BC Adventures – Our To Do Picks for January 28-February 3

Boundary-breaking dance meets foreboding fairy tales at Dances for a Small Stage’s Grimm’s Fairy Tales

What to do in BC this week

Catch Disney’s Phineas and Ferb – January 27-29
Never heard of Phineas and Ferb? Just ask your kids. But warning: It’s up to you if you want to tell them that the popular cartoon characters are in town for Disney’s Phineas and Ferb: The Best LIVE Tour Ever! at the Pacific Coliseum (Hastings and Renfrew streets, Vancouver) from January 27 to 29. Tickets for this high-energy adventure are $20 to $75 through Ticketmaster at 1-855-985-5000.


Kick Off the Year of the Dragon – until January 29
Considered to be the most auspicious year on the Chinese calendar, the Year of the Dragon is being celebrated in suitable style at The Pacific Restaurant (463 Belleville St, Victoria). From now until January 29, diners can chow down on a special three-course dinner that’s not only delicious, it’s also rich in cultural symbolism to give you a joyous and lucky start to the Year of the Dragon. Check it out for $38.88 per person, then head downstairs to the Courtyard Café to try a special-edition Chinese New Year cookie, too.

See Dances for a Small Stage’s Grimm’s Fairy Tales – February 1-3
“Boundary-breaking dance meets foreboding fairy tales” is the official description of the landmark 25th instalment of Dances for a Small Stage, taking place February 1 to 3 at The Legion on the Drive (2205 Commercial, Vancouver). What’s so “landmark”-y about it? The show challenges a range of contemporary dance, flamenco and hip-hop artists to create new works around the theme of Grimm’s Fairy Tales, all within the confines of a signature 10-by-13-foot stage. Intrigued yet? Buy tickets for the 
8 p.m. show for $20 at the door.


Check out Julius Caesar – February 2-26
For a dose of good-old fashioned bloodshed and betrayal, you could always tune in to an episode of NCIS or, even better, you could check out Julius Caesar — a timeless tale from the undisputed master of the genre himself, William Shakespeare. Staged from February 2 to 26 at Studio 58 at Langara College (100 W. 49th Ave, Vancouver), this political thriller not only delivers plenty of edge-of-your-seat intrigue but — bonus! — it painlessly ups your culture quotient too. Call 
604-684-2787 for tickets, priced from $12.


Celebrate the Season at the Vernon Winter Carnival – February 3-12
An event that’s been going strong for more than half a century has gotta be good, right? That theory holds true when it comes to the Vernon Winter Carnival, a seasonal celebration taking place from February 3 to 12. Held at various Vernon venues, it features over 100 family-friendly events, including a parade, snow sculpture competition, Ukrainian food fest and even a hot air balloon fiesta. And while you’re there, it’d be a shame not to swing by the nearby Silver Star Mountain Resort, too, for a quick shoosh down the slopes.

Relive the 2010 Olympics – until February 15
Remember the moments, in sunny February 2010, when we hosted the world at the Vancouver Winter Olympics? Relive the experience at the Museum of Vancouver (1100 Chestnut St), hosting a preview exhibition of the 2,000 artifacts that make up the Vancouver 2010 Legacy Collection. Visitors can reminisce over the mascots, the torch relay, the Four Host First Nations and even those iconic fuzzy red mittens. Check it out until February 15, Tuesday through Sunday, with full details at 604-736-4431.


Try a Winning Restaurant – anytime

Overwhelmed by all of Vancouver’s restaurant options? Look to the Vancouver Restaurant Awards for ideas on where to book your next night out. A hint? You can’t go wrong with La Quercia (3689 W. 4th Ave, Vancouver), a casual dining spot that earned the coveted title of “2011 Restaurant of the Year” for its Northern Italian eats. Another champ chomping ground? Bao Bei (163 Keefer St), a Chinese brasserie named “Best New Restaurant.”


Ski the Bugaboos – this winter
Did you know that both cat-skiing and heli-skiing were pioneered in the Kootenay Rockies region? Neither did we, but those towering snow-capped peaks, called the Bugaboos, have provided the perfect backdrop for hardcore alpine adventurers ever since. But if you’re not so keen to careen down slippery slopes, you can always check out the region’s snowmobiling terrain, considered among the best in the world.


Take a Walking Tour in Deer Lake Park – anytime
Aside from boasting one of the most tranquil settings in all of Burnaby, Deer Lake Park has another claim to fame — it’s also the city’s best-preserved heritage area, featuring a fascinating collection of Edwardian-era country homes and landscapes. Explore the history at your leisure on a self-guided walking tour, a 90- to 120-minute trek that highlights the intriguing past of these protected heritage buildings. Pick up a free guide at Burnaby Village Museum, Shadbolt Centre for the Arts or Burnaby Art Gallery.


Indulge in Girls’ Night Out – weekly
Where can you enjoy a table full of appetizers and a Bellini for just $10? Answer: At Milestones (various Lower Mainland locations), hosting a weekly Girls’ Night Out each Monday, where you and three galpals can chow down on four appies and a Bellini each for $40. Indulge till you bulge then cap it off with a “Breakup Tub” of premium vanilla cookie-dough ice cream for $6.99, exclusively at Milestones.


Take the Family to See the Vancouver Giants – weekends
Hockey and hamburgers. Is there a more perfect pairing for red-blooded British Columbians? If you fit the bill, check out the White Spot Vancouver Giants Family Pack. For $95, including HST, you’ll receive four tickets to any weekend Giants home game, two legendary burger platters, two Pirate Paks, a $10 Chevron gas coupon and a game-night parking pass. To order this package — a $125 value — charge-by-phone at 1-855-344-2687.


Check out Karmavore
 – anytime
One of the best ways to spend a Sunday is strolling down New Westminster’s historic Columbia Street to check out the charming boutiques and one-of-a-kind retailers. We stumbled upon one such store in Karmavore: The Vegan Shop (610 Columbia St), specializing in animal-friendly food, footwear and fashion. This non-preachy place is worth a look, especially considering that the American Dietetic Association advises that vegetarians have “lower rates of blood pressure, hypertension, Type 2 diabetes and prostate and colon cancer.” Call 604-527-4212 for store hours.


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