Vancouver Adventures: Our Picks for January 16 to 22

This week: indulge at a street food picnic, cozy up with some hot chocolate, PuSh your cultural expectations + more

Vancouver Aquarium Divers’ Weekend – January 16 & 17

Whether you’re an experienced diver or a total novice, the Vancouver Aquarium’s 17th annual Divers’ Weekend has something for you. The engaging weekend event includes diving demonstrations by the Royal Canadian Navy; exhibits by local diving clubs, organizations and businesses; an educational seminar series; and even a fun gallery for kids. The cost is included in general admission and certified divers will save 50 per cent off one-day entry or 10 per cent off an annual membership with a valid certification card.

10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Vancouver Aquarium, 845 Avison Way

Gluten Free Expo – January 16 to 17

Canada’s largest gluten-free event has grown. This year’s expo includes new products (including pizzas, pastas, and perogies); leading expert knowledge from dieticians, doctors, and chefs; exlusive deals and product giveaways; and a children’s play area to keep your kids happy while you learn how to fulfill your family’s gluten-free needs.

10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Canada Place, 999 Canada Place

Street Food City – January 16 to 24

For the fifth consecutive year, in conjunction with Dine Out Vancouver, more than 20 of the city’s best food trucks will join forces outside of the Vancouver Art Gallery for a true tasting extravaganza. Street Food City is the ultimate outdoor picnic, complete with tents, tables, seating and musicand this year you have nine days to try it all.

Mondays to Fridays 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Saturday and Sundays 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
North Plaza, Vancouver Art Gallery

Credit: 49th Parallel

Hot Chocolate Festival – January 16 to February 14

Vancouver’s Hot Chocolate Festival has recently released this year’s lineup: an impressive list of local cafes and restaurants that have teamed up to help you battle winter’s chill with a few modern twists on the most timeless remedy. A total of 57 creative flavours will be offered from the festival’s 24 participating vendors, which include Lucky’s Doughnuts, Bella Gelateria and Butter Baked Goods—all of whom we deem trustworthy when it comes to delicious treats.

Various locations

Dance Allsorts: Warehaus Dance Collective – January 17

Explore energy and power, intricate sounds, and carefully crafted images with the Warehaus Dance Collective this weekend. The group, composed of SFU School of Contemporary Arts graduates Akeisha de Baat, Megan Hunter, and Sofija Polovina, will be premiering their second work, Doe, and reprising their debut piece, VITA. The program also includes For the Time Being, a new work by guest artist Mahaila Patterson-O’Briend. Audiences are encouraged to stay after the show for a Q&A period and a free workshop open to all ages and abilities.

Performance at 2 p.m., followed by Q&A period; free workshop at 3:15 p.m.
The Roundhouse Performance Centre, 181 Roundhouse Mews

$15 Adults, $5 Children

Whisky Classique – January 17 to 19

Warm up this winter with the “water of life” at Whisky Classique. For one weekend, the Telus World of Science will transform into a Grand Whisky Hall, where connoisseurs gather to taste and talk about their favourite subject. Entry to the Grand Whisky Hall includes a Glencairn tasting glass, plus dinner and charcuterie, while VIP tickets invite truly devoted guests an hour early for special samples. Intimate master classes will be offered at Legacy Liquor Store, attracting some of the world’s most notable speakers.

Grand Whisky Hall: January 18, 7 p.m.-10 p.m.; Telus World of Science, 1455 Quebec St.
Master Tastings: January 17 & 19, various times, Legacy Liquor Store, 1633 Manitoba St.

Credit: Chris Randle

PuSh Festival – January 19 to February 7

Push your cultural limits during the city’s acclaimed three-week performing arts festival. The12th annual PuSh Festival features work by local, national, and international artists exhibiting a wide variety of live performing arts ranging from theatre, dance, and music to hybrid forms. Experience some of today’s most groundbreaking artistic mediums at venues around Vancouver more efficiently with a PuSh Pass that offers savings of up to 30 per cent in four- and six-show increments, or gain networking opportunities with an Industry Pack.

Various locations

Vancouver International Boat Show – January 20 to 22

Western Canada’s premier boat show is back. The province’s largest recreational boating showcase will take over BC Place and the Granville Island Marina with the latest in 2016 products and a number of valuable seminars on sport fishing in B.C., boat-buying tips, careers in boating and more. A free water ferry service will provide transportation between the two venues, although the Floating Show at Granville Island closes early at 5 p.m. each day so be sure to plan your time accordingly.

Wednesday to Saturday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
BC Place, 777 Pacific Boulevard
Granville Island Maritime Market and Marina, 1676 Duranleau Street

Tapped Vancouver: A Craft Beer and Cider Tasting – January 21

It’s never tough to find a good craft beer on the West Coast, but sometimes it can be tricky to compare them all (literally) head to head. Fighting Chance Productions makes it easy with Tapped Vancouver, a craft beer and cider tasting at the Roundhouse Community Centre. Sample the latest from breweries like Bomber, Dogwood, Driftwood, Hey Y’all Iced Tea, Howe Sound, Lonetree Cider, Phillips, Whistler, Black Kettle Brewery, Phillips Brewing and Parallel 49, and then take your tasting glass home as a souvenir. The two-hour event also features a silent auction with over $2000 in prizes, including covetable Canucks tickets.

7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Roundhouse Community Centre, 181 Roundhouse Mews; $60

The Maestro’s Art: The National Conductors’ Symposium Concert – January 23

When the Vancouver Chamber Choir talks about masters, they’re specifically referring to Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Brahms and Wagner—quite the list of greats to honour in this year’s National Conductors’ Symposium concert. Five celebrated international conductors lead the evening of spectacular professional choir alongside master conductor Jon Washburn and pianist Stephen Smith. Held at the stunning Ryerson United Church in the heart of Kerrisdale, the concert is just two blocks from the Arbutus bus line (#16).

8 p.m. at the Ryerson United Church, 2195 West 45th Avenue