The Vancouver Chinatown Spring Festival is this weekend with the Chinese New Year Parade happening on Sunday, February 2, 2014. The parade starts at 11:00am and will set out on Pender from Carrall and looping up Gore, heading south on Gore, and turning right back down Keefer to Carrall (view map).
Chinese New Year Events
Check out a full list of over 20 Chinese New Year events on The Province’s events blog – here’s a sampling:
Celebrating the Year of the Horse at International Village Mall
This four-day event starts with a ceremonial eye-dotting ritual and lion dance, ending with on the last day with a cultural extravaganza, the Chinese New Year Parade and more at 88 West Pender until Sunday, February 2, 2014.
Celebrate Chinese New Year at FlyOver Canada
In celebration of Chinese New Year, FlyOver Canada (at 999 Canada Place) presents the flight ride, Flight of the Dragon, which soars over the landscape of an ancient civilization and China, as part of a back-to-back experience along with the FlyOver Canada ride.
Gung Hay Fat Choy from Oakridge Centre
This Year of the Horse, Chinese New Year celebration features stage performances and more at Oakridge Centre (650 W. 41st Ave) on Saturday, February 1st from 10:00am to 12:30pm.
Lougheed Town Centre
Jam packed with fun entertainment, Lunar Festival is set to include a Korean Drum Parade, Korean performances, Chinese Lion Dance, Choy Chang and more at Lougheed Town Centre (9855 Austin Ave, Burnaby) on Saturday, February 1st at 10:30am.
Willowbrook Lunar New Year
Lunar New Year activities the entire family can enjoy including a traditional Lion Dance, Tai Chi demonstration, Chinese Astrology readings and dragon boat display at Willowbrook Shopping Centre (19705 Fraser Hwy) on February 2nd.
February is a fine time for musical theatre in Vancouver with Family Day, Valentine’s Day, and many other reasons to seek refuge indoors and be wildly entertained by the arts. This means it will also be the perfect time to check out Rodgers and Hammerstein: Out of a Dream at the York Theatre.
Caitriona Murphy, Warren Kimmel, Kazumi Evans, Sayer Roberts. Photo credit: David Cooper
Rodgers and Hammerstein: Out of a Dream
When: February 5th to 16th, 2014
Where: York Theatre (Commercial Drive at Georgia)
What: Patrick Street Productions presents the world premiere of a new revue that takes audience members on a nostalgic journey through their beloved songbook. Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, music by Richard Rodgers, conceived and Created by Peter Jorgensen.
Full of whimsy and nostalgia, this new & enchanting musical revue draws from each and every show written by the prolific Broadway duo – featuring songs from Carousel, The Sound of Music, South Pacific, The King & I, Oklahoma! and other cherished favourites.
With Out of a Dream we trace a line from the best of today’s contemporary musicals back to two masters who defined modern musicals; and, quite remarkably, between two master composers who are linked not only through their desire to push music theatre to new heights, but through genetics as well.
Tickets are available now online or by calling The Cultch’s box office (of behalf of the York Theatre) at (604) 251-1363. I also have a pair of tickets to give away, here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
I will draw one winner at random from all entries on Saturday, February 1, 2014 at 12:00pm. The winner will receive two tickets to opening night, February 6th, 2014 at the York Theatre.
Update The winner is Erin W Bonnie!
Not only does Vanier Park offer one of the best views of downtown Vancouver and the local mountains, it’s also home to some incredibly valuable attractions and cultural institutions. This Saturday, February 1st you can explore the best of this Kitsilano corner during Winter Wander 2014.
Winter Wander 2014
The six cultural institutions of Vanier Park are celebrating their Kitsilano location again during the third annual Winter Wander. Vancouverites are invited to experience all locations on Saturday, February 1st from 10:00am to 5:00pm for just $5.00 for adults and free to youth 16 and under.
Winter Wander in Vanier Park is a one-day event in which Vancouverites and their families can enjoy a taste of what Vanier Park’s cultural institutions have to offer for one rate that includes admission to all venues.
Vanier Park is home to the Vancouver Maritime Museum, the Museum of Vancouver, the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre, Bard on the Beach, the Vancouver Academy of Music, and the City of Vancouver Archives. Vanier Park has many bicycle racks, is accessible by transit along the #22 bus line and has a large parking lot at 1100 Chestnut Street.
In addition to visiting the museums and archives, Winter Wanderers will enjoy an interactive activity by the Young Shakespeareans from Bard on the Beach, performances by Vancouver Academy of Music students, and visiting food trucks.
Sweet treats for a sweet cause! National Cupcake Day returns February 24th in support of SPCAs and Humane Societies across Canada.
National Cupcake Day 2014
National Cupcake Day is the most delicious way to show your support for animals in need of your help. By baking delicious treats for friends, family and co-workers in exchange for donations you will not only raise desperately needed funds for abandoned, neglected and abused animals in your community, but you will also be making everyone’s day a little brighter with a scrumptious treat.
Here’s how you can get involved:
In BC, National Cupcake Day benefits the British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BC SPCA). The BC SPCA is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to protecting and enhancing the quality of life for domestic, farm and wild animals in British Columbia.
National Cupcake Day Twitter Chat
Join in on a Twitter chat for National Cupcake Day hosted by @Cpantazis and sponsored by @Petsecure. on February 5th starting at 5:00pm PT. The tag to follow is #HelpFindCupcake and when you engage, you could be entered to win a prize from Kitchen Aid (see full contest rules). The National Cupcake Day and Petsecure Pet Health Insurance teams will be answering questions about pet insurance, talking about animals and swapping favourite cupcake recipes.
Follow National Cupcake Day on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest for more information about the event, fundraising tips, cupcake ideas, and more.
I’m a big fan of Vancouver’s museums and galleries, including the BC Sports Hall of Fame which is located right at BC Place. From February 8th until February 10th they’ll be celebrating Family Day in BC along with the 4th anniversary of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games.
Red Mitten Weekend at BC Sports Hall of Fame
Bust out your red mittens for a very special long weekend at BC Sports Hall of Fame where kids sporting the festive red mitts will get in FREE. Once inside, here’s what you’ll find on display:
- Celebrate the 4th Anniversary of Vancouver’s Games in the Vancouver 2010 Gallery
- See a full set of the Olympic and Paralympic medals
- Say hi to Quatchi, Sumi and Miga the official 2010 mascots (not animated)
- Watch highlights of the 2010 Games on our big screen
- Stand on a real 2010 podium
- Complete a FAMILY DAY scavenger hunt
- See a unique collection of figure skating painting including: Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, Joannie Rochette, Johnny Weir and more.
On top of all the olympic-themed displays and artifacts, enjoy the Participation ZONE, play ping pong on the table used in the 2010 Athletes’ Village, climb a rotating climbing wall, test your time on the 14 meter running track, kick a ball and slap a puck in the sports simulator, play bubble hockey, foosball, Monster Basketball and discover even more galleries.
The BC Sports Hall of Fame is open daily at Gate A of BC Place from 10:00am-5:00pm. Follow along on Facebook and Twitter for more special event and exhibit information.
