Vancouver Adventures: Our Picks for November 14 to 21

This week: Take part in the talk of the town, explore the studios of local artists, taste whiskeys from around the world + more

TEDxVancouver – November 14

Vancouver’s very own TED is back and bigger than ever. This year’s conference focuses on the topic of identity as interpreted by an extensive speaker lineup which ranges from reality show contestant Kaitlyn Bristowe to endangered journalist Mohamed Fahmy and Special Olympian Matthew Williams.

Based on the popularity of last year’s local capsule event—which is supported by, but runs independently of TED—TEDxVancouver 2015 has grown to include local food, unique art and plenty of space for social interaction.

Rogers Arena, Vancouver, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
 

Evening for Autism – November 14

Drink local craft beer in support of autism at Central City’s 3rd Annual Evening for Autism. The night’s events, held at their new Beatty Street restaurant, include a live and silent auction, with such incredible prizes as a $15,000 garden makeover, a one-week stay in Hawaii for four (flight included), a two-week stay in Italy for two (flights included) and a Robert Bateman original.

The Surrey-based brewery, which successfully launched its Red Racer IPA for Autism in April, aims to raise at least $100,000 for the disorder which affects one in 68 children. Each guest will receive a $200 tax receipt for the donation portion of their ticket.

Central City, 871 Beatty Street, Vancouver

Credit: Eastside Culture Crawl, Medium Beaver Jar by Claire Madill

Eastside Culture Crawl – November 19 to 22

One of the city’s favourite fall events invites you to traipse through the homes, studios and other creative spaces of East Vancouver’s artists. Participating in the 19thannual Eastside Culture Crawl are more than 400 sculptors, jewellers, furniture designers, visual artists and textile artists who work within the area contained by Columbia Street,First Avenue, Victoria Drive and the waterfront.

The annual event, which attracts more than 20,000 crawlers, includes strategically positioned food trucks and other treats to keep visitors fuelled as they explore locally produced artworks. Popular sites include Parker Street Studios and The Mergatroid Building, between them offering a convenient hub of 184 artists… but with 82 buildings to choose from you really can’t go wrong.

Various locations
Thursday, November 19, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday, November 20, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, November 21, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, November 22, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

(In)visible: The Spiritual World of Taiwan through Contemporary Art – November 20 to April 3

The Museum of Anthropology’s new major exhibition will immerse locals in Taiwanese culture as it considers the coexistence of modernity and tradition through fundamental myths, legends, and fairy tales.

Curated by Dr. Fuyubi Nakamura, (In)visible features works by seven internationally acclaimed contemporary Taiwanese artists: Anli Genu, Charwei Tsai, Chiu Yu-Wen, Li Jiun-Yang, Tu Wei-Cheng, Yuma Taru and Walis Labai. The exhibit will showcase a vast array of artistic mediums—including textile installation, paper cutting, video art, puppetry and sculpture—in partnership with MOA’s Spotlight Taiwan initiative. Catch the exhibition’s opening night party on November 20 from 7 to 9 p.m.

Museum of Anthropology, 6393 N. W. Marine Drive

16th Annual Salmon Festival – November 15

Celebrate the amazing life cycle of British Columbia’s salmon this weekend, as they complete their long journey from the Pacific Ocean to lay their eggs in Hyde Creek. The annual Salmon Festival, started by a group of PoCo volunteer streamkeepers back in 1999, promotes environmental awareness, protection and stewardship through educational displays and interactive exhibits that are fun for the whole family.

The two-venue event includes a live eagle exhibit, face painting and cookie decorating as well as a fundraising BBQ (salmon chowder and salmon burgers!) and a host of raffle prizes that will have guests of all ages excited about the salmon cycle. 

11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Port Coquitlam Recreation Centre, 1379 Laurier Avenue
Hyde Creek Education Centre & Hatchery, 3636 Coast Meridian Road, Port Coquitlam

Hopscotch Festival – November 16 to 22

Feeling thirsty? Canada’s Premium Whiskey, Beer and Spirit Festival has got you covered. Join over 100 exhibitors to peruse more than 300 international products at the PNE Forum this weekend.

This year’s festival also includes a beer-only event. Stop by Saturday afternoon for a reduced $30 admission that will allow you to sample drafts and bottles to your heart’s content.

With master classes, local food stations and upscale satellite events throughout the city, Hopscotch Festival is a perfectly respectable way to devote an entire weekend to whiskey.

PNE Forum, 2901 East Hastings Street, Vancouver
Plus various other locations

Broadway Across Canada Presents Once – November 17 to 22

Broadway is back in Vancouver this fall with Once, the charming love story that won eight 2012 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Based on the book by Enda Walsh and the Academy Award-winning film directed by John Carney, Once plots the romance between a Dublin-based street musician and a young woman who takes a liking for his songs. The captivating soundtrack by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova will engage audiences across the country as the production moves west from Alberta throughout November.

Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 630 Hamilton Street
8 p.m., Tickets start at $25

Dance In Vancouver – November 18 to 22

This fall, The Dance Centre hosts its 10th Biennial Dance in Vancouver event, bringing some of British Columbia’s most exciting contemporary dance companies together for five days of performances and events.

Most shows will be held at the Scotiabank Dance Theatre, although others are scattered around various locations such as the Holiday Inn Vancouver Downtown. Dance in Vancouver also features numerous free studio showings, including midday performances, all held at the Scotiabank Dance Theatre. See a complete schedule or buy your tickets online.

Individual tickets: $30 ($22 when you attend three or more ticketed performances)

Credit: Up Global

Startup Weekend Vancouver 2015 – November 20

Make sure your startup hits the ground running with the latest in a series of entrepreneurial empowerment weekends. Startup Weekend is a 54-hour long event that brings developers, designers, marketers, product managers and startup enthusiasts together to brainstorm and build new brands.

The event begins with an open mic on Friday where participants pitch their best ideas, attracting others to join their team. The rest of the weekend gives said teams a chance to develop the idea, creating a demo prototype to present to Sunday’s panel of experts, which includes Version One Ventures Founder Boris Wertz, Hootsuite CEO Ryan Holmes and Vanedge Capital Principal Amy Rae, as well as leading art directors, designers and engineers.

Unbounce, 401 West Georgia Street

Vancouver Baby & Family Fair – November 21 & 22

Calling all parents: if you’re looking for expert info, fun for the kids and need to get some holiday shopping done, add the Vancouver Baby and Family Fair to your calendar. While you’re taking in the seminars or browsing the clothing and toys, the kids can check out the bouncy castle and get their faces painted. Arrive early to be one of the first 100 and receive a special gift bag.

Saturday, November 21, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, November 22, 11 am to 5 pm
Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre, East Facility, Hall C
$12 adults, $10 grandparents, cash admission at the door