Vancouver Adventures: Our Picks for August 24 to 30

Cringe at X-rated first date woes, dance to ’90 favourites, make furry friends + more

1. Steveston Beer Fest — Saturday, August 24

Hosted by O’Hare’s Gastropub and Liquor Store, the seventh annual Steveston Beer Fest features host 40 booths, showcasing craft beer from British Columbia, the United States and around the world. Tickets include beer samples and food from local merchants, with partial proceeds benefiting the Richmond Christmas Fund and other local non-profit groups. 
The Gulf of Georgia Cannery, 12138 Fourth Avenue, Richmond; 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Tickets $55; Details online

2. Monstercat Compound — Saturday, August 24

Vancouver-based record label Monstercat is hosting Compound, an annual free block party held at Monstercat HQ in Railtown. Festivities include live electronic music on two stages, live art, video games, music education, merch, food trucks and much more. Families and kids are welcome to join in the free fun. 
Monstercat HQ, 380 Railway Street, Vancouver; Free, with premium passes $25; 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Details online

3. White Rock Dancing on the Pier — Saturday, August 24

Dance the night away with lively Latin-themed events and music from salsa and merengue, bachata, cha cha, cumbia and reggaeton, held at the new Memorial Park located on Marine Drive. The evening will begin with a free mini dance lesson then social dancing with performances by local and Lower Mainland dancers. After the performances, social dancing will resume and end at 10 p.m., leaving enough time to go for a dessert at a local restaurant before heading home. 
14970 Marine Dr, White Rock; Free; 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Details online

4. Tinder Tales — Saturday, August 24

Bad dates become good stories at Tinder Tales, the show where comedians share their own, real, ridiculous, X-rated dating stories live on stage. Hosted by Jo Dworschak (Story Story Lie) with dating stories and comedy from performers including Rae Lynn Carson (Vancouver TheatreSports, Nasty Women Comedy), Claire Pollock (Improv Against Humanity, The Dirty Betty Show), Burcu (Burcu’s Angels Vintage Boutique), Ashlee Ferral (Vancouver TheatreSports, The Dirty Betty Show), Steve Girodat (Yuk Yuks, Comedy Bloodsport), and Megan Phillips (People Suck, Not Enough, People Suck)
Fox Cabaret, 2321 Main Street, Vancouver; Tickets $15 online or $18 at door (if available); Doors open 7:00 p.m. with show at 8:00 p.m.; Details online

5. Pet-A-Palooza — Sunday, August 25

Bring your bow-wows to Yaletown for a day of doggy fun with plenty of pooch-friendly vendors and exhibitions as well as the Running of the Bulls (French and English bulldogs) and weiner races. 
1110 Mainland Street, Vancouver; Free; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Details online

6. Blue Cabin Open House — Sunday, August 25

Artists Jeremy and Sus Borsos lovingly restored this floating cabin, which also features a 500-square-foot deckhouse—an energy-efficient structure featuring off-the-grid water and power systems—designed by artist Germaine Koh and architect Marko Simcic. Grunt Gallery, Other Sights for Artists’ Projects, and Creative Cultural Collaborations (C3) present the public launch and first open house of the historic Blue Cabin Floating Artist Residency. Tours of the cabin run every 15 minutes from 11:30 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. (maximum 20 people per tour on a first-come, first-served basis). 
Plaza of Nations, 750 Pacific Boulevard, Vancouver; Free; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Details online

7. Vancouver International Tap Dance Festival — Monday, August 26 to Sunday, September 1

Tap into the two decade anniversary of the Vancouver International Tap Dance Festival, which has been bringing together international and local tap dance artists for premiere performances, workshops and intensives, and community events for 20 years. 
Various times and locations; Details online

8. The National — Wednesday, August 28

American rock band The National comes to Deer Lake Park for an alfresco concert with special guests Alvvays. The National’s members have been involved in countless artistic, charitable and socio-political pursuits, and—over their 16-year career—the band has sold more than two million albums in the U.S. alone.
Deer Park Lake, 6450 Deer Lake Drive, Burnaby; Tickets from $65; Gates at 5:30 p.m., with show from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.; All ages; Details online

9. Gastown Thursday Nights — Thursday, August 29

Head to Gastown for the last Thursday night celebration of the summer with awesome deals, big sales, promos and in-store events, like aperitif sampling, a waxing and leather care workshop, five cent popcorn, a Western music crooner, wine and cheese and free refreshments. Gastown’s restaurants will also offer extended happy hours and other specials. 
Various locations in Gastown, Vancouver; 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Details online

10. I Love the ’90s Tour — Thursday, August 29

This is how you do it! The PNE’s Summer Nights series continues with iconic ’90s artists including Vanilla Ice, Montell Jordan, Biz Markie and Rob Base. Expect to hear chart-topping hits like “Ice Ice Baby”, “Play That Funky Music”, “This Is How We Do It”, “It Takes Two”, and many more.
PNE, 2901 East Hastings Street, Vancouver; Free general admission with gate pass or pre-book reserved seats from $25; Details online