Vancouver Adventures: Our Picks for June 16 to 22

This week: enjoy free jazz, hit the buffet with Dad, celebrate the solstice + more

1. Art Party – Saturday, June 16

Art Party is the opening reception for the Queer Arts Festival. Now in its 10th year, the QAF celebrates and brings together queer artists from across disciplines for presentations and exhibits. This year’s festival focuses on the history of queer art and the importance of public queer art, and this gala is one of the best attended visual arts events in Vancouver.
Yaletown Roundhouse Exhibition Hall, 181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver; 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Admission by donation

2. Sunday Seafood Boil – Sunday, June 17

For last-minute Father’s Day plans that will impress, join the Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar Sunday Seafood Boil. This East Coast-style seafood boil features fresh-caught clams, mussels, Dungeness crab, jumbo prawns and crawfish. The boil is cooked up by Boulevard’s talented chefs and served with fixings like salad and cornbread. Dinner is served at a communal table on their outdoor patio, giving a decadent Father’s Day meal a more laid-back feel.
845 Burrard Street, Vancouver; 6 p.m.; Tickets are $65 per person, plus beverages, tax and gratuity

3. Father’s Day Brunch Buffet – Sunday, June 17

Bring the whole family to Craft’s Father’s Day brunch buffet so Dad can hit the omelette bar on his big day. The buffet features brunch favourites like farmhouse eggs benny, chicken and waffles, double smoked bacon, Two Rivers sausage and Kennebec hashbrowns. Extra goodies include desserts, fresh fruit, salads, pastries, charcuterie, as well as two carving stations featuring both sirloin and ham. Craft will also have an all-day happy hour featuring $5 B.C. beers, highballs and house wine.
Craft Beer Market, 85 West 1st Avenue, Vancouver; $28.95 for adults and $10.95 for kids 12 & under; Reservations recommended

4. Under a Persian Musical Sky – Tuesday, June 19

Under a Persian Musical Sky is the opening concert for the Global Soundscapes Festival this year. Journey into the heart of Persian music with the setar and kamanche played by world-renowned artists Kiya Tabassian and Kayhan Kalhor. Special guests Spakwus Slolem the Eagle Song Dancers will also be in attendance.
Waterfront Theatre, 1412 Cartwright Street, Vancouver; 8 p.m.; Tickets from $30

5. World Refugee Day: Sky and Ground – Wednesday, June 20

Stand in solidarity on World Refugee Day and commemorate the courage and strength of refugees. Vancity Theatre has a a special screening of Sky and Ground, followed by a talk moderated by CBC’s Bal Brach. Sky and Ground follows the Syrian-Kurdish Nabi family as they try to make it from devastated Aleppo to Berlin. The moving story shows just a sliver of the struggles in Syria and the plight of migrants travelling through Europe to seek asylum.
Vancity Theatre, 1181 Seymour Street, Vancouver; 7:20 p.m.; Tickets $13

6. Night at the Aquarium – Thursday, June 21

The Night at the Aquarium is the signature fundraising gala supporting Ocean Wise, an organization committed to ocean conservation, education and research. Alongside the aquarium’s residents in a stunning setting, guests will enjoy a five-course meal, prepared by top local chefs and excellently paired with wine and spirits.
Vancouver Aquarium, 845 Avison Way, Vancouver; 6 p.m.; Tickets $350

7. Luxury Home and Design Show – Thursday, June 21 to Sunday, June 24

Be transported to an Italian piazza at B.C. Place for Vancouver’s Luxury Home & Design Show. This four-day event invites guests to experience luxury through home decor, artwork and furnishings, curated from around the world. In Italy, the piazza is the heart of every town. At the design show, the feel of an Italian piazza is recreated with fountains, cobblestones, greenery, benches and—of course—gelato! Celebrate design, architecture and elegance at this incredible show.
B.C. Place, 777 Pacific Boulevard, Vancouver; Various dates and times; Tickets $100

8. Red Truck beer garden at the Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival – Friday, June 22 to Sunday, June 24

Red Truck Brewery is opening a beer garden at the Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival this year and it’s slated to be the largest outdoor beer garden in B.C. Cheers!
Creekside Park, 1455 Quebec Street, Vancouver; Friday, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

9. Free concerts at the TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival – Friday, June 22 to Sunday, July 1

Take in over 150 free concerts during the TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival, including the Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio (pictured) and others. From Granville Island to Yaletown and East Hastings to West Vancouver, the city will be alive with jazz, blues and world music.
Various venues, dates and times; Details online