Vancouver Adventures: Our Picks for April 29 to May 5

1. Vancouver Opera Festival – Friday, April 28 to Saturday, May 13

Featuring three new operas, a seldom-performed masterpiece, a beloved classic, a contemporary tour de force, and dozens of events over 17 days, the inaugural Vancouver Opera Festival is set to be an opera-lover’s dream. Sing along to Carmina Burana at a special event, check out the pop-up Opera Bar or experience Verdi’s Otello.
Various venues, passes available here

 

2. Vancouver Bike Rave – Saturday, April 29

Party4Health’s Bike Rave kicks off from a secret starting point on Saturday. Get a party pass to find out the VIP starting location, sign up for the newsletter or check out the Facebook page on the night for route information. Bring your bike and glow sticks for the alcohol- and drug-free celebration of cycling and dancing.
Free, party pass $1/month

 

3. Glam Slam – Saturday, April 29

Burlesque versus wrestling! Combining the tongue-in-cheek sexiness of modern burlesque with the action and melodrama of professional wrestling, this night promises to be a fun take on both art forms as the two worlds (and performers) collide.
8 p.m. to 12 p.m., Wise Hall & Lounge, 1882 Adanac Street, tickets from $20
For more information, click here

 

4. Fall for Local – Saturday, April 29 & Sunday, April 30

Discover 75 of the best independent local brands at the 2017 Fall For Local spring pop-up market. The first 50 guests on each day will receive a free goodie bag and everyone can enjoy complimentary coffee and a DIY pompom workshop, as well as a braid bar, photo booth and food trucks!
Saturday: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
$3 online, $5 door (cash), The Pipe Shop Building, 115 Victory Ship Way, North Van

 

5. VanDusen Plant Sale – Sunday, April 30

Pick up some new plants at the VanDusen plant sale this Sunday. Celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday with bargain flora and fauna. All proceeds go to the garden in support of its educational programming and there will be thousands of flowers and plants to choose from at the sale.
10 a.m. to 4 p.m., VanDusen Botanical Garden, 5251 Oak Street, free entry 

 

6. Plane Spotters Picnic – Sunday, April 30

Celebrate the return of the A380 at YVR’s first ever Plane Spotters Picnic! Head out to the South Terminal viewing platform on Sunday for snacks, free swag and plane spotting. Bleachers will be set up to give spotters a great view of the Big Bird when she comes into land at YVR.
3 p.m. to 9 p.m., YVR South viewing platform, free

 

7. 7th Annual Vancouver Wheelmen Vintage Bicycle Swap Meet – Sunday, April 30

Looking for a vintage bicycle to ride around the Seawall on this summer? The 7th Annual Vancouver Wheelmen Vintage Bicycle Swap Meet has everything from full bikes to any bits and pieces you might need for your ride.
10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street

 

8. La Merda – Tuesday, May 2 to Saturday, May 13

Cristian Ceresoli’s acclaimed hit production makes its Canadian premiere at The Cultch as part of its world tour. Legendary Italian actress Silvia Gallerano presents Ceresoli’s provocative feminist script in a three-part monologue, all performed completely naked. Gallerano’s compelling rants probe the depths of modern society, politics, mental health, female sexuality and patriarchy in a shockingly powerful play.
Tickets from $20, click here for dates, Historic Theatre, 1895 Venables Street

 

9. Howling Moon Craft Cider Dinner – Thursday, May 4 – CANCELLED

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

Say cheers to BC Cider Week 2017 (April 29 to May 7) at Main Street’s Cascade Room with a five-course dinner from executive chef Tim Evans, expertly paired with craft ciders from Howling Moon, a cidery based in Oliver, B.C.
Tickets $75 per person (includes tax, gratuity and cider pairings), 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., 2616 Main Street

 

10. DOXA – Thursday, May 4 to Sunday, May 14

Vancouver’s documentary film festival brings a diverse range of subjects to the big screen. From locally made films like Marie Clements’ musical documentary The Road Forward which “connects a pivotal moment in Canada’s civil rights history—the beginnings of Indian Nationalism in the 1930s—with the powerful momentum of First Nations activism today”—to international and classic factual films.
Tickets from $13 (packs available), various venues

 

11. Hello – Friday, May 5 to Friday, May 12

When acclaimed playwright Arthur Miller and his last wife Inge Morath had a son, Daniel, he was born with Down Syndrome and was taken away to grow up in an institution. Inspired by the true story of Miller’s ‘unknown child’, HELLO is performed by Theatre Terrific, a group that features artists with differences in provocative productions such as this one.
Tickets $20 on door or online, times vary, Woodwards Building, KW Studios, 111 West Hastings