20 things to do in Vancouver this week

Whether you’re basking in the heat or taking shelter in the shade, there’s something for everyone happening in Vancouver.

So without further ado, here are 20 things to do in Vancouver this week, from tragic symphonies to salsa beats.

Monday, June 6

Mahler’s Tragic Symphony

• What: The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra presents Mahler’s Tragic Symphony, one of the greatest symphonic masterpieces ever written, along with the North American premiere of Dream Song, a piece by British composer Edward Gregson.
• Where: Orpheum – 601 Smithe Street, Vancouver
• When: Monday, June 6, from 8 to 10 pm
• Tickets: At VSO, priced $18.75 to $95

Queer Prov

• What: A hilarious night of improv comedy for everyone, hosted by Queer Prov, a not-for-profit society dedicated to creating a Queer improv theatre community. Entry is completely free – just bring friends!
• Where: XY – 1216 Bute Street, Vancouver
• When: Every Monday night at 8pm
• More info: Queer Prov on Facebook

Tuesday, June 7

Food Truck Challenge

• What: Food trucks Le Tigre, Super Thai Food, and Meet2Eat are serving up free lunch downtown, going head-to-head in a recipe challenge to get the word out about a new line of Uncle Ben’s “Rice & Grains” easy-to-prepare products.
• Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza – 650 Hamilton Street, Vancouver
• When: Tuesday, June 7,  11 am to 2 pm

From Barley to Beer

• What: Whether you’re new to craft beer or a keen home brewer, you’ll enjoy this talk by Alek Egi, KPU Brewing instructor. There’ll also be a tasting of local beers and a Q&A session after the talk.
• Where: Science World – 1455 Quebec Street, Vancouver
• When: Tuesday, June 7, doors at 6:30 pm, talk at 7 pm
• Register: On Eventbrite, totally free

How To Survive An Apocalypse

• What: A romantic comedy about the end of days, as a young and successful urban couple become ‘preppers’, hoarding supplies and learning to hunt.
• Where: Firehall Arts Centre – 280 E. Cordova, Vancouver
• When: Monday, June 6, at 7 pm
• Tickets: At the Firehall Arts Centre, priced $24

Clothing. Conscious Consumption.

• What: At this Local Talk, you can discuss the creation and consumption of clothing with local makers, designers, and influencers, find out how they’re aiming to shift fast fashion trends and leave with a few simple things you can do to make your mark.
• Where: The Aviary  – 637 East 15th Avenue, Vancouver
• When: Tuesday, 7 June, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm
• Tickets: On Eventbrite, priced $15

Learn Sketch Writing

• What: Learn the valuable fundamentals of sketch comedy writing over four weekly lessons of practical and group exercises, plus weekly writers’ room workshops. Topics covered include comedic conflict, creating memorable comic characters and satire.
• Where: Instant Studios – 529 East Broadway, Vancouver
• When: Tuesday, 7 June, from 6 to 9 pm
• Enrol: On Eventbrite, $120

Wednesday, June 8

Gourmet Ice Cream Tour

• What: From soft serve to ice cream sandwiches, sample lots of delicious locally made ice cream on this tour of the Railtown Café, Cadeaux Bakery, Soft Peaks and Twisted Ice Cream. Perfect for a mid-week break on a hot summer day.
• Where: Railtown Café – 397 Railway Street, Vancouver
• When: Wednesday, June 8, at 5 pm
• Tickets: Available from Off The Eaten Track, priced $29.99

Cambie Corridor coffee chat

• What: A chance to have your say on housing and transit along the Cambie Corridor, from the Fraser River to 16th Avenue in the north. You’ll be able to meet a City planner and hear some early ideas for unique sites.
• Where: Van Dusen Botanical Garden – 5251 Oak Street, Vancouver
• When: Wednesday, June 8, from 4 to 7 pm
• More information: vancouver.ca

Karen Mok

• What: Karen Joy Morris – better known as Karen Mok or Mok Man-wai (莫文蔚) – is a three-time Golden Melody Award-winning Hong Kong actress and singer-songwriter, sure to put on an impressive show.
• Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre – 630 Hamilton Street, Vancouver
• When: Wednesday, June 8, 7:30 pm
• Tickets: Available on Ticketmaster, from $75 to $550 plus fees

 The Gentlemen Hecklers Present: The Wicker Man

• What: The Gentlemen Hecklers – Eric Fell, Patrick Maliha, and Shaun Stewart – provide live, hilarious commentary for one of the best bad movies out there, Nicolas Cage’s 2006 remake of the 1973 British cult horror classic, The Wicker Man.
• Where: Rio Theatre – 1660 E Broadway, Vancouver
• When: Wednesday, June 8, doors 9:00 pm, movie 9:30 pm
• Tickets: Available at the Rio, $10 advance or $12 at the door, 19+

Whitecaps v Fury

• What: Watch the Vancouver Whitecaps face off against the Ottawa Fury, in the 2016 Amway Canadian Championship Semi Final.
• Where: BC Place – 777 Pacific Blvd, Vancouver
• When: Wednesday, June 8, 7 pm
• Tickets: From Ticketmaster, priced $27 to $142

Secrets of the Penthouse

• What: Tour Vancouver’s most notorious venue with club owner Danny Filippone as your guide. You’ll hear stories of vice squad busts, mobsters, bootlegging, Rat Pack parties, fire and murder. Guided tour, Italian dinner and live jazz band included!
• Where: Penthouse – 1019 Seymour Street, Vancouver
• When: Wednesday, June 8, at 6:30 and 7:45 pm
• Tickets: From Forbidden Vancouver, priced $49

Thursday, June 9

Downtown Farmers’ Market

• What: The Yaletown Farmers’ Market may have had to relocate to new digs at Queen Elizabeth Plaza and become the new Downtown Farmers’ Market, but you can still find all all the same great vendors you know and love from Yaletown.
• Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza – 650 Hamilton Street, Vancouver
• When: Thursdays 2 to 6 pm, from June 2 to October 27

The Gilded Bat

• What: Celebrate the accomplishments and achievements of all of the young dancers at Arts Umbrella over the past 10 months with this end-of-year performance of The Gilded Bat, based on the story written by Edward Gorey.
• Where: Vancouver Playhouse – 600 Hamilton Street, Vancouver
• When: Thursday, June 9 at 7 p.m.; more performances through June 12
• Tickets: Online at Arts Umbrella, priced $35 for adults, $25 for students

Yoga + Beer = Brewga

• What: What’s better than yoga and beer? Yoga with beer of course! Brewga tickets include a one-hour yoga session, a pint of Big Rock beer, snacks and live music after everyone’s finished with their downward dogs.
• Where: Big Rock Urban Brewery & Eatery – 310 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver
• When: Thursday, June 9, 6 pm
• Tickets: Available on Eventbrite for $25, inc. fees.

Friday, June 10

Taiwanese Film Festival

• What: The Vancouver Taiwanese Film Festival kicks off, showcasing eight films and documentaries from Taiwan, starting with Golden Horse doc The Moment, a love letter to cinema, filmmakers and audiences alike.
• Where: VIFF Vancity Theatre – 1181 Seymour St, Vancouver
• When: The Moment screening is on Friday, June 10 at 5 pm. More films are being screened through Sunday, June 12.
• Tickets: Available at VIFF, priced $12/film or $30 for pack of three

What Not To Wear with Waris Ahluwalia

• What: A 90-minute talk with fashion icon, actor and campaigner Waris Ahluwalia, an iconoclast who manages to infuse the glamorous worlds of fashion and film with an unwavering commitment to creating a more thoughtful way of living.
• Where: SFU’s Goldcorp Centre for the Arts – 149 West Hastings Street, Vancouver
• When: Friday, 10 June, 8 pm
• Tickets: On Eventbrite, priced $25 to $30

The Cake Show

• What: Graham Clark presents… The Cake Show! A comedy show for people who like cakes, pictures of cake, videos related to cake, stories about cake – and real cake!
• Where: Hot Art Wet City – 2206 Main Street, Vancouver
• When: Friday, 10 June, doors 7:30 pm, show at 8 pm
• Tickets: On Eventbrite, priced $7

Mazacote

• What: Big Rock Urban’s June Jazz Sessions continue with West Coast Latin dance band Mazacote and their jazz music inspired by New York salsa and dura and beats from Colombia, Puerto Rico and Cuba.  Happy Hour drinks and food in effect.
• Where: Big Rock Urban Brewery & Eatery – 310 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver
• When: Thursday, 9 June, from 9 to 11 pm
• Tickets: On Eventbrite, priced $10