BC Adventures – Our To Do Picks for April 3 – 9

Violin virtuoso Angele Dubeau brings her eight-piece chamber ensemble to Kay Meek Centre

See a Magical 
Musical

From Cats and Evita to Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat, there’s no doubt Andrew Lloyd Webber is a master of the musical. And if your favourite happens to be the latter, you’re in luck because Royal City Musical Theatre will be putting on everyone’s favourite Dreamcoat from April 8 to 24 at Massey Theatre (735 8th Ave., New Westminster). This newly expanded version of the hit musical includes a crowd-pleasing megamix that celebrates three decades of pop culture with songs like “Close Every Door” and “Any Dream Will Do,” a children’s choir and even an Elvis impersonator. Tickets are available at 604-521-5050 and royalcitymusicaltheatre.com

Catch a Violin Virtuoso

If you’re from Quebec, you’ve likely already heard of Angèle Dubeau. West Coasters, though, might not be as well versed on this violin superstar from La Belle Province, who brings her acclaimed all-female, eight-piece chamber ensemble La Pietà to Kay Meek Centre (1700 Mathers Ave., West Vancouver) on April 9, starting at 8 p.m. Led by Dubeau, La Pietà will play a program that includes excerpts from Philip Glass: Portrait, a CD that won Quebec’s 2009 Classical Album of the Year for its “moodily romantic and irresistible pieces which the ensemble delivers with a lush, almost hypnotizing beauty.” Dubeau, a Quebec icon and Order of Canada recipient, has sold more than 400,000 CDs, making her the best-selling Canadian classical musician ever. Tickets are $45 or $35 for seniors, and available by calling 604-913-3634.

Put a Little Bling in Your Spring
We would normally never suggest getting your weekend off to a rocky start, but we’ll make an exception for the B.C. Gem Show, the largest exhibition of its kind in Canada, running from April 9 to 11 at the Abbotsford Ag-Rec Building (32470 Haida Drive, Central Fraser Valley Fairgrounds). It’s the perfect destination if you want to add some bling to your spring, courtesy of 40 on-site artists and dealers displaying rocks, minerals and crystals in all their incarnations. And for the kids, it’ll put the “gee” in geology with rock-smashing workshops and gold-panning demos, along with grab bags and door prizes. So if you’ve always wanted to be a rock star (sorry!), swing by Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Full details at tourismchilliwack.com
.

Hear the Sparkling Philip Glass

Called “the man who changed modern music,” Philip Glass is set to show you what all the fuss is about on April 5 at 
Chan Shun Concert Hall (6265 Crescent Road, UBC), when he performs Etudes and Other Works for Solo Piano, starting at 7:30 p.m. This evening with the ivory-tickler extraordinaire is a rare opportunity for Vancouver audiences to experience this influential composer’s work first-hand. Through his operas, symphonies, compositions and wide-ranging collaborations, Glass has had an unprecedented impact upon the musical 
life of his times, partnering with the likes of such luminaries as David Bowie, Yo-Yo Ma and Allen Ginsberg among others. Tickets at ticketmaster.ca 
or 604-280-3311.


Get a Few Tech Tips
 at F5
Technology can be intimidating. And since the evolution of Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and blogs, it’s no longer enough to advertise your business via newspaper and TV. But if you came of age before the advent of the Internet, you might not be sufficiently savvy to tap into today’s tech-obsessed demographic. Luckily, the F5 Expo (formerly the Massive Technology Show) can help. This trade exhibition on April 7 at Vancouver Convention Centre (999 Canada Place) delivers the deets on using social media, online marketing and mobile to promote your brand messages and grow your business. Guests can expect a jam-packed agenda of panels, workshops and speakers, including The Tipping Point author Malcolm Gladwell. For further info, visit f5-expo.com


Catch the Burnaby Artists’ Guild Show and Sale
As far as metropolises go, Burnaby doesn’t really have a rep as a pretty city. But it’s set to show off its artsy side at the Burnaby Artists Guild Show and Sale at Shadbolt Centre for the Arts (6450 Deer Lake Ave., Burnaby) from April 9 to 11. Expect a top troupe of talented artists at this 40th-anniversary exhibition, including featured painter Olga deSousa, showcasing original artwork in a variety of styles and mediums, along with a raffle offering ticket holders a chance to win a painting. Admission and parking are both free, with further information available by calling 604-291-6864 or visiting burnabyartistsguild.com


Wine and Dine
 Like a Californian
Some people have said that drinking California wine is like sipping liquid sunshine. The metaphor may be a tad hyperbolic, but it might be enough to tempt you to raise a glass at the California Winemakers Dinner on April 6 at Seasons in the Park, featuring Robert Mondavi wines expertly paired with a sumptuous four-course feast, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $165, with all proceeds benefiting the Arts Club Theatre Company. Thirsty for more? Check out the 2010 California Wine Fair Tasting on April 7 at the Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre (999 Canada Place), starting at 7 p.m. For $60 per person, you’ll find more than 400 wines from more than 100 vendors, including yet-to-be-released vintages and varietals. For details, call 604-687-1644 or visit artsclub.com 

Explore Contemporary Romance in Paradise Garden
Local boy Day, a free spirit, lives next door to Layla, a worldly and career-driven intellectual. The two appear to have nothing in common. Or do they? You’ll discover the answer in Paradise Garden, a contemporary tale of romance and cultural divides that’s playing until April 11 at Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage (2750 Granville St., Vancouver). Even if you can guess the outcome, this Cultural Olympiad production is said to be so engaging “it will change the way you see the girl (or boy) next door.” For more info and tickets, visit artsclub.com or call 604-687-1644.

Fly High with Billy Bishop
A critic once said, “Do your heart a favour and break it by seeing Billy Bishop Goes to War.” So don’t miss your chance until April 17 when this moving First World War-themed musical touches down at the Granville Island Stage (1585 Johnston St., Vancouver). Both comic and dramatic, it’s one of the most popular shows in the Canadian canon, and uses story and song to track the career trajectory of the legendary Ontario-born flying ace from ne’er-do-well cavalry officer to Canada’s most-decorated soldier, the holder of a Victoria Cross. Fittingly, the play also won a slew of honours, including the Governor General’s Award for English Drama. For tickets to this Arts Club production starring Ryan Beil and Zachary Gray, visit artsclub.com or call 604-687-1644.

Ski Like an Olympic Champion
If all the Olympic action has inspired you to attempt your best Alexandre Bilodeau impression on the slopes, you might want to refresh your technique first at the Higher Learning ski weekend at Fairmont Chateau Whistler (4599 Chateau Blvd.). Hosted by World Cup Champion skier Lauralee Bowie, it guarantees a weekend full of fun, on and off the slopes, thanks to daily breakfast, ski rentals and lift tickets, welcome orientation and après reception — not to mention guided lessons with Bowie herself. The two-night package, priced from $1,610 based on double occupancy, is available April 9 
to 11, with more info at 1-800-606-8244 or fairmont.com/whistler.

Take a Tasty Town Hall Tour

A town hall meeting that’s actually fun? Yes, you read that right, but it’s only true with respect to Town Hall Restaurant and Bar (1032 Alberni St., Vancouver), a hip new hangout that combines great casual dining with a glam nightlife atmosphere, thanks to über-funky décor and the pulsating rhythms of resident DJs. Try a handcrafted cocktail (we love the lemon cotton-candy) then choose from among scrumptious appies like duck tacos and wok-fried calamari before moving on to entrees, such as Chilean sea bass, bodacious rib-eye and a double-fisted bacon cheddar burger. For details, call 604-689-9749 or book a table online at townhallvancouver.ca


Originally published in TV Week. For daily updates, subscribe to the free TV Week e-newsletter, or purchase a subscription to the weekly magazine.