BC Adventures – Our To Do Picks for June 9 – 15

East Vancouver artist Jacqueline Robins records memories in ceramic. See them at the Circle Craft Gallery on Granville Island

What to do in BC this week

Catch Richard Henriquez’s Exhibit at the Winsor Gallery – June 7 – 30
Richard Henriquez can be summed up in just one word: multi-talented. That’s because this internationally acclaimed architect, the founding partner of Henriquez Partners Architects, is also a noteworthy artist whose work will be on exhibit at Winsor Gallery (3025 Granville St, Vancouver) from June 7 to 30. Organizers say this is the most extraordinary collection of his works that has been available for public viewing since the artist’s highly regarded Memory Theatre installation at the 1996 Venice Biennale.

See What Memories Are Made of at Vancouver’s Circle Craft Gallery – June 8 – July 3
Memory boxes, film clips and photo albums are fine ways to preserve the past, but East Vancouver artist Jacqueline Robins has an even better idea. The Emily Carr alumnus records life’s VIP moments in ceramic, by embedding fragments of love letters, sheet music, photos, maps and mementos in works ranging from home décor to kitchenware. Catch her creativity on display for free at Vancouver’s Circle Craft Gallery (1-1666 Johnston St, Granville Island) from June 8 to July 3.

Take Part in a Burnaby Bash – June 9
Savvy shoppers know that Lougheed Town Centre is a great place to bag bargains, but did you know that it’s also set to be the site of a Wine, Food & Music Festival on June 9? The bustling mall is bound to get busier when it plays host to the Rotary Club of Burnaby-Metrotown’s 11th annual charity extravaganza featuring live music by the SFU Chamber Orchestra, top tipples and an array of eats from some of the area’s best restaurants. Tickets to the bash, running from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., are $40 by phone at 604-431-0117.

Ciao Down at Italian Day on the Drive – June 10
You don’t have to be Italian to enjoy a taste of la dolce vita. On June 10, everyone can get a dose of the good life on Italian Day on the Drive, a Mediterranean mash-up featuring pizza tossing, grape crushing, bocce playing and a food fair lining the streets of Vancouver’s original Little Italy. Check it out from noon to 8 p.m. along Commercial Drive — just follow the sound of music coming from two outdoor stages! — between Venables and the Grandview Cut.

Eat Local at the Island Chefs Food Fest – June 10
Southern Vancouver Island is often referred to as “Canada’s Provence” for its mild climes and high-quality food products. See for yourself on June 10 at the Island Chefs Collaborative’s fifth annual Island Chefs Food Fest, held from noon to 4 p.m. at Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site (603 Fort Rodd Hill Rd, Victoria). Guests can sample Vancouver Island’s bounty from more than 60 local food growers, restaurateurs and top chefs, all on the historic grounds of the 19th-century artillery fort. Tickets are $50 for adults, and $25 for youth.

Catch a Community Carnival in Sapperton – June 10
What’s the best thing about Sapperton Day? No, it’s not the stage shows, craft fair, pancake breakfast, bike stunts or games galore. It’s the fact that this 10th annual community carnival, which celebrates the spirit of the New Westminster neighbourhood, raises funds for the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation. Check out the all-ages action on June 10, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., along the two-block stretch between East Columbia and Sherbrooke streets.

Listen to Dr. Richard Jelusich Talk Books, People and Relationships – June 10
We’ve all heard the saying: “Everyone comes into your life for a reason.” Maybe it’s true, maybe it’s bunk, but why not hear what Dr. Richard Jelusich has to say on the subject at a free June 10 lecture at Banyen Books (3608 W. 4th Ave, Vancouver)? From 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m, he’ll chat about his latest work, I Can Relate: How We Intuitively Choose the People in Our Lives, which may shed light on your own network of relationships — whether they’re spousal, familial or collegiate.

Float Your Boat at the Rio Tinto Alcan Dragon Boat Festival – June 15 – 17
When it comes to fun, can 100,000 people be wrong? Not when you’re talking about the Rio Tinto Alcan Dragon Boat Festival, held from June 15 to 17 on the shores of False Creek. This 24th annual aquatic expo — recognized as North America’s biggest and best — attracts thousands of spectators for two full days of dragon-boat racing by dozens of international teams, along with live music, fab food, a beer garden and vendor marketplace.

Explore Victoria’s Top Tourist Attractions – until September 2
Double your fun at Magnolia Hotel & Spa (623 Courtney St, Victoria), now offering a special package that combines two of Victoria’s best-loved tourist attractions. The Orcas & Orchids promo includes a guided boat tour of the Gulf Islands for marine-life viewing plus a trip to Butchart Gardens for an afternoon of orchid ogling. Book this two-night package, available until September 2 from $299 per night, based on double occupancy, by calling 1-877-624-6654.

Celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee – until September 3
Victoria has long been known for its British heritage, so it’s not surprising that the city is celebrating Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee with appropriate pomp and circumstance. The Fairmont Empress is marking Her Majesty’s milestone this month with everything from outdoor tea parties to queen-worthy spa packages. Plus, the Royal BC Museum has just unveiled Queen Elizabeth II by Cecil Beaton: A Diamond Jubilee Celebration, a photo exhibition on display until September 3.

Pedal through Victoria’s Butchart Gardens – until October
Without a doubt, the Butchart Gardens are Victoria’s most visited landmark. But did you know the site is easily accessible by bike? Until October, CycleTreks (1000 Wharf St, Victoria) is rolling out a self-guided tour that begins with one-way transportation to the Gardens for a morning visit, after which you’ll journey back to Victoria aboard a Rocky Mountain bike, pedalling through Central Saanich, scenic countryside and the Lochside Trail along the way. Cost for this three- to four-hour 36-km tour is $94 per person, and includes equipment rentals and admission to the Gardens.

Experience Squamish’s “World Renowned Winds” – anytime
Vancouver’s summer weather is iffy at best, but on the bright side: at least those unseasonably gusty gales make our waters rife for sea sports like windsurfing and kiteboarding. Where to test your chops? You could always try English Bay or Jericho Beach, but for alpha adventurers seeking a challenge, check out the Squamish Spit — site of some of Canada’s best windsurfing conditions, thanks to the region’s “world-renowned winds.”

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.