The National Ballet of Cuba's Don Quixote runs at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver Feb. 16, 17 and 18, 2012.
Don Quixote
See one of the world's top ballet companies – led by famed prima ballerina Alicia Alonso, and featuring four of Dance International's top 100 performers – as the National Ballet of Cuba brings its stunning production of Don Quixote, which mixes Latin passion with Russian technique, to northern climes (at the Queen E Saturday, ticketmaster.ca).
DESIRE: Art Auction 2012
Bid on works by a who's who of art in British Columbia and beyond – including Edward Burtynsky, Gordon Smith, Robert Davidson, Ian Wallace, Jeff Wall, Eadweard Muybridge, Angela Grossmann – and even vie for 300 hours of architectural service by Perkins + Will – at DESIRE: Art Auction 2012, a fundraiser that aims to raise a million bucks for the Vancouver Art Gallery (Saturday, vanartgallery.bc.ca).
Be wowed by a wondrous reimagining of a Victor Hugo classic as Edmonton's renowned Catalyst Theatre presents Hunchback – a darkly romantic musical set in the shadows of Notre Dame Cathedral (at the Playhouse until March 10, vancouverplayhouse.com).
The Silicone Diaries
For theatre that comes with nips, tucks and multiple implants, follow Nina Arsenault's 60-surgery transformation from an awkward man to a curvaceous bombshell in The Silicone Diaries – an exploration of the contradictions that lie along the well-trodden path to beauty (at the Cultch until Feb. 25, thecultch.com).
Asteroids Galaxy Tour
Want to put a spring in your step? See the irresistibly catchy Asteroids Galaxy Tour, the Danish pop band that appears in the lavish Heineken ad The Entrance, and skyrocketed to fame after their song Around the Bend appeared in an iPod Touch spot (at Venue Feb. 19, northerntickets.com). If you want offbeat sounds with a decidedly darker bent, catch South African art-rappers Die Antwoord, who recently gave a hilariously creepy performance on Letterman (at the Commodore Sunday, ticketmaster.ca)
Mountain Film Festival
Head high into the mountains without burning up those quads at the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival finale, where you can hear from adventurers Jason Kirk and Hayden Kennedy, and take in films with titles like Declaration of Immortality and Vertical Sailing (at Centennial Theatre Saturday, vimff.org).
Oscar Shorts
Want Oscar-calibre films without the hefty time commitment? See 10 Academy Award-nominated shorts – both animated and live action – as well as four more that made the shortlist at The Oscar Shorts (at Vancity until Feb. 22, viff.org).
Vancouver Wellness Show
Learn what to eat, think, feel and do to get your body, mind and spirit humming like a finely tuned engine at the Vancouver Wellness Show at the convention centre, where you can learn about Humour For Health with Corner Gas star Lorne Cardinal, take in square dancing and Sufi whirling demos, try Shiamak's Bollywood Workout, sit in on Meditation Made Easy, then load up on great eats by Tojo chef Hidekazu Tojo, The Four Seasons' Ned Bell, Raincity Grill's Jennifer Peters and more. (thewellnessshow.com).
The Chosen Ones Group Vintage Sale
Love vintage duds but hate running from pillar to post? Browse through finds by a hand-picked collection of vendors including Trading Post, Angelus Novus, C'est La Vie, Dandi Wind, Mackenzie Serin, Cherry Bomb, Stephi Chin Salvo, Coco & Co and more as the Waldorf Hotel transforms into a one stop shop at The Chosen Ones Group Vintage Sale (through Sunday, waldorfhotel.com).
Family Science Days
Create an earthquake, learn about alien worlds and distant stars, launch your own rockets, explore invisible frontiers from electricity to DNA, and find out what it's like to live on the International Space Station from astronaut Chris Hadfield himself at Family Science Days, a kid-friendly science showcase (at the Vancouver Convention Centre through Sunday, aaas.org).
Jann Arden
Hear one of Canada's most beloved tunesmiths, Jann Arden, who recently took it all off for a Zoomer magazine centrefold, as she performs originals and covers from her latest album, Uncover Me 2, which includes songs by the Beach Boys, Fleetwood Mac, the Smiths, Peggy Lee and more (at McPherson Playhouse in Victoria Sunday and Monday, at the Orpheum in Vancouver Tuesday, ticketmaster.ca).
Fort Langley Winter Historic Half Marathon
Learning about local history and get a great workout at the Fort Langley Winter Historic Half Marathon, where majestic views of mountains, farmland, and some of the province's oldest buildings will help you ignore your cursing muscles. Don't feel like going the distance? 10K and 5K routes also available (Sunday, tryevents.ca; also a kids run Saturday). Want to run under the stars? Soak up nighttime views then enjoy a Fat Tuesday potluck party at the Capilano Canyon Night Run's Mardi Gras edition (Saturday, clubfatass.com).
Victoria Tea Festival
Get your pinkies up and taste flavourful infusions from around the globe at the Victoria Tea Festival at Crystal Garden, where you can learn the finer points of tea etiquette, pick up recipes for tea cocktails, find out about the health benefits of herbal teas and take home any number of exotic concoctions (through Sunday, victoriateafestival.com).