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Vancouver Adventures: Our Picks for February 6 to 12

This week: Take a break for high tea, snowshoe-race up Grouse, support arts programs for at-risk kids + more

By Heather Cameron /

Credit: Carolily Finery

Carolily’s Tea Time – February 6

Cozy up for high tea with Carolily Finery. The mother-daughter duo, dedicated to beautifying and empowering Lower Mainland women through their online jewellery and accessories boutique, is hosting the charming afternoon event. Several local shops are partnering with Carolily for the day, including Societea, Sweet Petite, Scrubs and Bubbles, The Blonde Baker and Bespoke Décor Rentals, providing tea, treats and other pretty details to complete the experience.

$15, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The Aviary, 637 East 15th Avenue



Credit: Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House

Benny Bonanza at Joe Fortes – February 6 to 28

Vancouverites love brunch as much as they love Joe Fortes, so it’s only natural for the city’s iconic steak and seafood restaurant to bring back Benny Bonanza this month. Starting February 6, the weekend brunch menu will include classic eggs Benedict, sausage eggs Benedict and fried chicken eggs Benedict for just $9.95 each.

Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House, 777 Thurlow Street



Credit: Fable Restaurant

Trevor Bird Cooking Class – February 9

If you’re looking to update your culinary repertoire, why not learn from one of the best? Chef Trevor Bird, owner of West 4th’s Fable Restaurant and runner-up of Top Chef Canada season 2, is joining forces with Ambrosia Adventures to share his passion for cooking at a unique one-night class. You’ll walk away from the enjoyable evening with gourmet new recipes like albacore tuna carpaccio and duck breast with spaetzle that are sure to impress at your next dinner party.

$75.50; 6:25 p.m.
Y Franks Appliances, 503 15 Street, West Vancouver



Credit: Grouse Mountain

Snowshoe Grind Mountain Run 2016 – February 7

Have you been eyeing up your friends’ snowshoeing pics on Instagram, wishing you could try it too? Or are you a seasoned expert looking to gain a competitive edge? Regardless of ability or experience, sign up for Grouse Mountain’s Snowshoe Grind for a fun spin on the city’s infamous stair challenge. With 1km and 5km options, the race is open to all ages.

$30, 10 a.m.
Grouse Mountain, 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver



Credit: Firehall Arts Centre

Little One – February 9 to 13

Firehall Arts Centre’s latest production delves into darker themes of child protection and family welfare. Written by Hannah Moscotvitch—named Canada’s hottest young playwright by the The Globe and Mail and the National Post—Little One tells the story of 6-year-old Aaron and his adopted 4-year-old sister, Claire, through their now-adult voices.

Tickets start at $23
Firehall Arts Centre, 280 East Cordova Street



Credit: Our Interrupted Fairy Tale

Our Interrupted Fairy Tale – February 10

Are you a total romantic? Get into the spirit of Valentine’s Day with a local book signing at Chapters Metrotown. Megan Williams’s novel Our Interrupted Fairy Tale recounts her relationship with the love of her life through his diagnosis and battle with cancer. The Vancouver-based loved story, which includes a collection of his and hers journal entries, has earned Williams a Writer’s Digest Award and significant best-seller acclaim. This week’s book signing falls on the second anniversary of the novel’s release and what would have been Chad’s 41st birthday, adding a special significance to the evening.

Chapters Metrotown, 4700 Kingsway, Burnaby



Credit: Skagen

Bigmouth – February 11 to 21

Hit one-man-show Bigmouth is unlike anything you’ve ever heard. A sell-out at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Valentijn Dhaenens weaves together powerful speeches from an incredible diversity of historic figures in a tribute to 2,500 years of oration. Dhaenens uses five microphones to quote everyone from Socrates to Mohammed Ali and Osama Bin Laden, highlighting the underlying similarities between speeches of all types and times.

February 11, 12, 13, 16 at 8 p.m.; February 14, 20, 21 at 2 p.m.
York Theatre, 639 Commercial Drive; tickets start at $20



Credit: West Coast Symphony

West Coast Symphony Concert – February 12 to 13

West Coast Symphony conductor Bujar Llapaj is guiding the combined amateur and professional orchestra through a powerful programme this week. Back-to-back performances at two Lower Mainland venues will feature Verdi’s La Forza del Destino, Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake Suite, and Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 7. The West Coast Symphony Orchestra’s mandate is to provide quality musical performance to everyone, so all admission is by donation.

February 12: 8 p.m., Performance Works, 1218 Cartwright, Granville Island
February 13: 7:30 p.m., Queens Avenue United Church, 529 Queens Avenue, New Westminster



Credit: Arts Umbrella

World Music Concert – February 12

Some of B.C.’s best musicians are uniting to bring accessible arts programs to Surrey’s at-risk children in an exciting benefit event. Since Arts Umbrella opened two Surrey locations in 2012, the organization has reached more than 5,500 students and provided free community programs for thousands more. The World Music Concert will feature multiple talented acts, including percussionist Salvador Ferreras and Drum Heat as well as 12-year-old piano master Ilhan Saferali.

Regular Tickets $50; VIP $125, 8 p.m.
Surrey Arts Centre, 13750-88 Avenue, Surrey



Credit: Facebook/ The Wellness Show

The Wellness Show – February 12 to 14

The Wellness Show returns to the Vancouver Convention Centre for a fun, informative weekend on eating, exercising and living well. Exhibitors range from local farms to yoga studios, providing a wide range of inspiration to help kick-start your healthy lifestyle. A celebrity cooking stage, living well seminar stage, fitness demo stage and cheese seminar stage provide live expertise on a variety of subjects, while this year’s new Green Scene, presented by LifeSpace Gardens, will have your little ones excited about where their food comes from and how to grow their own.

3-day Pass $30; General Admission $14.50; Students and Seniors 65+ $12.50; Children $6 (under 5 free)
February 12 from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.; February 13 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., February 14 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
999 Canada Place