Vancouver Adventures: Our Picks for August 29 to September 4

This week: Sit back and sip with the hottest mixology competition in the country, bite into bugs at Beaty Museum, get a behind-the-scenes look at music + more

Music Therapy Ride – August 29

Undoubtedly one of the coolest fundraisers is hitting the highway this weekend, the Music Therapy Ride is a motorcycle rally to raise money for mobile recording studios used by music therapists. The journey begins at the Edgewater Casino in Vancouver and ends at Garibaldi Lift Co. in Whistler, and the riders will be escorted by the Vancouver Police Drill Team the entire way. The after-party will include a barbecue lunch and an auction with some great prizes. You can register for the ride and donate to the cause online.

Begins at the Edgewater Casino (760 Pacific Boulevard S) and ends at Garibaldi Lift Co. (4165 Spring Lane, Whistler)

Credit: The Fish Counter

Pink Salmon Festival – August 30

Celebrate salmon season at the Pink Salmon Festival in Hadden Park. The event includes talks about sustainable seafood, a photo booth, live music, and more. After all that fun, you’re bound to be hungry, so be sure to stick around for the salmon barbecue with The Fish Counter’s Robert Clark, Chateau Victoria’s Garrett Schack, and barbecue expert Ronnie Shewchuck

12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Hadden Park, 1905 Ogden Avenue, Vancouver

Music for Movies, Games, and Videos – August 29 and 30

Music, technology, and pop culture collide at the Music for Movies, Games, and Videos presentation at the ArtStarts Gallery and the New Westminster Quay. This interactive show promises to entertain kids and adults alike as the band Digital Guise showcases how music is created for movies and video games. They’ll use well-loved examples like The Simpsons and Mario to demonstrate all the behind-the-scenes musical action.

Vancouver: Saturday, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the ArtStarts Gallery, 808 Richards St.
New Westminster: Sunday, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Westminster Quay, 810 Quayside Dr.

Modern Peruvian Cooking Class – August 31

Take your taste buds on a trip to Peru with a cooking class on modern Peruvian cuisine. The class is being offered by Earth Bites, a group that’s passionate about teaching the next generation about sustainable food practices and healthy living. Learn how to cook with local, seasonal ingredients to recreate vibrant dishes like ceviche, empanadas, and more.

6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
School of Natural Nutrition, 2245 West Broadway

Made with Love – August 31

Made With Love, the self-proclaimed “most extravagant mixology competition in Canada” is hosting a boozy battle this Monday. Snag some tickets for the event and you’ll be sipping with the best bartenders in town as they compete to win the regional finals and move on to the national stage. The event is, of course, 19+ and there are still tickets available online.

6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, 900 West Georgia Street, Vancouver

Talent Time: Season 8 – September 3

Paul Anthony’s Talent Time combines stand-up comedy with a variety show, and features a wide range of wild talent and diverse guests.The first show of season eight is scheduled to include an animal trainer, professional dancers, a comedian, and more.

8 p.m.
The Rio Theatre, 1660 East Broadway at Commercial

Bugs and Beer at Beaty Museum – September 4

This event is not for the faint of heart; but if you’re an adventurous eater, Bugs and Beer might be just what you’re looking for. The evening kicks off with a talk on bugs as a sustainable source of protein from the assistant curator of Beaty Museum’s Spencer Entomological Collection, Karen Needham. After the talk, guests will be served some creepy crawly samples and a Grasshopper Wheat Ale from Big Rock Brewery. This is a free event for members of the museum, and it only costs $35 for a membership, which will also allow year-long admission to the museum and access to other special events.

6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Beaty Museum, 2212 Main Mall, UBC, Vancouver

TaiwanFest – September 4 to 7

The streets of Vancouver are getting a Taiwanese makeover for TaiwanFest. This four-day festival begins with an opening ceremony on Friday, which kicks off three more jam-packed days of cultural events. Whether you want to experience the cuisine, listen to music, or need a kid-friendly schedule, find the event for you by checking out the festival routes.

Times and locations vary

Joe’s BBQ Boat

Joe’s BBQ Boat is a slice of sunshine-y, oceanside perfection, not to mention a total dream for any carnivore. Hop aboard your boat (complete with barbecue) then float and eat your way around False Creek. You can bring your own food or have your event catered by the Vancouver Fish Company.

Pricing starts at $30 per hour per person, based on a minimum of two-and-a-half-hour rental.

Souvenirs of Howe Sound – Until November 1

Take a leisurely trip back in time at the Roedde House Museum’s newest exhibition, Souvenirs of Howe Sound. The exhibit revolves around B.C.’s tourism industry and looks at how some of the most popular vacations spots became what they are today. To celebrate the opening night, SFU Historian Jack Little will give a free talk on steamship cruises along our coast from 1889 to 1958.

Talk from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
1415 Barclay Street, Vancouver