friday, July 8, from 7 to 11 pm; exhibition runs through July 23
Register: On Eventbrite, entry is free