35 things to do in Vancouver this week: March 12 to 16

Winter is nearly wrapped, so shake off the chill with one of Vancouver’s hot events. Here is our list of 35 things to do from Monday, March 12 to Friday, March 16. There’s theatre, craft beer, comedy, and more.

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

Monday, March 12, 2018

Vancouver International Dance Festival

• What: One of Vancouver’s biggest dance festivals is back, offering up everything beautiful about the genre of contemporary dance. Running over most of March at various locations across the city, VIDF is a meeting of local and international talent in some of the hottest arts shows around. Possibly the most anticipated performance is from New York-based Shen Wei Dance Arts, presenting two pieces set to Tibetan Buddhist chanting and Stravinsky.
• When: On now to Saturday, March 24, 2018
• Time: Various times
• Where: Various Locations in Vancouver
• Tickets: Online

Fred Cheng

• What: Frederick “Fred” Cheng is a Canadian-born Hong Kong actor and singer. He has starred in numerous Hong Kong series including Shine On You, Love Bond, The Charm Beneath, and Forensic Heroes. In 2013 he competed in the Hong Kong singing competition, The Voice of the Stars, winning first place and releasing his first single, “Nobody”.
• When: Monday, March 12, 2018
• Time: 8 pm
• Where: River Rock Casino Resort – 8811 River Road, Richmond
• Tickets: Online, $48

Ukulele for The Complete Beginner

• What: Tom Saunders leads a ukulele workshop at Tapestry Music. Start playing your first song by the end of the night.
  
• When: Monday, March 12, 2018
• Time: 6 pm
• Where: Tapestry Music White Rock – 1335 Johnston Road, White Rock
• Tickets: Online, $10

Forget About Tomorrow

• What: A personal tale based on Spirit of the West John Mann’s Alzheimer diagnosis, Forget About Tomorrow is about a family’s experience with the early-onset stage of the disease. John Mann himself contributed to the play, through the last two songs the musician ever wrote. Questions about loyalty, sacrifice, and purpose are centre stage in this dramatic comedy.
  
• When: Now to Sunday, March 25, 2018
• Time: Various times
• Where: BMO Theatre Centre – 162 West 1st Avenue, Vancouver
• Tickets: At Arts Club; $29-$49+

Why Don’t We

• What: Why Don’t We is a musical performance by singer-songwriters Daniel Seavey, Zach Herron, Corbyn Besson, Jonah Marais, and Jack Avery. Check them out at the Vogue on their The Invitation tour.
• When: Monday, March 12, 2018
• Time: 7 pm
• Where: Vogue Theatre – 918 Granville Street, Vancouver
• Tickets: Online, $32.25

Fairmont Pacific Northwest Career Fair

• What: The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, Fairmont Waterfront, Fairmont Pacific Rim, and Fairmont Vancouver Airport are all hosting their first career fair of 2018, and recruiting for multiple positions, across all departments of each hotel. Find a career with a company that is consistently ranked as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers.
• When: Monday, March 12, 2018
• Time: 8 am to 1 pm
• Where: Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, 900 West Georgia Street
• Admission: Free

Authors Among Us

• What: Mingle with local authors and learn about their writing process and publication experience. Authors featured are Taslim Burkowicz (Chocolate Cherry Chai), Jennifer Honeybourn (Wesley James Ruined my Life), and Simon Choa-Johnston (The House of Wives).
  
• When: Monday, March 12, 2018
• Time: 7 pm
• Where: Ocean Park Library – 12854 17 Ave, Surrey
• Admission: Free. Registration is required by calling 604-502-6449

Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Curry Cup 2018

• What: The highly-anticipated Curry Cup returns to Vancouver next month for its fifth year of curry craziness. This annual event will go down on March 13 at Heritage Hall on Main Street, where eight chefs will compete to see who has created the most outstanding curry of the evening. Attendees of the Curry Cup can enjoy samples of each curry, beer from R&B Brewing, donuts from Cartems, and cocktail and wine samples.
• When: Tuesday, March 13, 2018
• Time: 6:30 to 9:30 pm
• Where: Heritage Hall – 3102 Main Street, Vancouver
• Tickets: $60 to $69; buy via Eventbrite

Empowered Entrepreneur

• What: Network with like minded entrepreneurs in a fun, social setting. Each meeting will have a discussion topic or a speaker to educate and inspire.
• When: Tuesday, March 13, 2018
• Time: 10 to 11:30 am
• Where: Chances Maple Ridge – 22710 Lougheed Highway, Maple Ridge
• Tickets: Online, $5-$15

Out At The Inn

• What: Everything falls apart in this hilarious comedy about a lesbian couple who try to make their dreams come true of running a bed and breakfast out in the country. They live with unusual neighbours, serve unconventional guests, and receive the help they desperately need from the unlikeliest sources. This is the world premiere of this original production, written by Karen White and Leigh Burrows.
  
• When: Tuesday March 13 to Saturday March 17, 2018
• Time: 8 pm
• Where: Russian Hall – 600 Campbell Street, Vancouver
• Tickets: Online, $20 ($10 on March 13)

Onegin

• What: This hit musical, put on by the Arts Club Theatre Company, is a rock concert, back kitchen party, and love poem that will move, shake, and wake you.
• When: Tuesday, March 13 to Wednesday, March 14, 2018
• Time: 8 pm
• Where: Shadbolt Centre for the Arts – 6450 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby
• Tickets: Online, $42-$47

These Are The Songs That I Sing When I’m Sad

• What: Singer Jane Miller intimately explores why certain sad songs stick with you throughout life. Toronto-based company, Nightswimming, has toured the show in other locations, and will be returning to Granville Island’s Fishbowl for five nights only. The micro-performance allows the audience to get closer to the action, requesting their favourite sad songs for Miller to perform throughout the show.
• When: Tuesday, March 13 to Saturday, March 17, 2018
• Time: 8 pm
• Where: The Fishbowl – 100-1398 Cartwright Street, Granville Island, Vancouver
• Tickets: At Eventbrite; $25

The After After Party

• What: Drug-infused time-travel lands two teens in the middle of a raccoon sanctuary. An irrelevant comedy with strong accolades from the Vancouver Fringe Festival, The After After Party is a tribute to adolescent friendship and lovable outcasts. The souped-up version of the show promises to be a “bigger, better, badder, banger.” It looks to be an evening of pure bubblegum fun.
• When: Now to Saturday, March 17, 2018
• Time: Various times
• Where: The Cultch – 1985 Venables Street, Vancouver
• Tickets: At The Cultch; $35

Kim Churchill

• What: Australia’s Kim Churchill is touring in support of his latest full-length album, WeightFalls.
  
• When: Tuesday, March 13, 2018
• Time: 9 pm
• Where: The Fox Cabaret – 2321 Main Street, Vancouver
• Tickets: Online, $15

Wednesday, March 14, 2018

East Side Beer Fest 2018

• What: Liberty Merchant Company proudly presents the 6th Annual East Side Beer Fest tasting event. The evening will feature craft beers from BC and around the world, along with a silent auction and door prize.
• When: Wednesday, March 14, 2018
• Time: 7 to 9 pm
• Where: The Wise Hall & Lounge – 1882 Adanac Street, Vancouver
• Tickets: $29.99 plus a non-perishable food donation; buy tickets at Liberty Wine Merchants locations

GLOBE Forum and Innovation Expo 2018

• What: Business, government, and civil society leaders find inspiration, connections, and new opportunities in the green economy. Featured speakers include Michelle Patron, Director of Sustainability Policy, Microsoft; Ryan Holmes, CEO, Hootsuite; and Dee Poon Managing Director and Chief Brand Officer, PYE.
• When: Wednesday March 14 to Friday, March 16, 2018
• Where: Vancouver Convention Center – East Building – 999 Canada Place, Vancouver
• Register: Online

Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar Championship-Winning Tasting Menu

• What: Remember that Vancouver chef? The one that recently won the biggest culinary competition in Canada? Well, now you’ve got a chance to try his award-winning dishes for yourself – but only for one night. Chef Alex Chen of Boulevard Kitchen & Bar has put together a four-course tasting menu of his championship-winning fare, and you can try it Wednesday, March 14 by making a reservation.
• When: Wednesday, March 14, 2018
• Time: 6 pm
• Where: Boulevard Kitchen & Bar – 845 Burrard Street, Vancouver
• Price: $95 ($45 for wine pairing); reserve by calling 604-642-2900

Surrey Civic Theatres 50th Anniversary Gala & Concert

• What: Surrey Civic Theatres turns 50 with a birthday bash. Celebrate the legacy of the theatre, the inspiration brought its to the community, and the artists who have graced its stages. Featuring the BC World Music Collective, and thirteen artists – both indigenous and from away – who now call BC home.
• When: Wednesday, March 14, 2018
• Time: 6:30 pm
• Where: Surrey Arts Centre – 13750 88 Ave, Surrey
• Tickets: Online, $29-$49

King of the Courts – Squash Tournament

• What: Test your squash skills in the 26th Annual King of the Courts. The tournament includes three guaranteed matches, a tournament t-shirt, a banquet dinner, door prizes, placement prizes, and more.
• When: Wednesday, March 14, 2018
• Time: Various times
• Where: Bonsor Recreation Complex – 6550 Bonsor Avenue, Burnaby
• Register: Online

Casual Birding Walk

• What: ​​Check out shorebirds, waterfowl, raptors, and more on this 2.5 hour bird-watching amble – bring binoculars. For ages 9 and up.
• When: Wednesday, March 14, 2018
• Time: 9 am to 12 pm
• Where: Boundary Bay Regional Park – Meet at Cammidge House, via Centennial Beach entrance on Boundary Bay Road, Tsawwassen
• Register: Online, Free

Tomorrow’s Child

• What: Calgary’s acclaimed Ghost Rider Theatre, with special permission from the Ray Bradbury estate, has created a new audio-only adaption of Bradbury’s sci-fi short story Tomorrow’s Child. This one-of-kind, audio-only, theatre experience is presented to a blindfolded audience.
• When: Wednesday, March 14 to Saturday, March 17, 2018
• Time: 8 pm
• Where: Shadbolt Centre for the Arts – 6450 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby
• Tickets: Online, $15-$36

Thursday, March 15, 2018

Lane 8

• What: Lane 8, aka Daniel Goldstein, is touring in support of his second album, Little By Little. The tour will see Lane 8 DJ tracks from the new record and his rich discography – including new edits, club mixes, and remixes. Featuring support from Luttrell.
• When: Thursday, March 15, 2018
• Time: Doors 10 pm
• Where: VENUE – 881 Granville Street, Vancouver
• Tickets: Online, $25

Designing the Future We Desire – RED Academy

• What: Hear talks from a panel of social innovators, tech entrepreneurs, UX and UI designers, and philanthropists on how you can use a human design-centric approach to solve society’s most complex challenges.
• When: Thursday, March 15, 2018
• Time: 6 to 8:30 pm
• Where: RED Academy – 1490 West Broadway #200
• Tickets: $10 – Register via Eventbrite

Lunch & Learn: Blockchain & Cryptocurrency 101

• What: Join the Richmond Chamber of Commerce over the lunch hour for an informative seminar, giving attendees the introductory tools to understand Blockchain and Cryptocurrency technologies. Guests are welcomed to bring their lunch. Coffee, tea and water will be provided.
• When: Thursday, March 15, 2018
• Time: 11:45 am to 1 pm
• Where: Richmond Chamber of Commerce Boardroom – #202 North Tower – 5811 Cooney Road, Richmond
• Tickets: Online, $10

An Evening in Space with Music from Plasteroid & Skim Milk

• What: Showing off the Vancouver Planetarium’s newly-renovated projection system, local musicians Owen Connell (keyboardist from Jasper Sloan Yip) and Sam Davidson (clarinetist from Brasstronaut) are performing live.
• When: Thursday, March 15, 2018
• Time: 8 to 10 pm
• Where: H.R. MacMillan Space Centre – 1100 Chestnut Street, Vancouver
• Tickets: At Eventbrite; $20

Michael Vecchione

• What: Michael Vecchione has won the People’s Choice Award for the New York Comedy Festival, was a semi-finalist on NBC’s Last Comic Standing, and performed on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. He has also shot his own half-hour special for Comedy Central.
• When: Thursday, March 15 to Saturday, March 17, 2018
• Time: Various times
• Where: the Comedy Mix – 1015 Burrard Street, Vancouver
• Tickets: Online, $15-$20

I Lost My Husband

• What: Catherine Léger’s comedy J’ai perdu mon mari was a hit in Quebec and Ruby Slippers Theatre commissioned this English language translation from Leanna Brodie to present the World Premiere of I Lost My Husband.
• When: Thursday, March 15 to Saturday, March 24, 2018
• Time: Various times
• Where: Gateway Theatre – 6500 Gilbert Road, Richmond
• Tickets: Online, $29

Yaletown Cocktail Crawl

• What: Embark on this self-guided cocktail adventure to discover the latest culinary trends in one of the trendiest neighbourhoods in Vancouver. This trip consists of a unique cocktail and food pairing experience at three restaurants and bars in Yaletown. It all kicks off at House Special.
• When: Thursday, March 15, 2018
• Time: 5:30 to 8 pm
• Where: House Special – 1269 Hamilton Street, Vancouver
• Tickets: $35-45; buy online

Friday, March 16, 2018

CelticFest 2018 Ceilidh

• What: The Annual CelticFest Ceilidh is back in a new location – The Scottish Cultural Centre. Dance the night away to music by Vancouver’s finest local musicians.
• When: Friday, March 16, 2018
• Time: 7 pm
• Where: Scottish Cultural Centre – 8886 Hudson Street, Vancouver
• Tickets: Online, $25

Colour Tongues

• What: Colour Tongues, featuring James Challis, David Taylor, Graeme Meekison, and Daniel Ré, are known for their upbeat choruses, technical power rhythms, and blending of different instrumental patterns that work alongside high-range vocals. Featuring guests Late Night Takeaway and Sleepy Gonzales.
• When: Friday, March 16, 2018
• Time: Doors 7 pm
• Where: Biltmore Cabaret – 2755 Prince Edward Street
  Vancouver
• Tickets: Online, $12

Funny Money

• What: A mild mannered man, living somewhere in the Lower Mainland, comes home with a briefcase full of money that he accidentally picked up on the SkyTrain. Hijinks ensue. Written by Ray Cooney and directed by Ellie King.
• When: Friday, March 16 to Saturday, March 17, 2018
• Time: Various times
• Where: Main Stage at Surrey Arts Centre – 13750 88 Avenue, Surrey
• Tickets: Online, $20-$28

Run Wild Vancouver presents: Survive Outside

• What: Run Wild Vancouver is hosting a special edition of the Adventure Smart Survive Outside classroom program. Seasoned trail runners share personal stories and practical tips to help play safe on the trails. Attendees will also learn ways to manage the dynamics of running in a group, leadership skills, and things to consider when adventuring with less experienced runners.
  
• When: Friday, March 16, 2018
• Time: 6 to 9 pm
• Where: MEC North Vancouver – 212 Brooksbank Avenue, North Vancouver
• Register: Online, Free

Jacques Plante & the Parkdale Knitting League

• What: Jacques Plante and the Parkdale Knitting League is a true life account of legendary NHL goalie Jacques Plante, with the fictionalized story of Violet Henderson, a lonely Toronto housewife who falls in love with Plante when she learns that, like herself, he is an avid knitter. The story spans the more than 20 years of both Plante’s varied and sometimes tumultuous career, and the romantic fantasy developed by Violet. Presented by Surrey’s Naked Stage.
• When: Friday, March 16 to Sunday, March 18, 2018
• Time: Various times
• Where: Newton Cultural Centre – 13530 – 72 Avenue, Surrey
• Tickets: Online, $15

Little Miss Glitz – Too Fly Productions

• What: ​Little Miss Glitz is a musical parody/celebration of children’s beauty pageants, chock full of today’s catchy pop hits. Leapfrogging off the popular and derided TV show Toddlers and Tiaras, the play mixes entertainment with questionable beauty standards and parenting practices.
• When: Friday, March 16 to Saturday, March 31, 2018
• When: Various times
• Where: Performance Works, Granville Island – 1218 Cartwright Street, Vancouver
• Tickets: At Eventbrite; $29

Vancouver Giants versus Kelowna Rockets

• What: Vancouver Giants face off with the Kelowna Rockets in Western Hockey League action.
• When: Friday, March 16, 2018
• Time: 7:30 pm
• Where: Langley Events Centre – 7888 200 Street, Langley
• Tickets: Online