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This week: come on down to The Price is Right Live, swing for the fences at the Fastpitch International Championship, rock out at Khatsahlano! and more
Come on down! You could be the next contestant on The Price Is Right Live, held at River Rock Casino Resort (8811 River Rd, Richmond) and the Hard Rock Casino (2030 United Blvd, Coquitlam), from July 4 to 13 and July 17 to 20, respectively. Just like the iconic game show formerly hosted by Bob Barker, random audience members will be invited to spin the wheel for a chance to win appliances, vacations and new cars. Go online for tickets.
If you’re not the bookish sort, you probably think nothing fun ever happens at the library. Proving you wrong is Summer Sundays at Civic Square, where those old “keep it down to a whisper” rules won’t apply at Bob Prittie Library (6100 Willingdon Ave, Burnaby) from July 6 through August 24. Instead, the grassy grounds will be abuzz with free family fun. Everything from playground activities and community art projects to outdoor movies and cultural programming, every Sunday from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., except August 3.
Batter up! If there’s one summer event that’s guaranteed to hit a home run, it’s gotta be the Scotiabank Canadian Open Fastpitch International Championship. Taking place from July 11 to 21 at Softball City and various other Surrey venues, this eight-day pitch-fest will cover all the bases with 1,300 elite athletes from over 90 top international women’s teams competing in 350 ball games. And if that’s not enough, check out the lineup of live music, food vendors and kid-friendly fun, too!
Who says it’s not smart to walk in a park after dark? The warning obviously doesn’t apply to Theatre Under the Stars, where families stake out spots outside Stanley Park’s Malkin Bowl each summer for a night of Off-Broadway in the great outdoors. The fun kicks off on July 11 with Shrek The Musical, running until August 22, followed by Legally Blonde – The Musical on July 12, and alternating nights thereafter, until August 23. Book tickets online or by phone at 604.696.4295.
It’s “Vancouver’s biggest free outdoor music event.” Now that we’ve got your attention, here are more deets on the fourth annual Khatsahlano! Music + Art Festival, a stellar street party taking place July 12 along West Fourth Avenue. Stroll the 10-block stretch, between Burrard and MacDonald, and you’ll find no less than eight outdoor stages showcasing more than 50 of Vancouver’s top musical performers, as well as hundreds of vendors, 40 food vendors and an array of local artisans, street performers and restaurant patios. Drop by from 11 a.m to 9 p.m., rain or shine.
Fourteen and fabulous! That just about sums up the Marpole Summerfest, now in its 14th year. The annual extravaganza takes place July 12 along Granville St (between 63rd and 71st). This free, family-friendly fest features fabulous sidewalk sales from local merchants and gourmet giveaways from neighbourhood restaurants, while kids can look forward to a pantheon of performers – everything from magicians and jugglers to balloon artists and face painters – and classic-car enthusiasts can get set to admire the offerings at a show ‘n’ shine, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Few things can outshine the flowers at Butchart Gardens (800 Benvenuto Ave, Brentwood Bay), but the “spectacular” and “jaw-dropping” Saturday-night fireworks show is one of them. Swing by the horticultural haven to enjoy 55 acres of beautiful blooms, then stick around for some early-evening music capped by a fireworks finale on Saturday nights till August 30, starting at sunset. And while you’re there, why not unpack a gourmet picnic, complete with wicker basket and checkered tablecloth, from the Dining Room Restaurant, available on Saturdays throughout the summer.
In a town where it rains eight months of the year, we have to agree with Earls Kitchen & Bar, whose latest promo advises us to “Live Every Summer Night Like Winter Starts Tomorrow.” And helping us do just that is the restaurant’s new promo, which includes delicious $5 features from Monday to Thursday, all summer long. Chow down on everything from nachos and barbecued pork sticky buns to chicken tacos, and wash it all down with on-special margaritas, Mexican Bulldog beer or a new summer cocktail, like the delightful Bee’s Knees.
Travel to The Improv Centre this summer for trippy comedy, courtesy of the Vancouver TheatreSports League. Inspired by suggestions from the audience and TripAdvisor reviews, the new show, TripAdvisor, parodies people’s wackiest travel experiences. From city to jungle, bungee jumping to bird watching, the possibilities are endless because it’s completely improvised and totally unpredictable. Catch it until August 30, and there’s no telling where the laughter will lead this summer.
Planning on making a reservation to check out The Westin Grand’s uber-popular #PopUpPatio? Forget it. This rooftop oasis, located above the bustling intersection of Homer and Robson, is purely first-come, first-served. Swing by Thursday and Friday evenings from 5 pm to 9 pm to unwind after the work day with soft seating, green gardens and live DJ music – not to mention fab fare from Executive Chef Chris Savino, including a BBQ action station serving pulled pork & cornbread bites, caramelized chicken wings, and duck salad roll.
