Vancouver Adventures: Our Picks for April 7 to 13

This week: take the rave on the road, celebrate Peruvian cuisine + more

1. Vancouver International Burlesque Festival – Now until Saturday, April 7

Burlesque fans rejoice! From workshops and TED-style “Tit Talks” to international showcases and the best of homegrown Vancouver talent, the Vancouver International Burlesque Festival has a full line-up of glitz and glamour.
Various locations and times; Details online

2. Bombhead – Now until June 17

The exhibit Bombhead brings together paintings, drawings, prints, sculpture, photographs, film and video that deal with the often dark subject matter of the nuclear age, covering the pre- and postwar period from the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki to the triple meltdown at Fukushima Daiichi in 2011.
Vancouver Art Gallery, 750 Hornby Street, Vancouver; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (9 p.m. on Tuesdays); Tickets $6.50 to 24

3. Vancouver Bike Rave – Saturday, April 7

Grab your bike and get raving at the UBC edition of the Vancouver Bike Rave. Deck out your wheels with bright lights and bring an FM radio to tune into the beats, as the mobile party bikes its way around the campus.
Leaving from UBC Bookstore, 6200 University Boulevard, Vancouver; 8 p.m. to Midnight; Tickets are free

4. Slush Cup – Saturday, April 7

Mark the end of ski and snowboard season at Grouse Mountain by dressing up in a ridiculous costume and attempting to make it across the slushy pond without getting a dunking. Pick up a participant package between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at the base plaza, then join in the fun from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. An after-party follows naturally, and spectators can choose to simply enjoy beer and barbecue in the “dry zone.”
Grouse Mountain, 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver; Tickets $10 (with the purchase of a ski/ride ticket or membership)

5. Grassroots Expo – Saturday, April 7 & Sunday, April 8

This expo “for the cannabis curious” aims to connect consumers to thought leaders, educators, brands and start-ups to find out more about the burgeoning (and soon-to-be-legal!) industry. With a focus on healthcare, producers will be on hand to demonstrate products, while speakers cover issues from cannabis and cancer to cooking with cannabis and even how cannabis can help an ailing pet.
UBC Robson Square, 800 Robson Street, Vancouver; Various times; Tickets $12 to 15

6. Bloom: Abbotsford Tulip Festival – Monday, April 9 until late spring

It’s not quite full bloom yet but Bloom: Abbotsford Tulip Festival soft-opens on April 9th with low blooms, to give early bird visitors a taste of the carpet of colourful flowers that will be emerging over the next few weeks.
36737 North Parallel Road, Abbotsford; 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Tickets from $8

7. Rod Stewart – Tuesday, April 10

Do ya think he’s sexy? Rocker Rod Stewart will be singing his classic hits—from “Sailing” to “Maggie May”—when the croaky-voiced crooner comes to Rogers Arena this month. Catch one of the best-selling artists of all time (200 million records and counting!) on his world tour.
Rogers Arena, 800 Griffiths Way, Vancouver; 7:30 p.m.; Tickets from $49

8. Parkside Brewery and Chicha Dinner – Wednesday, April 11

Peruvian food and beer? Chef Shelome Bouvette of Chicha Restaurant and Sam Payne and Vern Lambourne of Parkside Brewery have teamed up for a five-course collaboration that pairs vibrant Peruvian dishes with local brews.
Chicha Restaurant, 136 East Broadway, Vancouver; 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.; Tickets $79

9. Che Malambo – Wednesday, April 11

World famous for their rhythmic gaucho tap dance routine and electrifying percussion, Che Malambo includes 14 dancers who practice the dance form, Malambo, a dance rooted in the history of 17th and 18th century Argentina. This musical spectacle showcases gaucho tradition with dueling drums and whirling boleadoras (a traditional weapon with a cord and weighted stones).
Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 630 Hamilton Street, Vancouver; Doors 7 p.m. with show at 8 p.m.; Tickets from $28

10. Riverdance – Friday, April 13 to Sunday, April 15

Catch the fast-footed Irish dance troupe as they take to the floor for a spectacular show that combines theatrical dance moves and traditional Celtic music. Touring the globe, the the group makes a stop at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre for a weekend of performances.
Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 630 Hamilton Street, Vancouver; Various times; Tickets from $30.50