BC Adventures – Our To Do Picks for June 18 – 24

Test your grape-stomping skills at Italian Market Day, June 19

What to do in BC this week

Enjoy a Free Summer Shindig in Point Grey – June 17-19
Point Grey’s claim to fame is that it’s among Vancouver’s most exclusive enclaves. But thankfully that exclusivity doesn’t extend to the annual Point Grey Fiesta, where everyone’s welcome to kick it up from June 17 to 19 at this free, start-of-summer shindig. So don’t be shy; visitors from all over town can enjoy the down-to-earth fun in the upper-crust community, which will be hopping with a street parade on June 18, sidewalk sale, live entertainment, carnival rides, midway games and food vendors at West Point Grey Park (Trimble Street and West 8th Avenue) and along West 10th Avenue. Call 604-257-8140 for more details.


Practice Your Downward Dog for Charity – June 18
We all know that yoga does a body good. But on June 18 it’ll have even more far-reaching health benefits thanks to Yoga Jam, a feel-good fundraiser for the Africa Yoga Project. Taking place at Semperviva City Studio (#100-1985 W. Broadway, Vancouver), this global initiative uses the “transformative power of yoga to empower communities and change lives.” So whether you’re an amateur, an expert, or somewhere in between, you’re in for an inspirational two hours of yoga, music and celebration from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. For more details on this or other upcoming Yoga Jams call 604-739-2009 or check out the Africa Yoga Project page on Facebook.


Cheer on Some Dedicated Cyclists – June 18
Can you imagine how sore you’d get while cycling from Kelowna to Delta? That’s why the 100-plus cyclists pedaling in the seventh annual Ride2Survive, B.C.’s biggest one-day fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society, could use your cheers on June 18 as they navigate the 400-km, 18.5-hour route that ends with a post-ride party at Cap’s South Shore Cycle (7917 Scott Road, Delta), starting at 10 p.m. Can’t make it? No sweat; you can save yourself the full-body fatigue and make a donation online at ride2survive.com, knowing 
that 100 per cent of all funds raised — and so far they’ve reached 
$1.2 million — will go toward cancer research.


Eat and Drink at Butchart Gardens – June 18
Anyone who has ever been to The Butchart Gardens (800 Benvenuto Ave.) on Vancouver Island knows it’s way more than just a place to smell pretty flowers. On June 18, the world-famous horticultural haven is also hosting a gala Winemakers’ Dinner, where guests can kick back amidst some of B.C.’s best blooms to enjoy a multi-course meal paired perfectly with vintages from Sumac Ridge and Jackson Triggs. The tastings start at 6 p.m., but word of advice: if you don’t want to spoil your dinner, good luck trying to resist all those platters of tasty canapes! Reserve your ticket, priced at $85 per person, by calling 250-652-8222.

Run for Prostate Cancer this Father’s Day – June 19
No plans for Father’s Day on June 19? Here’s one: Check out the 13th annual Safeway Father’s Day Walk/Run taking place in Burnaby, Victoria and Kamloops to support the Prostate Cancer Foundation B.C. Bring the whole family and take your pick of a 2-, 5- or 10-km walk or run to help fight the disease that afflicts approximately one in six men, then kick back for a giant barbecue and maybe go home with one of 600 draw prizes. The Lower Mainland run, emceed by CTV news anchor Mike Killeen, kicks off with onsite registration at 8 a.m., at Burnaby Lake Rowing Pavilion. For more details call 604-574-4012 or email info@prostatecancerbc.ca.

Indulge in Italian Food – June 19
From pasta and pizza to prosciutto and pepperoni, Italian food is one of the world’s favourite cuisines for a reason. So you probably won’t need a lot of arm-twisting to indulge in some major mangia at Italian Market Day on June 19 at the Italian Cultural Centre (2075 Slocan Street, Vancouver). Taking place from noon to 5 p.m., this fun food fest features market vendors, cooking competitions, live music, slow-food workshops and plenty of Italian eats, including free gelato samples. It’s all part of Italian Heritage Month, which is also set to unspool three nights of Italian cinema, including Cinema Under the Stars, a free outdoor screening of Roman Holiday on June 29. For a full schedule of heritage month activities, including events for kids call 604-430-3337.


Groove to Jazz – June 24 to July 3
Turning sorrow into song, African Americans through the ages have made musical history as the acknowledged inventors of jazz, R&B, Motown, rap and hip hop. And while the latter two genres may be the current soundtrack to our times, jazz is still going strong more than 100 years after it originated in America’s Deep South. The TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival, running from June 24 to July 3, is a testament to its enduring popularity, drawing thousands of music lovers to various Lower Mainland venues to catch the likes of Madeleine Peyroux, Paco de Lucia, Lucinda Williams and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis. For a full lineup of free and ticketed performances, call 604-872-5200.

Check out the TD Victoria International JazzFest – June 25 – July 3
Some styles of music lack the longevity factor – disco, we’re looking at you – but that definitely doesn’t apply to jazz. Originating over a century ago, its beat goes on, with the 27th annual TD Victoria International JazzFest as the latest proof of that fact. From June 24 to July 3, this musical mash-up features over 400 musicians from around the globe who’ll get audiences jiggy with all manner of jazz, blues and world music on multiple stages, including Centennial Square, the Bay Centre and the Royal Theatre. In all, you’ll find over 90 free and ticketed performances ranging in price from $52.50 to $92.

See the Best in Glass Art – until July 5
We put artwork on our walls so why not on our dining table? You might be tempted to do just that if you check out the glass creations of award-winning artist Jeff Burnette, one of Canada’s leading goblet makers, at Circle Craft Co-operative Shop & Gallery (#1–1666 Johnston Street, Granville Island, Vancouver). His latest exhibition, titled New Glass Works From the Inner Sanctum, is on display daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. until July 5, giving you plenty of time to eye up this acclaimed artist’s conversation-piece-worthy new works (like his signature futuristic Raygunz pieces, one of which is shown here). For more information on the exhibit phone 604-669-8021.

Take a 22-Metre Vertical Plunge – until September 5
The popularity of horror movies, thrill rides and extreme sports proves that it’s sometimes fun to get scared witless. Think you’ve done it all? Bet you haven’t tried the new Freefall Water Slide at Cultus Lake Water Park in Chilliwack, where adrenaline addicts can experience a 22-metre vertical drop that’s enough to make you wet your pants in more ways than one. But before you take the plunge, you’d better remember to cross your legs, ’cause getting a wedgie at speeds of 60 km/hr is not fun! Ready to make a splash? Drop by daily, rain or shine, from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., until September 5. For more details call 604-858-7241.

Chow Down on Sushi – this summer
Salivating for sushi? Tempted by tempura? Some of the best offerings this side of Japan can be found at Miku Restaurant (1055 W. Hastings Street, Vancouver), where first-class fare combines with a feng-shui-friendly atmosphere. High-end address aside, it won’t give your wallet a walloping, either, with price points as wide-ranging as the expansive outdoor patio. Other accolades? It’s the first Japanese restaurant to be adopted into Vancouver Aquarium’s Ocean Wise environmental sustainability program. Call 604-568-3900.

Get Food Smart – this summer
Do you know the difference between good fats and bad fats? Or how to recognize healthful sugars from harmful? Not to worry; help is as close as your nearest Save-On-Foods, which offers award-winning Nutrition Tours. During the 60- to 90-minute tour, a registered dietitian will escort you through the store teaching you how to read food labels, answering your nutrition questions and even helping you choose foods to meet special dietary requirements. Tours are $14.99 per person, or free with 5,000 Save-On-More points redeemed, and include an informative handbook full of healthy eating tips. Sign up for adult-, teen- or kid-oriented tours at saveonfoods.com, overwaitea.com or pricesmartfoods.ca
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Originally published in TV Week. For daily updates, subscribe to the free TV Week e-newsletter, or purchase a subscription to the weekly magazine.