Vancouver Adventures: Our Picks for April 20 to 26

A living blues legend, local youth talent, major fashion savings + more

1. qa? y?x? – water honours us: Womxn and Waterways – Until Wednesday, October 2

Featuring nine Indigenous women artists, this group exhibit explores the important role of Indigenous women on the West Coast. Works explore women’s unique relationship with water through the roles of child bearer, healer, doula and more. Contemporary water keeper Audrey Siegl will participate alongside artists such as Alison Marks, Dionne Paul and Kali Spitzer.
Bill Reid Gallery, 639 Hornby Street, Vancouver; Details online

2. Plenty Warehouse Sale – Friday, April 19 to Monday, April 22

Shop for women’s and men’s clothing, accessories and shoes at the Plenty Warehouse Sale, which has discounts of 60 to 90 percent and new stock added daily.
Vancouver Convention Centre, 999 Canada Place, Vancouver; Friday: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Monday: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Details online

3. 420 – Saturday, April 20

Will it or won’t it go ahead? While cannabis is legal now, the annual protest party is not an official festival yet. If it goes ahead, then Sunset Beach will once again become a cloud of pot smoke as tokers light up at 4:20 p.m. Rap group Cypress Hill is due to headline the festivities and a weed-based farmers market will also be on-site.
Sunset Beach, Vancouver; Noon to 8 p.m.; Free; Details online

4. Earth Day Parade – Saturday, April 20

A more family-friendly “green” celebration takes place on Commercial Drive this weekend, raising awareness for eco-friendly living with a parade, as well as speakers, musicians and activities. The parade will begin at Commercial and Broadway at  1 p.m. and the festival takes place at Grandview Park between from 1:45 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Commercial Drive, Vancouver; Free; Details online

5. Buddy Guy – Monday, April 22

Blues legend and multiple Grammy Award winner Buddy Guy celebrates his new album, The Blues Is Alive and Well, which features James Bay, Keith Richards, Mick Jagger and Jeff Beck. Guy was a  pioneer of Chicago’s west side sound of the ’50s and ’60s and has played the blues with legends such as Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williamson and B.B King.
The Orpheum, 601 Smithe Street, Vancouver; 8 p.m.; Tickets from $62.25

6. The Critical Hit Show: A Live Improvised Epic Fantasy – Wednesday, April 24

Held on the last Wednesday of each month, The Critical Hit Show: A Live Improvised Epic Fantasy, sends intrepid performers on a quest for comic glory in an improvised #DNDLive spectacular inspired by the world’s most popular role-playing game.
The Rio Theatre, 1660 East Broadway, Vancouver; Doors at 7:00 pm, with show at 8:00 pm; 16 and up; Advance tickets $12, or $14 at the door

7. Art Vancouver – Thursday, April 25 to Sunday, April 28

Since launching in 2015, Art Vancouver was enabled more than 500 artists and galleries to show their work at the Vancouver Convention Centre each spring. This year ,more than 100 artists will share their work. Parties, panel talks, art classes, speeches, events and exhibitions bring together the city’s creative talent and the global arts community.
Vancouver Convention Centre, 999 Canada Place, Vancouver; Various times; Details online

8. Kickstart’s 21st Anniversary Celebration – Friday, April 26

Celebrating 21 years of supporting and promoting artists who identify as living with a disability, Kickstart Disability Arts and Culture offers this very special concert event headlined by classically-trained violinist and singer-songwriter Gaelynn Lea, who will be joined by inspirational humourist David Roche, and a presentation by talented young painter, Mujtaba Saloojee.
The Cultch, 1895 Venables Street, Vancouver; 7:30 p.m.; Tickets: $25, or $75 for VIP including pre-show cocktails with artists as well as an auction preview

9. VOX Singing Competition – Friday, April 26

Discover some of Canada’s best young opera singers as eight competitors battle (vocally) for the grand prize in front of a live audience and panel of esteemed judges, chaired by Vancouver Opera’s music director Jonathan Darlington, and hosted by CBC’s Sylvia L’Ecuyer.
Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 630 Hamilton Street, Vancouver; 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Tickets from $61.75

10. IGNITE! Youth-driven Arts Festival – Friday, April 26 to Saturday, May 4

The Ignite Arts Festival delivers a week of youth-led programming and new work by local youth playwrights at the Cultch. An eclectic festival, it is programmed and curated entirely by members of the Cultch’s youth panel. It features theatre performers, dancers and visual artists—all aged 11 to 26—as well as participants in the Cultch mentorship programs. Now in its 19th year, the festival also includes the production of five new one act plays by local youth playwrights.
Various locations and times; Details and tickets online