BC Adventures – Our To Do Picks for July 28 – Aug 3

This year’s Celebration of Light features Brazil, Italy and Vietnam

What to do in BC this week

Laugh Along with The Producers – July 26 – August 4
When conniving and greedy Max Bialystock and timid accountant Leo Bloom conspire to create a financial windfall by producing Broadway’s biggest flop, hilarity ensues in the most unexpected of ways in Mel Brooks’ The Producers. This 12-time Tony Award-winning comedy takes the stage for nine shows only at Prince George Playhouse (2833 Recreation Pl, Prince George) from July 26 to August 4. Tickets are $30, with discounts for seniors and students, by calling 250-563-2880.

Experience Island Living at the Caribbean Days Festival – July 28 and 29
The easy, breezy vibe of the Caribbean is hard to duplicate without the help of swaying palm trees, sultry ocean air and rum-soaked reggae rhythms. But the Caribbean Days Festival, held on July 28 and 29 at North Vancouver’s Waterfront Park, comes close. This fun fete packs a tropical punch with outdoor musical performances, live dance, international food fair and a family zone, along with a street parade kicking it all off on Saturday at 10 a.m. from Lonsdale Ave and W. 12th Street.

Watch the Skies Light up at the Honda Celebration of Light – July 28, August 1 and 4
Seems Lower Mainlanders love to seek enlightenment. Why else would tens of thousands of ’em turn up each summer for the Honda Celebration of Light, the biggest offshore fireworks competition in the world? Held on July 28, August 1 and 4 at English Bay, this year’s fest sees Vietnam, Brazil and Italy lighting up the skies, starting at 10 p.m. But you can get the party started even earlier by catching free live concerts at SHOREfest at English Bay and Sunset Beach, beginning at 2 p.m. on festival days.

Set Sail on a Fireworks Dinner Cruise – July 28, August 1 and 4
Sure, you could always catch the Celebration of Light from the shores of Vancouver’s English Bay, but why squeeze into sardine-packed streets when you can see all the action aboard a Fireworks Dinner Cruise? Setting sail on July 28, August 1 and 4, this three-hour voyage offered by Harbour Cruises comes complete with a triple-entrée buffet and a professional DJ, for $110, exclusive of taxes. Or, check out a cheaper, 2.5-hour version of the voyage by calling 604-688-7246.

Take in the Tunes at the Vancouver Early Music Festival – July 29 – August 17
“Epic” and “ethereal” are just two of the terms used to describe the Vancouver Early Music Festival, taking place July 29 to August 17 at various local venues. You could also call it “dated” — but only in the best sense of the word, with musicians channeling 17th century artists in an annual concert series that includes performances like Lovesick: Music of Monteverdi’s Time, on July 29 at Roy Barnett Recital Hall (6361 Memorial Rd, UBC Campus).

Sing Along to ABBA During a Performance of Mamma Mia! – July 31 – August 5
A mother, a daughter, three possible dads — and a trip down the aisle you’ll never forget! Over 50 million people all around the world have fallen in love with MAMMA MIA!, a smash-hit show on stage at Royal Theatre (805 Broughton St, Victoria) from July 31 to August 5. Set to the toe-tapping tunes of ABBA, this sunny, funny tale follows a daughter’s quest to discover the identity of her father on the eve of her wedding. RSVP for tickets, by calling 1-888-717-6121.

Celebrate the Great Outdoors at the Squamish Days Loggers Sports Festival – August 2-6
If you’re a city that’s bold enough to bill itself as “the outdoor recreation capital of Canada,” you’d better make sure you can deliver on the claim. And Squamish, a rugged city where ocean meets mountain, definitely does. That’s especially true from August 2 to 6, when the 55th annual Squamish Days Loggers Sports Festival delivers a rustic replay of old-time Canadiana with everything from log-rolling to axe-tossing, at various local venues.

Channel Your Creative Side at the Filberg Festival – August 3-6
Consider yourself crafty? Then the place to be from August 3 to 6 is at Vancouver Island’s 30th annual Filberg Festival, one of Canada’s biggest arts and crafts expositions. Taking place at the Filberg Heritage Lodge & Park — a designated heritage site in Comox — the nine-acre waterfront retreat will host non-stop entertainment, fab food and more than 120 artisans from across the country, peddling everything from pottery, woodcraft and metalwork to original paintings, jewelry and toys.

Eat Your Cart Out with the Tour Guys – Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays
When it comes to culinary kiosks, do you know which ones are wow-worthy and which ones are a waste of calories? The Tour Guys do, and they’ll be happy to tell you on an Eat Your Cart Out tour, a 90-minute munch-fest that introduces on-the-go eaters to Vancouver’s world-renowned street-food scene. For $35, you’ll chow down on everything from southern pulled-pork barbecue to Japa-dogs to Asian tapas and more. Tours run Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 1:30 p.m. from Centennial Fountain in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery.

Visit the Gem of the Gulf Islands – anytime
There’s a good reason why Galiano is considered “the gem of the Gulf Islands.” The rustic retreat is a perfect spot to spend a restorative weekend, thanks to its sweeping seascapes, rolling hills and pristine island air. Enjoy it from your choice of a quaint cottage, cozy resort, B&B or provincial campsite, then take your pick of activities ranging from hiking the 25-km eastern coast, scuba diving at Active Pass, setting out on a bear-watching tour or just browsing the town’s many boutiques and art galleries.

Cycle Vancouver’s Hot Spots – anytime
The motto for Cycle City Tours is “Big Adventure. Little Impact.” It’s also an apt description for the company’s Grand Tour, guiding cycling-loving sightseers to Vancouver’s most legendary locales, including Stanley Park, Granville Island, False Creek, Chinatown and Gastown. Priced from $85 per person, the tours include bike, helmet and lock rentals, and operate daily, rain or shine, from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., with custom trips also available. Call 604-618-8626 to book.

Indulge in a Little Luxury with a Fairmont Waterfront Hotel Package – until September 16
Popping the question? Celebrating a milestone? Make the moment even more memorable with the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel’s Uniquely Vancouver package, a three-night urban retreat offering everything from a scenic helicopter ride and gourmet mountaintop picnic to a delish dinner for two and a private tour of the hotel’s rooftop honeybee apiary. Book this package, starting at $2,399 and available until September 16, by calling 1-855-695-3500.

Originally published in TVW. For daily programming updates and on-screen Entertainment news, subscribe to the free TVW e-newsletters, or purchase a subscription to the weekly magazine.