BC Adventures – Our To Do Picks for November 19-25

The Vancouver Christmas Market opens at the QE Theatre Plaza November 24

What to do in BC this week

See a Stand-up Guy – November 17-19

If laughter is the best medicine, here’s a simple prescription for a feel-good fix: Head to The Comedy Mix (1015 Burrard St, Vancouver) from November 17 to 19 to catch stellar stand-up comedian Tom Segura, a hilarious headliner who has racked up a rep for getting audiences rolling in the aisles. Want a preview? Check out his podcast, Your Mom’s House, weekly at Deathsquad.tv.

Hear a Space Geek Speak – November 19

Is it possible to survive a mission to Mars? Is it even habitable for humans? And if so, will we one day become residents of the red planet? Dr. Darlene Lim, geobiologist, Mars researcher and self-described “space geek,” answers all these questions and more in a special presentation on November 19 at H.R. MacMillan Space Centre (1100 Chestnut St, Vancouver), starting at 8 p.m. Admission is $10.75 per person, with $2 member discounts.


Spot a Bald Eagle – November 19-20

You don’t need to have hawk eyes to get a bird’s eye view at the Fraser Valley Bald Eagle Festival on November 19 and 20. Every year at this time, over a thousand bald eagles flock to Harrison River to feed on spawning salmon. But you can do a lot more than just ogle eagles — take your pick from nature walks, eco displays, First Nations dance performances, arts and crafts workshops and expert speakers, at various locations throughout the Fraser Valley.


Dance in Vancouver – November 23-26

Hear that noise? It’s toes tapping in anticipation of Dance in Vancouver, a biennial blitz taking place at Scotiabank Dance Centre (677 Davie St, Vancouver) from November 23 to 26. That’s when some of the West Coast’s top contemporary troupes — Wen Wei Dance, the 605 Collective and the plastic orchid factory, among them — take centre stage to show off their smooth moves. Catch it nightly, with tickets available through Tickets Tonight at 604-684-2787.


Get into the Grey Cup – November 24-27

Step away from the chips and dip. If you’re planning a house party for the 99th annual Grey Cup Championship, here’s a word of advice: Don’t. Just head to the 2011 Grey Cup Festival, where football fans can enjoy four days of free fun, including a parade, street festival, family zone and more than a dozen concerts from November 24 to 27 at various Vancouver venues. Expect the biggest crowds at the street parade on November 26, finishing with a FanFest at the Nissan Family Zone.

Sip Some Holiday Tea – November 24
Did you know that tea is the most popular beverage in the world, next to water? That might explain the ongoing success of Silk Road Aromatherapy & Tea Company (1624 Government St, Victoria), hosting a Holiday Cheer Lounge Night on November 24. Held from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., this free event invites guests to sip on tea cocktails, sample tasty nibbles and enjoy free mini spa services, all while browsing the shop’s cool new Christmas merchandise.

Get in the Spirit of the Season at the Vancouver Christmas Market – November 24 – December 24
What’s in store at the Vancouver Christmas Market? All the hallmarks of a good ol’ Canadiana Christmas, right? Wrong! This outdoor marketplace is a festive throwback to the Fatherland, transforming Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza into a German-style village, complete with wooden huts, twinkling lights, trumpeters and the heady aromas of mulled wine and Old Country eats. Swing by daily from November 24 to December 24 to check out the craft vendors or to take a spin on the children’s carousel.


Enjoy Music on the Mountain – November 25
Few things chase the winter chill away quite like a nice glass of full-bodied red wine. And on November 25, you can do more than just sample the stock at Hillside Estate Winery and Bistro (1350 Naramata Rd, Penticton). You can also savour the sounds of Ari Neufeld, a one-man band who performs everything from folk and pop to new-country to soul. Word of advice? Seating for the 6 p.m. concert is limited, so reservations are strongly recommended.

Book a Wellness Weekend in Whistler – November 25-27

Is there a better time of year than flu-shot season to embark on a wellness retreat? We think not, which is why we recommend booking a weekender in Whistler from November 25 to 27. That’s when Steve Nash Fitness World & Sports Club is hosting a Wellness Retreat at Brew Creek Lodge that includes organic meals, rejuvenating yoga classes, outdoor hikes and more, all starting at $480 per person.


Shop the Baker’s Market
 – until December 10
Hate holiday baking? Get your fix of homemade fare at the Baker’s Market, billed as the “sweetest event in Vancouver.” Bring your own containers, and stock up on everything from cakes and cookies to pies and pastries, on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. until December 10. Find it at Moberly Arts and Cultural Centre (7646 Prince Albert St, Vancouver).

Explore Neon Vancouver – until August 2012
Back in the day, Vancouver’s neon signs stirred up a debate that raged for decades. Did they signal glamour, glitz and big-city living? Or were they part of a tawdry display that disfigured Vancouver’s natural beauty? Whatever your take, the signs became a flashpoint for deep civic controversy that’s explored at Neon Vancouver/Ugly Vancouver at the Museum of Vancouver (1100 Chestnut St) until August 2012.

Try Sense at the Rosewood Hotel – anytime

Rosewood Hotel Georgia (801 W. Georgia St, Vancouver) boasts one of the city’s most buzzed-about fine-dining destinations, Hawksworth Restaurant. Now it’s also the site of Sense, a world-class new spa offering a full range of West Coast-inspired services. A treatment to try? The Vancouver Signature Sensation, described as “a custom-blend scrub that imparts the feel of a cool glacial breeze and the aroma of fresh mountain air.”


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