35 things to do in Vancouver this week: February 27 to March 3

Get out and enjoy the last week of February and the first week of March!

Here are 35 things to do in Vancouver this week, from musicals to Whitecaps and everything in between.

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

Monday, February 27

Celebrate National Cupcake Day

• What: Plan your own cupcake party to raise funds for National Cupcake Day, a national event raising much-needed donations for SPCAs and humane societies across Canada. You can also hold a virtual Cupcake Day party where your donors will each get a virtual National Cupcake Day e-card, deliver cupcakes to your supporters or hold a decorating or best-tasting contest with fun prizes.
• When: February 27
• More Info: Online

Women in Tech Week

• What: The Women in Leadership Foundation is putting together Women in Tech Week (WinTech) to celebrate the women working in the tech field. Local tech communities will come together to provide professional development, education, and mentorship for women in tech, as well as encourage young women to consider science and technology careers.
  
• Where: Various venues around Vancouver
• When: February 27 to March 3
• Registration: Online, $25-90 for a week pass, individual event tickets also available

Fairmont Pacific Northwest Career Fair

• What: Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, Fairmont Waterfront, Fairmont Pacific Rim and Fairmont Vancouver Airport are hosting their first career fair of 2017, recruiting for multiple positions across all departments of each hotel.
  
• Where: Fairmont Hotel Vancouver – 900 West Georgia Street
• When: February 27 to 8 am to 1 pm
• Cost: Free

Smut Slam Van: Spring Awakenings

• What: Got a story about a time when you succumbed to spring fever? Did you take advantage of the nice weather and ventured some excitement out in the fresh air? Share it at Smut Slam Van, a storytelling event where audience members are given five minutes onstage to tell their best real-life, first person, consensual sex story. Smut Slam is queer-friendly, kink friendly, lifestyle friendly, sex-positive, and body-positive.
• Where: Guilt & Company – 1 Alexander Street, Vancouver
• When: February 27 at 7:30 pm
• Tickets: Online, $9

Ghostface Killah with The People North West

• What: Hip-hop legend Ghostface Killah returns to Vancouver. As one of the original members of the seminal 90s rap crew the Wu-Tang Clan, Ghostface Killah (aka Tony Starks) made an impact before he released his debut album, Ironman, late in 1996. In April 2017, he will release his 13th solo album, Supreme Clientele 2.
• Where: Rickshaw Theatre – 254 East Hastings Street, Vancouver
• When: February 27 at 8 pm
• Tickets: Online, $36.50

Our Community Bikes Volunteer Orientation

• What: Our Community Bikes is a full service repair shop, bicycle recycling depot and an educational workspace for people who wish to repair their own bikes or learn how to do so. Attend their volunteer orientation to in learn more about bikes, what happens at OCB, and how being a volunteer benefits you and the community.
• Where: Our Community Bikes – 2429 Main Street, Vancouver
• When: February 20 at 7 pm
• Cost: Free

The Octopus Project with Sound of Ceres & Mellt

• What: Experimental, indie pop, psychedelic pop, nintendocore — Austin-based band The Octopus Club straddles a variety of genres, and on February 27 they’re bringing their unique sound and performance style to the Biltmore Cabaret. Known for elaborate multimedia experiments and “extremely loud, extremely fun” live shows, The Octopus Project has toured the world and taken the stage at festivals like Coachella, Lollapalooza and All Tomorrow’s Parties.
  
• Where: Biltmore Cabaret – 2755 Prince Edward Street, Vancouver
• When: February 27 at 8 pm
• Tickets: Online, $9.99-$12

Tuesday, February 28

UBC Pop-Up Playground

• What: Drop by after school or work and don’t miss the special light display that will transform Lee Square into a Pop Up Playground. Move your way through games like hopscotch and four squares, dance around to the beat of our DJ, and enjoy some street eats.
• Where: Outside of the UBC Bookstore – 6200 University Boulevard, Vancouver
  
• When: February 28 from 5 to 7 pm
• Cost: Free

The Living Room – Making Theatre with your Friends

• What: A fun networking event for emerging artists in Vancouver. Each night will take on a different topic to learn more about the business and helps attendees dig deeper into their art. Featured speakers are Marcus Youssef (Artistic Director of Neworld Theatre), and James Long (Artistic Director of Theatre Replacment), with moderator Chelsea Haberlin (co-Artistic Director of Itsazoo Productions and freelance director). Presented by Rumble Theatre.
• Where: Rumble Theatre – 1422 William Street, Vancouver
• When: February 28 at 7 pm
• Cost: Free

Canucks vs. Red Wings

• What: The battle for a playoff spot goes on as the Vancouver Canucks take on the Detroit Red Wings.
• Where: Rogers Arena – 800 Griffiths Way, Vancouver
• When: February 28 at 7 pm
• Tickets: Online, $45-$250

Zendtalk – Say Yes to Stillness with Colin Pal

• What: Colin Pal, creator at The Undeniable Clarity, shares what he learned about stillness from his seven-year journey of being a monk and the challenges he faced thereafter in exploring what it means to live with more intention in this distracted world.
• Where: ZEND Concious Lounge – 1130 Mainland Street, Vancouver
• When: February 28 at 7 pm
• Cost: Free

Ukulele Night at Our Town Cafe

• What: Spend a night of learning, sharing and playing ukuelele in a friendly environment. Buckman Coe will be hosting the night and Viva la Ukelución will be teaching how to skank and chuck, strum, arpeggate, pick and more.
• Where: Our Town Cafe – 245 East Broadway, Vancouver
• When: February 28 at 7 pm
• Cost: Free

Sailing the Red Sea: Egyptian Maritime Explorations

• What: The grand opening of SFU Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology’s new exhibit, “Sailing the Red Sea: Egyptian Maritime Explorations”. Bring the children and your own crayons and colour your way through the story of the Shipwrecked Sailor. Tea, coffee, and snacks will also be provided.
• Where: SFU Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology – 8888 University Drive, Burnaby
• When: February 28 from 2 to 4 pm
• Cost: Free

Pandora and The Locksmiths

• What: Indulge in the musical stylings of The Locksmiths as they serve up jazz, funk, soul, and more! Onstage for the burlesque performances are Ariel Helvetica, Voracious, V, Phoenix Rose and Carole Brunette. With host Miss Kiss and stage managing by Ava Lure.
• Where: Guilt & Company – 1 Alexander Street, Vancouver
• When: February 28 at 9 pm
• Tickets: Online, $15

Wednesday, March 1

Dîner en Plaid

• What: Forget that other summertime dress code dinner, this is all about the French Canadian life, including plaid. Dîner en Plaid, an evening of traditional French Canadian food, music, craft beer and fun will kick off the events for the annual Festival du Bois. And, yes, plaid is the dress code.
• Where: John B. Pub – 1000 Austin Avenue, Coquitlam
• When: March 1 at 6:30 pm
• Tickets: Online, $30

Vancouver International Dance Festival

• What: Vancouver International Dance Festival presents four weeks of performances, workshops, and dance activities. The lineup includes San Francisco’s internationally-lauded company Alonzo King LINES Ballet; a world premiere from Japan’s Dairakudakan; a Canadian premiere from Denmark’s Kitt Johnson; west coast premieres from Toronto’s Kaeja d’Dance and Montreal’s Cie Virginie Brunelle; and world premieres from Vancouver’s-own Kinesis Dance, Karen Jamieson & Margaret Grenier, Jane Osborne & Kim Stevenson, among many others.
• Where: Various venues
• When: March 1 to 25
• Tickets: Online, $10-$60

Graduate School Fair

• What: The Graduate School Fair caters to those looking to pursue their Master’s, Professional, and Doctoral Degrees. Onlookers will get to meet with exhibitors from top universities and graduate schools from around the world. Seminars will cover a wide range of topics including but not limited to the benefits of going to school in the UK, getting financial aid, two seminars on law school, and much more.
• Where: UBC, AMS Nest
• When: March 1 from 11 am to 3 pm (feature seminar starts at 10 am)
• Register: Online, Free

Elbow Room Café: The Musical

• What: One of Vancouver’s most notorious diners, is getting its own musical. The show will celebrate the lives of cafe owners Bryan and Patrice, who anchor the musical’s campy cast of misfits, drag queens, and the perpetually hungover.
• Where: York Theatre – 639 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
• When: March 1 to 12
• Tickets: Online,$19-$44

Street Eats Fundraiser Part 1

• What: A monthly event to help raise funds which go directly into feeding the less fortunate on the Downtown Eastside. Featuring live music from Alex Maher and Adam Bae, served with great food.
• When: March 1 at 8 pm
• Where: Simply Delicious Eatery & Lounge – 4316 Main Street
• Cost: Donations taken at the door

Andrew Bailey’s Brain Machine

• What: Way Off-Broadway Wednesday presents Andrew Bailey (The Adversary, Limbo, Phantom Signal) and a staged reading of his brand new show: Brain Machine. Three generations of visionary scientists create the web to bring ‘harmony and understanding’ to all humanity. Chaos ensues.
• Where: The Heritage Grill – 447 Columbia Street, New Westminster
• When: March 1 and 8 at 7:30 pm
• Tickets: At the door, by donation

YPO Edge

• What: Each year, business leaders from around the world gather for YPO EDGE, YPO’s landmark event. Members from more than 130 countries convene with world-renowned thought leaders to address key issues in business, politics, philanthropy and humanities. The event, hosted on a different continent every year, offers exceptional educational opportunities for attendees while helping the global leaders of today shape the world of tomorrow.
• Where: Vancouver Convention Centre
• When: March 1 to 3

Thursday, March 2

2017 Coastal First Nations Dance Festival

• What: A celebration of the stories, songs, and dances of the Indigenous peoples of the Northwest Coast of North America. The 10th anniversary of the festival presents the rich cultural traditions practiced by dance artists from British Columbia, the Yukon, Alaska and Washington State as well as guest international artists and demonstrates that these practices are very much alive, vibrant and relevant today. Presented by Dancers of Damelahamid.
• Where: UBC Museum of Anthropology – 6393 North West Marine Drive, Vancouver
• When: March 2 to 4
• Tickets: Online, $29-$34.25

#NOFILTER – THE LOL OF TMI

• What: #NoFilter uses the spontaneity of improv comedy to delve into our fleeting, over-shared digital world. From Snapchat to Instagram, Weibo to Facebook and everything in between, #NoFilter finds the fun and funny in how much we share about ourselves with nearly total strangers – crushing the LOL of TMI.
• Where: The Improv Centre – 1502 Duranleau Street, Vancouver
• When: Every Thursday at 9:15 pm starting March 2
• Tickets: Online, $7.50

Study and Go Abroad Fair

• What: The Study and Go Abroad Fair is Canada’s largest international university and student travel expo. The fair will include a series of different seminars that will give advice on the best creative universities, studying in Europe, and much more.
• Where: Vancouver Convention Centre, East Building
• When: March 2 from 2 to 6 pm
• Register: Online, Free

Women in Tech Awards Soiree: Celebrating Our Women

• What: An event celebrating the inspiring women who have made great contributions and achievements in the Vancouver tech community. Enjoy some light snacks, wine, and great conversation.
• Where: Morris J Wosk Centre for Dialogue – 580 West Hastings Street, Vancouver
• When: March 2 from 6:30 to 8:30
• Register: Online, Free

Whitecaps FC vs. New York Red Bulls

• What: The Vancouver Whitecaps play the second match of their CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal against the New York Red Bulls. If Vancouver can get past the Red Bulls, they will play the winner of a pair of Mexican sides: Club Universidad Nacional or Tigres UANL.
• Where: BC Place – 777 Pacific Blvd, Vancouver
• When:  March 2 at 7 pm
• Tickets: Online, $25-$155

Given – Canadian Screening

• What: Given follows legendary surfers Aamion and Daize Goodwin from their island home of Kauai through 15 different countries in the quest for surf and to fulfill a calling handed down through generations. The film also explores a young boy’s understanding of life through his familial bonds and their reverence for nature. Free entry with beverages from Persephone for sale. All proceeds going to Environmental Youth Alliance.
• Where: Patagonia – 1994 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver
• When: March 2 at 7 pm
• Tickets: Free

Aaron Chapman’s tales from The last Gang In Town

• What: The Police Museum hosts award-winning author Aaron Chapman for an evening of storytelling, and discussions on policing Vancouver in the 70s and the notorious Clark Park Gang.
• Where: Vancouver Police Museum – 240 East Cordova Street, Vancouver
• When: March 2 at 7 pm
• Tickets: Free

Friday, March 3

Vancouver Ukulele Festival | Gala Concert 2017

• What: Vancouver’s ukulele celebration features performances by Sarah Maisel & Craig Chee, Gerald Ross, Aaron and Nicole Keim, Daphne Roubini and Andrew Smith, Timothy Tweedale, and a group jam finale led by the tutors. Bring your ukulele!
• Where: Rio Theatre – 1660 East Broadway, Vancouver
• When: March 3 at 7:30 pm
• Tickets: Online, $18

Festival du Bois

• What: A weekend celebration of francophone and French Canadian culture, the largest in BC. Come for amazing music and dance, great traditional food, shows for kids, entertaining activities, and more.
• Where: Mackin Park – 1046 Brunette Avenue, Coquitlam
• When: March 3 to 5
• Tickets: Online, $7-$65

Vancouver Mural Festival HQ: Open House

• What: Discover how to get involved in Vancouver Mural Festival, whether as an artist, volunteer, photographer, or prep-crew. Includes an info-session, meet-and-greet, and more.
• Where: Vancouver Mural Festival HQ – #207, 877 E Hastings Street
• When: March 3 at 6 pm
• Cost: Free

Who is Harold?: An Improv Show from Blind Tiger’s House Teams

• What: Blind Tiger’s Reynolds and Old Money present a showcase of the classic Harold format. 
• Where: Little Mountain Gallery – 195 East 26th Avenue, Vancouver
• When: March 3 at 9 pm
• Tickets: At the door, $5 or Free if your name is Harold or if you are a Blind Tiger student

The 25th Annual Wellness Show

• What: The Wellness Show explores new approaches to nutrition, fitness, and emotional well-being. Connect with like-minded businesses and thought-leaders in wellness, while learning about different health options.
  
• Where: Vancouver Convention Centre, West Building
• When: March 3 to 5
• Tickets: Online, $4-$12.50, children 5 and under free

Jim Jefferies – Unusual Punishment Tour

• What: Jim Jefferies burst on to the scene after his popular HBO special I Swear to God. The Australian comedian’s controversial and belief-challenging standup style is one that continues to surprise and entertain audiences all over the world. 
• Where: The Orpheum – 601 Smithe Street, Vancouver
• When: March 3 at 7:30 pm and 10:30 pm
• Tickets: Online, $35-$55

DLUX Fridays with Celebrity Host and DJ Brody Jenner

• What: Brody Jenner, former Laguna Beach and The Hills star; and famous half brother of Kendall & Kylie Jenner, makes his return to Vancouver with a special appearance and guest DJ set at Caprice.
• Where: Caprice Nightclub – 967 Granville Street, Vancouver
• When: March 3 at 9 pm
• Tickets: Online, Free RSVP before 10:30 pm, subject to capacity