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Vancouver Adventures: Our Picks for August 13-19

This week: Pig out in a parking lot, get down(ward dog) at the SeaWheeze after-party, judge the Main Street Cup Cocktail Challenge + more

By Amy Watkins /

Credit: UBC Botanical Garden

Writing & Place Workshop – Saturday, August 13

Get outside and be inspired with an evening workshop at UBC Botanical Garden with artist in residence Celeste Snowber, a dancer, poet and educator. Snowber will be taking writers through the garden to explore the flowers and learn how to write in nature.

6 p.m. to  8 p.m., tickets $22 (garden members & concession), $25 for the public
UBC Botanical Garden, 6804 SW Marine Drive



Credit: Facebook/BigRockUrbanYVR

Show and Shine Parking Lot Party – Saturday, August 13

Fill up on food, beer and cider at the inaugural Show & Shine Parking Lot Party at Big Rock Urban Brewery and Eatery. Tickets include food such as roast pig, mac ’n’ cheese and stout-baked beans. There will be live music, a motorcycle show and charity dunk tank to keep you entertained.

2 p.m. to 10 p.m., tickets $25
Big Rock Urban Brewery & Eatery, 310 West 4th Avenue



Credit: Facebook/SeawheezeHalfMarathon

SeaWheeze – Saturday, August 13

If you missed out on race registration for Lululemon’s SeaWheeze, there are still tickets to the after-party, which has now become a festival of its own. Ths year’s event features yoga, dancing, food and performances by Chromeo, Dear Rouge and YoungBlood.

4.30 p.m., free for race runners or $38 for public tickets
Brockton Oval, Stanley Park



Credit: Facebook/GilliganGirlsGardenBoutique

Drawing the Tropics – Sunday, August 14

Learn to draw tropical botanicals with instructor Erin Green during a three-hour class that includes a summer cocktail and goodies to put you in a sunny mood. All levels are welcome and Green will be guiding participants through a 90-minute graphite drawing class before experimenting with watercolours.

1 p.m. to 4 p.m., tickets $46.60 (all supplies included)
Gilligan Girl Boutique, 4347 Main Street



Credit: Facebook/LatabWineBar

Colab @ Latab #9 Seeds – Monday, August 15

Chef Andrea Carlson (Burdock & Co. and Harvest Union) and bartender Peter Van de Reep (Campagnolo) will be joining the Latab team for a themed dinner that focuses on seeds as ingredients, featuring everything from sprouted grains to seed milk. Tickets include a six-course meal, tips and gratuities. Wine pairings are available for an additional charge.

7 p.m. to 10 p.m., tickets for $75
Latab Food, 983 Helmcken Street



Credit: Greasy Spoon Diner

Greasy Spoon Supper Series Vol 18 – Monday, August 15

Pick up a fork and dig into a special four-course ‘diner meets fine dining’ dinner hosted by Saskatoon chef Christie Peters and Kyle Michael of The Hollows. Each month a guest chef teams up with a front-of-house team comprised of people from all sectors of Vancouver to help the community. This month, event proceeds go to A Better Life Foundation. 

5.30 p.m. to 11p.m., tickets $95
Save On Meats, 43 West Hastings Street



The Main Street Cup Cocktail Challenge – Tuesday, August 16

Choose your favourite cocktail at the Main Street Cup Cocktail Challenge at The Cascade Room. Various Main Street bars (including The Shameful Tiki Room, El Camino’s, The Five Point, The Nomad and The Reef) will be competing in this fun contest with Mount Gay Eclipse Rum to be crowned the winner of the coveted cup.

6 p.m. till midnight
The Cascade Room, 2616 Main Street



Credit: Facebook/SurrealTheatre

Surreal Interactive Theatre Experience – Tuesday, August 16

Become part of a theatre experience as this 70-minute interactive dramatic comedy production takes you through the backstreets and alleys of Gastown. Meet the main characters, Tom and Charley, at a secret location and follow along as they connect after many years and consider what to do with their lives. Written by Nick and Darby Steeves, the play offers persepective on the lives of 20-somethings living in Vancouver.

8 p.m. onwards, tickets online for $25 (or call 604-809-7516)
Every Tuesday and Friday until September 30th



Credit: James Picard

The Last Art Exhibition by James Picard – Thursday, August 18 to Saturday, August 20

Artist James Picard is moving to L.A. and closing Picard Studios Granville with one last exhibit and party. As well as new pieces by Picard, the sale will also include watercolours, ink and pencil drawings, and acrylic paintings from his collections.

Thursday August 18, 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday August 19 and Saturday, August 20, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; free event, register here
1067 Granville Street (Granville at Helmcken Street)



Credit: Victoria Black 

This Monkey’s Gone to Heaven – Open now

Carved horse skull? Ant candy? Ethically sourced bug collection? If you’re looking for an unusual gift, then the newly opened This Monkey’s Gone to Heaven curiosity shop on Main Street will have something strange to suit.

11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday; 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays
3597 Main Street