Vancouver Adventures: Our Picks for November 5-11

This week: enjoy a taste of Mexico, hang out with Vancouver Firefighters for a good cause, channel your inner nerd + more

Modern Mexican Tapas – Saturday, November 5

Chef Paulis Langins (Tableau/Sawmill Bay Seafood) and Jane Cornborough (L’Abattoir/Harvest) create a unique menu of Mexican fusion at the Swallow Tail Secret Supper Club. Choose from a couple of tapas, or a full meal, at the stand-up and mingle affair at the chef’s home (exact location is secret until you buy a ticket!). Bring your own bottle of mezcal or tequila to share.

6 p.m. or 7:30 p.m.; $15 ticket includes a tequila cocktail shot and a greeting tapa
Tapas from $4 to 7, cash only

Credit: Boulevard

Pig and Pinot – Sundays, November 6, 13, 20 and 27

Boulevard’s Sunday Supper Series continues with an all-inclusive, nose-to-tail menu that includes pork belly porchetta, confit and glazed pig’s head, chipotle-spiced pigs’ tails, crunchy pigs’ ears as well as a variety of sides, accompaniments and dessert along with a Pinot Gris reception courtesy of Cedar Creek Estate Winery.

Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar, 845 Burrard Street
Tickets $52 per person plus tax and gratuity ($82 with wine pairings); two-guest minimum

Credit: Il Divo

Il Divo – Sunday, November 6

Want to be serenaded by one of the world’s top quartets? International classical crossover group Il Divo brings their Brit Award-winning blend of pop and opera to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre as part of their Canadian Amor & Pasion tour.

Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 650 Hamilton Street
7:30 p.m., tickets online

Ms. Lauryn Hill – The MLH Caravan: A Diaspora Calling! Concert Series – Tuesday, November 8

Ex-Fugee Ms. Lauryn Hill is back in Vancouver with support from Nigerian musician Seun Anikulapo Kuti, son of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, for one night only at the QE Theatre. “The MLH Caravan allows me to continue the theme of unity and celebration of the many facets of cultural and artistic beauty throughout the African diaspora while on tour this fall,” says Hill.

Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 650 Hamilton Street
8 p.m., tickets from $85

Race for the White House Party – Tuesday, November 8

It’s Hillary versus The Donald. Join special guest U.S. Consul General Lynne Platt to commemorate the 2016 election at a celebration that includes American food stations, a Dixieland jazz band and of course live news coverage of the US election.

Fairmont Vancouver Hotel, 900 West Georgia Street
4 p.m. to 9 p.m., tickets from $120

Credit: The Cultch

All Hell Is Breaking Loose, Honey – Tuesday, November 8 to Saturday, November 12

Four male dancers deconstruct the stereotypes of the typical North American guy—from T-shirts and mood swings to beer and baseball—in this dance showcase choreographed by Frédérick Gravel.

The Cultch Historic Theatre, 1895 Venables Street
8 p.m., tickets

Flying Pig Umbrella Day – Wednesday, November 9

Buy a $15 brolly from major intersections in downtown Vancouver on November 9th to support the Vancouver Firefighter Charities third annual Umbrella Day Campaign in support of Snacks for Kids. The Flying Pig restaurant will continue the fundraising festivities indoors later that day (6 p.m. to 10 pm) at its Gastown location, with the opportunity to meet Vancouver Firefighters and enjoy plenty of entertainment, refreshments and delectable hors d’oeuvres.

Tickets are $75 and available for purchase at all Flying Pig locations and at WildTale Coastal Grill, 1079 Mainland Street

Cornucopia – Thursday, November 10 to Sunday, November 20

Celebrate 20 years of wine and food festivities at Cornucopia Whistler with chef luncheons, winemaker dinners, drink seminars and gala tastings. Highlights include the new Cornucopia Wine Summit and the 20th Anniversary Party at the Picnic: A Showcase of Whistler Culinary Excellence.

For a full schedule, check online

Credit: Rich Hope

Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House Fundraiser – Thursday, November 10

Enjoy an evening of music, fun and fundraising at The Anza Club in aid of the Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House, featuring Rich Hope as headliner and sponsored by Powell Street Craft Brewery.

Doors 9:30 p.m., show 10 p.m.
Members $10, non-members $20; purchase tickets online

Fan Expo Vancouver – Friday, November 11 to Sunday, November 13

Cosplay fans will be flocking to Fan Expo Vancouver for three days of pop culture celebrations, featuring stars from the world of comic, sci-fi, horror and anime. Guests include Christopher Lloyd (Back to the Future), Karen Gillan (Guardians of the Galaxy, Doctor Who), John Barrowman  (Arrow, Doctor Who) and cult film director Kevin Smith.

Vancouver Convention Centre, 1055 Canada Place
For a complete list of guests, info and tickets, check online