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The first week of May has arrived and there are many fun things to do around Vancouver and online to start the month. From DOXA to Mother’s Day and more, here are 15 things to keep you busy this week.
See also:
- All the restaurants participating in La Pizza Week Vancouver
- Westward Music Festival announces plans to return to Vancouver this fall
- Playland delays opening until after the May long weekend
Wheel Voices: Tune In!
What: Featuring fourteen community artists, Wheel Voices: Tune In! is a virtual performance rooted in the disability experience that combines original scenes, rap, spoken word, and choral pieces. The show on May 5 features ASL Interpretation and May 14 is presented with audio description and captioning. Both performances includes a post-show live Q&A with the cast and crew.
When: May 5 and 14, 2021
Time: 7 pm
Where: Virtual
Cost: Pay-what-you-can, purchase online
Gabryel Harrison Painting Exhibition: After Every Winter, Soft Wind
What: New Zealand-born and Vancouver-based artist Gabryel Harrison’s latest collection of oil and acrylic paintings are described by her as being “grounded in my earlier work with floral imagery yet informed by the experience of being in a new unknown.” See After Every Winter, Soft Wind at VisualSpace Gallery until May 15.
When: Now until May 15, 2021 (closed Sunday and Monday)
Time: 12 to 5 pm
Where: VisualSpace Gallery – 3352 Dunbar St., Vancouver
Cost: Free
Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival: Adventuring in a Changing World
Salto is the King. Photo submitted
What: The VIMFF’s online platform presents four unique films, including two North American premieres, that celebrate the spirit of adventure while raising questions about Inclusivity and Environmentalism. The Adventuring in a Changing World show will also include a live interactive virtual workshop with Canadian explorer, Kevin Vallelly, who will share captivating stories from his expeditions, and valuable tools to help you plan your next personal adventure.
When: May 5 to 19, 2021
Time: Viewing Period from May 5 at 12 pm to May 19 at midnight. Ticket sales end on May 12 at midnight.
Where: Virtual
Cost: $15, purchase online
La Pizza Week Vancouver
What: Restaurants in different cities sign up and create a unique pizza to offer patrons until May 7. Pizza lovers will be able to vote for their favourite pie on the festival’s website once it officially kicks off. The week-long pizza festival is brought to us by the folks behind La Poutine Week and Le Burger Week.
When: Now until May 7, 2021
Time: Various hours of operation
Where: Various restaurants around Vancouver
Cost: Various, see the list of La Pizza Week restaurants Online
REBO(U)ND – Caroline Laurin-Beaucage
What: DanceHouse presents an outdoor video projection of REBO(U)ND by Montreal choreographer Caroline Laurin-Beaucage. Projected on the wall of a tower in English Bay, REBO(U)ND is a seven-minute video on loop that “reveals and magnifies bodies on the verge of escaping gravity.”
When: Now until May 8, 2021
Time: Starting 30 minutes after sunset until 10:30 pm
Where: On Denman St. between Pendrell St and Morton Ave.
Cost: Free
Longing… by Vidya Kotamraju
What: Vancouver-based Bharata Natyam dance artist Vidya Kotamraju performs a livestreamed edition of Longing… at the 2021 Vancouver International Dance Festival. The two-part performance is described as being based on the universal themes of romantic and spiritual yearning for love, companionship, and oneness.
When: May 6, 7 and 8, 2021
Time: May 6 and 7 at 7 pm, May 8 at 4 pm
Where: Virtual
Cost: By donation, purchase online
DOXA Documentary Film Festival
What: Western Canada’s largest documentary film festival celebrates its 20th Anniversary in May, with virtual screenings, Q&As, industry events and more. This year livestreamed DOXA features over 50 documentaries, including shorts, features and world premieres from Canada and around the world. There is also a DOXA drive-in film festival happening at PNE Amphitheatre from May 13 to 15.
When: May 6 to 16, 2021
Time: Various times
Where: Virtual and a DOXA drive-in film festival at the PNE Amphitheatre
Cost: Various, buy tickets online
Exploring Asian Heritage in Vancouver
What: UBC Asian Studies and explorASIAN present a virtual panel conversation, discussing the significance of Asian Heritage Month to Asian-Canadians living in Vancouver today. Questions are welcome, and can be pre-submitted before the event or asked live.
When: May 6, 2021
Time: 5 pm
Where: Virtual
Cost: Free, register online
Indigenous History in Colour Exhibit
View this post on Instagram
What: This solo exhibition by Luke Parnell is a powerful exploration of the relationship between Northwest Coast Indigenous oral histories, conceptual art, and traditional formline design. Indigenous History in Colour’s playful juxtapositions and bold commentary is inspired by history, pop culture, and Bill Reid. Parnell’s multidisciplinary analysis of the shifting perspectives of Northwest Coast art in modern history challenges contemporary discourse on notions of reconciliation, repatriation and representation today.
When: Exhibition until May 9, 2021
Where: Bill Reid Gallery – 639 Hornby Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Online
Check out a rooftop patio in Vancouver
What: The only thing we love more than an awesome patio is an awesome rooftop patio. Lucky for Vancouverites, we’ve got a few stellar spaces to choose from in the patio category, making patio hopping the city’s skyline a total blast. From lush garden oases to sleek modern hangouts, check out our list of the best rooftop patios in Vancouver.
When: Various days of operation
Time: Various hours of operation
Location: Various restaurants across Vancouver
Check out some of Vancouver’s best cherry blossom trees
What: Springtime in Vancouver means enjoying the beautiful cherry blossoms. In fact, across the city, there are over 90,000 flowering trees, including more than 40,000 Japanese cherry flowering trees.
There are plenty of nearby spots with stunning cherry blossoms, just make sure to be respectful if you’re in a residential neighbourhood!
When: Springtime
Where: Various locations across Vancouver
Cost: Free of charge
Trout Lake Farmers Market
What: Visitors will discover over 60 farms and producers at the weekly Trout Lake Farmers Market. Market amenities include food and coffee trucks, bike racks, grocery pick-up zone and chef parking
When: Every Saturday until October 30, 2021
Time: 9 to 9:30 am (those vulnerable to COVID), 9:30 to 2 pm (General Public)
Location: Lakewood Dr. & E 13th Ave., Vancouver
Treat your mother to a Mother’s Day treat
Beaucoup Bakery Mother’s Day (Photo: Rich Won)
What: Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and if you need something sugary and sweet for Mom, we’ve got you covered. Here is our list of the 13 best places to get Mother’s Day treats in Vancouver.
When: Various days of operation
Time: Various hours of operation
Location: Various restaurants and shops across Vancouver
A Breath of Fresh Air
What: The Opera Project in Vancouver presents a free virtual concert on Mother’s Day featuring the launch of Top HeARTS Troupe & Top Hat Train. A Breath of Fresh Air showcases a variety of works from composers like Mozart, Verdi, Gershwin, and more.
When: May 9, 2021
Time: 12 am to midnight
Where: Virtual
Cost: Free
Brand Battle for Good Award Night
Brand Battle For Good
What: This month, 27 teams representing Vancouver’s top brands are coming together to help move the city towards zero waste. The Brand Battle for Good Award Night is hosted by emcee Zain Meghi and will spotlight the top three solutions. The event also features live music by The Long War and live mural painting by Jesse Gouchey of Maskwa Murals.
When: May 5, 2021
Time: 6 to 8 pm
Where: Virtual
Cost: Free, register Online
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