35 things to do in Vancouver this week: June 19 to 23

Summer is just around the corner, so get ready for solstice with a fun event around the city. From Vancouver Canadians to Aboriginal Day to Dragon Boat Festival, here are our picks for 35 things to do in Vancouver this week.

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

Monday, June 19

Kitsilano Showboat

• What: Kitsilano Showboat is a live performing arts theatre at Kits Beach every summer. The 82nd Anniversary features dance, live music, opera, and more.
• When: June 19 to August 19
• Time: 7 pm
• Where: 2300 Cornwall at Kitsilano Beach
  
• Cost: Free

Bonnie Raitt

• What: Bluesy singer/songwriter Bonnie Raitt returns to Vancouver in her first extended tour of Canada in more than 10 years, following the release of her Grammy-nominated 20th album Dig In Deep.
• When: June 19
• Time: 8 pm
• Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre – 630 Hamilton Street, Vancouver
• Tickets: On Ticketmaster, $49.50-$99.50

ZeroWave by Chris Eng Book Launch

• What: ZeroWave, the second Hoodieripper punk romance from writer Chris Eng, is set against the dueling, fervent fandoms of DIY punk and the glossy, complicated world of K-Pop. There will be a live reading followed by a book signing.
• When: June 19
• Time: 8 pm
• Where: Stormcrow Alehouse – 1619 West Broadway, Vancouver
• Cost: Free

Risky Business: Innovation demands that we take risks

• What: Organizational leaders are invited for a beer and an honest exploration of compliance and creative cultures. What’s it look like to strike the right balance? Facilitated by Maggie Vilvang and Jennifer Charlesworth.
• When: June 19
• Time: 5 to 6:30 pm
• Where: The Lido – 518 East Broadway, Vancouver
• Cost: Free

Lay of the Land

• What: A Night of Indigenous Erotica curated by Samantha Marie Nock. Lay of the Land is a night of space taken back and reclaimed for queer and two-spirit Indigenous poets and writers to call back our sexualities. Readers include Jessica Si Sityaawks Wood, Shane Sable, Leah Grantham, Molly Billows and Samantha Nock. Presented by Queer Arts Festival
  
• When: June 19
• Time: 7 pm
• Where: Roundhouse Community Centre
• Cost: Free

A Beginner’s Guide to Coastal Hiking

• What: Are you thinking about hiking the West Coast Trail, Nootka, or another coastal hike this summer? The founders of “Wild Route Adventure,” a local company based in North Vancouver, will review the steps on preparing for your trip, review gear, tips on how to pack lightweight, what to expect while hiking on the trails and other tips/tricks.
• When: June 19
• Time: 7 to 8:30 pm
• Where: Community Room at MEC North Vancouver – 212 Brooksbank Avenue, North Vancouver
• Tickets: Online, $10

Lean Into Negotiation

• What: Lean In Vancouver is a network of women from diverse professional backgrounds who meet regularly to support each other in our career goals. The next meeting discusses negotiation, and what you can accomplish with it.
• When: June 19
• Time: 6:30 to 8:30 pm
• Where: 2425 Macdonald Street, Vancouver
• Registration: Online, Free

Tuesday, June 20

Vancouver Canadians vs. Everett AquaSox

• What: It’s no secret that the Nat Bailey is home to one of the best sporting spectacles that Vancouver has to offer, so the city’s baseball fans will no doubt be delighted to see the action get underway again this month.
• When: June 20 to 22
• Time: June 20 and 21 at 7:05 pm, June 22 at 1:05 pm
• Where: Nat Bailey Stadium

Elevate: Celebrating the Port

• What: Join North Vancouver Chamber in celebrating the unique business sector of the port. Features a panel of industry leaders sharing some of the opportunities and challenges facing our local port economy. 
• When: June 20
• Time: 11:30 am to 1:30 pm
• Where: Pinnacle Hotel at the Pier – 138 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver
• Tickets: Online, $49-69

Sheryda Warrener Poetry Workshop

• What: Sheryda Warrener is the author of two poetry collections, most recently Floating is Everything (Nightwood, 2015). Her work has been featured in a recent Believer art issue, and shortlisted for the Robert Kroetsch Award for Innovative Poetry, the Arc Magazine Poem of the Year, the Malahat Review Long Poem Prize, and selected as runner-up for Lemon Hound’s inaugural poetry contest.
• When: June 20
• Time: 7 to 9 pm
• Where: The Gordon Smith Gallery of Canadian Art – 2121 Lonsdale Ave, North Vancouver
• Tickets: Online, $10

The Spirit of Girls: A Fundraiser for G Day

• What: The evening will include thoughtful and provocative conversations about the challenges and opportunities faced by tween girls, and the role that G Day can play in supporting them, as well as their parents and other caregivers. The G Day program was developed and is operated by United Girls of the World (UGW), a registered charity based in Vancouver BC.
• When: June 20
• Time: 6 to 9 pm
• Where: TELUS Garden – 510 W Georgia Street Vancouver
• Tickets: Online, $100

Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce 86th Annual General Meeting

• What: Marco Iannuzzi, BC Lion, Harvard grad and investment advisor is the keynote speaker at this Greater Langley event. Marco currently operates his wealth management practice at RBC Dominion Securities while simultaneously playing professional football for the BC Lions.
• When: June 20
• Time: 5 to 8:30 pm
• Where: Cascades Casino Coast Hotel & Convention Centre – 20393 Fraser Highway, Langley
• Tickets: Online, $35-$50 + gst

In Conversation: David Sedaris

• What: Join humorist, radio contributor and New York Times bestselling author David Sedaris as he discusses one of the most anticipated books of 2017, Theft By Finding: Diaries (1977-2002). Book signing to follow.
• When: June 20
• Time: 7 pm
• Where: Indigo Granville – 2505 Granville Street, Vancouver
• Entry: Line-up will be available on a first-come, first-served basis

Women in Film & Television Vancouver Spotlight Awards Gala

• What: Presented since 1999, the Spotlight Awards have brought together the BC Film community to celebrate the outstanding achievements of women in screen-based media. This year’s award recipients are Liz Shorten, Tara Armstrong, Maja Aro, Karin Lee, Meg Thornton, Mark Leiren-Young, Paul Armstrong, Shauna Johannesen, Brianne Nord-Stewart, Lucia Cheung, Valerie Creighton, Heather Conway, and Carolle Brabant.
  
• When: June 20
• Time: 7 pm
• Where: Performance Works – 1218 Cartwright Street, Vancouver
• Tickets: Online, $35-$45

Wednesday, June 21

Aboriginal Day Vancouver 2017

• What: A community-based, full day of events to showcase and honour Indigenous cultures, spirit, and diversity. Features a Friendship Walk, pancake breakfast, food, music and dance performances, art vendors, and more.
  
• When: June 21
• Time: 9 am to 5 pm
• Where: John Hendry Park – 3300 Victoria Drive, Vancouver
• Cost: Free

International Yoga Day Special Waterfront Class

• What: YYoga will host a special class for 150 people with a waterfront view to celebrate International Yoga Day, which happens to fall on the summer solstice, June 21. The class will be a unique 90-minute experience, with live music, custom aromatherapy, and dual instructors following the sunset on the longest day of the year.
• When: June 21
• Time: Doors open at 7:30 pm, Class runs from 8 to 9 pm
• Where: Waterview Special Event Space, 2nd floor – 1661 Granville Street, Vancouver
• Tickets: Online, $20

Improv Against Humanity: Maple Mayhem

• What: Celebrate the summer solstice and Canada 150 with The Fictionals and friends at the Rio Theatre. Improv Against Humanity: Maple Mayhem features Canadian CAH comedy, prizes for the most horrible audience members, and special guests Pearce Visser and Tunji Taylor-Lewis.
• When: June 21
• Time: 8 to 10 pm
• Where: Surrey Art Gallery – 13750 88 Avenue, Surrey
• Cost: SAGA members free; $5 for non-members

Mad Hatter’s Strawberry Tea and Tour

• What: Indulge your tastebuds while enjoying contemporary art with friends. Surrey Art Gallery Association invites you to be their guest at their annual Mad Hatter’s Strawberry Tea and Tour. Celebrate summer with a fun hat (preferably designed by you) while you tour different art exhibits and then enjoy luscious local strawberries.
• When: June 21
• Time: 7 to 9 pm
• Where: Surrey Art Gallery – 13750 88 Avenue, Surrey
• Cost: SAGA members free; $5 for non-members

Parq Vancouver resort job fair

• What: Opportunities within the property range from “entry-level to executive”. Parq Vancouver is looking for applicants across the resort for jobs, including restaurant managers, servers,  bartenders, chefs, concierges, doormen, security and surveillance, room attendants and hosts.
• When: June 21
• Time: 11 am to 4 pm
• Where: Gate H inside BC Place
• Cost: Free

TALK + ART ACTIVITY: Our Home and Native Bumblebees

• What: Join Lori Weidenhammer, a.k.a. Madame Beespeaker, as she talks about the benefits of planting native flowers in your gardens for wild bees, especially our beloved local bumblebees. Get your creative juices flowing by drawing zen doodle bees and join the conversation on how we can make the world a better place for the insects that pollinate many of the plants that give us food, medicine and beauty.
  
• When: June 21
• Time: 12:30 to 2 pm
• Where: Richmond City Hall, Richmond
• Cost: Free

Between the Sheets by Jordi Mand

• What: What begins as an ordinary parent teacher interview unravels into a gripping and raw confrontation between two women on the brink of disaster. One woman is fighting to protect her family. The other is fighting for the family she always wanted. A roller coaster ride about love, betrayal, and right versus wrong.
• When: June 21 to 24
• Time: 8 pm
• Where: Pacific Theatre – 1440 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver
• Tickets: Online, $15

Thursday, June 22

2017 TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival

• What: Whether you’re a huge jazz fan or just getting into it, there’s something for everyone at the 32nd annual TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival. This year’s highlights include a new initiative called Spotlight on Italy, as well as the festival’s first-ever collaboration with the VSO, courtesy of Branford Marsalis. More than 1,800 artists are slated to perform across 35 venues.
• When: June 22 to July 2, 2017
• Time: Various times
• Where: Various venues across Vancouver
• Tickets: coastaljazz.ca

Sub Focus

• What: Synonymous with music that draws from all corners of the electronic landscape, Sub Focus makes his return to Vancouver. With DJs Kempeh and Seb C.
• When: June 22
• Time: 10 pm
• Where: Celebrities – 1022 Davie Street, Vancouver
• Tickets: Online, $17

Eat. Drink. Play

• What: For this event the The Firehall Art Centre brings together restaurants, craft brewers, small-batch distillers, and performers for an exciting celebration. Patrons can expect offerings from establishments like The Diamond, Deacon’s Corner, Clough Club, Tuc Craft Kitchen, Kofta Meatball Kitchen, Save On Meats, The Pint, and Cadeaux Bakery, along with a silent auction and music.  
• When: June 22
• Time: 7 pm
• Where: Firehall Arts Centre – 280 East Cordova Street, Vancouver
• Tickets: Online, $38, $22 for artists

Richmond Chamber of Commerce 34th Annual Golf Tournament

• What: Join the Richmond Chamber of Commerce’s 34th Annual Golf tournament and join in on a community tradition. Well over 100 business professionals and local leaders gather to network, have fun, and enjoy 18 holes, followed by a lavish buffet dinner.
• Where: Quilchena Golf & Country Club – 3551 Granville Avenue, Richmond
• When: June 22 from 11:30 am to 9 pm
• Tickets: Online, $65-$235

Michael Che

Image: Phil Provencio

• What: Having been named one of Rolling Stone’s “50 Funniest People,” and Variety’s “Top 10 Comics To Watch,” Michael Che is quickly leaving his mark on the media landscape. Che is currently the co-anchor of Saturday Night Live’s iconic “Weekend Update” segment where he is also a staff writer for the show. He also recently released his first hour-long stand-up special on Netflix.
• When: June 22
• Time: 7 pm
• Where: Vogue Theatre – 918 Granville Street, Vancouver
• Tickets: Online, $25

Seth’s Dominion and Omnis Temporalis

• What: A free film screening of Seth’s Dominion, followed by a live performance of Omnis Temporalis. Seth’s Dominion is a 2014 National Film Board of Canada animated/live action documentary directed by Luc Chamberland about the Canadian cartoonist Seth. Following the film, Mark Haney will lead a live musical theatre performance of Omnis Temporalis, bringing Seth’s graphic novella George Sprott: 1894-1975 to life.
• Where: Richmond Art Gallery – 7700 Minoru Gate, Richmond
• When: June 22 from 7 to 9 pm
• Cost: Free

Bard on the Beach

• What: Celebrating its 28th season, this beloved Shakespeare festival, known for its fresh takes on the Bard’s classics, will be transporting audiences to Italy all summer long. All four of its headliner shows – Much Ado About Nothing, The Winter’s Tale, The Merchant of Venice and The Two Gentlemen of Verona – have been set in the land renowned for wine, art and romance.
• When: Now to September 23
• Time: Various times
• Where: Vanier Park – 1695 Whyte Avenue, Vancouver
• Tickets: At Bard on the Beach; $21-69

Friday, June 23

Concord Pacific Vancouver Dragon Boat Festival 2017

• What: The popular festival is set to include ‘The World Beat Stage’, featuring top Canadian musical talent over three days. Street performers and circus acrobats will also roam throughout the festival’s site at Concord Pacific Place and Creekside Park along False Creek near Science World. All while the dragon boat races are in action.
• When: June 23 to 25, 2017
• Time: Friday from 5 to 9 pm, Saturday from 8 am to 7 pm, Sunday from 8 am to 6 pm.
• Where: Concord Pacific Place, Creekside Park, and the waters of False Creek
• Tickets: Not required – free event

Walk Pop-Up Shop: Stay Fresh

• What: The Strathcona BIA wants to see East Hastings make a comeback as a vibrant pedestrian destination. As part of their Most Walkable Street 2021 initiative, they’re popping off with a Walk Strathcona Summer Series featuring exclusive pop-up shops and a sweet treasure map of the area.
• When: June 23 to 25
• Time: Friday at 5 pm to Sunday at 6 pm
• Where: 649 E Hastings St, Vancouver
• Cost: Free

7th Annual Pink Floyd the Sea Wall

• What: On November 30th 1979 Pink Floyd released an album called The Wall. 37 years later on June 23rd, 2017 a group of elevated individuals will ride the Sea Wall during the entirety of the album which is 1 hour and 21 minutes.
• When: June 23
• Time: 8:30 pm
• Where: Meet at Creekside Park – 1455 Quebec Street, Vancouver
• Cost: Free

Jurassic 5

• What: Part of the new underground rap of the late 90s, this legendary American alternative hip-hop group had a huge hit with Concrete Schoolyard and released four albums before splitting in 2007. Now they’re back to bring on the beats once more.
• When: June 23 and 24
• Time: 9 pm
• Where: The Commodore Ballroom – 868 Granville Street, Vancouver
• Tickets: On Ticketmaster, $45

Vancouver International Guitar Festival 2017

• What: The first ever Vancouver International Guitar Festival is an international conference and exhibition celebrating the art and craft of contemporary guitar making, both acoustic and electric. Take part in the  Luthier Conference, then enjoy the VIGF Exhibition, Master Classes and concerts.
• When: June 23 to 25
• Time: Various times
• Where: Various venues
• Tickets: Online, $10-$175

Antibalas

• What: Conceived in Mexico City and born in a Brooklyn warehouse in 1997, Antibalas is rooted in Afrobeat. Their live shows are the stuff of legend—hot, sweaty, dance marathons set to a tight, infectious groove.
• When: June 23
• Time: 8 pm
• Where: Vogue Theatre – 918 Granville Street, Vancouver
• Tickets: On Ticketfly, $63

Hamilton Night Out

• What: One of Hamilton Community Centre’s biggest events of the year. Enjoy carnival inflatables, games, local entertainment, plus Beauty and the Beast at 9:30 pm.
  
• When: June 23
• Time: 6:30 to 11 pm.
• Where: McLean Park, Richmond
• Cost: Movie viewing free, all-access pass to play games $10 in advance, $12 on the day