BC Adventures – Our To Do Picks for February 4-10

This week in BC: Warm up with hot chocolate, dispel doomsday, crash the Monster Jam Tour and more

The Maple Leaf Monster Jam Tour rolls into BC Place on February 4

What to do in BC this week

Explore Student Talent at Circle Craft Gallery – February 2 – 29
When it comes to artists, it takes one to know one. That’s why you can be assured that the works you’ll see at the Student Scholarships Exhibition at Circle Craft Gallery (Net Loft, 1666 Johnston St, Granville Island) represent the best of B.C.’s brightest new artists in a showcase of up-and-comers, from February 2 to 29. Admission is free.

Crash The Maple Leaf Monster Jam – February 4
Talk about a larger-than-life motorsports spectacle! The Maple Leaf Monster Jam Tour rolls into BC Place (777 Pacific Blvd, Vancouver) on February 4 to tempt the testosterone set with all manner of massive trucks. As always, these big-wheeled beasts — a dozen in all, including fan fave Grave Digger — will be competing in super-sized stunts ranging from racing to rollovers to car-crushing. And if you buy a VIP ticket, you’ll qualify to attend Party in the Pits, a pre-show meet-and-greet with the drivers. Tickets for the show, starting at 7 p.m., are $15 for kids and $25 to $30 for adults, available by calling 1-855-985-5000.

Celebrate Winter Pride at GayWhistler February 5 – 12
Expect “gay-dar” alarms to be blaring non-stop in Whistler this week. That’s because the world-class resort is set to be the site of GayWhistler’s 20th annual WinterPRIDE, taking place February 5 to 12. Billed as “one of the biggest and best gay ski weeks in the world,” the celebration features a jam-packed program ranging from snowmobiling, wine tastings and a pool party to skiing, snowboarding and a snowball dance. To book a room, call 1-800-944-7853.


Embrace the Nostalgia of ‘Chelsea Hotel’ – February 8 – March 3
If ever there were a place that deserved the designation of “heartbreak hotel,” it’s got to be the Chelsea. The Manhattan landmark is the setting for Chelsea Hotel, a play inspired by the haunting music of Canada’s own Leonard Cohen. On stage at the Firehall Arts Centre (280 E. Cordova, Vancouver) from February 8 to March 3, the work follows the journey of a young writer who checks into the Chelsea in search of the right words to cure love’s pain.


Dispel Doomsday with Dr. Ed Krupp – February 9
Will December 21, 2012, usher in an apocalypse to end life on Earth? That’s what fatalists would have us believe, but astronomer, author and director of Los Angeles’s Griffith Observatory Dr. Ed Krupp begs to differ, explaining what we can really expect on the so-called doomsday date. Catch this free talk at H.R. MacMillan Space Centre (1100 Chestnut St, Vancouver) on February 9, starting at 7 p.m.


Warm up with the Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival – until February 14
Is there a more satisfying chill-chaser than hot chocolate? If you agree, you’ve got until February 14 to drink up at the second annual Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival, taking place at 15 vendors around town. From CocoaNymph to Thierry to Schokolade, each place is pouring a new spin on the sipper with creative incarnations ranging from vanilla chestnut (French Made Baking) to blueberry (Gem Chocolates) to Soft Caramel with Fleur de Sel (Thomas Haas). Equally tasty, proceeds benefit the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre.


Witness Theatresports’ St. Valentine’s Day 
Massacre – February 14
If all the gooey sentiment of Valentine’s Day makes you gag, here’s the antidote: Head to Vancouver Theatresports League’s 24th annual St. Valentine’s Day 
Massacre. The show will be mercifully short on sap, as top improv comedy teams from across the continent sharpen their wits in a round-robin war of words, until February 14 at The Improv Centre (1502 Duranleau, Granville Island).


Stand up Against Bullying with Metropolis at Metrotown – until February 15
There’s only one way to battle bullying: by taking a stand against it. Metropolis at Metrotown, B.C.’s biggest shopping centre, is joining the fight by inviting us all to do the same in an online T-shirt contest. Just design a tee promoting anti-bullying awareness then share it on Facebook until February 15. The winning design, determined by the most online votes, will be produced and sold at Metropolis at Metrotown from February 17 to 29, with proceeds going to Kids Help Phone.



Strap in and Shred for the Cure – Monday Nights until March 12
Mixing fun with philanthropy is the aim of Shred for the Cure, Ladies Ride Free at Mount Seymour on Monday nights until March 12. This sixth annual fundraiser entitles women to ski for free if they make a donation to the BC Cancer Foundation. Afterwards, drop by the Rock Chute Inn for food and drink specials, along with an après-ski prize draw starting at 9 pm. Pick up a voucher from participating retail partners, including Pacific Boarder in Vancouver, Comor Sports in Burnaby and Coastal Riders in Langley, then redeem it at guest services for a free 
6 p.m. lift ticket.


Ski the Champagne at Glacier Mountaineer Lodge
It’s been said that “the best champagne powder in Canada” can be found at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. Test the theory yourself when you book a skiing vacation at Glacier Mountaineer Lodge, now offering a Stay and Ski package that includes accommodation for two and one-day lift tickets. The chic lodge, located near Golden BC, near Wells Gray Provincial Park, also offers ski-in-ski-out proximity to peaks with options for beginners and pros alike.


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