20 things to do in Vancouver this week

As we head into June, sunshine and blue skies feel just as likely as clouds and rain. Who knows in Vancouver?

In the meantime, here are 20 things to do in Vancouver this week, from biking to work to catching some City and Colour – with a bit of axe throwing thrown in for good measure.

Monday, May 30

Bike To Work Week

• What: It’s free to take part in Bike to Work Week. Register individually or as a team, stop at the Celebration Station for drinks and treats and log your bike rides to work for a chance to win a new bike, or a trip for two to Amsterdam on KLM.
• Where: All over Vancouver, wherever your bike route takes you
• When: Monday, May 30 until Sunday, June 5
• Register: At bikehub.ca/registration, totally free

Life Drawing Session

• What: These twice-weekly sessions are perfect for people looking for life drawing with a professional instructor. Everyone is welcome, from beginner to expert artists.
• Where: Canadian Arts & Sciences Academy – #590-1199 West Pender Street, Vancouver
• When: Mondays and Thursdays, from 5 to 8 p.m.
• Register: On the Canadian Arts & Sciences Academy website, $30 per single session, $90 for five sessions, $162 for 10 sessions

Intro to Improvisation

• What: For anyone curious about improv, or in need of a refresher, this three-session class will teach you the improvisational skills of Play, Spontaneity, Character and Story. No improv experience necessary.
• Where: Instant Studios – 529 E Broadway, Vancouver
• When: Three Mondays, starting May 30, from 8 to 10 p.m.
• Register: Available from Eventbrite, priced $79

Tuesday, May 31

Celebrazione

• What: An Italian-style celebration of theatre, music, and food, featuring a silent auction, live auction, music, and entertainment, to benefit Pacific Theatre.
• Where: La Piazza Daria at the Italian Cultural Centre – 3075 Slocan St, Vancouver
• When: Tuesday, May 31 at 6:30 p.m.
• Tickets: Available from Pacific Theatre, priced $135, including a $75 tax receipt

Death Of A Vegas Showgirl Auditions

• What: If you’re a Canadian female dancer, who works in Vancouver, between five feet four and five feet seven, proficient in contemporary, jazz, hip hop, and latin styles, you should probably head to this film audition for a female dance double.
  
• Where: ScotiaBank Dance Centre – 677 Davie Street, Vancouver
• When: Tuesday, May 31, from 2 until 3:30 p.m.
• Details: On Eventbrite, UBCP rates apply

Freestyle Fitness Bootcamp!

• What: An hour of high energy, cardio strength training for free. Any age or fitness level welcome. Bring a water bottle and running shoes. Spaces limited so be sure to reserve.
• Where: Meet at Public Myth Kitsilano – 2005 W 4th Ave, Vancouver
• When: Tuesday, May 31, at 6 p.m.
• Register: On Eventbrite, totally free

Introduction to meditation, for people who can’t meditate

• What: Have you tried meditating and found your mind keeps racing no matter how you try to slow it down? This six-session series will practice different ways of relating to our restless agitated minds and see if we can find some peace after all.
• Where: Mountain Rain Zen Community – 2016 Wall St, Vancouver
  
• When: Starts Tuesday, May 31, at 7 p.m. through July 5
• Register: On Eventbrite, $30 for series deposit, then donations at each class

The Annual Spot Prawn Boil

• What: Inspired by the original Southern-style seafood boils, this dinner will feature prawns and vegetables served family style, right from the pot. The meal will also be paired with the newest release from Phillips Brewing, a delicious Craft Pilsner.
• Where: The Blackbird Public House – 905 Dunsmuir Street, Vancouver
• When: Tuesday, May 31, from 7 to 10 p.m.
• Tickets: From Eventbrite, for $50

Wednesday, June 1

Blood Alley Square redesign open house

• What: Have your say on the future of your city at the kickoff event for the redesign of Blood Alley Square and Trounce Alley in Gastown. Learn about the project and tell the city what you want to see in the Square.
• Where: Blood Alley Square, Vancouver (nearby Salt Tasting Room and Tacofino Taco Bar)
• When: Wednesday, June 1, from 4 to 7 p.m., drop by anytime during the event
• More information: vancouver.ca

The Lumineers

• What: This multi-Grammy-nominated alt rock band are coming to Burnaby, touring their new album Cleopatra, sure to be a great followup to their platinum-plus self-titled debut album, which featured huge hits Ho Hey and Stubborn Love.
• Where: Deer Lake Park – 6450 Deer Lake Ave, Burnaby
• When: Wednesday, June 1, doors 5:30 p.m., show at 6:30 p.m. until 10 p.m.
• Tickets: Available on Ticketmaster, $49.50 plus fees

Cooking Class & Dinner: Oriental Inspiration

• What: Learn how to cook Lebanese Tabbouleh, Chicken Lemon Tagine and Coconut Mousse & Mango Coulis. You’ll get a snack on arrival, then get to eat everything you make during the class, while enjoying wine, chosen to pair with the food.
• Where: The Uncommon Cafe – 477 Powell Street, Vancouver
• When: Wednesday, June 1, from 6 to 9 p.m.
• Register: On Eventbrite, priced at $75

Lamb of God

• What: Perhaps the biggest, most influential heavy metal band of the new millennium, Lamb of God are back from hiatus after a troublesome few years, touring the aptly titled VII: Sturm und Drang (Storm and Stress) album.
• Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre – 630 Hamilton Street, Vancouver
• When: Wednesday, June 1, at 7:30 p.m.
• Tickets: Available on Ticketmaster, priced from $46.50 to $96.50 plus fees

Thursday, June 2

Cambie Corridor Spring Expo

• What: A big 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 tell the City what you think and hear some early ideas for unique sites.
• Where: Oakridge Centre Auditorium – 650 West 41st Avenue, Vancouver
• When: Thursday, June 2, from 4 to 8 p.m.. Alternative session on Saturday, June 4 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• More information: vancouver.ca

Transporting Expo 86: Bikes, Beers and Bali

• What: Have a beer as panelists remember Expo 86, the prototype SkyTrain and the Highway 86 installation and enjoy music by Gamelan Bike Bike, a group of Vancouver cycle enthusiasts who turn old bike parts into instruments.
• Where: Museum of Vancouver – 1100 Chestnut Street, Vancouver
• When: Thursday, June 2, bar opens at 6 p.m., music, presentations and discussion at 7 p.m., until 9:30 p.m.
• Tickets: From MOV, priced $15 for adults, $11 for concessions, or free for MOV Members

4th Annual Oregon Brewers Night

• What: Try 16 unique Oregon beers and meet the brewers that brew the beer at Portland Craft pub. Tickets include food, beer taxes and tip.
• Where: Portland Craft – 3835 Main Street, Vancouver
• When: Thursday, June 2, at 5 p.m.
• Tickets: Available on Eventbrite, priced $65

Axe Throwing

• What: This is a little far flung – literally – but if you’re a wannabe lumberjack or lumberjill and you’re free Thursday afternoons you could try axe throwing on Bowen Island. No experience necessary, all equipment provided.
  
• Where: Doc Morgan’s Pub & Restaurant – 437 Bowen Island Trunk Road, Bowen Island
• When: Every Thursday at 3 p.m. until July 14
• Register: Drop in fee for casual Have-A Throws is $15 for 10 throws
• More information: axethrown.com/contact

Friday, June 3

Peter and the Wolf

• What: The Goh Ballet’s annual show with original choreography created specifically for its students. This year, they’ve chosen the story of Peter, and the unexpected chain of events that occur when he leaves the garden gate open.
• Where: Vancouver Playhouse – 600 Hamilton Street, Vancouver
• When: Friday, June 3 and Saturday, June 4, from 7:30 to 9 p.m.
• Tickets: Available from Brown Paper Tickets, priced $48 plus fees

Good Burger

• What: Calling all 90s kids… This week you can reminisce at the Rio with a screening of Good Burger, the cult-comedy starring Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell as two not-so-sharp teens who must save the fast food restaurant where they work.
• Where: Rio Theatre – 1660 E Broadway, Vancouver
• When: Friday, June 3, doors 11:30 p.m. movie 11:55 p.m.
• Tickets: Available from the Rio, $8 in advance or $10 at the door

12 Minutes Max

• What: Five modern dance works of 12 minutes or less, by Vancouver’s most innovative young choreographers. Pieces include a duet with 10 metres of fabric, an exploration of the moon and a comment on the global war on terror with bharata natyam dance.
• Where: ScotiaBank Dance Centre – 677 Davie Street, Vancouver
• When: Friday, June 3 at 8 p.m.
• Tickets: Available on Tickets Tonight, $28 for adults, $22 for students

City and Colour

• What: The alias of Canadian singer songwriter Dallas Green, City and Colour’s melodic acoustic and folk music is full of soft lilting vocals and delicate guitar. In Vancouver, he’s playing with Shakey Graves, who brings his own mix of blues, folk and rock and roll.
• Where: Rogers Arena – 800 Griffiths Way, Vancouver
• When: Friday, June 3 at 7:30 p.m.
• Tickets: Available at Ticketmaster, priced $35 to $65 plus fees