Vancouver Adventures: Our Picks for April

From inclusive theatre to immersive wizarding worlds and more, here are our top picks for April

1. Step Up for Families – Throughout April

Step Up for Families Virtually assemble your squad of family, friends or co-workers to move a minimum of 73 kilometres while raising awareness and funds for the 2,000 families who can stay at RMH B.C.’s 73-bedroom house and family room each year. No matter where you live, you can participate by moving in your favourite way and raising at least $150, which is the cost to house a family for just one night when they must unexpectedly come to Vancouver for urgent medical care for a child. 
Details online

2. Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls – Until Saturday, April 23

Facebook/Carousel Theatre for Young PeopleLadies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls is a touching play at Carousel Theatre for Young People, made for kids ages seven to 12. It tells the story of a nine-year-old who is assigned female at birth as he comes out to his family as a boy named Fin. He has always had a feeling–knowing something was different but not knowing what it was exactly or how to say it. Fin cuts his hair short and his family does the work to use his new name and understand Fin’s gender identity. Dad accepts the change right away, but Mom struggles at first. We see Fin’s family grapple with his transition with the best of intentions and ultimately begin to understand and embrace Fin for who he really is.
Waterfront Theatre, 1412 Cartwright Street, Vancouver; $24; Details online

3. Festival du Bois – Friday, April 1 to Sunday, April 3

Facebook/Festival du BoisSay ‘bonjour’ again to Festival du Bois, which returns for its 33rd year with a weekend of live folk, roots, global and Québécois music from French Canada and beyond. As well as music, you’ll find entertainment especially for kids and families, on-site performers, workshops, fabulous food, a market area and plenty of ‘bon esprits’. 
Macklin Park, 1046 Brunette Avenue, Coquitlam; Details online

4. Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival – Friday, April 1 to Saturday, April 23

Pexels/Oleg MagniCelebrate the sakura at the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival and follow the mobile maps that act as a ‘Cherry Compass’ to find blooms across the city. Take part in the haiku invitational, enjoy mindfulness movement at the outdoor ‘Steps for Sakua’, or discover tree talks and walks, and a picnic in David Lam Park. 
Details online

5. B.C. Distilled – Saturday, April 9

Facebook/BC DistilledRaise a glass to B.C. Distilled returning after a two-year hiatus with two, smaller-capacity tasting sessions (one in the afternoon, one in the evening) featuring 31 distilleries, with several new distilleries joining the event this year to pour samples of their locally made spirits. Other events include a B.C. whisky tasting hosted by Davin de Kergommeaux on April 6th along with the Annual Distillers Dinner, at downtown Vancouver’s acclaimed Forage Restaurant on Friday, April 8th. Chef Welbert Choi will feature five cocktail and spirit samples from B.C. distilleries, paired with five terroir-based courses.
Croatian Cultural Centre, 3250 Commercial Drive, Vancouver; 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.; From $67.89; Details online 

6. Fam Jam Kitchen – Saturday, April 9

Facebook/Family Services of Greater VancouverJoin Family Services of Greater Vancouver for the Fam Jam Kitchen, a family-friendly cooking class led by celebrity chef Bruno Feldeisen (award-winning pastry chef and judge on The Great Canadian Baking Show), with all proceeds supporting local families in need. With ingredients provided by Fresh Prep, the live 90-minute event will be full of engaging and interactive content for adults and children alike, including tips to get kids excited about mealtimes. Participants will be sent delicious meal kits for chicken Caesar salad and barbecue chicken pizza—complete with nutritious ingredients and recipes—in advance of the event. 
$100 per family; Details online

7. TED 2022: A New Era – Sunday, April 10 to Thursday, April 14

Facebook/Bill GatesIf you have a spare $25,000 USD burning a hole in your pocket, sign up to see Al Gore, Bill Gates and Elon Musk talk about technology and the future, as well as eight other sessions of TED’s famous talks, plus performances, interviews and other surprises.
Details online

8. IWANTtoBE – Tuesday, April 19

IWANTtoBEVancouver-based One Girl Can is hosting its eighth annual IWANTtoBE fundraiser, presented by TD Private Giving Foundation, to fund 140 university scholarships for young women in Kenya. Attendees will learn how One Girl Can is helping women carve out successful career paths in Kenya and hear the personal stories of two special guests from Nairobi. The event will also feature a cocktail hour, canapés, silent and live auctions (with vacations up for grabs).
Commodore Ballroom, 868 Granville Street, Vancouver; 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m; Tickets from $150 (includes AG gift bag with a $100 retail value), with virtual tickets $25; Details online

9. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 – Friday, April 22 to Sunday, April 24

Facebook/Vancouver Symphony OrchestraExperience the magic of the Orpheum and witness the beginning of Harry’s most important battle yet, as Harry, Ron and Hermione set out to track down the secret to Voldemort’s power, featuring the full film accompanied by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. 
Orpheum Theatre, 601 Smithe Street, Vancouver; Tickets from $42.75; Details online

10. Stargazer: An Immersive Experience – Throughout April

Facebook/StargazerGo into space without leaving earth! Experience the world premiere of Stargazer, a multisensory experience giving a new perspective on the universe. Step into an immersive room with a 270º wall and floor-projected video and symphonic sound, see scale replicas of rockets, space stations and satellites, plus enjoy an impressive version of the Apollo Lunar module, and enjoy an “Apollo 11 Quest” VR production with Oculus Quest 2 (MetaQuest) VR goggles. Curated in part by the MacMillan Space Centre, and featuring a unique exhibition presented by the Canadian Space Centre through Ingenium.  
Tsawwassen Mills, 5000 Canoe Pass Way, Delta; Tickets from $24; Details online