Vancouver Adventures: Our Picks for November 11 to 17

This week: light up the night, meet your favourite celebrities, celebrate eastside culture and more

1. Fan Expo Vancouver – Friday, November 10 to Sunday, November 12

Celebrate all things pop culture at the annual Fan Expo Vancouver. Get an autograph or photo at the celebrity panels, watch professional comic artists battle it out in Sketch Duels, and take photos with your favourite costumed characters. Or simply check out all the opportunities to buy TV- and film-themed gifts.
Vancouver Convention Centre, 2 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Single day passes from $30

2. Gigantic! The East Van 90s Party – Saturday, November 11

Get nostalgic at a night of all kinds of ’90s tunes from dance, pop, rap, hip hop, R&B and cheese to boy bands, girl bands, riot grrl, ’90s indie, grunge, Britpop and alternative music.
The Astoria, 769 East Hastings Street, Vancouver, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., Cover: $4 to 10 sliding scale before 10:30 p.m., $7 to 10 sliding scale before 11 p.m. and $10 to 15 sliding scale after 11 p.m.

3. Pre-loved Clothing and Artisan Pop-up Market – Sunday, November 12

Bag bargains with pre-loved branded clothes and handmade crafts from one of over 30 vendors at The Bazaar Closet’s Sunday market. Clothing donations will be collected on the day to benefit the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre.
The Beaumont Studios, 326 West 5th Avenue, Vancouver, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tickets: $2 at the door

4. Jersey Boys – Tuesday, November 14 to Saturday, November 18

Telling the true story of The Four Seasons—Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi—this Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award-winning best musical comes to Vancouver on a national tour.
Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 630 Hamilton Street, Vancouver, 8 p.m., Tickets from $29

5. Public Salon – Wednesday, November 15th

Listen to short presentations by Vancouver’s leaders and thinkers during this evening that will entertain, educate and provoke, with subjects ranging from racism and equality to energy storage and the healing power of music.
The Vancouver Playhouse, 600 Hamilton Street, Vancouver, 7.30 p.m. to 9 p.m., Tickets: $22.99 ($30 cash at the door)

6. Bitters: From Snake Oil to Artisanal Cocktails – Thursday, November 16

Trendy cocktail ingredient bitters are made from infusions of roots, barks, fruit peels, seeds, spices, herbs and flowers. Take a journey through their fascinating history and sip on cocktails made with local spirits at this event, while exploring some of the botanicals commonly used as bittering agents.
VanDusen Botanical Gardens, 5151 Oak Street, Vancouver, 19 and over only, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Admission: $35 members, $42 non-members

7. Lights of Hope Community Celebration – Thursday, November 16

Join thousands of Vancouverites for this evening and see the annual fireworks display marking the lighting of the 100,000 light bulbs that illuminate the outside of St. Paul’s Hospital for the festive period.
St. Paul’s Hospital, 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, 6.30pm, Free

8. Dinner by Design – Thursday, November 16 & Friday, November 17

Discover amazing tablescapes by international and local designers at Dinner by Design. Sample gourmet treats paired with delicious craft cocktails, wine and beer at Friday night’s “Cocktail Art” event ($75) or enjoy a night of table-hopping at this year’s gala dinner on Saturday ($300). Public viewing is also available on Saturday and photography is encouraged.
Harbour Event Centre, 750 Pacific Boulevard, Vancouver, Ticket prices vary

9. Eastside Culture Crawl – Thursday, November 16 to Sunday, November 19

More than 500 artists’ studios, homes and garages will be open for this 21st annual four-day celebration of visual arts, design and crafts. The crawl will welcome more than 30,000 visitors this year—the biggest event yet. New for 2017 is a series of intimate workshops and demonstrations in pottery, live chainsaw carving, natural textile dyeing and glassblowing.
Between Columbia Street, 1st Avenue, Victoria Drive and the waterfront, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

10. 24K Magic Fitness: The Bruno Mars Experience – Friday, November 17

Get your groove on with hip-hop fitness instructors Ty and Shay, a dynamic duo from Brooklyn, who are running a special Bruno Mars-themed dance class that will bring the “Uptown Funk” to downtown Vancouver.
Baza Dance Studios, 1304 Seymour Street, Vancouver, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Admission $20