Vancouver Adventures: Our Picks for April 15-22

Aritzia’s Robson Street expansion opens – Friday, April 15

Dominating the 1000 block of Robson, the newly expanded Aritzia has added 4,800 square feet (yes, that’s about 10 times bigger than your shoebox apartment) to its retail space. Combined with the Wilfred store next door, the new shopping destination will take up a total area of more than 13,000 square feet, making it the fashion brand’s biggest single level store in Canada.

1003 Robson Street

Renegade Arts Company Prop Sale – Saturday, April 16

Looking for that perfect lamp or period piece for your home? A theatre or film prop could be your answer. The Renegade Arts Company Prop Sale offers up items previously owned by the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Company. Many are one-of-a-kind original pieces, including: furniture, kitchen items, office furnishings, luggage, figurines and more. It’s the perfect opportunity to add some dramatic flair to your decor or pick up something for your next production.

12 to 4 p.m., 125 East 2nd Avenue

Record Store Day at Neptoon Records – Saturday, April 16

Celebrate international Record Store Day at Neptoon Records, Vancouver’s oldest record shop. Look for huge discounts (from 50 per cent off used CDs to 10 per cent off new vinyl), over 340 limited edition Record Store Day releases and a day of live music with nine bands playing in the store. Fans of Eric Campbell & The Dirt (pictured), Hallow Moon, Jody Glenham & The Dreamers, Strange Things, Winona Forever, Malk, Wishkicker, Doppelganger and Auroras should check out the day’s lineup.

3561 Main Street, from 11 a.m.

Cypress Mountain Slush Cup – Saturday, April 16

End the ski season with a splash at Cypress Mountain’s Slush Cup this Saturday. Compete to jump, skim or swim your way across the pond of slush for your chance to win prizes. Competitors will be judged on style, creativity and distance (with bonus points for costumes). Open to all ages and abilities, the Slush Cup is an annual way to end the season with a soaking.

Registration opens at 9 a.m., pool is open between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Cypress Mountain, 6000 Cypress Bowl Road

Vancouver & Surrey Vaisakhi Parades – Saturday, April 16

Vaisakhi is the most important Sikh festival, a colourful celebration of harvest time, the new year and the day in 1699 that the Khalsa (the collective body of initiated Sikhs) was inaugurated.

In Vancouver, people from all walks of life come to take part in the procession and last year’s event was estimated to draw around 100,000 spectators. Look for local families offering free food along the way and listen for traditional Punjabi stringed instruments and drums as part of the celebrations.

On April 23, an even bigger parade will be held in Surrey. The event, which last year drew a crowd of more than 300,000 people, leaves the Gurdwara Sahib Dasmesh Darbar Temple at 9:30 a.m.

Vancouver parade: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Begins and ends at the KDS Ross Sikh Temple, 8000 Ross Street at 64th

Blossom Barge – Saturday, April 16 and Sunday, April 17

The Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival is celebrating a decade of sakura success with a special blossom barge festival that takes place this weekend. Featuring 36 flowering cherry trees, the floating installation will be departing Tymac Launch Service near Crab Park at 8.30 a.m. on Saturday morning, and will take a route past Canada Place, Stanley Park, English Bay, and Granville Island to Science World, before returning to Granville Island Market to moor at Dock 7.

Between 12 and 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday (when the barge makes its journey back again), there will be a mini festival of free performances at Granville Island Market, including Tetsu Taiku & Tzo’kam collaboration, Langley Ukulele Ensemble, Kutapira, Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra, Chibi Taiko, and international yoyo superstar Harrison Lee.

ESF @ The Ellis Building Grand Opening – Saturday, April 16 & Sunday, April 17

Perhaps you’ve previously caught Eastside Flea at one of their nomadic locations over the last three years. Well, this weekend marks the opening of the curated market’s first permanent location at the converted historic Ellis Building on Main Street. Celebrating its new home and rebranding as ESF, the market will include more than 50 vendors selling artisan food, collectables, vintage and handmade goods. Plus, guests can check out DJs, art exhibitions and Tacofino’s food truck when they need to fuel up for more shopping.

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Ellis Building, 1024 Main Street

Hummingbird Homecoming – Sunday, April 17

Head to Richmond Nature Park this Sunday to celebrate the homecoming of the hummingbirds. Learn more about these amazing little creatures from a naturalist guide, who will share incredible facts, show you how to identify different species and explain how to attract them to your garden. Suitable for all ages, the Hummingbird Homecoming event is by donation, with proceeds going towards supporting programs at the Richmond Nature Park.

11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Richmond Nature Park, 11851 Westminster Highway
Parking is free but guests are asked to bike or bus to do your bit for the environment.

Garagiste North – Sunday, April 17

Let’s hear it for the small guys! Garagiste North (named after the derogatory French word for avant-garde artisan winemakers who made wine in their garages) brings together wineries that produce under 2000 cases of wine annually. A small production output and 100 per cent Canadian grapes are the only stipulations for local wineries taking part. Sample the best small wine producers at the historic Wise Hall while enjoying live music from local Americana band Chicken-Like Birds and small bites from Peruvian restaurant Chicha.

2 to 4:30 p.m., The Wise Hall, 1882 Adanac Street
Tickets, $52.55

Colab @ Latab – Monday, April 18

Every month, Latab Wine Bar’s chef and co-owner Kris Barnholden collaborates with local foodies to create a special six-course menu. On April 18, he will be joined by local foragers Camille Flanjak of Museum Eats and Cease Wyss of Raven + Hummingbird, Chef Jefferson Alvarez of Mosquito (dessert pictured) and bartender Rob Scope from The Cascade Room. Focusing on indigenous foods harvested by Cease Wyss and Camille Flanjak, the dinner will combine traditional ingredients with a modern twist to honour the heritage of the produce while showcasing a range of local talent.

6 to 9 p.m., $75 (excluding tax and tip)
983 Helmcken Street