28 things to do in Vancouver this week: April 8 to 11

Don’t let FOMO get a hold of you! Check out these 28 fun Vancouver events happening from Monday, April 8 to Thursday, April 11. Chilliwack Tulip Festival, Moon vs. Sun, and more.

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

See also

• Dîner en Blanc returns with Vancouver's biggest outdoor dinner party
• A series of clothing swap meets are happening in Vancouver this spring
• You can get pawsitively adorable Easter photos for your pet for free this April

Monday, April 8

Elements Film Festival

What: The second annual Elements Film Festival will be taking place at TELUS World of Science April 8 – 14. In collaboration with Science World, this year’s environmental film festival will feature programming for all ages including films, presentations and panel discussions on a broad range of topics impacting our planet. Featuring films from international, Canadian and BC filmmakers, the festival provides a platform to experience different points of view on a range of important topics including wildlife conservation, climate change, plastic pollution in our oceans, poaching, habitat loss, invasive species, and environmental law.

When: Monday, April 8 to Sunday, April 14, 2019
Time: Various times
Location: Science World – 1455 Quebec St., Vancouver
Tickets: Online

Canoe X Wildebeest Dinner

What: Wildebeest Executive Chef Ian McHale will be joined by Roy Mckinlay of Canoe for this one-night-only culinary experience.

When: Monday, April 8, 2019
Time: 7 to 10 pm
Where: 120 W Hastings Street, Vancouver
Price: $99; buy online

Coquitlam Outdoor Spring Carnival

What: West Coast Amusements, the largest Canadian midway operation in Western Canada, will be making its annual stop at Coquitlam Centre. They’ll be setting up for 10 straight days with a massive array of rides, games, and traditional carnival fare. The family-owned company is the same team that puts together PlayDome and a number of other pop-up events across the province.

When: Now to Sunday, April 14, 2019
Time: Hours of operation vary based on date and weather.
Where: Coquitlam Centre – 2929 Barnet Highway, Coquitlam
Tickets: Available on-site.

Spectrum Works Job Fair – Vancouver

What: More than 17 of Canada’s top employers are coming together next week for the Spectrum Works autism job fair, a national initiative that aims to fight the stigma attached to people living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their performance in the workplace. The multi-city event, in support of Autism awareness month, is intended for people with ASD who are looking to contribute their strengths to the Canadian workforce.

Spectrum Works will bring together recruiters and hiring managers from major companies including Apple, Rogers, Bell, RBC, Scotiabank, BMO, HSBC, Bell, Loblaws, General Motors, Shoppers Drug Mart and more. Participants will have access to job skill workshops, resume and employment consulting, on-site job interviews and community service providers.

When: Monday, April 8, 2019
Time: 1 pm – 5 pm (Participants asked to arrive by 3 pm)
Where: Pacific Autism Family Network, 3688 Cessna Dr, Richmond, BC V7B 1C3
Price: Free

Champagne Bollinger Wine Dinner

What: Join Cyril DeLarue, the great-grandnephew of Madame Lily Bollinger and Business Development Manager of the renowned Champagne house for an intimate four-course dinner at Chambar Restaurant, paired with a selection of Champagne Bollinger.

When: Monday, April 8, 2019
Time: 7 pm
Where: Chambar Restaurant – 568 Beatty Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Online

The First Book Readings

What: To celebrate National Poetry Month, six local poets are sharing their personal journey of writing their first book and reading an excerpt from it at Vancouver Public Library. This event takes place in the new Montalbano Family Theatre.

When: Monday, April 8, 2019
Time: 7:30 to 8:30 pm
Where: Central Library – 350 West Georgia, Vancouver
Admission: Free

Future City Builders Vancouver: Urban Action Pitch Off

What: Join Youthful Cities for the Future City Builders Urban Action Pitch-Off Night. Their Future City Builders will be pitching their social innovations for the chance to win $5000 in seed funding and project support to launch their idea in Vancouver. The audience will have a chance to vote on the winning projects alongside the panel of judges.

When: Monday, April 8, 2019
Time: Doors 6:30 pm, pitch-off at 7 pm
Where: Morris J. Wosk Center for Dialogue, ICBC Concourse (Lower Level) – 580 West Hastings Street Vancouver
Tickets: Online, Free

Tuesday, April 9

Pixel Art Party

What: Join Surrey Art Gallery at UrbanScreen for an evening of hands-on art activities, digital art, and electronic music. They will screen work created during the animation intensive from March, followed by a full playthrough of Sassoon’s current artwork on UrbanScreen showcasing Surrey’s geography in Liquid Landscapes. Music inspired by Liquid Landscapes will also be debuted. The artist lineup includes Yu Su (You’re Me), JS Aurelius (Ascetic House), Jean Brazeau, Scott W., Baby Blue (S.M.I.L.E), NuZi Collective, and Veron X/O.

When: Tuesday, April 9, 2019
Time: 8 to 9:30 pm
Where: Chuck Bailey Recreation Centre – 13458 107a Ave, Surrey
Admission: Free

Moon vs. Sun

What: One of Canada’s most influential cultural couples – four-time Juno Award-winner Raine Maida (frontman with Our Lady Peace) and two-time winner Chantal Kreviazuk — are starting a new era of music which promises to be fearless. They perform at the Rio Theatre with special guests. Every ticket for this show includes a digital download of Moon vs Sun’s forthcoming album, I’m Going to Break Your Heart (Music From The Motion Picture).

When: Tuesday, April 9, 2019
Time: Doors 6:30 pm, show 7:30 pm
Where: Rio Theatre – 1660 East Broadway, Vancouver
Tickets: Online, $55

Bloom: Wine, Dance, Comedy

What: MascallDance’s BLOOM is an informal evening of dance, wine and comedy. Their choreographers in residence will be showing excerpts of their work in the early evening of the first two Tuesdays in April. Each dance is paired with a wine and interpreted for the audience by a stand-up comedian.

When: Tuesday, April 9, 2019
Time: Doors 5 pm, show 5:30 pm
Where: BLOOM at MascallDance – 1130 Jervis Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Online, $10

Piper Spit Bird Count

What: Whether you’re just getting to know the birds in your backyard or are on the lookout for rarities, grab your binoculars and join a park interpreter to watch the seasonal changes in the birds at Burnaby Lake. Ages 15+ only, please.

When: Tuesday, April 9, 2019
Time: 9 am to 11 pm
Where: Burnaby Lake Regional Park – Meet at Burnaby Lake Nature House, 4519 Piper Avenue, Burnaby
Admission: Free

Music on Main: Month of Tuesdays – Shared Madness with Jennifer Koh, violin

What: With dazzling precision and impressive technicality, violinist Jennifer Koh brings to life pieces by some of today’s leading composers – Philip Glass, Bryce Dessner (from The National), Kaija Saariaho, and Julia Wolfe.

When: Tuesday, April 9, 2019
Time: 8 pm
Where: Fox Cabaret – 2321 Main St, Vancouver
Tickets: $29 regular admission or $10 for students. Alternately, the full, five-show pass is available for $109, or $37 for students. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling the box office at 604-879-9888

Clothing swaps at Lupii Cafe

What: For four Tuesdays this spring, a community swap is being held in South Vancouver. Participants are encouraged to bring quality, gently worn items to give away. All ages, eras, sizes and styles of clothes will be accepted, as long as they are clean, in good condition and likely to be valued by others. You need to bring at least five items to participate. That includes women’s, men’s and children’s clothing, costumes, shoes, accessories and jewelry. They are also accepting craft supplies, linens, kid’s toys, adult and children’s books, as well as small houseware items.

When: April 9, April 30, May 14, May 28, 2019
Time: 5 to 7 pm
Where: Lupii Cafe, 7743 Champlain Crescent, Vancouver.
Cost: $10

Never The Last

What: Never The Last by Delinquent Theatre follows the passionate relationship between Sophie Carmen Eckhardt-Gramatté, one of the most innovative composers of early twentieth century Europe, and expressionist painter Walter Gramatté. The couple’s 10 years of marriage, marked by adventure, poverty, artistic strife, and tragedy, is captured in Eckhardt-Gramatté’s 10 rarely performed violin solos.

When: Tuesday, April 9 to Saturday, April 20, 2019
Time: 8 pm (and 2 pm on April 13)
Where: Annex Performing Arts Theatre – 823 Seymour, Vancouver
Tickets: Online

Wednesday, April 10

The Chilliwack Tulip Festival

What: The 13th annual Tulips of the Valley Festival, now known as Chilliwack Tulip Festival, has announced its return to Chilliwack for the 2019 season. This year’s festival features more than 6.5 million bulbs. The first two weeks of the flowers will show off 10 varieties of hyacinths, 17 varieties of daffodils, and one-of-a-kind, handmade floral mosaics. Starting after the second weekend, 30 different kinds of tulips will be in bloom, with millions of bulbs in all the colours of the rainbow.

The festival will also offer a number of Instagram-worthy photo ops. Returning this year is the Chilliwack Tulip Festival’s famous windmill, traditional Dutch bicycle, and the famous tulip swing. Other attractions include the Rotary Train during weekends, weekend food trucks, a flower-themed gift shop, and tractor rides.

When: April 10 to May 5, 2019, with possible extension
Time: Monday to Friday from 10 am to 7 pm; Saturday, Sunday and Holidays from 9 am to 7 pm
Where: 41310 Yale Road, Chilliwack
Tickets: Online

The Good Bride

What: Inspired by true events, this contemporary one-woman comedy finds a spunky 15-year-old Quiverfull Christian girl named Maranatha made to wait alone, day after day, for the arrival of her 28-year-old groom. With hilarious and heartbreaking naivety, she anticipates her nuptials and forthcoming wedding bed while confessing her teenage desires to a God she loves without question. But as she waits longer and longer for her prince to come, will her faith uphold?

When: Wednesday, April 10 to Saturday, April 13, 2019
Time: 8 pm
Where: Shadbolt Centre for the Arts – 6450 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby
Tickets: Online

TechExit.io

What: TechExit.io, entering its second annual year, educates technology entrepreneurs and investors on how to navigate through acquisitions, mergers, and exits. Attendees will learn the optimal way to pursue a tech exit, react to acquisition interest, and move quickly, should consolidation start to take place in your industry. The event also includes an extensive lineup of speakers and experts, including company founders and their C-teams, VCs, angel investors, and advisors from legal, tax, and investment banking.

When: Wednesday, April 10, 2019
Time: 7:45 am to 4:45 pm
Where: Vancouver Convention Centre East – 999 Canada Place, Vancouver
Tickets: Available online from $795 to $895

 

Whistler World Ski & Snowboard Festival 2019

What: North America’s largest festival of snow sports, music, arts and mountain culture, après-ski, and much more. Taking place over five action-packed days, the festival is set to feature the Saudan Couloir Ski Race Extreme, the Monster Energy Boarderstyle World Championships, and the Ski and Snowboard Big Air. The festival also features a variety of creative showdowns including the CLIF Intersection in Association with Protect Our Winters Canada, Swatch 72 Hour Filmmaker Showdown, and the Pro Photographer Showdown.

Listen to live music as you party during the WSSF Outdoor Concert Series which brings in big names in the music scene to get you dancing. WSSF continues after dark at bars throughout Whistler where you can check out live bands and DJs every night from April 10 to 14.

When: Wednesday, April 10 to Sunday, April 14, 2019
Times: Various times
Where: Whistler, British Columbia
Tickets: Ticket prices vary, purchase online

Cherry Docs

What: Danny is an ambitious Jewish defence lawyer who believes in the common good. When he is assigned the case of an unrepentant neo-Nazi accused of murder, Danny finds himself defending the life of a man who wishes him dead. Are there limits to forgiveness?

When: Various dates from now to Sunday, April 28, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Pacific Theatre – 1440 W 12th Ave, Vancouver
Tickets: Online

Alice in Chains

What: Seattle rock legends Alice in Chains perform at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre with special guests.

When: Wednesday, April 3, 2019
Time: Doors 7 pm, show 8 pm
Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre – 600 Block Hamilton Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Online

The Acorn x Mayne Island Brewing Co. Special Dinner

What: The Acorn presents an exclusive, limited seating six-course dinner in collaboration with Mayne Island Brewing. All dinner items are unique to this event and will not be available on The Acorn’s regular menu.

When: Wednesday, April 10, 2019
Time: arrival 6:30 pm, dinner at 7 pm
Where: The Acorn – 3995 Main Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Online

Thursday, April 11

Ted Baker Warehouse Sale 2019

What: For the first time ever, renowned brand Ted Baker is bringing their warehouse sale to Vancouver. Across four entire days in April, you will be able to shop from a huge selection of apparel, footwear, and accessories at up to 80% off. Brought to Vancouver by StyleDemocracy, North America’s leading Warehouse Sale event management and marketing company, the event has recently been brought to major cities such as Toronto and Las Vegas.

When: Thursday, April 11 to Sunday, April 14, 2019
Time: 11 am to 9 pm (Thursday and Friday), 10 am to 6 pm (Saturday and Sunday)
Where: Queensborough Landing Shopping Centre — 805 Boyd Street, New Westminster
Admission: Free

Giggles & Gags

What: Giggles & Gags presents an evening of original sketch comedy at PAL Theatre. The show features satires of Vancouver’s pop culture, musical parodies, and sketches covering the silly to the surreal with a few magical surprises along the way.

When: Thursday, April 11 to Saturday, April 13, 2019
Time: 8 pm
Where: PAL Studio Theatre – 581 Cardero Street – 8th floor, Vancouver
Tickets: Online, $25

History of Corsetry

What: Peek inside the boudoir of women from the past. See a variety of antique corsets and lingerie from the Antique Corset Museum. Collector, Melanie Talkington, will show her latest acquisitions.

When: Thursday, April 11, 2019
Time: 7 to 8:30 pm
Where: Museum of Surrey – 17710 56a Ave, Surrey
Admission: $12.60

Chimerica

What: The sharp differences but also similarities between two superpowers are highlighted in this thriller about an American photojournalist who is seeking the lone protester at Tiananmen Square, and a Chinese dissident who pays a heavy price for inciting unrest.

When: Various dates from now to Sunday, April 21, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Jericho Arts Centre – 1675 Discovery Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Online

Classical Coffee Concert: L’histoire du Tango

What: Elizabeth and Marcel Bergmann — the Bergmann Piano Duo — are famous for their razzle-dazzle playing and wide-ranging music choices. They’re teaming up with vocalist Nadya Blanchette to interpret some of the most memorable tunes of Broadway with music by Leonard Bernstein, George Gershwin, Jerome Kern, Cole Porter, Richard Rodgers, and Stephen Sondheim.

When: Thursday, April 11, 2019
Time: Social hour at 10 am, performance at 11 am
Where: Studio Theatre at Surrey Arts Centre – 13750 88th Avenue, Surrey
Tickets: Online

Jim Gaffigan

What: Grammy-nominated comedian, actor, writer, producer, two-time New York Times bestselling author, and top-touring performer Jim Gaffigan is set to perform live in Abbotsford in April as part of his Quality Time Tour.

Known around the world for his unique brand of humour, which largely revolves around fatherhood and his observations on life, Gaffigan is one of the world’s highest grossing stand-up comedians.

When: Thursday, April 11, 2019
Time: 8 pm
Where: Abbotsford Centre — 33800 King Road
Price: Tickets available via Ticketmaster — Starting at $45

Blindside

What: A story by Stephanie Morin-Robert about living with one eye. Having lost her eye to retinoblastoma, Morin-Robert never plays the story for pity. She shares stories of horrific embarrassment, but plays them for laughs. She appreciates the humour in the absurdity and allows the audience to feel comfortable in sharing that experience.

When: Thursday, April 11 to Saturday, April 13, 2019
Time: 8 pm (3 pm matinee on Saturday)
Where: Evergreen Cultural Centre – Studio Theatre 1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam
Tickets: Online