Things to Do in Vancouver This Weekend

Happy Equinox! This weekend day and night will be nearly equal all around the world and Autumn will officially begin. Appreciate the start of pumpkin spice season by having your heart melted by the Aquarium’s rescued otters, going on a walk to spy on this season’s birds, enjoying a moon festival, or checking out a sculpture exhibit full of grotesque human-animal hybrids.

Friday | Saturday | Sunday | Ongoing



Friday September 21

Interface: The Woven Artwork of Meghann O’Brien

Interface: The Woven Artwork of Meghann O’Brien
Where: Bill Reid Gallery
What: Known for her ability to work in miniature and with very fine stitching, Kakwaka’wakw and Haida artist Meghann O’Brien uses her artwork to both explore her Northwest Coast cultural heritage, and rebuild and maintain bonds with her community. She disrupts what is often seen as a distinct order between the contemporary and traditional by looking at how they are in conversation with each other in a non-linear way.
Runs until: January 9, 2019

Patricia Piccinini’s Curious Imaginings

Patricia Piccinini’s Curious Imaginings
Where: The Patricia Hotel
What: The hyperrealist “world of oddly captivating, somewhat grotesque, human-animal hybrid creatures” will be the artist’s first exhibition in a non-museum setting, transforming a wing of the 105-year-old Patricia Hotel. Situated in Vancouver’s oldest and continually changing neighbourhood of Strathcona, Piccinini’s immersive sculpture experience will “challenge us to explore the social impacts of emerging biotechnology and our ethical limits in an age where genetic engineering and digital technologies are already pushing the boundaries of humanity.”
Runs until: Friday October 12, 2018

Mid Autumn Moon Festival

Mid Autumn Moon Festival
Where: Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
What: In Chinese culture, music is seen as an expression of the perfect harmony between the Earth, human beings, and the heavens above. Under the celestial and transcendent power of the moon, many ancient Chinese scholars composed music and poetry that united families and friends. At this festival you will get to experience the connection between music and the moon, whose eternal nature inspired Chinese artistic tradition.

City Opera Presents Nigredo Hotel

City Opera Presents Nigredo Hotel
Where: The Cultch Historic Theatre
What: This one-act chamber opera tells the tale of an encounter between a beautiful but crazed hotelier and a brain surgeon who seeks refuge after a traumatic car accident. Internationally renowned opera stars Tyler Duncan and Sarah Vardy will perform a brilliant Jungian-inspired combat between two of the most unusual characters in 20th century opera, backed by a four-player jazz combo.
Runs until: Saturday September 22, 2018

Mustard
Where: Arts Club Theatre
What: Mustard has outstayed his welcome. After all, Thai is now 16 years old and no longer needs an imaginary friend living under her bed. To make matters worse, Mustard is falling for Thai’s recently separated mother, who’s just started to see him too. Join this angsty but loving family in a darkly comic tale about growing up, moving on, and finding magic where you least expect it.
Runs until: Saturday October 20, 2018

Vancouver International Flamenco Festival | Image by Ana Rosa Fernandez

Vancouver International Flamenco Festival
Where: Various locations
What: International and local flamenco artists come together for ticketed events and free workshops.
Runs until: Sunday September 30, 2018

The Last Movie

The Last Movie
Where: The Cinematheque
What: Dennis Hopper’s little-seen follow-up to the epochal hit Easy Rideris one of cinema’s legendary films maudits(cursed films). Given carte blanche and a large budget by Universal Pictures, the actor-director took a film crew and a cast of pals — including Kris Kristofferson, Peter Fonda, Michelle Phillips, and Samuel Fuller — off to Peru, where they made this radically self-reflexive New Wave wonder, the acid-trip tale of a Hollywood company shooting a Western in the Andes.
Runs until: Monday September 24, 2018

The Wailers

The Wailers
Where: Commodore Ballroom
What: A high-energy show of the roots rock reggae sounds they pioneered as the former band to the late Bob Marley.

Decentralized Dance Party

Decentralized Dance Party
Where: To be announced
What: Using a portable FM radio transmitter to broadcast music and voice out to hundreds of boomboxes, creating massive mobile parties that have united hundreds of thousands worldwide in transcendent public celebration.

Arthur and Lucas Jussen show 1 of 2
Where: The Orpheum
What: Maestro Otto Tausk makes his series debut as VSO Music Director, in a high-energy concert that features a number of Dutch connections: superstar pianist brothers, Arthur and Lucas Jussen; Dutch Canadian composer Edward Top; and Maestro Tausk himself.

Leap and the Loom

Leap and the Loom
Where: 1359 Cartwright Street
What: An exhibition by world-renowned, senior Canadian fibre artist Sola Fiedler, known for her tapestry tributes to cities that have hosted Olympic Games. Her work captures the architectural and spiritual elements of each city, at that moment in time.
Runs until: Tuesday October 2, 2018


 

Saturday September 22

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Seawheeze Half Marathon and Festival
Where: Downtown and Stanley Park
What: Over 10,000 runners descend on Vancouver to sweat it out over a weekend of yoga, running, and of course, one hell of a party. Prepare to harness your powers of positivity, physicality, and mindfulness, all while taking in next-level natural beauty. Crush some goals (and maybe a few brews).

Sea Otter Awareness Week Celebrations

Sea Otter Awareness Week Celebrations
Where: Vancouver Aquarium
What: Watch the six rescued sea otters (Tanu, Katmai, Mak, Kunik, Rialto, and Hardy) holding paws, banging their toys, grooming their dense fur, and wrestling one another while learning the science behind these behaviours, the challenges sea otters face in the wild, and how to help conserve this endearing and essential species. More than just a fuzzy face, sea otters play a vital role in ocean ecosystems. They keep kelp forests in the North Pacific Ocean in balance.
Runs until: Sunday September 30, 2018

Aida Cuevas

Aida Cuevas
Where: The Chan Centre
What: Hailed as ‘The Queen of Mariachi’ and renowned for her elegance, charisma, and stunning vocal range, Cuevas will sing traditional Mexican songs by the late singer-songwriter and musical icon Juan Gabriel.

A Curator’s View: Ian Thom Selects

A Curator’s View: Ian Thom Selects
Where: Vancouver Art Gallery
What: A showcase of the span of the gallery’s rich permanent collection through an exhibition of nearly ninety works including paintings, drawings, photographs, and sculptures. Since the Gallery’s establishment in 1931, its permanent collection has become the most comprehensive resource for visual culture in British Columbia. Building on the collection’s historical and contemporary strengths, the Gallery continues to steward acquisitions through donation and purchase.
Runs until: March 17, 2019

BC Lions vs. Hamilton Tiger-Cats

BC Lions vs. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Where: BC Place Stadium
What: It’s a football game.

RuPaul’s Drag Race: Werq The World
Where: The Vogue
What: Hosted by Bob The Drag Queen with sickening performances by the queens from Season 10 along with fan favorites Kim Chi, Valentina, Shangela and Violet Chachki.

Craig Ferguson
Where: River Rock Casino
What: A comedy star in film, television and the stage, Craig will be bringing his hilarious observations with a bit of a Scottish bent to Vancouver.

Writers Showcase
Where: Vancouver Public Library Central Branch
What: Talented writers showcase their works. Featuring Andréa Fehsenfeld, Danica King, Andrew Littler, Martha Stainsby, Lindsay Wincherauk.

September Bird Walk

September Bird Walk
Where: VanDusen Gardens
What: Take a guided tour through VanDusen and learn about the native bird species that make their home in the garden.

Arthur and Lucas Jussen show 2 of 2
Where: The Orpheum
What: Maestro Otto Tausk makes his series debut as VSO Music Director, in a high-energy concert that features a number of Dutch connections: superstar pianist brothers, Arthur and Lucas Jussen; Dutch Canadian composer Edward Top; and Maestro Tausk himself.

Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival
Where: Renfrew Park Community Centre
What: Co-produced by Still Moon Arts Society and the Renfrew Park Community Association, the festival celebrates the harvest abundance and the full moon. From afternoon to evening, the festival transforms from a harvest celebration during the day to a lantern festival at night. As dusk gathers, a procession will begin to form along the banks of the ravine, featuring lighted lanterns beautifully hand crafted by local artists, community members and students.

Interior Design Show Vancouver
Where: Vancouver Convention Centre
What: Individual designers, artists, makers and design-centric brands come together in Vancouver to showcase their current works, concepts and products. There will also be opportunities to hear from some of the design world’s most notable and talented personalities and connect with a long list of world-class designers that either call Vancouver home, or call on Vancouver for inspiration.
Runs until: Sunday September 23, 2018


 

Sunday September 23

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Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Dallas

Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Dallas FC
Where: BC Place Stadium
What: It’s a soccer game.

Art House Theatre Day: Have You Seen My Movie?

Art House Theatre Day: Have You Seen My Movie?
Where: VanCity Theatre
What: What is the fascination with seeing moving pictures splashed on a white wall in a dark room? Paul Anton Smith, inspired by his time with artist Christian Marclay as an assistant on The Clock, has fashioned a fabulous reverie on moviegoing, compiled from more than 1000 scenes of international cinema, including (of course) Cinema Paradiso, The Purple Rose of Cairo, The Last Picture Show, and True Romance. Unlikely ever to be granted mainstream distribution, this cinematic cornucopia is truly a once-in-a-lifetime shot.

Kid’s Petting Zoo

Kid’s Petting Zoo
Where: Lonsdale Quay
What: The petting zoo will include a wide array of farm animals including goats, lambs, sheep, rabbits and even a miniature horse.

Storm Brewing’s Loading Dock Party

Storm Brewing’s Loading Dock Party
Where: Storm Brewery
What: Beer ice cream floats, beer without ice cream in it, and beer chit chats.


 

Ongoing

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Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival

Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival
Where: Vanier Park
What: What do you say to watching a live production of Macbeth, Timon of Athens, As You Like It or Lysistrata in a custom-built tent on the beach while sipping wine, beer, and munching on a picnic lunch themed to the play? Yes! Right? And don’t even get us started on the amazing costumes.
Runs until: Saturday September 22, 2018

 

Interior Design Show Vancouver
Where: Vancouver Convention Centre
What: Individual designers, artists, makers and design-centric brands come together in Vancouver to showcase their current works, concepts and products. There will also be opportunities to hear from some of the design world’s most notable and talented personalities and connect with a long list of world-class designers that either call Vancouver home, or call on Vancouver for inspiration.
Runs until: Sunday September 23, 2018

The Last Movie

The Last Movie
Where: The Cinematheque
What: Dennis Hopper’s little-seen follow-up to the epochal hit Easy Rideris one of cinema’s legendary films maudits(cursed films). Given carte blanche and a large budget by Universal Pictures, the actor-director took a film crew and a cast of pals — including Kris Kristofferson, Peter Fonda, Michelle Phillips, and Samuel Fuller — off to Peru, where they made this radically self-reflexive New Wave wonder, the acid-trip tale of a Hollywood company shooting a Western in the Andes.
Runs until: Monday September 24, 2018

Free Orpheum Tours
Where: The Orpheum
What: A 90-minute tour of The Orpheum, a designated National Heritage Site, which was built in 1927. Each year the theatre hosts international musicians, popular concerts and unique events; it is also home to the beloved Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
Runs until: Saturday September 29, 2018

Sea Otter Awareness Week Celebrations

Sea Otter Awareness Week Celebrations
Where: Vancouver Aquarium
What: Watch the six rescued sea otters (Tanu, Katmai, Mak, Kunik, Rialto, and Hardy) holding paws, banging their toys, grooming their dense fur, and wrestling one another while learning the science behind these behaviours, the challenges sea otters face in the wild, and how to help conserve this endearing and essential species. More than just a fuzzy face, sea otters play a vital role in ocean ecosystems. They keep kelp forests in the North Pacific Ocean in balance.
Runs until: Sunday September 30, 2018

Cabin Fever | Image from the Series “Ice Huts” by Richard Johnson (cropped)

Cabin Fever
Where: Vancouver Art Gallery
What: This exhibition traces the tradition of the cabin in Canada and the United States—from the settlement of the frontier to depictions showing how this humble architectural form has been appropriated for its symbolic value and helped shape a larger cultural identity.
Runs until: Sunday September 30, 2018

Vancouver International Flamenco Festival | Image by Ana Rosa Fernandez

Vancouver International Flamenco Festival
Where: Various locations
What: International and local flamenco artists come together for ticketed events and free workshops.
Runs until: Sunday September 30, 2018

Arts of Resistance: Politics and The Past in Latin America

Arts of Resistance: Politics and The Past in Latin America
Where: UBC Museum of Anthropology
What: This premiere exhibition illustrates how Latin American communities use traditional or historic art forms to express contemporary political realities. Featuring art and multi-sensory installations from Mexico, Guatemala, Peru, Honduras, Ecuador and Chile, with special attention to marginalized communities.
Runs until: Sunday September 30, 2018

Leap and the Loom

Leap and the Loom
Where: 1359 Cartwright Street
What: An exhibition by world-renowned, senior Canadian fibre artist Sola Fiedler, known for her tapestry tributes to cities that have hosted Olympic Games. Her work captures the architectural and spiritual elements of each city, at that moment in time.
Runs until: Tuesday October 2, 2018

Kim’s Convenience
Where: Pacific Theatre
What: It’s the play that inspired the TV show. Mr. Kim is proud of his store, Kim’s Convenience. After thirty years of selling lottery tickets, catching petty thieves, and reporting illegally parked cars, he tries desperately – and hilariously – to convince his artist daughter Janet to take over the store.
Runs until: Saturday October 6, 2018

Cliffhanger
Where: The Metro Theatre
What: In this humorous 1980’s thriller, a mild mannered philosophy professor hits a colleague with a bust of Socrates. This sets off a series of exciting twists as he and his wife try to hide from the college police. Complications arise from a spying undergraduate, who just wants a better grade.
Runs until: Saturday October 6, 2018

The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time

The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time
Where: Arts Club Theatre
What: 15-year-old Christopher Boone has a unique perspective. He is incredibly talented at math, but never ventures beyond his street and strongly distrusts strangers. When his neighbour’s dog is killed, Christopher challenges his own barriers to uncover the truth about the dog, his family, and himself.
Runs until: Sunday October 7, 2018

Sea Snaps
Where: Vancouver Maritime Museum
What: A display of work by Maria Steernberg. This exhibition highlights the beauty of Vancouver’s maritime setting and our beautiful coast line through a series of themes; the working waterfront, cruising, nature and disaster.
Runs until: Sunday October 7, 2018

Vancouver Farmers Market - Dude Chilling Park

Vancouver Farmers Market – Dude Chilling Park

Mount Pleasant Farmers Market
Where: Dude Chilling Park
What: Vancouver’s easy-going Sunday market located on the east side of Dude Chilling Park – the gathering place for a diverse crowd of young families, artists, dog owners, and quirky neighbourhood personalities.
Runs until: Sunday October 7, 2018

Back to School TheatreSports

Back to School TheatreSports
Where: The Improv Centre
What: It’s classic TheatreSports short form improv games adapted to parody classroom clichés and cliques (some things never change). Instead of the traditional TheatreSports referee, the action will be overseen by a very stern principal. Scenarios may see a team of nerds vie against jocks, or cool kids against academics for instance. Rule infractions will result in player “detentions”.
Runs until: Saturday October 6, 2018

Culture at the Centre

Culture at the Centre

Culture at the Centre
Where: UBC Museum of Anthropology
What: Five Indigenous-run cultural centres in BC will be showcased representing six communities: Musqueam Cultural Education and Resource Centre (Musqueam), Squamish-Lil’wat Cultural Centre (Squamish, Lil’wat), Heiltsuk Cultural Education Centre (Heiltsuk), Nisga’a Museum (Nisga’a), and Haida Gwaii Museum (Haida). Covering a wide geographic expanse from Vancouver to the Nass River Valley, this marks the first time the participating communities will come together to share their diverse cultures in one space.
Runs until: Monday October 8, 2018

Mustard
Where: Arts Club Theatre
What: Mustard has outstayed his welcome. After all, Thai is now 16 years old and no longer needs an imaginary friend living under her bed. To make matters worse, Mustard is falling for Thai’s recently separated mother, who’s just started to see him too. Join this angsty but loving family in a darkly comic tale about growing up, moving on, and finding magic where you least expect it.
Runs until: Saturday October 20, 2018

Trout Lake Farmers Market
Where: Trout Lake
What: This is where you’ll find the vendors who have been doing it since the beginning; what started as 14 farmers ‘squatting’ at the Croatian Cultural Centre back in 1995 has grown into Vancouver’s most well-known and beloved market. Visitors come from near and far to sample artisan breads & preserves, stock up on free-range and organic eggs & meats, get the freshest, hard-to-find heirloom vegetables and taste the first Okanagan cherries and peaches of the season.
Runs until: Saturday October 20, 2018 (Saturdays)

Kitsilano Farmers Market
Where: Kitsilano Community Centre
What: At Kitsilano Farmers Market, shoppers will find a great selection of just-picked, seasonal fruits & vegetables, ethically raised and grass fed meat, eggs, & dairy, sustainable seafood, fresh baked bread & artisanal food, local beer, wine, & spirits, and handmade craft.
Runs until: Sunday October 21, 2018 (Sundays)

Wild Things Interactive Weekend Stations
Where: Museum of Vancouver
What: MOV and Nature Vancouver have scheduled a series of interactive stations for people of all ages to enjoy alongside their newest exhibition, Wild Things: The Power of Nature in Our Lives. Informed nature enthusiasts and educators will offer in-depth information about the natural world.
Runs until:Saturday October 22, 2018 (select dates)

Riley Park Farmers’ Market
Where: Riley Park
What: 30+ vendors each week – a fresh selection of just-picked seasonal fruits & veggies, ethically-raised meats & sustainable seafood, artisanal bread & prepared foods, craft beer, wine, & spirits, handmade craft, and coffee & food trucks.
Runs until: Saturday October 27, 2018 (Saturdays)

The Really Gay History Tour
Where: Downtown Vancouver
What: Guests will visit the sites of police raids, bookstore bombings, the “kiss-ins” of Granville Street, Imperial Court coronations, and the gayest beer parlour in town. It’s a 2.5 hour long adventure into the stories of a community that fought back against oppression, police brutality and media hate campaigns to make Vancouver today one of the most queer friendly cities in North America.
Runs until: Sunday October 28, 2018

Ayumi Goto and Peter Morin: How do you carry the land?

Ayumi Goto and Peter Morin: How do you carry the land?
Where: Vancouver Art Gallery
What: This exhibition seeks to bridge the experiences of artists with diverse ancestries in dialogue. Long-time collaborators and friends, Goto and Morin, have created a performance art practice informed by their perspectives as a Japanese diasporic woman and Tahltan First Nations man.
Runs until: Sunday October 28, 2018

Kevin Schmidt: We Are the Robots

Kevin Schmidt: We Are the Robots
Where: Vancouver Art Gallery
What: An exhibition of innovative installations on view both within and outside of the Gallery spotlighting British Columbia-based artist Kevin Schmidt, who draws on aspects of conceptual and performance art while embodying the DIY sensibilities of an amateur inventor.
Runs until: Sunday October 28, 2018 

Naked Napi
Where: Sum Gallery
What: New work by Siksika artist Adrian Stimson – the first solo exhibition since winning the Governor General’s Award in Visual and Media Arts earlier this year. In this site-specific installation of sculpture, drawings, and paintings, Stimson re-imagines the traditional Siksika (Blackfoot) tales of Napi in the present and challenges the colonial erasure of Indigenous bodies, power, and sexual histories.
Runs until: Saturday December 8, 2018

Patricia Piccinini’s Curious Imaginings

Patricia Piccinini’s Curious Imaginings
Where: The Patricia Hotel
What: The hyperrealist “world of oddly captivating, somewhat grotesque, human-animal hybrid creatures” will be the artist’s first exhibition in a non-museum setting, transforming a wing of the 105-year-old Patricia Hotel. Situated in Vancouver’s oldest and continually changing neighbourhood of Strathcona, Piccinini’s immersive sculpture experience will “challenge us to explore the social impacts of emerging biotechnology and our ethical limits in an age where genetic engineering and digital technologies are already pushing the boundaries of humanity.”
Runs until: Saturday December 15, 2018

Interface: The Woven Artwork of Meghann O’Brien

Interface: The Woven Artwork of Meghann O’Brien
Where: Bill Reid Gallery
What: Known for her ability to work in miniature and with very fine stitching, Kakwaka’wakw and Haida artist Meghann O’Brien uses her artwork to both explore her Northwest Coast cultural heritage, and rebuild and maintain bonds with her community. She disrupts what is often seen as a distinct order between the contemporary and traditional by looking at how they are in conversation with each other in a non-linear way.
Runs until: January 9, 2019

Body Language: Reawakening Cultural Tattooing of the Northwest

Body Language: Reawakening Cultural Tattooing of the Northwest
Where: Bill Reid Gallery
What: Explore the rich history and artistry of Indigenous tattooing, piercing and personal adornment on the Northwest Coast. These five contemporary Indigenous artists are at the forefront of the revival of Indigenous tattooing in BC. They are reclaiming traditional techniques and traditional rights to be tattooed, and building awareness of the significance and protocols around the tattooing traditions.
Runs until: January 13, 2019

A Curator’s View: Ian Thom Selects

A Curator’s View: Ian Thom Selects
Where: Vancouver Art Gallery
What: A showcase of the span of the gallery’s rich permanent collection through an exhibition of nearly ninety works including paintings, drawings, photographs, and sculptures. Since the Gallery’s establishment in 1931, its permanent collection has become the most comprehensive resource for visual culture in British Columbia. Building on the collection’s historical and contemporary strengths, the Gallery continues to steward acquisitions through donation and purchase.
Runs until: March 17, 2019

In a Different Light

In a Different Light
Where: Museum of Anthropology
What: More than 110 historical Indigenous artworks and marks the return of many important works to British Columbia. These objects are amazing artistic achievements. Yet they also transcend the idea of ‘art’ or ‘artifact’. Through the voices of contemporary First Nations artists and community members, this exhibition reflects on the roles historical artworks have today. Featuring immersive storytelling and innovative design, it explores what we can learn from these works and how they relate to Indigenous peoples’ relationships to their lands.
Runs until: Spring 2019

Wild Things: The Power of Nature in Our Lives

Wild Things: The Power of Nature in Our Lives
Where: Museum of Vancouver
What: This exhibition delves into the life stories of local animals and plants—how they relate to each other and how they connect people to nature in the city. Scenic design, videos, taxidermy, crowd-sourcing technologies, and the display of natural specimens breathe life into these tales of co-habitation. The immersive nature of the exhibition, including hands-on activities, encourages visitors to examine their relationship with nature, think about momentarily disconnecting from their devices, and find equilibrium with the natural world around them.
Runs until: July 2019

Making Waves: The Story and Legacy of Greenpeace
Where: Vancouver Maritime Museum
What: With humble beginnings in Vancouver, Greenpeace has grown into a large organization with offices in 40 countries. The NGO has protested numerous causes: whaling, deforestation, mining, genetic testing, and nuclear testing. Explore this exhibit that goes from their first voyage from Vancouver to Amchitka to protest Nuclear testing on an old fishing vessel to how cities, government, and industry today are developing new policies, technologies, and sustainable practices to ensure the preservation of our environment.
Runs until: September 9, 2019

What are you up to this weekend? Tell me and the rest of Vancouver in the comments below.

 

 


 


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