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Tegan, left, and Sara play the Orpheum in Vancouver in 2010. This weekend they will play the Vogue theatre.LAURA LEYSHON/The Globe and Mail

Hot Ticket: Tegan and Sara

Catch twin rockers and part-time Vancouverites Tegan and Sara as they kick off an international tour that will see them headlining gigs in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Britain – and touring with rock 'n' roll heavyweights the Black Keys and the Killers. The Cancon veterans – who just turned 32 this week – recently put the finishing touches on their seventh album, the making of which was chronicled in a hilarious YouTube series called Carpool Confessional that ran on the Rolling Stone website.

A long-standing fixture of the Canadian indie scene, the popular pair has high hopes for the album, whose first single Closer is being released this week – including the possibility of playing arenas with their names at the top of the marquee.

"I wanted to make something that really surprised people and excited them," says Sara Quin about the new album.

"I wanted to reach a bigger audience. I wanted to take our touring career to another level. I wanted to feel like we sort of put everything out on the line and weren't afraid or hesitant," she says. "And I mean this sincerely: whatever we accomplish with this record, good enough."

Tegan and Sara kick off their international tour at the Vogue on Sunday (ticketmaster.ca).

Out There: Grouse Grind Mountain Run

Tell your quads you don't mean them any harm, then climb 2,830 stairs and gain 2,800 feet of elevation at this lighthearted race up one of North Vancouver's most notorious mountain trails.

More than 500 hikers from kids to seniors, and from first-timers to hardcore regulars – including record-holder Sebastian Salas, who blazed up the trail in less than 24 minutes in 2010 – will join the brag-worthy climb, which marks the unofficial end to the season.

But the rewards are far greater than a pair of wobbly gams and a sense of accomplishment: At the top, you'll be met with a barbecue, live bands, beer and free massages, yoga and schwag.

Haven't braved the Grind before? "Best advice: good shoes, definitely water, and take your time," says Grouse Mountain spokeswoman Sarah Lusk, who says newbies should expect the hike to take roughly two hours.

"The trail is deceptive, because the beginning is not as steep – and then the last section, where you need the most energy, is the steepest," she says. "So conserve your energy – and remember there's a great reward at the top."

The Grouse Grind Mountain Run happens Saturday. Part proceeds to the B.C. Children's Hospital (grousemountain.com).

Right Here:

White Rabbit, Red Rabbit

Watch top Vancouver actors including Jonathon Young, Marcus Youssef and Ryan Bell get handed a script they've never seen, then bravely fly without a net – metaphorically, that is – as they perform Iranian playwright Nassim Soleimanpour's highly acclaimed, and convention-rattling, allegory (until Sept. 30, thecultch.com).

Blind Date

Find out what happens when Mimi, a Parisian temptress, gets stood up by her date then plucks a new one from the audience and takes him on a 90-minute adventure in this hilarious theatrical and social experiment by Canadian actress Rebecca Northan (at the Cultch until Oct. 7, thecultch.com). Missed the Fringe? See five of this year's biggest hits at Pick of the Fringe (through Sunday, vancouverfringe.com).

Isabel Bayrakdarian

Catch a performance by the celebrated Armenian-Canadian soprano as she joins the Vancouver Symphony for a season-opening evening of French and Spanish music – including Ravel's sensuous Shéhérazade (at the Orpheum Saturday, vancouversymphony.ca). Then head to Christ Church Cathedral and hear soaring jazz, world and classical music at MusicFest Vancouver Reprise – also a fundraiser for the fest (Sunday, musicfestvancouver.ca).

Medicine Wheel Ceremony

Soak up the extended summer as you welcome the fall at VanDusen Botanical Garden's nature-honouring ceremony and potluck led by first nations elders. Bring a small stone to bless and a food item to share (Sunday, vancouver.ca/vandusen).

Around the Dome in 30 Days

Learn about everything from marine mammal adaptation to the scientific properties of soap bubbles – and meet top local scientists and engineers – at this geek-friendly series of events that comes with a fossil fair, a magic lantern evening, the science of parkour for teens and more (at Science World until Oct. 21, scienceworld.ca).

Object(ing): The Art/Design of Tobias Wong

See works by the man San Fran's MOMA dubbed "contemporary design's most nimble provocateur" as the Museum of Vancouver presents an homage to the late conceptual artist Tobias Wong that includes Bulletproof Quilted Duvet, his book I Want to Change the World and This is a Lamp (Globe review here, exhibition at MOV until Feb. 24, museumofvancouver.ca). For more offbeat creations, don't miss the Olio Festival, a celebration of indie arts that includes live music, comedy, visual art, fashion and more (through Sunday, oliofestival.com).

Vancouver Fashion Week

Check out what colours and cuts are in store for spring as Vancouver Fashion Week wraps up with creations by designers from Europe, Asia, North America and beyond (through Sunday, vanfashionweek.com). Fall wardrobe in need of a little sprucing up? Pick up great local duds, housewares, jewellery, kids stuff and more at Portobello West's Autumn Market (through Sunday, portobellowest.com).

Vancouver Special House Tour

Feeling architectural? See radical redesigns of the homes Vancouverites love to hate on the Vancouver Special house tour (Saturday, vancouverheritagefoundation.org), or join Heritage Vancouver's Isaac Vanderhost for Vancouver's West End Remembered, a walking tour that visits threatened heritage buildings and successful preservation projects, as well as a few hidden treasures (Saturday, heritagevancouver.org).

Vancouver Retro Cinema Fest

See 15 legendary films from The Godfather to The Big Lebowski as well as top cult classics at the inaugural retro cinema fest. Costumes encouraged (at Denman Cinema until Sept. 30, vancouverretrocinema.com). Or start training your eyeballs for VIFF and see all 480 minutes of Mark Cousins's opus, The Story of Film: An Odyssey (through Sunday, viff.org).

Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life

Lace up your sneaks and help raise funds for a critical cause at AIDS walks happening in Kamloops, Nanaimo, Prince George, Vancouver and beyond (aidswalkforlife.ca). Then stroll for community organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Vancouver Public Library and more at the Ismaili Walk 2012 (in Stanley Park Sunday, ywcavan.org), or help save our furry friends at VOKRA's Walk for the Kitties (Sunday, vokrawalkforthekitties.eventbrite.com).

James Barber's Gingertini Trunk Sale

Beef up your cookbook shelf with favourites from one of Vancouver's most beloved foodies' collections – all proceeds to Providence Farm on Vancouver Island (at Barbara Jo's Books to Cooks Sunday, bookstocooks.com). Then give your iPad a breather and pick up rare readerly gems from historical tomes to modern first editions at the Vancouver Book Fair of Antiquarian and Modern Books (through Sunday, vancouverbookfair.webs.com).

Vancouver International Flamenco Festival

See award-winning dancers and musicians from Vancouver to Seville – including renowned Spanish performer Angeles Gabaldón – as they offer thunderous performances at the Vancouver International Flamenco Festival, which also comes with lectures and workshops and a night dedicated to guitar and song (through Sunday, vancouverflamencofestival.org).

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