Vancouver Adventures: Our Picks for April 28 to May 4

This week: catch a doc, shop the shore, plant some bulbs + more

1. Métis Mutt – Now until Saturday, May 5

Using stand-up, songs and storytelling, Métis Mutt recounts Sheldon Elter’s coming of age under difficult circumstances in an abusive household as he attempts to understand what is important to him culturally.
Firehall Arts Centre, 280 East Cordova Street, Vancouver; Various times; Tickets from $30

2. Fall for Local Market – Saturday, April 28 to Sunday, April 29

Fall For Local Market is a unique shopping event, featuring more than 85 local vendors. Try a free DIY workshop, eat at a food truck, and be sure to head there early as the first 50 guests will receive a free canvas tote full of local goodies both days.
The Pipe Shop Building, 115 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver; 11:00 am to 5:00 p.m.; Tickets $3.00 online until April 27 or $5 at the door (cash only) with children 12 and under free

3. Vancouver Opera Festival – Saturday, April 28 to Sunday, May 6

With the theme Russian White Nights, the second annual Vancouver Opera Festival celebrates Russian composers with a Russian classic opera, an opera premiere and a series of instrumental and vocal chamber music concerts.
Various locations and times; Details online

4. VanDusen Plant Sale – Sunday, April 29

Choose from thousands of plants at the 40th annual plant sale at VanDusen Botanical Garden. There will be traditional plants for sale as well as plenty of new ideas for your garden. All proceeds go to the Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association, in support of garden programs.
VanDusen Botanical Garden, 5251 Oak Street, Vancouver; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Free admission

5. DM and Dine: Triple One Shot Adventures – Monday, April 30

Fans of role-playing games can celebrate International Tabletop Day with three Storm Crow Dungeon Masters: Eric Fell at Storm Crow Alehouse on West Broadway, running 13th Age, while Joanna Gaskell oversees Pathfinder at the same location, and The GM Tim brings Dungeons & Dragons (5th edition) to the Commercial Drive outpost. Each game has six spots and registration includes a burger (veggie or meat).
Storm Crow Tavern, 1619 West Broadway & 1305 Commercial Drive, Vancouver; Details online

6. Khalid – Wednesday, May 2

Rap wunderkind Khalid embarks on his third North American tour at the tender age of 20. Catch him at Rogers Arena for his acclaimed blend of R&B and hip-hop.
Rogers Arena, 800 Griffiths Way, Vancouver; 8 p.m.; Tickets from $30 plus fees

7. Night Shift: Magnetic Threads – Thursday, May 3

Enjoy an evening of music, dance and interactive art that explores both the real and imagined threads we use to tell our stories, with a performance by contemporary dance group Co.ERASGA, who will showcase an experimental piece using malong, an Indigenous textile of the Philippines.
Museum of Anthropology, 6393 NW Marine Drive, Vancouver; 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Free with museum admission

8. DOXA Documentary Film Festival – Thursday, May 3 to Sunday, May 13

Showcasing documentary films from around the world, DOXA also features local films such as The Rankin File: Legacy of a Radical about the 1986 Vancouver mayoral race, thriller Letter from Masanjia, which uncovers the reality of China’s police state and a warts-and-all documentary that follows Kurtis Wiebe, writer of the best-selling comic book series Rat Queens in Co-Creators: The Rat Queens Story. Fans of the cult television phenomenon Freaks and Geeks can find our more at Freaks and Geeks: The Documentary.
Various locations and times; Tickets from $14, with ticket packs from $65 and festival passes from $195; Details online

9. Tom Cochrane and Red Rider – Friday, May 4

Canadian musical icon Tom Cochrane combines his folky singer/songwriter roots with the rocking sound of Red Rider for an unforgettable concert at Hard Rock Casino.
Molson Canadian Theatre at Hard Rock Casino Vancouver, 2080 United Boulevard, Coquitlam; 8 p.m.; Tickets from $69 plus fees

10. Shipyards Night Market – Friday, May 4

Summer is coming and it starts with the Shipyards Night Market in North Vancouver’s Shipbuilders’ Square on Friday. More than 100 vendors will be selling food and local products, with a beer garden serving up local brews and cider. Continues until Friday, September 28th.
Shipbuilders’ Square, North Vancouver; Friday nights from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Free admission