Vancouver Adventures: Our Picks for November 18 to 24

This week: chow down on chowder, shop for authentic Italian holiday treats, visit a new cutting-edge gallery + more

This week: chow down on chowder, shop for authentic Italian holiday treats, visit a new cutting-edge gallery + more

1. 12th Annual Louis Riel Day Celebration – Saturday, November 18

Enjoy an evening of traditional Métis jigging dance performed by the Louis Riel Métis Dancers, as well as musical and cultural performances that celebrate the life of inspirational leader Louis Riel and the resiliency of the Métis people.
The Cultch Historic Theatre, 1895 Venables Street, Vancouver; 8 p.m.; Tickets $24

2. North Vancouver Holiday Bazaar – Saturday, November 18 & Sunday, November 19

Listen to festive music, pick out a poinsettia, enjoy Christmas-themed face painting, fuel up at food trucks and meet Santa for a photo opp on Sunday. Partial proceeds from admission—together with poinsettia sales and photos with Santa—will go to the charity Backpack Buddies. This event will also run on Saturday, December 2 and Sunday, December 3.
Carson Graham Secondary School, 2145 Jones Avenue, North Vancouver; 10 a.m to 4 p.m.; Admission $3, Kids 12 and under free

3. The Polygon Gallery Opening – Saturday, November 18 and Sunday, November 19

After 40 prolific years in the art world, Presentation House Gallery takes a new shape on the waterfront of Vancouver’s North Shore. Designed by B.C.’s Patkau Architects, the $20 million, 25,000-square-foot new Polygon Gallery will be the largest, photography-focused gallery in western Canada. Its inaugural exhibition, N. Vancouver, will be on display until spring 2018 and will pay tribute to the evolution of North Vancouver, including commissioned work by more than 10 artists, such as Andrew Dadson, Gabrielle Hill, Althea Thauberger, Stephen Waddell and Tracy Williams, paired with existing work by Stan Douglas, Greg Girard, Fred Herzog, Curt Lang and Jeff Wall, among others.
The Polygon Gallery, 101 Carrie Cates Court, North Vancouver; 10 a.m. Ribbon cutting on Saturday, November 18, Gallery hours 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Admission by donation

 

4. Hopscotch Festival – Monday, November 20 to Sunday, November 26

Now in its 22nd year, the Hopscotch Festival continues to celebrate Scotch, craft beer and cider, wine, cocktails and spirits at the Grand Tasting Hall event on November 24 and 25but has been extended for 2017 to include more special events. Highlights include cocktail art displays, a wine garden, a B.C. craft peer pavilion, spirits from around the world and ‘Whisky Corner’ with over 120 whiskies and ‘Restaurant Row’ featuring top chefs from The Pawn Shop, Steel Toad, La Pentola, Dixie’s BBQ, BKH Ribs and more.
PNE Forum, 2901 East Hastings Street, Vancouver; Dates and times vary; Tickets from $30

5. OceanWise Chowder Chowdown – Wednesday, November 22

Support sustainable seafood and enjoy chowing down on chowder from top OceanWise chefs; all washed down with complimentary wine, beer and spirit tasting. All proceeds help to ensure that ocean life (and delicious seafood) will be abundant for future generations. The Vancouver Trolley Company will be running complimentary shuttles from Waterfornt Station for guests.
Vancouver Aquarium, 845 Avison Way, Vancouver; 7 p.m.; Tickets $75, Event is 19 and up

6. Disney on Ice: Follow Your Heart – Wednesday, November 22 to Sunday, November 26

Just keep swimming with Dory and new pal Hank from Disney/Pixar’s Finding Dory as they set out to find her parents and discover the devotion of family. Two of the stars of this touring show are B.C.-born: Selena Van Aert (Quesnel) and Kurtis Hori (Vancouver) have both been skating since they were five and have competed in various competitions.
Pacific Coliseum, 2901 East Hastings Street, Vancouver; Dates and times vary; Tickets $15 to $100

7. Vancouver Christmas Market – Wednesday, November 22 to Friday, December 24

Visit the 75 huts stuffed with sweets, treats and treasures, coupled with a multitude of festive family activities and live entertainment. New highlights include Canada’s first-ever Walk-In Christmas Tree: a 30-foot-tall tree covered with 36,000 twinkling lights that guests can enter to experience a spectacular—and selfie-worthy—light display. The Christmas Pyramid also returns, this year taller than ever with the addition of a brand new ‘Flying Stage’ perched 10 feet above the market.
Jack Poole Plaza, 1075 Canada Place, Vancouver; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily; Tickets $5 to 10

8. Cellar Live presents Jodi Proznick Sun Songs CD Release Party – Thursday, November 23

Jodi Proznick and her quartet are a highly regarded fixture of the Vancouver jazz scene. Their first-ever album, Foundations, received a Juno nomination and was named Album of the Year by the National Jazz Awards in 2006. Fast-forward more than a decade and Sun Songs is Proznick’s ode to life’s pendulum and the natural cycles of every day. The official release date for Sun Songs is December 8. The album is available for pre-order now.
Frankie’s Jazz Club, 765 Beatty Street, Vancouver; 8 p.m.; Tickets $20

9. Mercato Italian Christmas Market – Friday, November 24

It’s time for everything red, green and white! Christmas is coming and so is the Italian Christmas Market. It’s your annual chance to say Buon Natale the Italian way. Say hi to Santa and check out Italian food, arts and crafts.
Il Centro Italian Cultural Centre, 3075 Slocan Street, Vancouver; 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Free admission

10. Orpheum 90 – Friday, November 24

Party like it’s 1927! Pull out your flapper dresses and tailcoats for a Roaring Twenties-themed night of live vaudeville and silent film favourites—like Steamboat Willie—with musical accompaniments, era-appropriate cocktails and dancing to celebrate the Orpheum’s 90th birthday. This glitzy evening will be hosted by Maestro Bramwell Tovey and former CBC host Bill Richardson.
Orpheum Theatre, 601 Smithe Street, Vancouver; Doors at 6:30 p.m.; Tickets from $19