20 things to do in Vancouver this week: October 31 to November 4

It’s actually Halloween! And then somehow… November. Unbelievable. Before you know it, there might even be snow on the North Shore. Maybe. If we’re lucky.

Never fear, there’s still plenty happening this week in Vancouver, even if you’re feeling a little burned out from all those Halloween parties this weekend.

So here are 20 things to do in Vancouver this week, from Petunia and the Vipers to the Render Music Video Festival.

Monday, October 31

Petunia and the Vipers

• What: A breath of fresh air after the chaos of Halloween! Every Monday until December 26, local band Petunia and the Vipers will be playing their highly original brand of roots music to folks in the WISE Hall & Lounge. Enjoy!
• Where: WISE Hall & Lounge – 1882 Adanac Street, Vancouver
• When: Monday, October 31, from 8 to 11 pm
• Admission: On the door, with $10 lounge membership

Halloween on The Drive

• What: A family-friendly Halloween party along Commercial Drive, including free Margherita Pizzetta’s at Fomoso for the kids, trick or treating along the Drive between Venables and 13th, and face-painting and fireworks in Grandview Park.
• Where: Various locations along Commercial Drive, Vancouver
• When: Monday, October 31, from noon to 8 pm
• Info: On thedrive.ca, totally free

All Souls

• What: A refuge from the noise of Halloween parties, All Souls gives you a space to share in different customs for remembering the dead, including lighting community shrines, listening to beautiful harp music, and painting Mexican sugar skulls.
• Where: Mountain View Cemetery – 5455 Fraser Street, Vancouver
• When: Monday, October 31, from 6 to 9 pm
• Info: Online, totally free

Thriller

• What: If you’re not totally exhausted from Halloween weekend, you can head to this two-floor blow-out 1980s dance party, featuring the city’s best party DJs, as well as spooktacular thrills and live performances from The Lost Girls Burlesque.
• Where: The Fox Cabaret – 2321 Main Street, Vancouver
• When: Monday, October 31, from 10:30 pm to 1:30 am
• Tickets: On Eventbrite, $20-$24

Tuesday, November 1

Wizard Mode

• What: This intimate doc tells the story of Burnaby pinball wizard Roberto Gagno, who is one of the best pinball players in the world, and also happens to be autistic. The film will be followed by a Q&A with filmmakers Nathan Drillot and Jeff Lee Petry.
• Where: Museum of Vancouver – 1100 Chestnut Street, Vancouver
• When: Tuesday, November 1, doors 6:40 pm, film at 7 pm
• Tickets: From MOV, $8-$10

Empire of the Son

• What: Back after a completely sold out run, Empire of the Son, written by and starring Tetsuro Shigematsu (former host of CBC Radio One’s The Roundup), is the story of two generations of CBC broadcasters and the radio silence between them.
• Where: Vancity Culture Lab at the Cultch – 1895 Venables St, Vancouver
• When: Tuesday, November 1, at 8 pm; more shows through November 13
• Tickets: From The Cultch, $8-$10

Dirty Little Secrets

• What: The hit improv show running in New York’s East Village has hit Vancouver, so get ready to watch a cast of our city’s top improvisors explore YOUR anonymous secrets for laughs, live on stage.
• Where: XY YVR – 1216 Bute Street, Vancouver
• When: Tuesday, November 1, from 7:30 to 10 pm
• Tickets: On the door, $5 plus a secret

Niykee Heaton

• What: Stirring together pop, alternative R&B, 21st century soul, and a message of stark, stripped, and striking confidence, Chicago-born Niykee Heaton not only writes her own music, but also produces most of her own beats.
• Where: Biltmore Cabaret – 2755 Prince Edward Street, Vancouver
• When: Tuesday, November 1, doors at 7 pm
• Tickets: At Ticketweb, $25

Wednesday, November 2

Food Talks

• What: An evening dedicated to ocean-friendly seafood for Ocean Wise Month, co-presented with the Vancouver Aquarium. Mingle with other foodies, and hear speakers on the theme: From Boat to Table—the Sustainable Seafood Supply Chain.
• Where: Vancouver Aquarium – 845 Avison Way, Vancouver
• When: Wednesday, November 2, from 6 to 9 pm
• Tickets: On Eventbrite, $20

Hannah Georgas

• What: Vancouver favourite Hannah Georgas returns with her first official headlining gig since the release of her album, For Evelyn, layered with catchy beats, Georgas’ melodic voice, and lyrics that resonate.
• Where: Commodore Ballroom – 868 Granville Street, Vancouver
• When: Wednesday, November 2, doors at 8 pm, show at 9:30 pm
• Tickets: On Ticketmaster, $25

Still Here

• What: Created as part of the Man-Up Against Suicide Project, Still Here photos and narratives from 30 Canadian gay and bisexual men who have struggled with or lost someone to suicide, which aims to de-stigmatize men’s mental illness.
• Where: Gallery Gachet – 88 E Cordova St, Vancouver
• When: Opening night on Wednesday, November 2, from 6 to 8 pm; exhibition is open through November 13, open Wednesday to Sunday, from noon to 6 pm
• Register: On Eventbrite, totally free

Intro to Beekeeping

• What: Join beekeeper Lianne Shyry of Two Bees Apiary for a two-hour intro to the basics of beekeeping in the city. You’ll learn what you’ll need to start out, and leave with enough knowledge to get started as a backyard beekeeper!
• Where: Homestead Junction – 649 E Hastings St, Vancouver
• When: Wednesday, November 2, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm
• Tickets: Online, $25

Thursday, November 3

Duotang

• What: This Canadian band’s mix of mod-rock and post-punk garnered critical attention back in the late 1990s, but after three albums they went on a hiatus which ended up lasting until 2014. Now they’re back, with new tunes and sold out shows.
• Where: Biltmore Cabaret – 2755 Prince Edward St, Vancouver
• When: Thursday, November 3, doors at 8 pm, show at 9 pm
• Tickets: On Ticketfly, $12

Ballet BC: Program 1

• What: These four contemporary ballet works by choreographer Cayetano Soto display his unique range of creativity and originality, that has been compared to a Pedro Almodovar film in its subversion of beauty to convey something else.
• Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre – 650 Hamilton St, Vancouver
• When: Thursday, November 3 at 8 pm; more performances through Saturday, November 5
• Tickets: On Ticketmaster, $30-$100

One Hitter Quitter

• What: See 12 comics duke it out for cash, glory and treasure in the grand finale of this monthly amateur stand-up competition. You decide who wins – and also get to laugh your ass off with headliner Kathleen McGee, and MC Stephen Peever.
• Where: Seven Dining Lounge – 53 West Broadway, Vancouver
• When: Thursday, November 3, doors at 8 pm, show at 9 pm
• Tickets: On Eventbrite, $7; table reservations recommended, email [email protected]

Make It Pop!

• What: This is pub trivia with a design-nerd twist, with questions on design, typography, branding, the interwebs, and pop culture. Up to six members per team, with prizes up for grabs.
• Where: The Cannibal Café – 433 Granville Street, Vancouver
• When: Thursday, November 3, from 7 to 9:30 pm
• Register: On Eventbrite, totally free

Friday, November 4

The Rio Grind Film Festival

• What: The Rio Grind Film Festival kicks off on Friday, bringing an assortment of new and award-winning indie, cult, sci-fi and horror shorts, features, and documentaries to Vancouver for your dark, dark pleasure – including new black comedy Prevenge.
• Where: The Rio Theatre – 1660 East Broadway, Vancouver
• When: From Friday, November 4, to Sunday, November 6; various showtimes
• Tickets: From the Rio, three-day pass is $60, one-day passes range from $25-$40, single movie tickets $10 in advance, $12 on the door

Les Filles du Roi

• What: A workshop presentation of a new Canadian trilingual musical telling the story of a young Mohawk girl and her brother, whose lives are disrupted when a young fille du roi arrives in New France to boost the population of what would become Canada.
• Where: Orpheum Annex – 823 Seymour Street, Vancouver
• When: Friday, November 4, and Saturday, November 5, at 7 pm
• Register: On Facebook, totally free

Club Habana

• What: An evening of Cuban Jazz showcasing world-class musicians, including one of the most influential figures in modern Afro-Cuban jazz – the exceptional saxophonist, composer, arranger and Grammy award winner, Alfred Thompson.
• Where: Vancouver Playhouse – 600 Hamilton St, Vancouver
• When: Friday, November 4, at 8 pm
• Tickets: On Brown Paper Tickets, $40

Render Music Video Festival

• What: This annual festival showcases the art of the music video and the creativity of the filmmakers involved in producing them. Render’s focus is on innovative and cutting-edge music videos that push the creative boundaries of the art form.
• Where: VIFF Vancity Theatre – 1181 Seymour St, Vancouver
• When: Friday, November 4, reception from 6.30 pm, screenings from 8 pm
• Tickets: On VIFF, $12 adult, $10 student