Vancouver Adventures: Our Picks for May 25 to May 31

This week: check out Drag Race queens live, lace up your skates for a roller jam, cheer on bulldogs + more

 

1. Sunday Porchetta Dinner – Sunday, May 26

Sourced from family-run Gelderman Farms in the Fraser Valley, this premium porchetta is slow roasted on-site at The Flying Pig for four hours to create juicy pork meat with a crispy, crackling skin. Stuffed porchetta will be hand-carved and served alongside crackling, mashed potatoes, fresh seasonal vegetables and house-made gravy for a true farm-to-table feast.
All Flying Pig locations; every Sunday; $21

 

2. Bizarre Bazaar – Sunday, May 26

Run by the BC Society for the Museum of Original Costume, the Bizarre Bazaar features vendors ranging from vintage to modern. “Ask Ivan” is an opportunity to show fashion historian Ivan Sayers your special collectibles and to ask questions about all things fashion.
Hycroft, 1489 McRae Avenue; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

 

3. FUBAR Roller Jam – Sunday, May 26

Friends United Beyond All Race transforms Robson Square into an old-school roller jam with family-friendly roller skating, old-school soul, funk and R&B music, and a fun, retro vibe. Face-painting, prize draws, 50/50 draws, and celebrity DJs will add to the fun. Advanced skaters will also be on-site for instruction. Proceeds go to Make-A-Wish BC & Yukon.
Robson Square; 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.; $10+ donation

 

4. Bulldog Races – Saturday, May 25 & Sunday, May 26

Watch French and English bulldogs waddle their way around the Hastings Racecourse for the chance to win $500.  Live horse racing starts at 1:50 p.m. with dog races in between. Food trucks, craft beer, and live music keep the party going.
Hastings Racecourse; 12 p.m.; no dogs allowed unless they are racing

 

5. Tacofino Beer Dinner Series – Thursday, May 30

Strathcona Brewing Company and Tacofino team up for a Beer Dinner Series event with a custom, five-course menu paired with a range of unique and exclusive beer from visiting notable B.C. breweries.
Hastings Commissary Tacofino, 2327 East Hastings Street; 6 p.m. and 8.30 p.m; tickets are available for $55 per person

 

6. House of Vans – Thursday, May 30 to Sunday, June 2

Music, art, and skating come together at the House of Vans festival. Celebrate skate culture with workshops, an open skate, and a street market that features a wide range of creative vendors—from graphic designers and tattoo artists to zine producers and underground brands.
Harbour Event Centre, 750 Pacific Boulevard, free

 

7. RuPaul’s Drag Race: Season 11 – Friday, May 31

Watch RuPaul’s Drag Race season 11 queens walk the runway in fierce fashions, starring Yvie Oddly, Silky Nutmeg Ganache, Brooke Lynn Hytes, A’kiera Chanel Davenport, Vanessa Vanjie Mateo, Honey Davenport, Ra’jah O’Hara, and Soju.
Vogue Theatre; 8 p.m.; tickets from $62

 

8. Bridge Festival – Friday, May 31 & Saturday, June 1

West Vancouver’s long-standing Community Day is being transformed into Bridge Festival, a new multicultural celebration that includes food, live music, performances and cultural activities. Cultural pavilions organized by West Vancouver residents will showcase the customs and traditions of their diverse ethnic identities; a new pedestrian beach parade will wind its way around Ambleside; and there will be plenty of food and cold drinks at the International Lounge.
Ambleside, West Vancouver, 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; free

 

9. Butterflies at the Aquarium – Now until September, 2019

Visit the Vancouver Aquarium where butterflies return for the first time since 2014. Watch them flutter around the flowers while you look for sloths, parrots and tortoises in the Amazon Gallery.
Included with the price of Vancouver Aquarium admission

 

10. West Coast Culinary Experience – Daily

Get a taste of the best B.C. food and wine on a three-hour West Coast Culinary Experience. The tour—led by chefs, sommeliers, food writers and food experts—kicks off at Granville Island Market before returning to the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts where a wine tasting and cooking demo of the freshest fish follows. Finally, complete your experience with a meal at Blue Hat Bistro, featuring a special three-course West Coast-inspired menu.
10 a.m. or 3 p.m. daily; $167 per person; to reserve, call 604-734-4488 or email