BC Adventures – Our To Do Picks for March 24 – 30

Catch world class illusionists Penn & Teller at the Red Robinson Show Theatre March 30

What to do in BC this week

Stock up for Summer at the Fraser Valley Yard, Garden & Renovation Show – March 23-25
Barbecue season is just around the corner. If your yard isn’t quite company-ready, you’ll find the solution at the 10th annual Fraser Valley Yard, Garden & Renovation Show, held at Chilliwack Heritage Park (44140 Luckakuck Way) from March 23 to 25. Whether you’re in the market for outdoor furniture, appliances and accessories or plants, soils and ornaments, you’ll find everything you need to spruce up your space, along with plenty of pro advice, kids’ activities and even a barbecue competition.

See a Singing Sensation – March 24
Ever heard of Ute Lemper? Not to worry; it’s a name you won’t forget if you catch the “sultry, smoky” chanteuse resurrect Roaring Twenties-style cabaret with Berlin Nights/Paris Days: The Art of Chanson. Appearing at Vancouver’s Chan Centre for the Performing Arts on March 24, this international icon will be joined by the Vogler Quartet and pianist Stefan Malzew in an intimate evening celebrating Weimar chanson. Tickets for the 8 p.m. show are $47 to $53.

Plan Your Big Day – March 25
Let’s face it, planning the Big Day can be a big hassle. And if you always thought that couples fight most about money and sex, just wait till you start clashing over everything from cakes to cuisine to colour schemes. So why not sidestep the stress at the Vancouver Wedding & Honeymoon Spring Show, held March 25 at Vancouver Convention Centre East (999 Canada Place). From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., you can navigate your nuptials with the help of top local wedding and honeymoon specialists, and maybe even win the fabulous grand prize!

Join Local Literati – March 28
Always dreamed of rubbing elbows with authors? Wish granted! Local literati can join best-selling author Kevin Chong at the launch of his new book, My Year of the Racehorse: Falling in Love With the Sport of Kings. With readings, mint juleps, cotton candy and tips on horseracing, this free book bash offers up a taste of the track with one of Vancouver’s favourite authors. Catch it on March 28 at 7.30 p.m. at W2 Media Café (111 W. Hastings St, Vancouver).

Get a Dining Deal at Glowbal Restaurants – until March 29
Have passport, will dine. Until March 29, the Glowbal Collection of restaurants — glowbal grill, COAST, Sanafir, Italian Kitchen, Trattoria, Society and Black+Blue — is offering diners an appetizing deal on meals. Here’s how it works: Swing by any one of the eateries for lunch or dinner and you’ll be issued a Glowbal Passport that entitles you to a 10 per cent discount at any of the remaining restaurants. And bonus: If you travel to all seven eateries, you’ll receive a $100 gift certificate for your next visit.

Dine Out for Life – March 29
Who knew fundraising could be as easy as lifting your fork? Believe it, ‘cause that’s just what you’ll do at Dining out for Life, a chow-down for charity taking place across Vancouver Island. Over 65 restaurants will join the fight against AIDS by donating 25 percent of their food revenue from all meals served on March 29. Check it out at participating eateries from Victoria to Comox, and all points in between, to help support AIDS Vancouver Island.

Catch Hello, Dolly! – March 29 – April 7
Get ready to say, Hello, Dolly! One of the most beloved and hummable musicals in theatre history is set to showcase the skills of the graduating class of Vancouver’s premier musical theatre training program at Capilano University. Catch these up-and-comers in action from March 29 to April 7 at The North Shore Credit Union Centre for Performing Arts (2055 Purcell Way, North Vancouver) in both matinee and evening performances. Tickets are $8 to $22.

Spot an Illusion – March 30
Forget pulling rabbits out of hats. For world-class illusionists Penn & Teller, their toughest trick has been to make their remarkable 30-year career look easy. From the streets to the stage, from television to three best-selling books, this dynamite duo’s talent for trickery has even garnered academic acclaim, earning them a designation as MIT visiting scholars. Catch them on March 30 at Boulevard Casino’s Red Robinson Show Theatre (2080 United Blvd, Coquitlam). Tickets start at $79.50 online or by phone at 1-855-985-5000.

Catch Jay Mohr at the River Rock – March 30
Jay Mohr has been called an artist who defies categorization. And no wonder: The multi-talented comedian, actor, radio host, best-selling author and former Saturday Night Live writer has done it all. And, luckily for fans, he’s not done yet. Catch Mohr in action when he brings his stand-up comedy tour to the River Rock Casino Resort (8811 River Rd, Richmond) on March 30, starting at 8 p.m. Tickets are $49.50 at ticketmaster.ca or by phone at 1-855-985-5000.

Ski to Church – until April 7
Everyone’s heard the term “the church of nature.” But the folks at Delta Sun Peaks Resort are taking that concept seriously every Saturday till April 7 at Mass on the Mountain. Slide right in off the slopes in your ski attire for the 4 p.m. Roman Catholic service held in the Alpine Room. Afterward, head over to the Black Garlic Bistro for a glass of Gluhwein (translation: mulled wine), a throat-warming Bavarian brew poured Saturdays from 3:30 to 5 p.m. until April 7.

Book a Middle Eastern Treatment – now
No need to book a journey to Morocco to enjoy all the exotic indulgences of the Middle East. Just book a trip to Miraj Hammam Spa (1495 W. 6th Ave, Vancouver), serving up a full range of traditional Middle Eastern treatments. Whichever service you select, you’ll wrap up your stay by reclining on velvet beds and silk cushions at Sultana Lounge, while enjoying traditional tea and sweet cakes. And if you book a treatment on a Tuesday or Wednesday throughout March, you’ll receive a free Gommage mitt.

Learn to Ski – now
Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? If you’ve always wanted to shoosh down the slopes, it’s high time you hit the hills. And you won’t be learning alongside kindergartners, either, at Cypress Mountain’s Boomers-Only Ski School, exclusively for alpine adventurers aged 50-plus. P.S. Go on Sundays and you can snack on a free pizza lunch in the Fireside Lounge, or on Boomer Night Thursdays to enjoy complimentary nachos at Crazy Raven Bar & Grill. Reserve your spot by calling 604-926-5612.

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.