BC Adventures – Our To Do Picks for January 14-20

Don Quixote plays at The Act Arts Centre in Maple Ridge and Surrey Arts Centre

What to do in BC this week

See Don Quixote – January 14 & 18-28

The immortal quest of Don Quixote has captivated readers for over four centuries. This classic tale of courage and madness is reimagined by the creators of the smash hit The Number 14 with masks, magic and mayhem at The Act Arts Centre in Maple Ridge on January 14 and Surrey Arts Centre from January 17 to 28. Physical comedy at its finest, this Arts Club on Tour production has been called “endlessly inventive” and “thoroughly entertaining.”

Sample Some Icewine at the Winter Okanagan Wine Festival – January 14-22
Canadian winters can be rough, but those butt-freezing temperatures do have an upside: icewine. And you can bet this super-pricey sip will be showcased in all its sweetness at the 14th annual Winter Okanagan Wine Festival, running January 14 to 22 at Sun Peaks Resort near Kamloops. Whether you’re a wine rookie or an expert oenophile, this full-bodied fest is one surefire way to warm up a winter weekend. For info, call 1-800-807-3257.

See the Bard’s 37 Plays in 97 Minutes – January 14-February 11
Did you know that the shortest-ever performance of Hamlet clocks in at 43 seconds? That’s just one of the cool facts about The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged), a record-breaking show that takes audiences on a wild ride through the Bard’s 37 plays in 97 minutes. This fast-paced parody — called “pithier than Python” by the New York Times — mixes Shakespearean send-up and fast-on-your-feet improvisation for an irreverent romp unfolding at Metro Theatre (1370 SW Marine Dr, Vancouver) from January 14 to February 11. Tickets are $22 at 
604-266-7191.



Shop the 21st Century Flea Market – January 15
The old saying, “one man’s weed is another man’s rose” takes a figurative turn on January 15 at the 21st Century Flea Market at the Croatian Cultural Centre (3250 Commercial Dr, Vancouver). From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., bargain-hunters can root through 175 tables loaded with everything from boho chic and ’50s kitsch to collectibles and vintage comics. Admission is $5 at door, with more info at 604-980-3159.


Wine and Dine in the Thompson/Okanagan – January 18-February 5
Visitors to the Okanagan have good reason to “wine” these days. From January 18 to February 5, more than 50 restaurants from Vernon to Penticton are serving up special three-course dinners for $15, $25 and $35 per person. It’s all part of Wine & Dine Thompson/Okanagan, an eighth annual celebration that features prix fixe plates showcasing the best of local cuisine.

Spice up Your Love Life at the Taboo Naughty But Nice Show
 – January 19-22
What’s a top New Year’s resolution for many time-pressed twosomes? You guessed it: to spice up the love life. Ready to capitalize on that commitment is the Taboo Naughty But Nice Show, an “upscale adult playground” making its 11th annual appearance from January 19 to 22. Held at Vancouver Convention Centre East, this erotic exhibition features sexy seminars, risqué exhibitors, live demos and even an exotic dance showcase. Tickets are $20 online or at the door, with admission restricted to guests 19 and over.


Fill up at Dine Out Vancouver – January 20-February 5
You know that new diet you promised to start this year? Forget about it — at least until after you’ve had your fill at Dine Out Vancouver, the 10th annual eat-a-thon offering appetizing deals on meals at hundreds of Vancouver’s hottest restaurants. From January 20 to February 5, diners can enjoy three-course prix fixe menus for $18, $28 or $38 per person. Just as cool: Local hotels are getting in on the act, too, offering special nightly rates of $78, $108 and $138.

Go Big at Big White Ski Resort – this winter
Go big or go home. That motto was made for Big White Ski Resort, an alpine playground overlooking Kelowna. Check it out for cheap on a Big White bus trip, featuring deluxe coach transportation, two nights at the Inn at Big White, two-day lift tickets, free giveaways and guided mountain tours. Trips depart from the Lower Mainland and Seattle on select weekends throughout winter. For all the deets, call 604-532-1088.


Watch the Canucks at Rosedale on Robson Suite Hotel – this season
Why watch the Canucks on the tube when you can enjoy your own hockey night in Canada with the help of Rosedale on Robson Suite Hotel (838 Hamilton St, Vancouver)? The downtown digs are now offering special hockey packages that include one night’s accommodation, game tickets and applicable taxes. This week, you can watch the Canucks try to roast the Anaheim Ducks on January 15 or de-crown the L.A. Kings on January 17. To book this offer, starting at $160 per person, call 1-800-661-8870 (ext. 3714).

Take an Alpine Dinner Tour at Silver Star – this winter

Silver Star Resort is already one of the best-kept secrets among alpine enthusiasts. So it’s not surprising that this rustic Okanagan retreat would come up with yet another way to stray off the beaten path. On select nights throughout winter, guests can satisfy their appetite for adventure on alpine dinner tours, which transport diners via snowmobile, sleigh, snowshoe or snowcat to a cozy cabin for a feast of fab fixin’s and fine wine. To book, call 250-558-6019.


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