Vancouver Adventures: Our Picks for April 8-15

This week: take in Japanese culture at Sakura Days, shop for local clothing and accessories, catch metal legends Iron Maiden live + more

Capture Photography Festival – Now until April 28

April sees the city through a camera lens with works by local and international photographers on display at over 50 galleries and public installations throughout Vancouver for the Capture Photography Festival. Tours, films and a speaker series bring an artistic edge to the exhibitions, many of which focus on conceptual photography as an art form.

Various locations and times

Vancouver South African Film Festival – Friday April 8 to Sunday, April 10

Find out more about the culture, history and politics of South Africa at the sixth annual Vancouver South African Film Festival. The not-for-profit event includes screenings of Sundance award-winning features and documentaries and raises funds for Education Without Borders, a Canadian charity that fosters educational opportunities in disadvantaged regions of the world.

Tickets from $15, festival passes available
SFU’s Goldcorp Centre for the Arts, 149 West Hastings Street

Proud of You Presents: Adulthood – Saturday, April 9

Still coming to terms with adulting? Check out Proud of You, a sketch and improv show that will help take the sting out of the crippling responsibilities of being a grown-up. All the important issues will be covered: “Why haven’t you paid your MSP bill? Do you regret getting that tattoo? What are you doing with your life? Stop trying to Benjamin Button yourself, it doesn’t work that way.” Cheap drinks and plenty of laughs will make any impending birthdays seem like less of a struggle.

8 p.m. doors, 8:30 p.m. show, $5 at the door
The Beaumont Studios, 316 W 5th Avenue

Sakura Days Japan Fair – Saturday, April 9 and Sunday, April 10

Vancouver is turning Japanese this weekend with Sakura Days at VanDusen Botanical Gardens. Celebrating the cherry blossoms, this family-friendly event features Japanese food and sake alongside cultural activities like taiko drumming, martial art performances, origami classes, haiku and ikebana (flower arranging). Dress up in an authentic yukata robe and take part in a tea ceremony for a taste of Tokyo.

VanDusen Botanical Garden, 5251 Oak Street, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Nifty for Fifty – Sunday, April 10

Need a new wardrobe for spring? Gather a group of friends, grab some cash and head to Heritage Hall on Sunday for Nifty for Fifty, an annual sale that features clothing and accessories from 30 local designers and artists. Everything is under 50 bucks and you’ll find local indie designers there like Adhesif Clothing (designer Melissa Ferreira produces the annual event), Allison Wonderland, Elroy Apparel, Bronsino, KDON, Toodlebunny, Daub+Design, Flightpath Designs and WE3 Designs.

11 a.m. to 8 p.m., $2 at the door
Heritage Hall, 3102 Main Street

Iron Maiden – Sunday, April 10

If vocalist Bruce Dickenson can fly the band and all the crew here on the Ed Force One 747 jumbo, then you can make the effort to get to Rogers Arena to see rock legends Iron Maiden on their Book of Souls World Tour. Don’t worry, it’s not just new material (groan)there will be fan favourites on the set list too.

7 p.m., Rogers Arena, 800 Griffiths Way

Fall for Local – Sunday, April 10

Head to North Van’s Pipe Shop Building for Fall for Local, a spring pop-up market that celebrates all things local with vendors selling everything from food to jewellery. Grab a small-batch root beer float from Gastown’s First Nations-inspired Capilano Tea House, capture memories at the photobooth or shop until you drop and then relax in the vintage style lounge.

The Pipe Shop Building, 115 Victory Ship Way
12 to 6 p.m., tickets $3 online, $5 on the door, kids free

The Prism Prize Top 20 Music Videos Vancity Theatre Screening – Monday, April 11

Music videos are not all just about booty shaking. Video lovers can check out the screening of the Prism Prize’s Top 20 Canadian music videos at Vancity Theatre this Monday, presented by Render: Vancouver’s 3rd Annual Vancouver International Music Video Festival. The top 20 vids were selected by 120 Canadian music, film and arts professionals, based on originality, creativity, style, innovation and effective execution. Vote online afterwards as part of the audience award to crown the most creative video.

7:15 p.m., VanCity Theatre, 1181 Seymour Street
105 mins, 19+, tickets from $10

Live Music Beauty Night Fundraiser- Friday, April 15

Join jazz-folk artists Gel Bernardo, Corbin VanderZalm and Charles Wesley at Heartwood Community Cafe for an evening of fundraising for the Beauty Night Society. Created by Caroline MacGillivray and run by volunteers, Beauty Night puts on regular evenings across the city to provide beauty services for marginalized women to help boost their self-esteem through positive touch and encouragement.

Tickets from $12.50
7 to 9:30 p.m., Heartwood Community Café, 317 East Broadway

Vancouverite: A Comedy Show – Friday, April 15

Given the current love/hate Vancouver debate that’s waging on social media, now’s a good time to see the funny side of both arguments and hear some amusing tales from people who have moved to the city. Vancouverite: A Comedy Show features some of the best local comedians talking about adjusting to life in Rain City.

Hot Art Wet City, 2206 Main Street, 8 to 10 p.m. (doors 7:30)
Tickets, $7 in advance, $10 at the door