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Vancouver Adventures: Our Picks for September 17-23

This week: Eat cheese and meat, learn how to make dumplings, attend Vancouver Fashion Week + more

By Amy Watkins /

Credit: Vancouver Cheese and Meat Festival

Vancouver Cheese and Meat Festival – Saturday, September 17

A festival of cheese and meat… what’s not to love? Vegans and vegetarians aside, the selection of international and locally-made meats and cheese is enough to make your mouth water. Plus, the food will be paired with beer, wine and cider.

Terminal City Club, 838 West Hastings
5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. (tickets are sold out for the main festival, but some remain for the cheese and meat seminar)



Credit: Facebook/Art Battle Canada

Art Battle 425 – Saturday, September 17

Witness some live action painting at Art Battle 425 when painters have 20 minutes to produce a piece of art using acrylics and adrenalin to get them through. Spectators vote on their favourite artist to progress to the next round, and a silent auction means you can pick up some gems at a bargain price.

Red Room Ultra Bar, 398 Richards Street
7 p.m. onwards, tickets for $20 ($15 for students)



Credit: Facebook/Portobello West Market

Portobello West Market – Saturday, September 17 to Sunday, September 18

Check out the fall edition of the seasonal Portobello West Market this weekend, featuring more than 50 B.C. artisans, food trucks and live entertainment. From handmade clothes to locally made beauty products and unique homeware, you can get a jump-start on your holiday shopping or just treat yourself for fall.

11 a.m. to 5 p.m., ($2 at door & children under 12 free)
Creekside Community Recreation Centre, 1 Athletes Way



Credit: Facebook/Hey, Dumplings

Hey, Dumplings! Pop-up Shop and Workshop – Saturday, September 17 to Friday, September 23

Get a taste of Russian-style dumplings at this pop-up, which will be serving up Pelmeni Poutine, Pesto Pelmeni, Ginger Scallion Pelmeni, Berry Pelmeni and Russian iced tea from Chinatown’s Little Pie Shoppe. Pelmeni workshops on September 19 and 20 (7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., $50) will teach you how to make these little delights at home (or just cheat and buy some frozen ones). Pelmeni classes are limited to four people and include alcohol and dessert.

Little Pie Shoppe, 721 Gore Avenue
Saturday, September 17 at 11 a.m. to Friday, September 23 at 7 p.m.



Credit: Facebook/Shangri-La Hotel

Mid-Autumn Afternoon Tea – Sunday, September 18

Join in the traditional Chinese celebrations for Mid-Autumn Festival at the Shangri-La Hotel with a special afternoon tea served on the sixth floor heated outdoor terrace. Tea towers feature symbolic ingredients such as crab, duck, lotus root, taro, pear and watermelon that signify luck, unity, happiness, good fortune and fertility—and each family gets a mooncake to go. Children’s afternoon tea is available for guests 10 years and under for $30 per person. Advanced reservations required.

12 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Tickets $60 per person + tax



Credit: Ocean Wise

Slow Fish Dinner – Sunday, September 18

Eight chefs will be cooking up sustainable seafood dishes paired with eight salmon-safe wines at the Chefs’ Table Society of BC’s third annual Slow Fish Dinner. Chefs such as Ned Bell from Ocean Wise, Meeru Dhalwala, from Vij’s and Roger Ma from Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar will be cooking up local delicacies including geoduck, humpback shrimp and gooseneck barnacles.

Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts, 1505 West 2nd Avenue
6 to 9 p.m., tickets for $99 per person + tax



Credit: Facebook/Pancakes and Jam

Pancakes and Jam – Sunday, September 18

Get down with some breakfast and music at the popular Pancakes and Jam, aka the best way to spend a Sunday. Head to Woods Studio for a day of relaxed musical jams, free pancakes with actual jam and lots of dancing. Volunteer to help out or sign up for a spot singing to the crowd.

11.30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Woods Studio, 7 West 2nd Avenue ($5 to $10 suggested donation)



Credit: Facebook/Vancouver Fashion Week

Vancouver Fashion Week – September 19-25

Yes, darlings, it’s time for fashionistas to take their front-row seats at Vancouver Fashion Week. Preview the spring/summer 2017 runway collections from an eclectic range of designers, or check out the after-parties to meet the models and the movers and shakers of Vancouver’s fashion industry.

Chinese Cultural Centre, 50 East Pender Street
Tickets from $35 (19+)



Credit: The Fox Cabaret

Et al: The Ultimate Bar Science Night – Tuesday, September 20

Drinking and learning? What could go wrong? Anecdotal Evidence, Cafe Scientifique, Curiosity Collider and Nerd Nite have teamed up for a giant geek out at Fox Cabaret for Science Literacy Week. Scientists from UBC and SFU will be bringing science to the bar for a combined night of science-based storytelling and self-proclaimed nerdy lectures.

Fox Cabaret, 2321 Main Street
7 p.m. to 10 p.m. (tickets for $10 to $20)



Credit: Diana DeLucia Photography

Les Dames D’Escoffier Present Una Bella Notte Con Lidia Bastianich – Friday, September 23

The B.C. Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier honours the Emmy award-winning T.V. personality, cookbook author and restaurateur Lidia Bastianich with a gala dinner in support of Les Dames d’Escoffier’s outreach and scholarship programs. Una Bella Notte con Lidia begins with a Taittinger champagne reception and is followed by a multi-course dinner with exquisite wine pairings. Each guest receives a signed copy of Lidia’s cookbook, Mastering the Art of Italian Cuisine.

Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver, 791 West Georgia Street
Reception: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Dinner: 7:30 to 11 p.m., After lounge: 11 p.m. onwards
Tickets $325 + tax