Vancouver Adventures: Our Picks for January 6 to 13

This week: celebrate a glam rock pioneer, toast the best of B.C. wine + more

1. Lord of the Rings Trilogy Marathon — Saturday, January 6

Take your precious to the Rio for a back-to-back marathon of the Lord of the Rings movies, plus hosts, trivia, games and prizes. Wear a costume—or just your PJs—and settle in for three of Peter Jackson’s epic films with fellow fans.
Rio Theatre, 1660 East Broadway, Vancouver; Doors: 10:30 a.m. with first film at noon; Tickets $20 online or $25 at door (Single films $12 at door based on availability)

2. Bowie Ball 2018 — Saturday, January 6

Celebrate the life and music of the icon David Bowie at the third annual Bowie Ball, with proceeds going to the Canadian Cancer Society. Over 20 local bands and solo artists will be performing and there will be prizes for the best costumes, so get Ziggy with it!
Rickshaw Theatre, 254 East Hastings Street, Vancouver; Doors 7 p.m., show 7:30 p.m.; 19 plus only; Tickets $15

3. A Persian Night with Vancouver Opera Orchestra — Saturday, January 6

Conducted by Maestro Shardad Rohani, Vancouver Opera Orchestra performs pieces from prominent Iranian composers—and the world premiere of a symphonic poem—with a cast of 65 musicians.
Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 650 Hamilton Street, Vancouver; 8 p.m.; Tickets $75 to 150

4. Holiday Heights at Bloedel Conservatory — Until Sunday, January 7

Keep the festive spirit alive at Bloedel Conservatory’s illuminated adventure through the exotic birds and tropical gardens. Themed around an Arctic Oasis, visitors can take part in a holiday scavenger hunt to find hidden penguins in the dome or enjoy an evening of city views and lit fountains at Queen Elizabeth Park.
Bloedel Conservatory, 4600 Campbell Street, Vancouver; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Tickets $6.83 at door (Children and senior discounts apply)

5. Intro to Stained Glass — Monday, January 8 & Wednesday, January 10

Learn new skills for the new year and discover how to cut glass and use a glass grinder to make a stained glass sun catcher using the copper foil method at MakerLabs.
MakerLabs, 780 East Cordova Street, Vancouver; 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Tickets $85

6. Noodle Mania #5 — Wednesday, January 10

Vancouver Foodster presents the fifth Noodle Mania celebration showcasing Vancouver’s favourite food. Grab a passport for a self-guided tour of the city’s best bites, from chow mein and spaghetti to mac ‘n’ cheese, pho, pad Thai and ramen.
Location to be announced; 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Tickets $45 before January 7 and $60 after

7. Taste BC 2018 — Thursday, January 11

Forget Dry January and get a taste of BC with locally-made wines, spirits and craft beers on alongside fare from local restaurants plus a silent auction, music and door prizes. All proceeds benefit the B.C. Children’s Hospital Foundtaion.
The Pan Pacific Hotel (Crystal Pavilion), 300—999 Canada Place, Vancouver; 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Tickets $49.99 (at any Liberty Wine Merchants location)

8. Corb Lund and Ian Tyson — Thursday, January 11

Join these two legendary singer-songwriters—two of Canada’s most well-loved artists—for an evening of stories, conversations and songs.
Vogue Theatre, 918 Granville Street, Vancouver; Doors: 7:00 p.m. with show at 8:00 p.m.; Tickets $42.50 to 55

9. Tapped — Friday, January 12

Raising funds for the non-profit Fighting Chance Productions Society, this evening includes a silent auction for prizes such as hotel breaks and Canucks tickets, as well as tastings of local craft beer, cider and wine.
Roundhouse Community Centre, 181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver; 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Tickets $40

10. Blue at VIFF — Friday, January 12 to Thursday, January 18

Karina Holden’s documentary—filmed on location in Australia, Hawaii, the South Pacific, the Philippines and Indonesia—charts the drastic decline in the health of our oceans due to plastic pollution, overfishing, habitat destruction and the expansion of industrialization.
Vancity Theatre, 1181 Seymour Street, Vancouver; Various times; Tickets $13