Vancouver Adventures: Our Picks for April 23-29

This week: hop from brewery to brewery in East Van, enjoy global beats at The World Music Festival, support B.C. vendors at local craft fairs + more

Vancouver World Music Fest – Friday, April 22 and Saturday, April 23

Get yourself to the Rio Theatre for a weekend of world music from bands such as Mexico’s Son de Madera (pictured) and South Asian-influenced Lapis in support of the Canucks Autism Network. The two-night festival will be headlined on Saturday by Roberto Lopez’s Afro-Colombian Orchestra, and across the two evenings there will be global beats from all corners of the world.

Rio Theatre, 1660 West Broadway, 7 to 11 p.m.
Tickets $25 in advance, $30 on door, $45 weekend pass in advance only from Zulu, Highlife, Red Cat or online

The 2nd Annual Parker Art Salon – Friday April 22 to Sunday, April 24

Once a year, Parker Street Studios, a labyrinthine 98-year-old warehouse, opens its doors to the public for a weekend of art demos, fine art exhibitions and the opportunity to meet the resident artists in their studios. Spanning over four floors, the old warehouse is home to 110 studios and 227 artists, designers and photographers.

Friday: 7 to 10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday: 12 to 4 p.m.
Parker Street Studios, 1000 Parker Street

Credit: Make It

Make It – Friday, April 22 to Sunday, April 24

Spring brings a bunch of craft fairs to the city but Make It is one of the most-loved for handmade goodies. This weekend it comes back to the PNE to showcase over 200 of the best Canadian designers and artists. Food trucks and music give the show a party atmosphere and it’s the perfect place to pick up a present for one of the many birthdays that seem to spring up at this time of year.

The PNE Forum, 2901 East Hastings Street, $5
Friday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m, Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Credit: TEDxEastVan

TEDx East Van – Saturday, April 23

Celebrating the creators and thinkers of East Van, TEDx East Van is a day-long event that includes lunch in between inspirational talks. Stay for the Taste of East Van after-party at Big Rock Brewery, featuring 13 local breweries and free tastings for TEDx ticket holders.

York Theatre, 639 Commerical Drive

Refresh Market – Saturday, April 23

Take a trip to Squamish this weekend for B.C.’s biggest vintage market, featuring more than 100 vendors from the Sea-to-Sky corridor selling locally designed and made clothing, accessories, home decor, children’s items, paper crafts and artisan food. The biannual event is organized by Shannon Lorenz and Rachel Boguski, two local moms who wanted to give the community an unforgettable shopping experience. Head there early as the first 50 guests through the door get a free swag bag.

9 a.m. to  5 p.m., $3
CN Roundhouse, West Coast Railway Heritage Park, 39645 Government Road, Squamish 

Hop Circuit – Sunday, April 24

Planning a hike this weekend? Scrap that and head to East Van for a walk around local breweries instead. Bike, bus or walk the Hop Circuitan open house self-guided tour of 13 breweries (including three that haven’t officially opened yet). Well-known favourites such as Parallel 49 and Strange Fellows will be opening their doors and newbies Andina, Strathcona Beer Company and Luppolo will be welcoming visitors for tastings. All that walking and drinking can really build up a hunger but luckily there are food trucks such as Tacofino, Feastro, The Reef, Vij’s Railway and Via Tevere along the route.

East Vancouver, free, 3 to 9 p.m.

BeLive Fitness Rave – Tuesday, April 26

Sweat it out in the club surrounded by disco lights, loud music and… Lycra? Popular in New York, fitness raves are more about swigging kale juice than Ketel One but despite no booze (until afterwards), it’s an uplifting way to work out. BeLive Fitness brings boot-camp style moves to Vancouver ravers, run by Francarlos Leon and combining motivation with perspiration for a night out that will (hopefully) leave you feeling better in the morning not worse.

$25, 6 to 8 p.m., Caprice Nightclub, 967 Granville Street

Ugly Duckling Dinner V – Tuesday, April 26

The fifth instalment of this ‘waste into wonder’ dinner sees Royal Dinette’s head chef Jack Chen joined by guest chef Andrea Carlson of Burdock & Co. and Harvest Community Foods for a collaborative sustainable feast. Raising awareness about food waste, the menu focuses on the ‘ugly ducklings’ of the food world that taste good but are often cast off by kitchens. Try halibut collar and pig trotters, followed by a dessert of salted caramel ice cream with a crumble of coffee grind and dried apple peel. Five per cent of sales will be donated to Les Dames d’Escoffier BC Chapter for their Service Excellence Scholarship Fund in honour of Tina Fineza.

Royal Dinette, 905 Dunsmuir Street
6.30 p.m., Tickets for multi-course meal and beverage pairings $79 plus tax and tips

An Evening of Woo #4 – Tuesday, April 26

Engaging discussions over a Sai Woo rice bowl? Yes, please. Held in the restaurant’s downstairs lounge, this monthly speaker series brings together a group of diverse people for an evening of thought-provoking talks. This month local actor Graham Wardle (best known as Ty Borden in CBC’s Heartland) will explore society’s understanding of attraction and artist Angela Fama will discuss the Japanese concept of Wabisabifinding beauty in life’s imperfections.

6 to 8: 30 p.m., 158 Pender Street
Tickets $21.30 including talks, glass of wine and Sai Woo chicken or veggie rice bowl

The Seriousness of Play: Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas – Now until October 2

Influenced by classic Haida iconography and contemporary Asian visual culture, Yahgulanaas’ ‘Haida Manga’ works in multiple forms, including painting, sculpture, illustrated publications and monumental public art. His whimsical work uses everything from repurposed ledger books to reclaimed car hoods for a playful approach to socially aware storytelling.

Bill Reid Gallery, 639 Hornby Street, $10
Open Wednesday to Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. until May 23 and then daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.