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Vancouver Adventures: Our Picks for June 11-17

This week: Relive your angsty teenage days, feast on delicious Italian food, learn energetic bhangra moves + more

By Amy Watkins /

Credit: Facebook/Vancouver Naked Bike Ride

World Naked Bike Ride – Saturday, June 11

Dare to bare and join the thousands of naked cyclists riding around the seawall this Saturday. Body painting and performances will take place before the ride at Sunset Beach, so join in on the fun or take part in the ride (you can wear shorts if you’re worried about chafing). The event is part of Velopalooza Bike Festival, which includes themed rides and free events across the city until Sunday, June 26.

12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Sunset Beach, free admission



Credit: Facebook/Red Truck Beer

Truck Stop Concert Series – Saturday, June 11

Kick off summer with the first of three outdoor concerts with Red Truck Beer. Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears, Dawn Pemberton, Ballantynes, Chin & The Lifetimes, The Red Gold and Green Machine and Star Captains will be playing in the brewery parking lot this week for an evening of live music, food trucks and, of course, beer. 

4 p.m. to 10 p.m., tickets from $35, 19+
Red Truck Beer, 295 East 1st Avenue



Credit: Little Mountain Gallery

Proud of You Presents; Never4Get (A Comedy Show) – Saturday, June 11

Laughter is the best medicine, so get a dose of comedy with a retrospective of the highlights of Proud of You’s last six months of sketches. Presented in the format of a PBS pledge drive, the evening concludes with a one-man talk show and is guaranteed to cure the June-uary blues.

Doors open 8 p.m; show starts 8.30 p.m., tickets for $5
Little Mountain, 195 East 26th Avenue



Credit: Facebook/Vancouver Mini Maker Faire

Mini Maker Faire – Saturday, June 11 to Sunday, June 12

Make something of the weekend and head to the PNE to check out the handiwork of the 125 artists, inventors and makers that will be showcasing their work at the sixth annual Mini Maker Faire. Check out cool exhibits like liquid nitrogen gelato making and get hands-on with workshops from T-shirt modifications to air rocket launching. 

10 a.m. to 6 p.m., tickets for $12 ($15 at gate)
PNE forum, 2901 East Hastings Street



Credit: VIBC

City of Bhangra – Saturday, June 11 to Saturday, June 18

Put on by the Vancouver International Bhangra Society, the City of Bhangra festival features over 350 performers taking part in events across Vancouver and Surrey to celebrate the musical and dance form that combines Punjabi folk traditions with western pop. The eclectic events include everything from ‘crashing’ an Indian wedding to Where Not To Bhangra, a night of bhangra and burlesque.

Click for schedule and event information



Credit: Market by Jean-Georges

The Muses Dinner – Saturday, June 11 to Wednesday, June 29

Celebrate the new Picasso exhibit at the Vancouver Art Gallery with a series of themed dinners at Market by Jean-Georges in the Shangri-La Hotel. The Muses Dinner series takes inspiration from the women in Picasso’s life and kicks off with a tasting menu featuring dishes such as Louis the XIII Cognac cured foie gras terrine with preserved hibiscus flower.

5.30 p.m to 10 p.m. daily, $110 per person ($128 with gallery entrance)
Market by Jean-Georges, 1115 Alberni Street, call 604-695-1115 for reservations



Credit: Sacred Space Studio

MOVEment Yoga Classes – Sunday, June 12

Take a yoga class on Sunday to help raise funds for Pain BC. Pain BC’s mandate is to support people in pain through education and services, and since one in five B.C. residents is living with chronic pain, the chances are you or someone you know will benefit from this event. Classes are taking place across the Lower Mainland. In Vancouver, head to Sacred Space Community Studio from 4.30 p.m. to 5.45 p.m. or Unity Tea House from 12 p.m. to 1.30 p.m. to catch a class. 

Click for schedule and location information



Credit: Facebook/Italian Day

Italian Day – Sunday, June 12

Ciao! Italian Day returns to Commercial Drive this Sunday to cover 13 blocks with red, white and green celebrations of all things Italian. Eight blocks will be officially designated as Little Italy to celebrate the new area title, and there will be plenty of treats to tuck into, along with drink tastings, games and activities to enjoy.

12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Commerical Drive between Venables Street to Grandview Cut



Credit: Facebook/Big Rock Urban

Prohibition Night – Thursday, June 16

Odd Society Spirits is teaming up with Big Rock Urban Brewery for a night of roaring ’20s-style speakeasy fun. Following a three-course meal paired with cocktails and beer, entertainment will be provided by casino games, Kitty Nights’ Viva Vancouver Showgirls and jazz ensemble Rossi Gang.

6 p.m. to 11 p.m., tickets for $60
Big Rock Urban Brewery, 310 West 4th Avenue



Credit: Facebook/Sara Bynoe Shows

Teen Angst Night – Friday, June 17

Relive all those cringy adolescent feelings at Teen Angst Night and listen to host comedienne Sara Bynoe and others read out diaries, poems and essays that they penned as hormone-fuelled teens. Then laugh. Laugh a lot. Partial proceeds go to a youth charity and it’s all followed by a Y2K dance party to help you regress totally.

Doors open 7 p.m.; show runs 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.; tickets for $10 ($15 at the door)
Fox Cabaret, 2321 Main Street