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This week in BC: Celebrate the birth of Khalsa, see a musical based on Craigslist ads, try a local gourmet donut, and more
Billed as “one of the Lower Mainland’s most vibrant and celebratory events,” Surrey’s Khalsa Day Parade hits the streets on April 20. The biggest celebration of its kind outside of India, the festivities commemorate one of the most important religious events on the Sikh calendar — the birth of Khalsa in 1699. The parade is expected to draw 200,000 revelers of different cultures and creeds, highlighting Surrey’s multi-culti mosaic. Catch it from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., beginning and ending at Gurdwara Sahib Dasmesh Darbar (12885 85 Ave).
Pyromaniacs won’t be the only ones turning up in the Cowichan Valley for Unsworth Vineyards’ second annual Burning of the Vines Ceremony on April 21 in Mill Bay. This symbolic incineration, which celebrates the end of winter pruning and the start of bud burst, also attracts food enthusiasts from all over the region for fresh artisan bread, vino, live music and chef Bradford Boisvert’s trademark stinging-nettle soup, made from this year’s vineyard cuttings. RSVP for $18 per person ($10 for kids) by calling 250-743-3667.
Spring may be in the air, but for a last gasp of winter check out the Telus World Ski and Snowboard Festival, running until April 21 in Whistler. This annual celebration of “all that’s core to mountain culture” includes Canada’s largest free open-air concert series featuring the likes of K-OS, Dirty Radio and Swollen Members, along with après-ski nightlife, fashion shows, photography exhibits and film screenings.
There’s no place like home. And that’s especially true about the home we all share: Mother Earth. So give props to our planet on Earth Day, celebrated globally on April 22. But why not get the party started early at South Vancouver’s Everett Crowley Park, where you can help plant 1,000 native trees on April 20, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. And if you don’t feel like getting your hands dirty, head over to EarthFest at Burnaby Lake Rowing Pavilion for free family fun, including guided trail walks and boating, starting at 11 a.m.
Can you improve upon a classic? We think so, and Seven Tyrants Theatre’s “revolutionary new take” on The Beggar’s Opera is a case in point. Held at Vancouver’s Performance Works, this world premiere of the timeless tale is a “an opera distinctly for the modern age.” How so? Imagine an action-packed show merging the epic theatre of Bertolt Brecht with the abstract absurdity of Samuel Beckett, all underscored by live music ranging from classic jazz to Frank Zappa to The Muppets. Tickets start from $29 online, until May 5.
Your personal ads, set to music! Do You Want What I Have Got? A Craigslist Cantata serves up a quick-witted send-up of some of the wackiest items ever offered online, including hats for cats, decapitated dolls and even autographed copies of the bible. Held at Vancouver’s Revue Stage until May 18, the show sold out last season, which isn’t surprising considering that it’s co-written by award-winning local writer/broadcaster Bill Richardson.
Does science put you to sleep? Good. Then you’ll fit right in among the pajama-clad patrons milling about Telus World of Science (1455 Quebec St, Vancouver). The state-of-the-art centre is now hosting private, recreational and school camp-ins that feature scads of fun for everyone, including open access to the galleries, a live science show, Omnimax film screening and bedtime snacks, breakfast and a free pass for a future visit. Book for $64 per camper by calling 604-443-7500.
Tim Hortons may be a national institution, but if you really want donuts to die for, count on Cartems. They’re a fresher handmade alternative to fast-food donuts and come in vegan, gluten-free and baked varieties. Plus, these treats come in creative flavours, like salted caramel, all made from local and organic ingredients. Order yours by emailing hey@cartems.com, calling 604-671-6015 or dropping by 408 Carrall St, Vancouver.
A sophisticated urban retreat. That’s how publicists are describing Vancouver’s new Grain Tasting Bar, located in the Hyatt Regency Hotel (655 Burrard St). And don’t look for us to go against the grain, considering that the luxe lounge serves up some of the best artisan cocktails in town, along with regional wine, local craft beer and a menu full of munchies that’ll score points with sports fans tuning in to the big game and office workers stopping by for after-five eats.
Lots of things can be done in 30 minutes — but preparing a gourmet lunch usually isn’t one of them. Figures Vancouver’s CinCin Ristorante (1154 Robson St), known for its award-winning eats, would reset the bar on quick, quality cuisine by offering 30-minute lunches, guaranteed. Take a seat on the heated terrace and choose from wood-fired pizzas, handmade pasta and Ocean Wise seafood, all executed with chef Andrew Richardson’s Michelin-trained signature techniques.
Originally published in TVW. For daily programming updates and on-screen Entertainment news, subscribe to the free TVW e-newsletters, or purchase a subscription to the weekly magazine.
