BC Adventures – Our To Do Picks for June 25 – July 1

Credit: TV Week

See the Arts Club’s production of A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline

What to do in BC this week

“Fall to Pieces” over Patsy Cline – June 16 to July 30
From small-town Virginia to the bright lights of Carnegie Hall, Patsy Cline’s legend is a monument to ambition, grace and talent. And the story of the late country singer’s rise from obscurity to the top of the music charts is summed up note-perfectly in the Arts Club Theatre’s production of A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline, a moving tribute to a dazzling star lost at the peak of her career. If you’re a fan, you’ll “fall to pieces” over the toe-tapping score, hitting all the right notes with classics such as “Walkin’ After Midnight,” “Sweet Dreams” and “Crazy,” from June 16 to July 30 at the Granville Island Stage (1585 Johnston Street, Vancouver). Book tickets online or call 604-687-1644.

Spot Elvis – June 24 to June 26
Back away from the phone, Okanaganites. Before you dial up the newspapers to report a slate of Elvis sightings, you should know about the Penticton Pacific Northwest Elvis Festival, taking place from June 24 to 26 at various local venues. This 10th annual celebration salutes the life and music of the hip-swinging singer with top international tribute artists all competing to be crowned “The King.” And if you thought the superstar singer’s favourite music was rock ’n’ roll, you’d be wrong — it’s gospel, which will be featured in a Sunday-morning showcase at 9 a.m., along with a lineup of special guests who’ll recount their own close encounters with The King. For tickets, call 1-877-763-2849.


Get Your Hands on “Cheaper” Art – June 25
Billed as “one of Vancouver’s most groundbreaking art events,” The Cheaper Show celebrates its 10th anniversary on June 25 by showcasing 200 artists from 16 countries at Rize (Kingsway and Broadway). This one-night extravaganza, which last year attracted over 7,000 visitors in a single evening, features some 400 pieces of work, each selling for just $200, regardless of the artist, size or medium. And you can expect a first-class selection as this year’s crop of talent was selected from over 1,200 applicants from 50 countries as far away as Kenya, Slovakia, the Philippines, Venezuela and the United Arab Emirates.

Go to a Summer Concert in the South Okanagan – June 25
Wine, music and…thou? Tinhorn Creek Vineyards has got the first two ingredients covered with a summer concert series set to unfold at its picturesque South Okanagan estate, set amongst the sagebrush of the famed Golden Mile wine-growing region. On June 25, Vancouver-based indie band Bend Sinister will rock the house with their progressive style of sound as you sip award-worthy VQA vino in an outdoor amphitheatre. Sound like fun? Reserve your spot for the concert, starting at 7 p.m., by visiting tinhorn.com or calling 1-888-484-6467 for tickets, priced at $35 per person.

Run for Fido – June 26

No doubt about it, pets are part of the family. So show your favourite furball how much you care by joining the Vancouver Humane Society in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge on June 26. Just choose between a half-marathon or a 5K, which you can run or walk, and you’ll be taking a big step toward raising much-needed money for local animals. But hurry and sign up because the first 20 5K participants and the first 10 half-marathoners will have their entrance fees waived. Not up to pounding the pavement all the way from UBC to Stanley Park? No sweat; you can also help out the easy way by sponsoring a VHS team member.

Celebrate Greek Heritage – June 26
What’s the Grecian formula for fun? See for yourself on June 26 at Greek Day, where the stage will be set for some big-time Grecian appreciation along Vancouver’s West Broadway in Kitsilano, between MacDonald and Blenheim streets, from 11 a.m. to 
9 p.m. Each year, this street celebration gets sizzling with more than just souvlaki, drawing crowds from all over the Lower Mainland for heaps of Hellenic-style food, culture and live music. For more information on this free family-oriented event call 604-738-7126.


Fête Midsummer – June 26
Vancouver’s version of Cirque du Soleil? Definitely the Public Dreams Society, which is throwing its third annual Midsummer Fête on June 26 at Colony Farm Regional Park in Coquitlam. This village-style celebration features a variety of art installations, whimsical performances, eco-friendly crafts and even a tea parlour. Equally great, it’s all free, so hop aboard a complimentary shuttle bus, operating from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. out of Lougheed SkyTrain Station, to enjoy an afternoon of all-ages fun. Want more details? Call 604-879-8611.

Celebrate Canada – July 1
What do you buy for a country that has everything? That’s easy: nothing. Just your presence, and no presents, is all that’s required at Canada’s birthday bash on July 1 at Vancouver’s Canada Place, where you can join 200,000-plus people making merry for the Maple Leaf. Taking place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., this family-friendly party features loads of food, fun and festivities, along with live music from over 30 bands on five stages. And that’s not all — you can also catch the third annual Canada Day parade starting at 
7 p.m. followed by a fireworks show over Burrard Inlet, beginning at 10:30 p.m. For further information call 604-775-7200.

Enjoy Seafood in Steveston – July 1
“Canada’s biggest little birthday party since 1945.” That’s the nutshell description of the 66th annual Steveston Salmon Festival, a full-day affair on July 1 that does way more than just celebrate seafood. Along with a sizzling salmon barbecue — filling the air with one of the trademark scents of summer — you can also look forward to drag races, carnival rides and loads of musical entertainment. The action kicks off with a 10 a.m. parade that marches through the historic fishing village before concluding on Railway Avenue, where opening ceremonies will unfold on the main stage starting at 12:30 p.m. For all the details, call 604-238-8094.

Check out the Golden Spike Days Festival – July 1 to 3
See ya later, Yaletown. Hasta la vista, Kits. From July 1 to 3, the go-to destination for party-seekers will be none other than Port Moody. Why, you ask? Chalk it up to the annual Golden Spike Days Festival, a family-fun affair that attracts more than 45,000 revelers for a weekend of live music, all-ages entertainment and international eats. Gather the gang and check out the Port Moody Idol competition, the World Championship Handcar Races and a beer garden, along with a lineup of live bands, all at Rocky Point Park starting at 8 a.m. For more details call 604-931-8852.


Visit BC’s Birthplace – July 1
Humility has always been a hallmark of Canadians. But the one time of year it’s okay to bring on the boasting? On July 1, in honour of Canada’s 144th birthday. And what’s a suburbanite to do if logistics prevent partying it up at a blowout bash in your nearest city centre? One suggestion: kick it up in the country at Fort Langley, the birthplace of BC, gearing up for family-style festivities in the form of a belt-busting breakfast, barrel races, a tug-of-war competition and even a community-size birthday cake. Admission is free, with further details available at www.pc.gc.ca.

Paraglide at Grouse Mountain – this summer
There’s much more to do at Grouse Mountain than just the infamous Grind. Why work up a full-body sweat on “nature’s stairmaster” when you can feel the rush of wind in your face on a tandem paraglide instead? After 10 minutes of ground school, you’ll take flight with a professional instructor from atop the peak and enjoy an awe-inspiring view of Vancouver and beyond. Gently descending in Cleveland Park at the base of the mountain, your 10- to 20-minute sail through the skies is guaranteed to leave you flying high. Call 604-980-9311 to book your flight, available from late June through September for adventurers aged six and over.

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