BC Adventures – Our To Do Picks for March 10-16

Catch the Whitecaps’ season opener against the Montreal Impact March 10

What to do in BC this week

Catch a Disappearing Act at the Chutzpah! Festival – March 7-10
Talk about turning lemons into lemonade. When Vancouver’s Itai Erdal took on the sad task of caring for his dying mother, it inspired him to write the acclaimed one-man show “How to Disappear Completely.” This “immensely moving,” “surprisingly funny” work — a crowd favourite at the 2011 Chutzpah! Festival — returns by popular demand from March 7 to 10 at Shadbolt Centre for the Arts (6450 Deer Lake Ave, Burnaby). Tickets start at $15 at the door, or by phone at 604-205-3000.

Parlez Francais at Victoria’s Fench Fest – March 8-11
Parlez-vous francais? If so, you’ll be in good company at the 15th annual Victoria French Fest, taking place at Centennial Square from March 8 to March 11. But don’t feel left out if you don’t know your “bonjours” from your “bonsoirs” ‘cause everyone’s invited to this Gallic gala that features acclaimed francophone magician Alain Choquette, along with live music, an art exhibition, circus performers and, of course, plenty of Quebecois cuisine like poutine and maple taffy.

Learn about Indigenous Dance – March 8-10
How much do you know about indigenous dance? Exactly. But you can correct that quick at the Coastal First Nations Dance Festival at the Museum of Anthropology (6393 Northwest Marine Dr, Vancouver) from March 8 to10. Hosted by Dancers of Damelahamid, this annual event gathers Indigenous artists from as near as the North Shore and as far as Australia to celebrate First Nations culture with moving dances, songs, stories and gala parties.

Get Creative – March 9-10
Designing women (and everyone else) can unleash their inner artiste at the Creative Stitches & Crafting Alive Show on March 9 and 10 at G.R. Pearkes Recreation Centre (3100 Tillicum Rd, Victoria). You’ll find dozens of exhibitors showcasing knitting, beads, sewing, scrapbooking and quilting, along with more than 70 seminars and workshops for crafters of all levels. Admission is $10.

Catch the Whitecaps’ Season Opener – March 10
To rabid Whitecaps fans, the waning days of winter mean only one thing: the start of soccer season! Catch the Vancouver Whitecaps as they get the ball rolling in a March 10 match against league rivals the Montreal Impact. Want to help them kick off the season on the right foot? Then come out to holler for our homeboys at BC Place Stadium (777 Pacific Blvd, Vancouver), starting at 3 p.m. For tickets, call 1-855-646-2277.

Be an Organ Donor – March 10
Fact: 85 per cent of British Columbians support organ donation, but to date, only 17 per cent have registered to be donors. There’s only one way to close that gap — through awareness-raising initiatives like the Susan Jacks Benefit Concert on March 10 at the University of Victoria’s Farquhar Centre (3800 Finnerty Rd). Tickets for the 7 p.m. show start at $50, and benefit the Kidney Foundation of Canada.

Get a St. Patty’s Sneak Peek – March 10
Is it ever too early for a St. Patrick’s Day preview? We think not, and the folks behind CelticFest Vancouver obviously agree ’cause they’ve arranged a sneak peek of upcoming St. Paddy’s celebrations on March 10 at The Village on False Creek (Manitoba St and Athlete’s Way, Vancouver). Catch more than 50 free family-friendly festivities including music, dance, food and face painting at Celts on the Creek, from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Enter the Chocolate Challenge – March 15
Calling all cooks! Do you have an original chocolate dessert recipe that’s to-die-for delicious? Then enter the first annual Chocolate Challenge for a chance to win a grand prize worth over $5,000 and have your recipe showcased by Global TV and TVW. A trio of judges — including Vancouver chocolatier Thomas Haas — will taste-test your treats, looking for the most creative, original and downright delectable dessert. One proviso? The recipe must use either Cacao Barry or Callebaut chocolate products. Deadline for entries is March 15.

See Gordon at the Arts Club – until March 24
What’s in a name? When the name in question is Gordon, running until March 24 at the Revue Stage (1601 Johnston St, Vancouver), the answer is a “darkly funny” crime caper. When the tale’s sticky-fingered protagonist returns home from his latest crime spree, Old Gord couldn’t be happier — until he discovers the true nature of his son’s “business” ambitions. Tickets for the show, running Monday through Saturday, start at $25 per person and are available by calling 604-687-1644.

Eat Gourmet for Less at Le Gavroche – until March 31
How do you say bargain in French? At Le Gavroche (1616 Alberni St, Vancouver), the answer is “prix fixe.” The Parisian-style bistro is serving up a special three-course lobster menu for $39 until March 31, so cash-strapped customers won’t have to curb their cravings for fine dining. And, not to worry, your grape expectations are sure to be fulfilled by a wine cellar stocked with over 35,000 bottles from around the world. For reservations, call 604-685-3924.

Get a Big Deal at Big White – until April 14
Big White was recently voted one of the top five family resorts in world. It’s easy to see why when the Kelowna-area retreat has a rep for rolling out deals like Kids Stay & Ski for Free. That means parents will save big bucks on their brood on stays of three nights or longer at select properties at Big White. For details on this deal, valid until April 14 for kids 12 and under, call 1-800-663-2772 or email cenres@bigwhite.com.

Have a LEGO Castle Adventure – daily
You know those bouncy castles for kids? They’ve got nothing on Science World’s (1455 Quebec St, Vancouver) LEGO Castle Adventure, a new hands-on exhibition that invites kids (including big ones!) to explore a royal palace, climb a lookout tower, check out a suit of armour and even “joust” with foam-rubber lances. Check it out daily from 10 a.m., with info at 604-443-7500.

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.