Vancouver Adventures: Our Picks for August 15 to 21

This week: Get tickled pink at Burdock and Co., celebrate sunset-style with Lululemon, explore Torafuku's innovative menu + more

SeaWheeze – August 14 to 15

Healthy living has never been as much fun as at Lululemon’s SeaWheeze Sunset Festival and Half Marathon. The two-day long event begins on August 14 with a special pop-up Lululemon store at the Vancouver Convention Centre, as well as two free yoga sessions. The main event is on Saturday, though, when over 10,000 people will take to the streets for the half marathon. Tickets to the race may be sold out, but if you want a slice of the fun, snag a ticket to the sunset after-party, which will include food, drinks, a market, and live music from Yeasayer, St. Lucia, and Bear Mountain.

Friday, 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Saturday, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
1055 Canada Place, Vancouver
Sunset Festival after-party at Brockton Oval in Stanley Park

Arts Alive Festival – August 15

Celebrate all things art at Langley’s 22nd annual Arts Alive Festival. The festival focuses on visual and performance artists with showcases and demonstrations that highlight some of the Lower Mainland’s most exciting emerging talent. The event is totally free and is perfect for families looking to get out of the house. Kids can drop by the Children’s Fun Park for balloon animals, a photo booth, bouncy castles, and other fun activities.

10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Fraser Highway between 204th and 206th Street, Langley

Credit: Flickr/Kimli

The Vancouver Art Gallery Presents Fuse – August 15

Here’s your chance to party like an artist at the Vancouver Art Gallery’s FUSE. This annual event takes place throughout the gallery and in Robson Square with live music, performance art, dance, and more. This year’s theme is electronic art and will feature 50 exhibits that incorporate technology into their multimedia art. Tickets to the event are still available online, and the event is free for members of the art gallery.

8 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Vancouver Art Gallery, 750 Hornby Street, Vancouver

Vancouver’s Largest Clothing Swap, August 15

They say if you haven’t worn it in a year, it’s time to get rid of it. So dig into your closet and trade in your clothes for a great cause. Brought to you by the Canadian Youth Sustainability Network (CYSN) and Burnaby Youth Sustainability Network (CYSN), Vancouver’s Larget Clothing Swap enables you to consume eco-consciously, donate to charity, and change up your wardrobe. Drop off your clothing in the morning then come back in the afternoon to browse the selection of clothing and accessories that others have donated. Purchase your ticket online as they are not available at the door.

10:30 to 12:30 pm: Drop off your clothes anytime during this time frame and leave.
2:00 to 4:00 pm: Come back and pick up clothes that other participants have brought in.
PNE Hastings Room, 2901 East Hastings Street, Vancouver

Canadian Cheese Rolling Festival – August 15

The good times are sure to be rolling this weekend and you won’t want to miss out on one of the most unique events in the province. The Canadian Cheese Rolling Competition is being held in Whistler and the festival is all about enjoying all the beautiful, silly, and cheesy aspects of life. There will be lots going on to celebrate, but the main event is, of course, the cheese rolling competition. Contestants will chase an 11-pound wheel of cheese down (part of) the mountain in hopes of winning passes to Blackcomb, bragging rights, and their winning wheel of Gouda.

12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Whistler Blackcomb

B.C. Salmon Smoke and Barbecue Competition – August 15 and 16

If the city’s many southern-style barbecue events are making you long for West Coast fare, then the B.C. Salmon Smoke and Barbeque competition is where you’ll want to be this weekend. Hope, B.C. is hosting its first competition in hopes that it becomes an annual event. Judges will select a winner based on a blind judging, and of course, the masses will have their voices heard with a People’s Choice award. Whether you’re entering or just eating, it’s sure to be a delicious day.

Judging takes place at 4 p.m.
Hope Memorial Park, Hope

Okanagan Feast of Fields – August 16

What do you do in Kelowna when you’ve done all the wine tours and soaked in Okanagan Lake until you’re prune-y? Give the Okanagan Feast of Fields a try, of course! Explore a market of 12 tents filled with local meat, fish, produce, wines, and much more. This is the perfect opportunity to get in touch with the people who grow and produce food in our own backyard.

1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Meadow Vista Farm, 3975 June Springs Road, Kelowna

Drink Pink – August 18

Burdock and Co.’s Drink Pink dinner may be the only event where rose-coloured glasses are expected. This cozy venue will be the site of an exciting evening that’s highlighting rosé wines from France, Italy, and from right here at home. Burdock and Co.’s chef Andrea Carlson will be pairing some specially crafted dishes using organic, local ingredients. Tickets can be reserved at 604.879.0077.

6:30 p.m.
2702 Main Street, Vancouver

An Intimate Evening with Colin Mochrie – August 20

One of Vancouver’s most famous stand-up comedians is returning home for a live show with his alma-mater comedy club, Vancouver Theatre Sports. Colin Mochrie will take the stage at the Improv Centre on Granville Island for his show, An Intimate Evening with Colin Mochrie. Mochrie is well known for splitting sides on the popular TV show Whose Line Is It Anyway. The night will include a pre-show reception, champagne, and a post-show Q and A.

7:30 p.m.
Improv Centre, 1502 Duranleau Street, Vancouver

Torafuku, Now Open

Vancouver is home to (more than) its fair share of Asian fusion restaurants, but Torafuku is a dining experience that rivals them all. One of the newest restaurants to hit the city’s foodie scene, Torafuku combines local ingredients, culinary creativity, and pan-Asian flare. Torafuku was created by Chef Clement Chan, who is known both for being a contestant on Top Chef and for his successful food truck, Le Tigre.

958 Main Street, Vancouver