BC Adventures – Our To Do Picks for April 14-20

The Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s explosive production of Svengali plays at the Centre in Vancouver April 20-22

What to do in BC this week

Witness the Last Days of Judas Iscariot – April 10 – 21
The only proviso for the Pacific Theatre’s The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, on stage from April 10 to 21 at The Cultch (1895 Venables St, Vancouver)? Virgin ears may be offended by this groundbreaking play that comes with “the strongest possible language warning.” Halfway between heaven and hell, in a courtroom that’s as much ghetto as gospel, the play calls witnesses like Mother Teresa, Sigmund Freud and Jesus’s disciples to decide the fate of history’s biggest betrayer.

Taste the Beer Necessities at the Okanagan Fest-of-Ale – April 13 – 14
Sometimes there’s no greater pleasure in life than cracking a cold one. Now multiply that by 70, and you’ve got an idea of the bounty of brews on tap at the 17th annual Okanagan Fest-of-Ale, taking place April 13 and 14 at Penticton Trade & Convention Centre (273 Power St). Beer lovers can quench their thirst with over 70 different brews while sampling some of “the best pub food in the Okanagan.” Call 1-800-663-1900 for tickets.

Head for the Hills During the Telus World Ski & Snowboard Festival – April 13 – 22
Spring has sprung, but that’s no reason to retire your skis till next winter. From April 13 to 22, alpine enthusiasts can hit the hills for the Telus World Ski & Snowboard Festival, a slope-side shindig delivering 10 days of kick-ass competition, along with Canada’s largest free outdoor concert series and a vendor showcase of the latest in ski and snowboard gear.

Watch a Battle of the Jazz Bands – April 14
Don’t envy the judges at the 35th annual B.C. Interior Jazz Festival, unfolding April 14 at the Kelowna Community Theatre (1375 Water St, Kelowna). They’ve been tasked with the tall order of narrowing down some of B.C.’s best bands in an all-day competition that concludes with a concert and awards ceremony. Tickets are $2 for the auditions, taking place from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and $5 for the evening show.

Shell Out at the Osoyoos Oyster Festival – April 14 – 21
Whether or not the world is your oyster, it’ll sure feel that way at the first annual Osoyoos Oyster Festival, held from April 14 to 21 at various local venues. Take advantage of the festival room rates from $79 per night at Walnut Beach Resort (4200 Lakeside Dr, Osoyoos) then catch appetizing events like a Hester Creek cooking class, shuck ‘n’ suck competition, oyster and wine pairings and an ocean-wise dinner at Miradoro Restaurant at Tinhorn Creek Vineyards.

Talk Design – April 19 – 21
Are you a do-it-yourself designer with a home-décor dilemma? Help is at hand at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria (1040 Moss St), which is hosting Let’s Talk Design: New Ways to Live from April 19 to 21. Some of Victoria’s leading interior designers will offer tricks of the trade on topics like “Living Environments that Support Your Health,” with each session followed by a Q&A. Tickets are $20.

Catch a One-Woman Show – April 20 – 21
“Gutsy” is how critics describe Miss Caledonia, a one-woman show about an Ontario farm girl circa 1955 who abandons the hay-baling drudgery of her day-to-day life to compete in a big-city beauty pageant. A hit in Toronto where it premiered last year, this true-life tale starring award-winning comedienne Melody A. Johnson debuts in Vancouver on April 20 and 21 at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts (6450 Deer Lake Ave, Burnaby). Tickets are available by phone at 604-205-3000.

Watch a Production of Svengali – April 20 – 22
Set in a decadent world reminiscent of mid-century Weimar, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s production of Svengali presents an explosive new look at the original master of mind control. A gripping storyline fuels this complex psychological drama, unfolding with powerful athleticism and world-class artistry, all performed to a mesmerizing score featuring Rachmaninov, Liszt, Strauss and Philip Glass. Catch the ballet at The Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts (777 Homer St) from April 20 to 22. Tickets start at $32.50.

Take Date Night to Nita Lake Lodge – now
Forget those Real Housewives of Vancouver, B.C.’s newest celebrity is Nita Lake Lodge (2131 Lake Placid Rd, Whistler), a mountain mecca that was featured in a recent episode of the hit reality series. Have yourself an haute time, just like the “housewives,” with a special Date Night package that includes accommodation in a luxe suite, a three-course farm-to-table dinner at Aura Restaurant and a belly-busting breakfast. To book, call 1-888-755-6482.

Try Sustainable, Organic Eats – anytime
If your first taste of the “insanely delicious” food served by OrganicLives Café was at Vancouver’s new Chopra Yoga Centre, then check out the eatery’s flagship location (1829 Quebec St), specializing in meticulously crafted cuisine that’s organic, sustainable and as good for the body as it is for the planet. The menu is also 100 per cent dairy-, soy- and gluten-free, for reasons that you can learn more about at an on-site education centre offering culinary workshops and free nutrition seminars. Swing by daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., except statutory holidays.

Solve a Murder Mystery – anytime
Mixing “civilized” with “sinister” is the specialty of Murder Mystery Teas at Milner Gardens (2179 West Island Hwy, Qualicum Beach). Bring your own cast of characters — at least eight are needed to take on the roles — and enjoy an afternoon of fun with family, friends or colleagues, followed by a feast of sandwiches, scones, Devon cream and other goodies, served with choice of tea. Bookings are available by request.

Have Brunch at Browns – anytime
Not just an after-work watering hole, Browns Social House (various Lower Mainland locations) also serves up a mean weekend brunch. Offered on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, the brunch includes everything from blueberry waffles and eggs benedict to corned beef hash and breakfast burritos. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. And if you prefer your lunch in the liquid form, you’ll be happy to hear Browns also offers $4 drink specials all day, every day.

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.