Vancouver Adventures: Our Picks for March 11 to 17

This week: Experience the Aquarium at night, explore Amazon culture, dance a jig for St. Patrick's Day + more

1. Tiki Happy Hour – Friday, March 10 and Saturday, March 11

Fed up with the snow? Bring some Polynesian sunshine into your life at Ritual’s new Tiki Happy Hour every Friday and Saturday night from 9 to 11 p.m. Sip on a “Mar Pacifico” with orgeat, blue Curacao, spiced rum, pineapple, basil and lime, and be transported to a warm, happy place.
Ritual, 774 Denman Street

 

2. Insomnia 2017 – Saturday, March 11

Electronic music fans will be flocking to the PNE for an all-ages night of EDM with legendary Dutch big room house and electro house DJ Hardwell, supported by Laidback Luke, Ookay, Mark Sixma and Atmozfears. The all-ages show will feature a 19+ VIP area.
7 p.m. to 1 a.m., tickets $69 to 99 ($119 for 19+ VIP)
Pacific Coliseum, 2901 East Hastings Street

 

3. Chan Centre presents Noche Flamenca’s Antigona – Sunday, March 12

Fusing Greek tragedy and fiery flamenco, Noche Flamencaone of the world’s leading flamenco companiesreturns by popular demand to perform a fierce interpretation of a Greek classic, Antigona. Noche Flamenca’s star dancer Soledad Barrio has received critical acclaim for her role as the lead heroine, Antigone, in this fiery reimagining of Sophocles’ 2500-year-old tale, which draws parallels between the plight of Antigone and the resistance of her own people of Spain during the regime of 20th century dictator Francisco Franco.
7 p.m., from $38, Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, UBC

 

4. Farmer’s Apprentice + Kinome Dinner – Monday, March 13 and Monday, March 27

Farmer’s Apprentice’s David Gunawan and Kinome Japanese Kitchen’s Ryoma Matarai are joining forces this month to present exclusive six-course dinners that showcase local, organic and sustainable ingredients. Tickets include wine and sake pairings and the first dinner will be at Kinome on March 13th, followed by Farmer’s Apprentice on March 27.
Tickets $120 per guest including taxes and gratuity, 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. for both evenings
Kinome Japanese Kitchen (2511 West Broadway St.) March 13 and Farmer’s Apprentice at (1535 W 6 Ave.) on March 27

 

5. Amazonia: The Rights of Nature – Friday, March 10 until Sunday, January 28, 2018

Curated by Dr. Nuno Porto (Museum of Anthropology curator, Africa and Latin America), this new exhibit challenges visitors to consider their own knowledge of the environmental struggles of indigenous peoples with an extensive collection of Amazonian basketry, textiles, carvings, feather works and ceramics, representing the ideas and struggles of Indigenous, Maroon and white settler communities in the Amazon.
Museum of Anthropology, 6393 NW Marine Drive, UBC

 

6. Vancouver Invitational Wheelchair Rugby Tournament – Friday, March 10 to Sunday, March 12

Sometimes known as ‘murderball,’ wheelchair rugby is a fast-paced sport that combines elements of basketball, handball and ice hockey. This invitational showcases some of the best quad athletes in the world, who are coming to compete amongst their heroes, or are training for the World Championships and the Olympics. Twelve clubs will compete across three days and admission is by donation to see the adrenaline-fueled games.
First game March 10 12.30 p.m., Richmond Olympic Oval

 

7. Vancouver Aquarium After Hours – Thursday, March 16

If you’ve ever wondered how coral procreates or how many different ways sharks can reproduce (spoiler: it’s four) then head to the Aquarium for the adults-only (19+) After Hours event to find out the sexy secrets of sealife. Catch a screening of the 4-D Coastal Predators film, get hands-on in the Wet Lab to meet the sea stars and rays, and enjoy a drink with the fishes. 
6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., Vancouver Aquarium, 845 Avison Way        
Tickets $23 for members and $31 for non-members

8. Sonic Boom Festival – Thursday, March 16 to Sunday, March 19

Celebrate the stunning acoustics of three of Vancouver’s most awe-inspiring musical venues with a three-day festival of B.C.’s contemporary classical music scene, featuring composer Dorothy Chang, ensemble Erato Ensemble and musician Marina Hasselberg.
Tickets start at $15
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra’s School of Music’s Pyatt Hall, 843 Seymour Street, Vancouver; Orpheum Annex, 823 Seymour Street, Vancouver; Western Front, 303 – 8th Ave E, Vancouver

9. Celtic Village at Robson Square – Friday, March 17 to Saturday March 18

Celebrate St. Paddy’s Day with a weekend festival of all things Irish, including everything from traditional music to quick-footed dancing. Children can explore the kids’ zone while grown-ups enjoy some of Ireland’s most famous exports in the beer garden and check out the vendor village.
Noon until 11 p.m., Robson Square

 

10. St. Paddy’s Day Bash – Friday, March 17

Go green and dance a jig for the annual WISE Hall St Paddy’s Day Bash, featuring Shane’s Teeth (the ultimate Pogues tribute band) and special musical guests Still Spirits and The Staggers & Jaggs.
19+ Event, 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.; The Wise Hall & Lounge, 1882 Adanac Street, Vancouver
$15 for advance tickets or $20 at the door