Vancouver Adventures: Our Picks for January 11 to 17

Dine on inventive vegetarian cuisine, celebrate blues greats, enjoy gluten-free treats + more

1. We Will Rock You — Friday, January 10 and Saturday, January 11

Queen fans can catch the monster musical We Will Rock You when it comes to Vancouver for two days. This quirky, eccentric and heartfelt story of outsiders, it is also a creative cautionary tale for the cyber age. Written by Ben Elton and set to the songs of Queen, the musical takes place on iPlanet, a distant future Earth where individualism is outlawed, and the youth have all become mindless digital clones. The musical follows two revolutionaries, Galileo (Trevor Coll) and Scaramouche (Keri Kelly), on a quest to save rock ‘n’ roll in a post-apocalyptic world.
Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 630 Hamilton Street, Vancouver; 8 p.m., with a 2 p.m. Saturday matinee; Tickets from $85; Details and tickets online

2. Gluten-free Expo — Saturday, January 11 and Sunday, January 12

Canada’s longest-running gluten-free expo returns to Vancouver with hundreds of tasty products to sample, from drinks and snacks to pizzas and bread. Sample, shop and save, while learning more from registered dietitians, nutritionists, doctors and chefs who will be sharing their knowledge both on and off stage.
Vancouver Convention Centre East, 999 Canada Place, Vancouver; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Tickets from $12, with children 14 and under free; Details online

3. Carte Blanche: Nicole Lizée — Sunday, January 12 

Nicole Lizée curates a concert featuring a kaleidoscopic selection from her inventive catalogue, including a (re-)arranged Perxploitation (percussion and film), whose sensational premiere by Vancouver Symphony Orchestra’s principal percussionist Vern Griffiths, with Maestro Tausk, at VSONMF 2019 brought the crowd to its feet.
The Annex, 823 Seymour Street, Vancouver; 2 p.m.; Tickets $30; Details and tickets online

4. Roots to Shoots — Monday, January 13

Vegetarians rejoice! Wildebeest’s executive chef Ian McHale will join forces with chef Brian Luptak of Vancouver’s acclaimed The Acorn for a collaborative dinner that focuses on locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. Enjoy a multi-course vegetarian feast that will spotlight both chefs’ signature root to shoot sensibilities.
Wildebeest, 120 West Hastings Street, Vancouver; 7 p.m.; Tickets from $84.87; Details online

5. The WonderWombs — Tuesday, January 14 to Sunday, January 19

Dripping with autonomy, The WonderWombs is reinventing circus… and winking at your surprise. The Dust Palace, the company that brought us 2017’s hit The Goblin Market, brings its signature hustle of risk, splendour, story, comedy and desire to this extraordinary feminist performance experience.
York Theatre, 1895 Venables Street, Vancouver; 18 and up; Tickets $10 to 65; Details and tickets online

6. Guilty Feminist Podcast — Wednesday, January 15

If you’ve ever felt like you should be better at feminism, then join British comedian Deborah Frances-White for her comedy podcast, The Guilty Feminist, recorded in front of a live audience. On each episode, Deborah and her guests discuss their noble goals as 21st century feminists and the paradoxes and insecurities that undermine them.
Commodore Ballroom, 868 Granville Street, Vancouver; 8 p.m.; 19 and up; Tickets from $53; Details and tickets online

7. VSO Pops: Singin’ the Blues from Billie Holliday to Bob Dylan — Friday, January 17 and Saturday, January 18

Juno-winning Chilliwack native Bria Skonberg brings her energy and fantastic music to the VSO for two nights only. From Billie Holiday to Bob Dylan, this rising star and multi-award winning vocalist and trumpeter puts her spin on classic American music. With a voice compared to Anita O’Day and trumpet chops reminiscent of Louis Armstrong, the New York-based Skonberg performs at this special event.
The Orpheum, 601 Smithe Street, Vancouver; 8 p.m.; Tickets from $19.50, Details and tickets online

8. Hawksworth Long Table Dinner Series — Friday, January 17 to Saturday, February 1

Part of Dine Out 2020, Hawksworth‘s long table dinners take place in the locale’s historic York Room. Offering a five-course B.C. tasting menu paired with local wines, this experience is guided by chef Antonio Sotomayor and wine director Bryant Mao. Fresh and vibrant, carefully-sourced, organic and Oceanwise ingredients are conjured into enticing dishes.
The York Room at Hawksworth Restaurant, 801 West Georgia Street, Vancouver; 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Tickets $152.44; Details and tickets online

9. Dine Out Vancouver — Friday, January 17 to Sunday, February 2

Dine Out 2020 features a full 17-day schedule of delicious events that provide you with unique culinary experiences sure to please your palate. Everything from guided dining adventures and neighbourhood food tours, to spirited cocktail masterclasses and global chef collaborations.
Various locations, Details online

10. Street Food City 9 — Friday, January 17 to Thursday, February 6

Celebrating its ninth anniversary, Street Food City brings a collection of Vancouver’s street food carts to one convenient location. Over the last nine years, Vancouver’s street food has gone through a huge transformation and now boasts a multitude of delicious cultural options from Indian to Mexican, and from pizza to grilled cheese. Balloons, picnic tables and music make for a festive mid-winter outdoor picnic! Special Dine Out Vancouver Festival creations and pricing will be available.
šx????n?q Xwtl’e7énk Square (formerly the Art Gallery Plaza), West Georgia Street, Vancouver; Various dates and times; Details online