14 things to do in Vancouver this week: January 18 to 24

BC’s Founding College of Massage Therapy Education

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Please note: As recommended by BC’s provincial health officials, gatherings of any kind and unessential travel in the province is not recommended at this time. Please adhere to COVID-19 health and safety measures, including proper physical distancing and frequent hand washing, and wearing a mask or face-covering in public indoor and retail spaces. If you are sick, please stay home. 

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A new week means new things to do around Vancouver. From online museum visits to physically distanced outdoor activities and more, here are 14 things to keep you busy this week.

• See also: 
  • Holiday drive-thru with thousands of twinkling lights extended through January
  • Vancouver’s immersive Van Gogh exhibition announces opening date

Beaty Biodiversity Museum online collections tour

 

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What: The Beaty Biodiversity Museum on the UBC campus is offering online tours of its impressive exhibits for groups during the pandemic. Discover tetrapods, marine invertebrates, the herbarium, entomology, fish, and fossils and their connection to BC with an interpreter. The tours can be catered to school groups, families, or community groups. There’s a maximum of 30 people per group.
When: Choose a date through the museum’s online booking form.
Where: Online via Zoom
Time: Tours are available at 10:15 am and 12:15 pm
Admission/ Tickets: $60 per group

The Vancouver Short Film Festival

What: The Vancouver Short Film Festival is back for its 2021 edition, which will highlight some of the most innovative and original films British Columbia has to offer! From January 22 to 24, enjoy a selection of stories on screen from around the province, across a diverse range of genres, communities, and voices, made by emerging and established filmmakers. Plus Q&As, special events, and more! Tickets are on sale now. Get your tickets for the 11th Annual VSFF today.

Where: Online
When: Jan 22-24, with Programmes available until January 31
Tickets: Buy tickets online

Brazil Film Festival Canada

What: Until January 22 people from across the country will be able to stream 17 movies that celebrate Brazilian films and filmmakers. Programming includes a variety of genres and narrative styles.

Where: Online
When: Until January 22, 2021
Tickets: Available online

White Rock Festival of Lights

What: The White Rock Festival of Lights is back and brighter than ever. Entering its second year of operation, visitors will be able to see White Rock’s waterfront transformed into a whimsical display of holiday lights. This year’s event has been expanded from Oxford Street to the white rock, with three stunning 30-foot trees. There will also be a “magical meadow” featuring thousands of lights and hundreds of lanterns decorated by students from Star of the Sea School. This event will be outdoors and allows for social distancing.

When: Now until January 23
Where: White Rock Beach
Time: 4:30 to 10 pm
Admission/ Tickets: Free of charge

A Robert Burns Celebration presented by SFU

What: ScotFestBC and SFU’s Centre for Scottish Studies presents an online night (via Zoom) to celebrate Robert Burns’ songs, poetry and brilliance. From the comfort of your home, don your best Scottish attire and join champion piper Jack Lee, accordion player Mary Ross, Dr. Leith Davis, fiddlers, reciters and haggis-stabbers as we weave through an online night of poetry, friendship and fun. Hosted by Mike Chisholm of ScotFestBC, the evening will include a random draw for a bottle of whisky from Macaloney Distillery ($130 value), a $250 gift card from Tartantown and “background check” prizes for the best home set decorations. Haggis for the “Address to a Haggis” provided by The British Store in Surrey, which is also providing gift card prizes.

When: Saturday, January 23
Time: 6:30 pm to 11:30 pm
Where: Online, via Zoom
Admission: Free, but registration and a Zoom account is required in advance

Information Session at WCCMT

What: The West Coast College of Massage Therapy hosts Information Sessions to learn about their 20-month, full time Registered Massage Therapy program. If you are looking to start or change careers, Registered Massage Therapy may be right for you. Lots of job opportunities, great pay, flexible hours and the opportunity to make a difference in the health and wellbeing of others.WCCMT campus is conveniently located steps from both New Westminster Skytrain stations. To attend email: [email protected] Reference: DailyHive

When: Due to increased Covid-19 restrictions this event will be held virtually via Zoom
Tickets: Email: [email protected] to register

Grouse Mountain’s Light Walk

What: If you’re looking to take a sparkling snowshoe stroll this winter, you can head to Grouse Mountain’s Light Walk, full of lustre and lanterns.

When: Now through the entire winter season
Where: Grouse Mountain – 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver
Admission: Family Rate for a Mountain Admission Ticket, which includes admission for 2 adults and 2 children/youth (under 18), is $79.50

A Brimful of Asha on the digital stage

What: Surrey Civic Theatres presents an online recording of the award-winning show A Brimful of Asha. Join real-life mother and son duo Ravi and Asha Jain as they share their true and very hilarious story of generational and cultural differences.

When:  Show available until January 31
Where: Online
Tickets: Available online. Pay what you can (suggested price $15)

Go skiing or snowboarding at one of Vancouver’s local hills

What: All three of Vancouver’s North Shore mountains are now open for the winter season, welcoming skiers and snowboarders who make advance reservations. Check out Cypress Mountain with excellent views of the water, Grouse Mountain, which is transit-accessible, or Mt Seymour, the highest elevation of the three.

When: Now until the snow melts
Where: Cypress is at 6000 Cypress Bowl Road, Grouse is at 6400 Nancy Greene Way, and Seymour is at 1700 Mount Seymour Road
Time: Times vary by the mountain, but they typically open between 9 and 10 am, and stay open for the evening until 9 or 10 pm
Admission: Varies by mountain

Check out the BC’s Black Pioneers online exhibit

What: This exhibit examines how 800 Black immigrants who were invited to settle in BC by Governor James Douglas helped establish and stabilize British colonial communities. The digital exhibit has been curated by the BC Black History Awareness Society.

Where: Online
When: Any time

Vancouver Italian Film Festival streamed online on VIFF Connect

What: The Vancouver Italian Film Festival will be showcased online this year. Featuring a wide range of critically acclaimed films — including a new, live-action version of Pinocchio with Roberto Benigni as Geppetto, the lineup has something to offer for all film enthusiasts.

Where: Online
When: Streaming until January 21
Tickets: Available online, festival pass is $25

Take an illuminated snowshoe trek on Cypress Mountain

What: Cypress Mountain is offering a magical snowshoe experience this winter with Lights to the Lodge, an LED lights-lit trail in the Old Growth Forest. The trail is a one-kilometre, self-guided, snowshoe trek lit with LED lights that lead to one of the most popular Cypress Mountain destinations, the Hollyburn Lodge.

When: Now until the snow melts
Where: Cypress is at 6000 Cypress Bowl Road, 6000 Cypress Bowl Road
Tickets: Various rates, check website for details

Check out a new show

What: There’s nothing but time these days, so it’s a perfect opportunity to catch up on your must-watch list. Binge away on Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+ — don’t forget the popcorn.

When: Any day
Time: Any time
Where: Your phone, tablet, computer, or television
Cost: $10 to $12 or a free trial

Try an online fitness class

What: New year, new you. A number of local studios and businesses offer online classes, giving you the perfect opportunity to keep your body moving and your mind active in 2021.

Here is a list of several online workouts and classes to try in Vancouver while supporting local businesses.