Vancouver Adventures: Our Picks for May

With health orders in mind, safely enjoy farmers’ markets, festivals, flowers and more in and around the city

1. Chilliwack Tulips – Now until Sunday, May 2

Locals can take a stroll through the tulips to see beautiful fields of colour and snap photos for the ‘gram in a socially distanced, COVID-safe environment. Explore 20 acres of tulips and double daffodils for a last glimpse of spring. Guests must book in advance online.
Tickets $15; Daily from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Details online

2. REBO(U)ND – Now until Saturday, May 8

DanceHouse presents the Vancouver premiere of Montreal choreographer Caroline Laurin-Beaucage’s multimedia work, REBO(U)ND, in celebration of International Dance Day on April 29th. The striking architectural video projection will be on a loop, starting 30 minutes past sunset and showing until 10:30 p.m. nightly.
On an east-facing tower at Denman and Davie Streets, between Pendrell Street and Morton Avenue; Free; Details online

3. Vancouver Farmers’ Markets – From Saturday, May 1

It’s that time of year again already when the farmers’ markets are reopening to sell the freshest ingredients of the season, including fruit and veggies. First up is Riley Park opening up for the summer on Saturday, May 1st; followed by Kitsilano on Sunday, May 2nd, West End on May 22th, and Mount Pleasant on May 23rd.
Details online

4. Crafted Vancouver – Saturday, May 1 to Tuesday, May 25

Celebrate all things crafted at the annual 25-day festival that shines the spotlight on craft-based works through exhibitions, curated talks and other online events.
Details online

5. ParkerArtSalon – Monday, May 3 to Thursday, May 30

Going virtual for 2021, the annual ParkerArtSalon is Canada-wide this year, featuring an online auction with Waddington’s, raising funds for the Beedie Luminaries Foundation. Titled ‘Essential Travel (An Artful Voyage)’,  the auction will be hosted at the Pendulum Gallery for public viewing from Monday, May 3rd to Tuesday, May 28th, with online bidding Thursday, May 6th to Sunday, May 16th. See the works of more than 60 Parker Street Studios artists at the Gallery George—next to the Parker Street Studios—with two consecutive exhibitions running May 6th to 16th and May 20th to 30th.
Details online

6. Wheel Voices: Tune In! – Wednesday, May 5 & Friday, May 14

Edgy, poignant, funny and full of heart, this mashup of original scenes, rap, spoken word and choral pieces features a cast of 14 Vancouver-based community artists. Weaving personal stories rooted in the disability experience with passionate anthemic scenes (and one hilarious comedic take on revenge fantasy), this show uses music as a common language that bonds us all.
Tickets are pay-what-you-can; 7 p.m.; ASL interpretation, Wednesday, May 5th and audio description/captioning, Friday, May 14th; Details online

7. DOXA – Thursday, May 6 to Sunday, May 16

DOXA Documentary Film Festival, Western Canada’s largest documentary film festival, returns to present a very special 20th anniversary festival. Showcasing thought-provoking films covering a range of topics, the online festival also features live and pre-taped filmmaker Q&As and industry events.
Tickets $7 to $10, on a sliding scale; Passes available; Details online

8. Burnaby Festival of Learning – Friday, May 7 to Tuesday, May 11

Local non-profits, small businesses, independent artists, libraries, researchers, thought-leaders and students present innovative programming and a variety of events exploring the cultural, natural and city spaces on offer in Burnaby. Check out the ‘Sound Walk’ at Deer Lake Park or the ‘Many Nations Mini Galleries’ project outside South Burnaby Neighbourhood House for COVID-safe experiences.
Details online

9. Music on Main – Friday, May 14 to Tuesday, May 18

Music on Main invites the audience to “listen together”, no matter where you are in the world, for five days of online performances, artist talks and opportunities to learn about music. Participants can celebrate Music on Main’s 15th season with great music, top-flight artists and sounds you may have never heard before.
Details online

10. International Museums Day – Tuesday, May 18

Join the Museum of Vancouver for International Museums Day as part of their monthly virtual tour series at MOV. Tour ‘A Seat at the Table: Chinese Immigration and British Columbia‘, during Asian Heritage Month in Vancouver, led by local Chinese-Canadian artist, Paul Wong. This virtual tour offers personal insight into several of his works created or adapted for this exhibition, as well as a Q&A. 
Tickets $1 to $10; Details online