Vancouver Adventures: Our Picks for May 17-23

Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Spamalot – Until June 29

A “new musical lovingly ripped off” from the motion picture, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Spamalot is guaranteed to make you laughalot. Favourites old and new – the Knights Who Say “Ni!” and the Laker Girls among them – appear in this irreverent show that parodies not only the legend of King Arthur but also well-tread Broadway conventions. See it from $29 until June 29 at the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage.

Great Outdoors Festival – May 16-19

Whistler’s summer event calendar just got a boost with a new festival kicking off on the Victoria Day long weekend. GO Fest, held May 16 to 19, celebrates a unique time of year in Whistler when outdoor enthusiasts can choose their own adventure, whether it be winter- or summer-themed pursuits. Expect four full days of family-friendly fun that includes the long-awaited return of the Great Snow-Earth-Water Race, on May 18. The real challenge will be deciding what to do first.

Equivocation – Until May 25

“I want to tell the truth. I just don’t want to get caught at it,” says William Shagspeare in Equivocation, playing until May 25 at Victoria’s Belfry Theatre.

Is it worth the ferry ride? Let’s just say this “enormously smart, witty, multilayered, centuries-crossing” play had the Chicago Times declaring “it zooms along with all the hip humour of a writers’ meeting for Jon Stewart’s The Daily Show.” What’s it all about? Go online for deets or be satisfied with this one-sentence summary: Palace intrigue and backstage comedy converge to create this entertaining ode to art, politics, and the perils of negotiating both!

Richmond Night Market – May 16 to October 13

Vancouver boasts one of North America’s largest Chinatowns, so it’s only fitting that we should also boast one of North America’s largest Night Markets. Opening on May 16 at the River Rock Casino Resort, the Richmond Night Market is Canada’s take on Asia’s famous street fairs and features 250 merchandise booths, 80 food vendors, family-friendly entertainment and – if you plan on driving – more than 1,000 on-site parking stalls. Bring a big appetite and check it out for $2 at the gate on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 7 p.m., till October 13.

Vancouver Foodie Tours – Throughout Summer

Hungry? Take a bite out of spring on one of Vancouver Foodie Tours’ acclaimed gourmet excursions. Choose from the World’s Best Food Truck Tour to explore downtown Vancouver’s world-class curbside cuisine, or take a Guilty Pleasures Gourmet Tour that showcases four award-winning restaurants and food shops. Can’t decide? No problem: tours run all summer long so you have plenty of time to taste test both!

Spiritual Experiences Fair – May 17

“Change Your Consciousness, Change Your Life.” That’s the tagline for the Spiritual Experiences Fair, held on May 17 from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the University of BC (6158 Student Union Blvd). The press release promises you’ll “open yourself to inner guidance, unleash your divine creativity and satisfy your past life curiosity.” Just as great, it’s free.

Hermitage Retreat Centre – Until September

A staycation with a difference, the Hermitage Retreat Centre on Denman Island offers yoga and meditation retreats on weekends from now through September. You’ll stay on a 60-acre organic farm far from life’s pressures and enjoy everything from delicious health-oriented cuisine and therapeutic massage to beachcombing, along with as much yoga and meditation as you can handle. Check out the slate of weekend packages on offer (yes, some are geared exclusively for beginners) and make this the summer you renew your body, mind and spirit.

Portobello West: Spring Into Summer Market – May 24-25

Fill your wardrobe with fresh styles at Portobello West: Spring Into Summer Market. On May 24 and 25, shop for locally made art, clothing, accessories and sweets. You can also listen to local musicians and bid on silent auction baskets that will fund a booth for an upcoming designer at the next market. Admission is $2 at the door, open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Creekside Community Centre in Vancouver’s Athletes Village.

Deborah Williams Storytelling Workshop – May 30 to June 17

Are you known to pulverize a punchline? Well, rookie raconteurs, this one’s for you: Award winning actor and co-creator of Mom’s The Word, Deborah Williams is hosting a storytelling workshop at Victoria’s Belfry Theatre from May 30 to June 1. In this weekend intensive, she’ll share her storytelling expertise and give participants the tools to create and share a truly compelling story. Just bring a short personal anecdote and book now for $25 + GST by contacting the Belfry Theatre Box Office at 250-385-6815. 
 

Ryan Stiles and Greg Proops: On the Couch – June 7

Sure, it’s not till June 7, but if you want a hope in hell of seeing Ryan Stiles and Greg Proops: On The Couch at Vancouver’s Hard Rock Casino, you’d better snap up those tickets fast. The show features the two stars from the Emmy-nominated TV series Whose Line is it Anyway?, telling jokes inspired by the audience… and a few special mystery guests. Tickets are$24.50, $29.50 & $39.50 (plus service charges).