21 things to do in Vancouver this week: September 3 to 5

The first week of September is here! Start the month off with George Takei, Vancouver Fringe Festival, and these 21 Vancouver events from Tuesday September 3 to Thursday, September 5!

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

See also

• Vancouver Symphony Orchestra's live Harry Potter concert announces return dates
• This charitable dog walk has a massive canine-friendly beer garden
• Hit podcast Sickboy is recording a live show in Vancouver this September

Tuesday, September 3

George Takei – They Called Us Enemy

What: Actor, activist and author George Takei is signing copies of his bestselling new graphic memoir, They Called Us Enemy, at Indigo Robson on Monday, September 3. All ages are welcome.

They Called Us Enemy is Takei’s firsthand account of his years in “relocation centers,” when every person of Japanese descent on the west coast was rounded up and shipped to one of ten hundreds or thousands of miles from home during the Second World War. He shares his experience living behind barbed wire, growing up under legalized racism, his mother’s hard choices and his father’s faith in democracy, and how those experiences shaped his future.

When: September 3, 2019
Time: Doors 6:30 pm, signing 7 pm
Where: Indigo Robson – 1033 Robson Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Online

Mooncake Pop-up Colette Grand Café

What: Holt Renfrew’s Colette Grand Café will be hosting a special mooncake pop-up from September 3 to 13. The downtown spot will offer a custom collection of mooncakes in Colette Grand Café boxes including flavours like Matcha, Earl Grey, Rose, and Black Sesame.

When: September 3 to 13, 2019
Time: 10 am to 7 pm (Monday and Tuesday), 10 am to 9 pm (Wednesday to Friday)
Where: Holt Renfrew Vancouver – 737 Dunsmuir Street, Vancouver
More Info: Online

Board Game Night at Collingwood Neighbourhood House Annex

What: The Collingwood Neighbourhood House Annex is hosting a board game night on September 3. Bring your own tabletop games or learn a new game while making new friends.

When: September 3, 2019
Time: 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Where: Collingwood Neighbourhood House Annex – 3690 Vanness Ave., Vancouver
Admission: Free

Best BC Ceramics – Potters Guild of BC Members’ Exhibition

What: The Potters Guild of BC and Lipont Gallery present the exhibition, The Best of BC Ceramics. Featuring over 40 BC-based ceramic artists and over 300 pieces of ceramic art.

When: Mondays to Fridays until September 3, 2019
Time: 10 to 5 pm
Where: Lipont Place – 4211 Number 3 Road, Richmond
Tickets: Online, free

Alberto Giacometti: A Line Through Time

What: This unique exhibition is focused on the art of Alberto Giacometti, renowned in the twentieth century for his sculpture, painting, drawing and design. The exhibition offers a rare opportunity to examine the breadth of his practice and to see Giacometti’s place among his contemporaries in Paris and London in the post-war period.

In addition to Giacometti, featured artists include Francis Bacon, César, Lynn Chadwick, Jean Dubuffet, Jean Fautrier, Elisabeth Frink, Henri Michaux, Eduardo Paolozzi, Isabel Rawsthorne, Man Ray, Germaine Richier, Jean-Paul Riopelle and William Turnbull, among others.

When: Now until September 29, 2019
Time: Daily 10 am to 5 pm, Tuesdays until 9 pm, and the first Friday of each month until 9 pm
Where: Vancouver Art Gallery – 750 Hornby St, Vancouver
Tickets: Online

Back to School TheatreSports

What: Vancouver TheatreSports celebrates the beginning of fall with Back to School TheatreSports, with classic TheatreSports short-form improv games parodying classroom clichés and cliques. The comedy will be overseen by a stern Principal, with audience awarding letter grades to the teams.

When: Every Tuesday to Saturday from September 3 until October 12, 2019
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: The Improv Centre – 1502 Duranleau St, Vancouver
Tickets: Online

Iron Maiden

What: Iron Maiden, the English heavy metal band formed in Leyton, East London, in 1975, is stopping by Rogers Arena as part of the iconic band’s “Legacy of the Beast Tour.” Featuring special guests The Raven Age.

When: September 3, 2019
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Rogers Arena – 800 Griffiths Way, Vancouver
Tickets: Online

Wednesday, September 4

Juanes

What: Colombian musician Juanes as won three Latin Grammy Awards and has sold more than 15 million albums worldwide. He performs at the Orpheum on September 4.

When: September 4, 2019
Time: Doors 7 pm
Where: The Orpheum – 601 Smithe St, Vancouver
Tickets: Online

Westbank Shipping Container Summer Pop-Up Series 2019

What: There are more than a dozen vendors this year at Westbank’s second annual Shipping Container Summer Pop-Up Series and the roster includes notable brands in food, health, and fashion. The container will showcase one vendor at a time and hours will vary by retailer, so be sure to check their social channels and get all the details.

When: Daily until September 21, 2019
Time: 10 am to 6 pm (may vary by vendor)
Where: Shaw Tower – West Plaza, 1067 W Cordova Street, Vancouver
Admission: Free

Granville Island Public Market

What: Open year-round and boasting stalls of fresh, colourful produce, homemade products, and some tasty must-try eats. From the ocean, oven, or field — Granville Market has got it all. Grab items to-go or order some grub from one of the many established food vendors at this indoor market, you’re going to leave happy and full.

When: Open year round, seven days a week
Time: 9 am to 7 pm
Where: 1661 Duranleau Street, Granville Island
Admission: Free

Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar’s ‘La Paulée’ Series

What: Boulevard is co-hosting the latest edition of its exclusive ‘La Paulée’-styled wine dinners with the International Wine & Food Society in its private dining quarters on September 4 at 6 pm. Guests are required to bring one bottle per person of Bordeaux and share in the spirit of generosity and conviviality that make ‘Paulée’ events such a unique and time-honoured tradition in France.

When: September 4, 2019
Time: 6 pm
Where: Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar – 845 Burrard Street, Vancouver
Price: $125; buy online

Vancouver Latin American Film Festival – Museo

What: The final film in the 2019 Vancouver Latin American Film Festival lineup is Museo, loosely based on Mexico’s most infamous museum heist. Starring Gael García Bernal and directed by Alonso Ruizpalacios.

When: September 4, 2019
Time: 8:30 pm
Where: SFU Woodward’s Djavad Mowafaghian Cinema – 149 W Hastings St, Vancouver
Tickets: Online

Kobzaring Across Canada – The Lost Instruments of Ukraine

What: Ukrainian musician and luthier Jurij Fedynskyj presents a lecture and performance with three traditional Ukrainian instruments: the torban, kobza and bandura. Featuring violinist Oleh from Kiev and Beverly Dobrinsky on the lira.

When: September 4, 2019
Time: 7 to 10 pm
Where: Ukrainian Culture Centre – 805 East Pender Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Online, free though donations are appreciated

grandson

What: Toronto singer-songwriter grandson performs at VENUE on September 4 with special guest Bad Child.

When: September 4, 2019
Time: Doors 8 pm
Where: VENUE – 881 Granville Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Online

Thursday, September 5

Vancouver Fringe Festival 2019

What: Produced annually by the Vancouver Fringe Theatre Society, Vancouver Fringe Festival features over 700 performances in 11 days, attracting over 40,000 attendees. Enjoy comedy, drama, musicals, clowns, political satire, and more, then check out the Fringe Bar in the evening for more entertainment.

When: September 5 to September 15, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Various venues across Vancouver
Tickets: Online

Metalmorphosis

What: Metalmorphosis is a sculpture exhibition at VisualSpace Gallery from award-winning metal artists Kye-Yeon Son and Brian Hoyano. Curated by Barbara Cohen.

When: Mondays to Saturday until September 7, 2019 (closed Labour Day)
Time: 12 to 5 pm
Where: VisualSpace Gallery – 3352 Dunbar Street, Vancouver
Admission: Free

Thursday Artist Talk: Fiona Tang, “Drawing Without Fear”

What: Vancouver-based artist Fiona Tang shares her process in the Thursday Artists Talk, “Drawing Without Fear.” Tang was the winner of Surrey Art Gallery Association’s first Competitive Art Paint-Off in 2019, and has exhibited at Richmond Art Gallery, Anvil Centre, Queen Elizabeth Theatre, and more.

When: September 5, 2019
Time: 7:30 to 9 pm
Where: Surrey Art Gallery – 13750 88 Avenue, Free
Admission: Free

Sound House: Cypher + Sounds

What: Sound House is Museum of Anthropology’s new music series, with a talented and diverse lineup of Vancouver bands and musicians. The second season launches on September 5 with hip hop, beatboxing and poetry, MC’d and guest curated by Chelsea D.E Johnson.

When: September 5, 2019
Time: 7 to 10 pm
Where: Museum of Anthropology – 6393 NW Marine Drive, Vancouver
Tickets: Online, $15 including museum admission

@giselle

What: Joshua Beamish/MOVETHECOMPANY presents the world premiere of @giselle, a technology-infused reimagining of the ballet masterwork. @giselle looks at how social media has leveraged an unexpected change in modern love and relationships. Choreographed by Joshua Beamish and featuring ballet artists from American Ballet Theatre, The National Ballet of Canada, and Pennsylvania Ballet.

When: September 5 to September 7, 2019
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Vancouver Playhouse – 600 Hamilton Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Online

Death Cab for Cutie

What: Alt-rock band Death Cab for Cutie will be performing in Vancouver this September at the Malkin Bowl, joined by guest Jenn Champion. Formed in Bellingham, Washington, Death Cab for Cutie is composed of members Ben Gibbard, Nick Harmer, Jason McGerr, Dave Depper, and Zac Rae. The band has been nominated for eight Grammy Awards, including Best Rock Album for their 2015 release, Kintsugi. Their ninth studio album Thank You for Today was released in August 2018.

When: September 5, 2019
Time: Doors open 5:30 pm, show starts 6:45 pm
Where: Malkin Bowl — 610 Pipeline Road
Price: $59.50 — Tickets available via Ticketmaster

VCC Chef’s Table Pop-Up Restaurant

What: Vancouver Community College’s Culinary Arts program presents the next edition of their pop-up restaurant The Chef’s Table. Enjoy a five-course, fixed menu with optional wine pairings served in an intimate setting with only 20 seats available per night.

When: Tuesdays to Thursday until September 5, 2019
Time: 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Where: Vancouver Community College – Downtown Campus JJ’s Restaurant – 250 West Pender Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Online, $22-$55