Vancouver Adventures: Our Picks for October 14 to 20

This week: learn about Vancouver’s rebellious past, get your autumn fix at the Apple Festival, take a zero-waste cooking class and more

 

1. Improv Wars: The Laugh Jedi – Thursday, October 5 to Wednesday, November 15

May the farce be with you as Vancouver TheatreSports League (VTSL) takes you to a universe far, far away where the rich characters, locations and themes of the Star Wars films come together in VTSL’s parody, highlighting the parallels between the skills of an improviser and those of a Jedi.
Improv Centre, Granville Island, 1502 Duranleau Street, Vancouver; Thursdays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; Tickets from $10.75

 

2. A Little Night Music – Thursday, October 12 to Satruday, October 21

Love, regret and desire burn brightly in this new Patrick Street Productions’ presentation of Stephen Sondheim’s musical tour de force, which has been enchanting audiences worldwide since its Broadway debut in 1973. Set at the turn of the last century in Sweden, A Little Night Music explores the intersections of desire as it tries to untangle the pathways through love—both sacred and profane. Witty and moving, Sondheim’s play traces the arcs of infatuation, jealousy and true love as his cast of colourful characters meet, couple and uncouple during a weekend at a lavish country estate. The winner of four Tony Awards, A Little Night Music features one of Sondheim’s most popular songs, the haunting Send in the Clowns.
Gateway Theatre, 6500 Gilbert Road, Richmond; Evening and matinee performances; Tickets from $29

 

3. Arcade Fire – Saturday, October 14

Montreal’s most successful indie rockers Arcade Fire are still going strong! They are bringing sounds from their latest album Everything Now to Vancouver, partnering with Plus 1 so that $1 from every ticket goes towards eliminating the cycle of poverty in Haiti through the Kanpe Foundation.
Pacific Coliseum, 2901 East Hastings Street, Vancouver; 7:30 p.m.; All ages; Tickets from $35

 

4. Filson Dog Happy Hour – Saturday, October 14

From 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., it’s your pooch that gets to kick back and relax at apparel and accessories favourite Filson in Gastown. Complimentary dog treats from Smart Cookie and a photo set-up to snap portraits on-site will be available—plus browse their durable product line and help out a good cause. Twenty per cent of all sales on the day will benefit the B.C. SPCA. RSVP here.

 

5. Nightmare Before Christmas Market – Saturday, October 14

Costumes are encouraged for this Halloween- and harvest-themed market, just steps from Skytrain’s Columbia station in New West. Meet Jack the Pumpkin King, join in the kid-friendly activities and pick up costumes and curiosities in time for the spookiest day of the year. Visit the Nightmare Before Christmas Market event page for more info. 
514 Carnarvon Street, New West; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Admission $3 adults, free for kids under 13

 

6. UBC Apple Festival – Saturday, October 14 and Sunday, October 15

How do you like these apples? Fans of one of B.C.’s favourite fruits can celebrate the harvest season at the educational UBC Apple Festival and try rare varieties, as well as learn more about the diversity of the humble fruit. Admission proceeds from this fundraising event support the UBC Botanical Garden.
UBC Botanical Garden, 6804 South West Marine Drive, Vancouver; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Admission $5 (cash only) for adults, children 12 and under free, includes garden visit

 

7. Mix it up Monday – Monday, October 16

Learn what to do with stale bread or brown bananas at this zero-waste cooking class. The fee includes a three-course meal and participants are encouraged to bring their own surplus ingredients—and containers to take home leftovers!
Kits House, 2305 West 7th Avenue, Vancouver;  6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Tickets $15

 

8. Toast to the Coast – Friday, October 20

Toast to the Coast, the 11th annual fundraising gala that supports Ocean Wise and the Vancouver Aquarium, lets guests sip and savour their way through the aquarium’s galleries. Enjoy B.C. wines and mouth-watering dishes from some of the province’s best chefs, as well as a popular silent auction and dance floor tunes from DJ Bfad. The Vancouver Trolley Company will run its vintage-looking trolleys every 15 minutes between Waterfront station and the Vancouver Aquarium starting at 7:30 p.m. The last trolley leaves the aquarium at 12:45 a.m.
Vancouver Aquarium, 845 Avison Way, Vancouver; 7:30 p.m.; Tickets $150, VIP package for eight $1,500

 

9. The Great Big Boo DJ – Friday, October 20 to Friday, October 27

Join in the (non-scary) Halloween fun at The Great Big Boo, a 50-minute family-friendly live show that follows the story of Zoe and Justin who sing and dance their way through Boo Alley on a quest to save Halloween, meeting larger-than-life characters along the way. Meet the stars after the show and join them for a fun trick-or-treat event.
Various dates and venues in Coquitlam, Burnaby and Richmond; Tickets $22

 

10. City on Edge: A Century of Vancouver Activism – now until February 2018

The Museum of Vancouver explores the history of Vancouver‘s street protests with City on Edge: A Century of Vancouver Activism, a major new photo-based project that features 650 images of street demonstrations, protests and riots from the early 1900s to present day, all collected from the archives of the Vancouver Sun and The Province.
Museum of Vancouver, 1100 Chestnut Street, Vancouver; Admission $9 to 19