BC Adventures – Our To Do Picks for August 27 – September 2

Credit: TV Week

Unwind after a hike up the grind with a free yoga class and a tram ride down

What to do in BC this week

Enjoy the Harvest at Three Chefs in the Vineyard – August 27
It’s said too many cooks spoil the broth, but that definitely won’t be the case at Three Chefs in the Vineyard, an exclusive four-course gourmet gathering on August 27 at Mission Hill Family Estate (1730 Mission Hill Rd, West Kelowna). The cooks in question? Mission Hill’s Matthew Batey and Vancouver-based culinary artists Dennis Peckham and Ryan Gauthier, who’ll start the soiree with fresh summer wines and canapés served between rows of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines. Next, guests will stroll to the Terrace Restaurant where harvest tables set the scene for an amiable evening of moonlit dining featuring locally inspired eats paired with highlights from the winery cellar. Just as great, this al fresco outing boasts a backdrop that can’t be beat — the rugged natural beauty of Okanagan wine country.

Mill Around the Kilby Kids’ Festival – August 28
It’s been nearly a century since Harrison Mills, a once-thriving community turned ghost town, has seen its streets teeming with tots. And it’s set to happen again on August 28, courtesy of the Kilby Kids’ Festival, featuring a day of music, dance and crafts, along with face painting, clowns and friendly farm animals on the grounds of the five-acre heritage site. While kids whack candy-stuffed piñatas and climb aboard emergency vehicles, adults can tour the historic sites, including the General Store Museum, Post Office and Manchester House Hotel, all restored relics from the turn of the 20th century. Catch it from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Kilby Historic Site (215 Kilby Rd, Harrison Mills).

Sample a Delicacy at the Pink Salmon Festival – August 28

Vanier Park, home to H.R. MacMillan Space Centre and the Vancouver Maritime Museum, has got some bigger fish to fry this weekend. On August 28, it’ll be the backdrop for the Pink Salmon Festival, serving up complimentary barbecued fillets prepared by top Vancouver chef Robert Clarke of C Restaurant. Set against the sparkling waters of English Bay, this family-friendly fest also includes scads of all-ages entertainment, face painting and educational displays. Word of advice? Better come early if you want to snag a free sample ’cause the event has been known to draw upwards of 3,000 salmon-scarfers. Check out this outdoor eat-a-thon from noon to 5 p.m.

Get Serenaded by the Summer Sunday Concert Series – August 28
It comes down to simple math: Why shell out big bucks for a concert when you can enjoy them for free at Rocky Point Park (2800 Block Murray St, Port Moody)? Every week until August 28, the Summer Sunday Concert Series rolls out top Vancouver R&B, funk, soul and blues bands, starting at 2 p.m. So pull up a beach chair and enjoy free, world-class entertainment right at the water’s edge. And did we mention the family-friendly fun also includes tons of giveaways and prizes? But don’t leave your wallet at home ’cause donations will be accepted in support of Crossroads Hospice Society.

Watch John Stark in Johnny Canuck – September 1-4
Canadian actor, director and writer John Stark, who left Vancouver over 30 years ago to tour internationally with his one-man hit show An Evening With Stephen Leacock, returns 
home this weekend to debut a new work called Johnny Canuck. 
Held at the Waterfront Theatre (1412 Cartwright St, Vancouver) 
from September 1 to 4, this one-man musical — based on a script by Stark’s spouse Jovanka Bach — tells the tale of a wandering troubadour searching cross-Canada for his runaway wife. Does he 
find her? Does he discover the reason for her desertion? See for yourself by buying tickets for the 8 p.m. show for $23 at Tickets Tonight (604-684-2787).

Discover the Magic at the Enchanted Evening Concert Series – September 2

Don’t let the gritty streets of Chinatown fool you. One of the classiest events of the summer has been taking place every Friday at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Chinese Garden (578 Carrall St, Vancouver). Bummed that you’ve missed out? Don’t be, ’cause you’ve got one more chance to catch the Enchanted Evening Concert Series, ending the season on September 2 with a performance by Juno Award-winner Jim Byrnes. Starting at 7:30 p.m., the show sees the soulful singer revisiting a playlist of smouldering blues standards that perfectly complements these sultry end-of-summer nights. And if you want to make the night even more memorable, check out the special Enchanted Evening Dinner Package at Wild Rice. Buy tickets by phone at 604-662-3207 (ext. 209).

Tap Your Feet at the Vancouver International Tap Dance Festival – September 2-4

Some things never go out of style — and it seems tap dancing is one of ’em. The evidence? The 2011 Vancouver International Tap Dance Festival, taking place at various local venues from September 2 to 4. Expect master classes and exuberant performances by the world’s most talented tap stars, including superstar Jason Samuels Smith, along with other top tappers like Jakari Sherman, Step Afrika and the rising stars from Tap Con Sabor, TapCo and NCYTE. Our personal pick? The September 4 showdown at the Waldorf Hotel (1489 E. Hastings St, Vancouver) that pays homage to ’50s-era masters who used to kick it up at the legendary Cave Supper Club.

Relax at Shine Wellness Space – September 7
Beauty is only skin deep. That could be the mission statement of Shine Wellness Space (950 12th St, New Westminster), a whimsical new retail store dedicated to fostering illumination from the inside out. Co-owned by a former competitive female snowboarder, this fanciful boutique — outfitted in ornate armchairs and old-fashioned candelabras — nourishes body, mind and spirit through yoga classes, wellness workshops, vegan snacks, live-enzyme tea blends and therapeutic services ranging from ayurvedic massage to zen shiatsu. The shop sells a range of 100 per cent pure organic bath and beauty products, too. To find out more, drop by anytime during shop hours, or check out the upcoming Food for Thought workshop on September 7. For details, call 604-522-0706.

Unwind after Doing the Grind with YYoga – until September 10
There’s more than one way to wind down after working up a full-body sweat on the Grouse Grind (6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver). Yes, you could always kick back with a cold one at Altitudes Bistro, or you could join YYoga (various Lower Mainland locations) for a complimentary 30-minute class on Saturday mornings at the top of the Grind, until September 10. And whether you hike to the peak or arrive the easy way via Skyride, it’s one great way for outdoor enthusiasts to amp up their endorphins while enjoying fresh alpine air and sprawling, postcard-perfect views of the city far below. Check it out starting at 10 a.m.

Rejuvenate at Galiano Oceanfront Inn – anytime

Earlier sunsets and nippier nights mean only one thing: summer’s coming to a close. If you’re bummed at the thought of spending the next few seasons under dark clouds and drizzly skies, we’ve found one way to zap your doldrums fast. The award-winning Galiano Oceanfront Inn (134 Madrona Dr, Galiano Island) is tempting travellers with a Chocolate Retreat that includes a two-night stay in a luxury oceanfront room, breakfast for two, a cocoa mocha sugar scrub at the on-site spa and complimentary chocolate martinis and truffles. To book your reservation, priced from $699 per couple, call 1-877-530-3939.

Originally published in TV Week. For daily updates, subscribe to the free TV Week e-newsletter, or purchase a subscription to the weekly magazine.