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Vancouver Adventures: Our Picks for January 23 to 29

This week: Pay your respects to David Bowie, race your way to your New Year’s resolutions, taste the best of Tofino without leaving town + more

By Heather Cameron /

Credit: Facebook/ The Rio Theatre

Labyrinth at the Rio Theatre – January 23

If you’re still mourning the loss of David Bowie, head down to the Rio Theatre for a tribute showing of the 1986 fantasy film, Labyrinth. Starring as Jareth, the Goblin King, Bowie abducts Sarah’s (Jennifer Connelly) baby brother, giving her limited time to work her way through his mysterious maze before her brother becomes a goblin—but giving the Goblin King plenty of time to sing in the made-for-movie soundtrack.

$8 advance tickets, $10 at the door (optional $2 bar service addition)
7 p.m., Rio Theatre, 1660 East Broadway



Credit: Vancouver International Film Festival

Matisse from MoMA & Tate Modern Documentary Screening – January 24

New York’s Museum of Modern Art and London’s Tate Modern delved into Henri Matisse’s late career with “The Cut-Outs,” an exhibition exploring the final chapter of his work when he created such iconic pieces as The Swimming Pool in his signature cut-out aesthetic. Vancouver audiences are now invited to an intimate documentary screening about the record-breaking event, which includes a combination of biographical, behind-the-scenes, and special guest sequences filmed at both MoMA and Tate Modern. A collection of original Matisse lithographs and etchings will be on display in the theatre foyer for one night only.

Tickets starting at $9, 4:45 p.m., Vancity Theatre, 1181 Seymour Street



Credit: Coastal Jazz/Steve Kaldestad

Vancouver Coastal Jazz – January 23, 24, 28, 29

Vancouver’s Coastal Jazz and Blue Society is getting 2016 off to a great start with a number of top talents performing live at Frankie’s Italian Kitchen & Bar. First up this week is the Steve Kaldestad Quintet (January 23), combining Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter and Herbie Hancock inspiration with new original works. The Brad Turner Trio (January 24) and the James Danderfer Standard Life Quartet (January 28), each led by highly celebrated Canadian musicians, are next in line. The Dylan Cramer Quarter rounds out the week, with a tribute show to Sonny Criss (January 29). 

All shows: $15, 8 p.m., Frankie’s Italian Kitchen & Bar, 765 Beatty Street



Credit: Try Events

Vancouver Chilly Chase – January 24

Need some motivation to keep your New Year’s resolutions? The12th annual Chilly Chase should do the trick. With a variety of events ranging from a 5K walk/run to a half marathon, all participants will enjoy a scenic route along the Seawall as they kick their health into high gear this January. Check online for specifics about your starting time and some tips on running in the cold.

9 a.m. at the corner of Ontario Street and Athletes Way



Credit: Music on Main

Roomful of Teeth – January 25 and 26

Grammy Award-winning vocal ensemble Roomful of Teeth would like to clarify: they’re a band, not a choir. Back-to-back shows at The Fox Cabaret invite Vancouverites along to explore the bounds of21st-century music and the potential of the human voice in partnership with the PuSh Festival. The show, featuring eight vocalists, includes Partita, the piece that earned Music on Main composer-in-residence, Caroline Shaw, a Pulitzer Prize.

8 p.m., The Fox Cabaret, 2321 Main Street



Credit: The Cultch

Works from Harold Coego and Jeff Wilson – January 26 to February 20

A new exhibit opens at The Cultch this week, sharing the works of Harold Coego and Jeff Wilson. Cuba native Coego expresses an almost naïve sense of mystery, longing, and memory through his painting, drawing, writing and filmmaking. Meanwhile, Scottish-born Wilson works within his native tradition of social realism painting, applying the inspiration of the Glasgow Boys and the Scottish colourists to Canadian subjects.

The Cultch, 1895 Venables Street
Opening reception: January 27, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Gallery hours: Monday to Saturday, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., or by appointment



Credit: Chef Stefan Hartmann by Rufina Chang

Bauhaus and Cioppino’s Unite: Special Culinary Evening – January 27

Talk about the best of both worlds. Bauhaus’s Michelin-starred chef Stefan Hartmann, and Cioppino’s award-winning Chef Pino Posteraro, are joining forces for a remarkable eight-course German/Mediterranean feast. Each chef will prepare four dishes for the culinary evening, held at Gastown’s Bauhaus Restaurant, giving them ample opportunity to show their unique approaches to their respective German and Italian cuisines. “To have [Pino] join Stefan will truly be a special treat for our guests,” says Bauhaus owner Uwe Boll.

$95, limited seating available, reservations required
1 West Cordova Street



Credit: Kristie Robin

Taste BC – January 28

Are your taste buds craving a good cause? Taste BC combines the best of B.C.’s wine, beer, and spirits with delicious local fare, live music, door prizes, and an impressive silent auction, all in support of the BC Children’s Hospital’s Oak Tree Clinic. To date, the event has raised $223,333 for the clinic, which provides specialized clinic care for women and children living with HIV/AIDS.

4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Pan Pacific Hotel, #300 – 999 Canada Place



Credit: Wolf in the Fog

Wolf in the Fog Takes Over Fable – January 29

When we think Tofino, we think Wolf in the Fog: a standout (and multiple award-winning) restaurant located in the heart of the quiet island town. Well, this week, you don’t need to catch a ferry to taste the latest in Chef Nicholas Nutting’s kitchen. Joined by bar manager, Hailey, chef Nick will be taking over Vancouver’s Fable restaurant for one night only. The menu is hush-hush, but we do know that it will feature the freshest locally sourced seafood.

$60 tickets sold in advance (beverages sold separately)
5:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. based on reservation, 1944 West 4th Avenue



Credit: Indigo

Indigospirit Opening – January 29

Since closing its large-scale Robson Street location last summer, Canada’s biggest bookstore has been searching for the perfect opportunity to reclaim their downtown Vancouver presence. This Saturday, Indigo opens their first small-scale bookstore, Indigospirit, in a 5,000-square-foot space on Granville Street. In addition to over 17,500 titles, the store will feature the popular giftables, stationary, and office supplies that Chapters customers have come to know and love. The smaller site will also include in-store kiosks that allow shoppers to order Indigo’s entire product range.

810/816 Granville Street