BC Adventures – Our To Do Picks for September 25-October 1

This week in BC: Read a book, see a psychic, celebrate the moon, laugh at people and beam yourself up, Scotty

Bookworms unite September 26 at Vancouver’s Word on the Street

What to do in BC this week

See Don Quixote at the Arts Club Theatre – Sept 23-Oct 23 

For four centuries, readers have been captivated by the epic tale of Don Quixote, one of the “most influential works in the Spanish literary canon.” Now fans can follow the man from La Mancha on his comedic quest for adventure from September 23 to October 23 at the Granville Island Stage (1585 Johnston St., Vancouver). A collaboration between the Arts Club and Axis Theatre Company, this new take on the tale is re-imagined with masks, magic and mayhem for what’s described as “physical comedy at its finest.” For further information and tickets, call 604-687-1644.

Check out the 2010 Snowbird RV Show Sale – September 23-26

Now that summer is officially over, Canadian snowbirds are beginning to think about heading south for the winter. If you’re one of them, you’ll need a good set of wheels — which you’re guaranteed to find at the 2010 Snowbird RV Show Sale from September 23 to 26 at TRADEX (1190 Cornell St, Abbotsford). With more than 50 exhibitors and 180,000 square feet of display space, it’s the one place to see everything from RVs, accessories and gadgets to RV properties, private sales and more. Plus, you can meet and greet guest speakers, including “bioTrekker” Ty Adams, who’ll discuss the benefits of sustainable RV practices using solar power, biofuels and rainwater catchments. Check it out from Thursday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is $8, with discounts for students, seniors and youth.


See Paranormal Pioneer James Van Praagh – September 25
He may be a medium, but there’s nothing average about James Van Praagh. Considered a pioneer in all things paranormal, the internationally best-selling author was the real-life inspiration behind the fictional Jennifer Love Hewitt television series The Ghost Whisperer. On September 25, Van Praagh takes a break from the talk-show circuit, where he’s appeared on Oprah, Larry King Live and 20/20, to make a one-night stop at River
Rock Show Theatre (8811 River Road, Richmond), where he’ll share personal techniques for developing your own psychic abilities. Tickets for the 8 p.m. show are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, or by phone at 604-280-4444.

Attend the Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival – September 25
Have you heard of the Renfrew Ravine? Located in the East End, it’s one of the only remaining ravines in Vancouver. Each year, nature lovers celebrate this great green gulch with a cultural festival timed to coordinate with the first full moon of the fall. Called the Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival, this year’s family-friendly celebration falls on September 25 in and around Slocan Park (located near the 29th Avenue SkyTrain Station), site of a Harvest Fair from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. that features live music, food and a homegrown vegetable competition. At 7 p.m., the Twilight Lantern Parade winds its way along the Renfrew Ravine to Renfrew Park, where you’ll be greeted with festivities, fire spinning, stilt-dancing, music, a tea garden and a spectacular fireworks finale.

Laugh it up at Edge of the Fest – September 25
We all know it’s not polite to laugh at people. Well, throw that old rule right out the window at Edge of the Fest, the closing-night show of the sixth annual Global ComedyFest Vancouver on September 25 at the Vogue Theatre (918 Granville St., Vancouver). That’s where the funniest folks from the fest will be invited to reprise their riotous routines for Vancouver audiences one last time, starting at 10 p.m. For tickets, call Ticketmaster at 604-280-4444.

Get bookish at The Word on the Street – September 26
If illiteracy is a problem in the Lower Mainland, you wouldn’t know it by the yearly turnout at The Word on the Street, a national book and magazine festival on September 26 at Library Square and CBC Plaza in downtown Vancouver. Each year, this all-day family-friendly event draws a capacity crowd of bookworms to browse the tents and tables set up along Homer and Hamilton streets, an area temporarily transformed into Magazine Mews, Literacy Lane and Word Under the Street. And it’s not just for readers, either — would-be writers can check out a roster of fun and informative workshops, too, all taking place between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.

See a Flick at the Vancouver International Film Festival – Sept 30-Oct 15

Vancouver is set to celebrate its status as Hollywood North at the 29th annual Vancouver International Film Festival, unspooling from September 30 to October 15 with entries from 75 countries on 10 screens, including Vancity Theatre (1181 Seymour St.). What’s best about our fest? It’s notable for having a programming platform that screens the largest selection of East Asian films in the West, along with one of the biggest showcases of Canadian content in the world. Owing to the sheer number of entries, everything from documentaries to shorts to feature-length films, it’s no wonder it ranks among the five biggest film festivals in North America.

Enjoy the fruit of BC vines at the Okanagan Fall Wine Festival – October 1-10
With warm desert days and refreshingly cool nights, you’ll have no reason to whine at the Okanagan Fall Wine Festival, taking place from October 1 to 10 with more than 165 events happening at venues throughout the region. Whether your taste runs toward a vineyard tour, lunch among the vines or an al fresco feast on a waterfront patio, you can do all this and more at the only festival in North America that takes place during the heart of the grape harvest. And if you want to stimulate your brain along with your palate? No problem; just sign up for one of the many seminars led by award-winning Okanagan chefs, including one on how to pair food and wine like a pro.

Beam Yourself to VCON 35
 – October 1-3
That swarm of aliens milling around the airport? They’re not extras in a sci-fi flick; they’re just fantasy fans heading to VCON 35, the Lower Mainland’s annual science-fiction convention from October 1 to 3 at Vancouver Airport Marriott Hotel (7571 Westminster Hwy, Richmond). Along with a costume contest, art show and music workshops, you’ll get to rub shoulders with a lineup of writers, artists, scientists and musicians, plus enjoy author readings, panel discussions and the infamous Elron Awards, mocking “disservice to science fiction” since 1971. Swing by Friday from noon to 8 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with one-day passes ranging from $25 to $35.

Have a Three-course Sunday Night Dinner at Fraîche – 
Sundays
Hosting a family feast is a fine idea in theory, until you consider the heaps of dirty dishes and the thought of being an all-day slave to the stove. So here’s a fresh idea: Check out the Sunday Night Dinners at Fraîche Restaurant (2240 Chippendale Road, West Vancouver), where you can skip the shopping, cooking and cleaning and get right to the good stuff — a memorable meal and bonding time with your brood. The three-course cuisine is switched up throughout the month to feature a variety of traditional family-style fare, including stick-to-your-ribs favourites like roast beef with Yorkshire pudding and organic roasted chicken, all expertly prepared by chef de cuisine Carl Wilks. Price is $40 per person for adults and $20 for kids 12 and under, who will also receive an entertaining goodie bag to help make dinner fun and relaxing for everyone. For reservations, call 604-925-7595.

Visit Marley Farm Winery in Saanichton – this fall
Legend has it he was more into weed than wine, but the late Bob Marley’s spirit lives on at Marley Farm Winery in Saanichton (1831D Mount Newton Cross Road) on Vancouver Island. This family-owned boutique winery, which specializes in Pinot Grigio, Ortega and Pinot Noir, offers a variety of fruit wine, too, including blackcurrant, kiwi, gooseberry and even Rastaberry. If you want to kick back and enjoy some ‘island time,’ this scenic five-acre farm is the place to do it. Visit daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. till December, with further information available at 250-652-8667.

Take a Whistler Bear Viewing Tour – now

Some 50 black bears roam the alpine forests of Whistler and Blackcomb. Though you don’t necessarily want to come face-to-face with one, you can still show off to your Facebook friends by snapping pics from the safety of a 4X4 on Bear Viewing Tours led by noted wildlife researchers. Experienced guides will take you to visit active bear dens, daybeds and feeding sites, where you can count on spotting anywhere from five to 12 of the burly beasts. In fact, now’s the best time of year to see them because they’re out foraging for food to fatten up for winter. Cost starts from $189 per adult, with more details at whistler.com.

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