Robin Williams
Get your funny bone fully tickled as comedy legend Robin Williams – who recently performed an impromptu set in a tiny Sunset Boulevard club – joins Canadian comedian David Steinberg for an evening of “sit-down comedy.” (at the River Rock Saturday)
Euro Cup
Cheer on Europe’s top soccer stars at Euro Cup watching sites including Manchester Public Eatery in Kits, the Vancouver Alpen Club on Victoria, the London Pub on Main, or Caffé Roma or Caffé Napoli on Commercial Drive. Then root for the home team as the Vancouver Whitecaps FC take on Houston at BC Place Sunday.
Italian Day
More European flavour? Have a giornata italiana as Vancouver’s Little Italy comes alive with music, fashion, sports, art, and fantastic food at Italian Day on the Drive (Sunday). Or head for South Asia at Downtown Bhangra, a vibrant outdoor fest featuring everything from bhangra dancers to beat boxers (at the VAG through Sunday).
Private Garden Tour
Develop some serious backyard envy on VanDusen’s Private Garden Tour, a self-guided journey through some of the finest gardens in the city (through Sunday). Want a garden that looks good enough to eat? Head for the launch of Senga Lindsay’s book Edible Landscaping at Barbara Jo’s (Saturday).
The Inventor
Treat your ears to a sudsy work about famed brewmaster Alexander Keith’s scheming nephew as the Vancouver Symphony rounds out its season with The Inventor – a critically acclaimed opera penned by VSO music director Bramwell Tovey (at the Orpheum Saturday and Monday).
Richard Henriquez
See another side of renowned architect Richard Henriquez – who founded the firm behind the Woodward’s Redevelopment – as he presents Narrative Fragments, an art exhibition featuring light-box works, sculptures and more (at Winsor Gallery). For another Vancouver multi-talent, make sure to catch Rodney Graham’s idiosyncratic take on modernism in Canadian Humourist at the VAG (until Sept. 30).
Vancouver Festival of Ocean Films
Catch a wave in Tahiti, explore the science of sharks, travel to our planet’s icy poles, and meet paddling pipeline protesters at the Vancouver Festival of Ocean Films (at Vancity Theatre Saturday). More the techie type? Catch Steve Jobs: The Lost Interview, a pre-iMac talk with the computer titan that was recently found on a VHS tape in the director’s garage (Sunday).
ElectraFest 2012
Get a charge out of your weekend at ElectraFest 2012, a showcase of green rides where you can find the latest electric cars, electric bikes, electric boats, a BC Electric trolley bus from 1957, and even one of the first-ever electric vehicles – a 1912 Detroit Electric (at the Concord lands Saturday).
MEC Bike Fest
For more wheeled adventures, go under your own power at MEC Bikefest, a weekend of bike demos, maintenance courses, guided rides, kids races, a bike swap, yoga for cyclists, a pancake breakfast and a charity barbecue (at Inter River Park in North Van through Sunday). Or take a picturesque – and blissfully flat – cruise around Richmond on the 12th annual Island City By Bike tour.
Fit Fundraisers
Get a move on at fit fundraisers around the province, including the cross-Canada Walk to Fight Arthritis (Sunday), the Push Your Tush for colon cancer (Sunday), the Telus Walk to Cure Diabetes (Sunday), the Rotary Ride for Rescue (Saturday), and the Boat for Hope on Granville Island (Saturday,).
Pacific Rim Kite Festival
Go fly a kite at the 37th annual Pacific Rim Kite Festival, where you can watch kite team demos, build a kite with your tot, fly your own wind catcher and watch the masters at work – including renowned kite flying pros Ray Bethell and iQuad (through Sunday).
Vancouver International Storytelling Festival
Hear all kinds of stories beautifully told at the Vancouver International Storytelling Festival, where you can get spooked by ghost stories, learn about storytelling for social change, take a story-based bike or bus tour, then enjoy the denouement at the closing gala (through Sunday).
