Things to do in the West End: A day with Miss604 is a three-part summer series, in partnership with the West End BIA, showcasing all the wonderful, delicious, and engaging things to do around this iconic Vancouver neighbourhood.

Things to do in the West End

In the first part of this series, we shopped, dined, and toured around Denman and Robson Streets. Today we visit Davie Village, the beach, Denman, and some entertainment in Stanley Park. Here are even more ways to get the most of out of a West End excursion in Vancouver this summer:

Getting to the West End

I live in the West End but I love taking the False Creek Ferry! It’s the cheapest little cruise around. If you’re in Kitsilano, Granville Island, Yaletown or Olympic Village it’s a scenic way to get over to the West End. Disembark at the Aquatic Centre and walk the Seawall around to Denman and Davie.

Shopping on Davie and Denman

West End Farmers Market is Saturdays from 9:00am to 2:00pm on Comox between Bute and Thurlow. Then of course there’s the shop that I think every town in BC has because it’s full of so many staples: Home Hardware (1053 Davie St). One of my favourite little flower shops, that also has tons of pots and planters, Davie Flowers (1139 Davie St), and then there’s the iconic, the one and only, Little Sister’s Book & Art Emporium (1238 Davie St) a legendary queer retail store selling everything from LGBTQ2+ books to Pride to cards to adult items.

Kimprints (1179 Denman) is one of my go-to when I need to find something locally inspired for a gift.

Activations at Jim Deva Plaza

The Jim Deva Plaza (1200 Bute) at Bute and Davie is a public space where you can eat your takeout under the market lights, enjoy artwork, shop a pop-up, or enjoy entertainment. Coming up this season is Art from the Heart, which are free guided painting sessions August 10 & 24 from 6:00pm to 7:30pm. New Gen. Collective Market will pop-up again August 11 & 25 from 6:00pm to 10:00pm. Pop Queen Cardio will offer high energy fitness classes mixing dance and pop music. Free to the community on August 3^rd.

Snacks and Sweet Treats

Bisou (1190 Bidwell) opened this year and has gone viral on Instagram thanks to their spiral and cube croissants.

Peaked Pies (975 Denman St) is another satisfying local favourite with hearty Australian meat pies as well as veggie and vegan options. Make sure you get your pie “peaked” with all the fixings (peas, mashed potatoes, and gravy) for the full savoury experience.

Summer Entertainment in the Park

Stanley Park is my favourite local destination at any time of year, from the trails and the gardens, to the Seawall and beyond. In the summer it comes even more alive with activity with the longstanding tradition of Theatre Under the Stars, as well as the Evo Summer Cinema with free outdoor movies at Second Beach.

Win Dinner and a Movie

I have partnered with the West End BIA to share a classic West End summer experience: You can enter to win VIP tickets to an Evo Summer Cinema Movie (August 1st) plus $80 for dinner at Davie Dosa Company! Here’s how:

For more information on each of these businesses, and many more, visit the West End BIA online and follow along on Facebook and Instagram.

Related: Things to do in the West End: A Day with Miss604

Vancouver audiences can enjoy two of the most popular Disney films ever through world-class ice skating, aerial acrobatics and more when Disney On Ice Frozen and Encanto skate into Vancouver this November.

UPDATE October 25: You can enter to win tickets!

Disney On Ice invites families to step inside the magical adventures of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Frozen, the #1 Animated feature of all time, and Disney Animation’s Encanto, the 2022 Academy Award®, BAFTA®, and Golden Globe® Award winner for Best Animated Feature, as they come to life like never before. 

Disney on Ice Presents Frozen and Encanto in Vancouver

• When: November 22 to 26, 2023
• Where: Pacific Coliseum (100 N Renfrew Street, Vancouver)
• Admission: Disney On Ice Preferred Customers can purchase advance tickets now to get the best seats available before tickets go on-sale to the public on July 18^th. Tickets can be purchased on TicketLeader or at the venue box office.
  • Fans can also sign up to become a Disney On Ice Preferred Customer and get exclusive access to the pre-sale offer code.

Audiences will see Anna, Elsa, Mirabel, and the Madrigal family live, as well as fan favourites Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald, Goofy, and many more.  

Narrating the captivating story of Frozen is Olaf, the lovable snowman who likes warm hugs and all things summer.  Astounding ice-skating transports families to Arendelle to be a part of Anna’s adventure to find Elsa, whose icy powers unleashed an eternal winter. Kristoff and Sven take fans along as they encounter wintry conditions in a race to bring back summer. 

After a very Frozen adventure, audiences journey to a vibrant town in the mountains of Colombia to meet the Madrigals, an extraordinary family who live in a magical casita in a wondrous, charmed place called an Encanto.

Mirabel tells the tale of her amazing family and her journey to save the casita, her enchanted family home, alongside her sisters. Isabela, whose perfection radiates with her ability to make plants grow and flowers bloom with every step, and Luisa, with the gift of super strength that she uses to help her village move buildings and reroute rivers. For the first time live, fans witness Tia Pepa, who can control the weather with her emotions; her husband Felix; their daughter Dolores, with her gift to hear; and Bruno, the mysterious and misunderstood Madrigal family member whose visions foretold the future. 

In the end, audiences learn that everyone has their own gifts, magical or not, and being true to yourself and loving those around you is what makes you special. YOU are the magic!

Win Tickets

I have a family 4-pack of tickets to give away! Here’s how you can enter to win:

Follow Disney On Ice on Facebook and Twitter for more information about upcoming event dates and details.

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Enjoy a lineup of free entertainment this July and August in Burnaby at Summer Stages in Confederation Park and Summer Cinema at Civic Square.

Burnaby Summer Stages

• When: 2 shows every Tuesday to Friday at 12:00pm and 2:00pm until August 25
• Where: Confederation Park (250 Willingdon Ave)
  • The stage is by the spray park so the parking lot of Beta Ave is closest
• Admission: Free! Rain or shine

Bring a blanket or a chair and join us for daily performances every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday featuring Will’s Jams with Will Stroet (July 20 & August 4), Magician Wes Barker (July 21 & August 25), Folk Classics with Alastair McMurray (July 26), Bollywood Dance with Karima Essa (July 27 & August 9), Kellie Haines Ventriloquist (August 1 & 15), Celtic Music with Blackthorn (July 20 & August 3), Burnaby Lyric Opera (August 10 & 16), Flamenco with Kara and Friends (August 8 & 10), Aaron Wong: Elvis Tribute Artist (August 22), and many many more! Find the full daily lineup online here.

Burnaby Summer Cinema

• When: Fridays, August 4 to September 1, 2023
• Where: Civic Square (6100 Willingdon Ave)
  • Outside the library near Metropolis at Metrotown
• Admission: Free! Rain or shine

Bring a blanket or chair, some movie snacks and enjoy the show. Free underground parking is available at the Bob Prittie Metrotown Library, and there are also portable washrooms on-site. The film lineup includes:

• Friday, August 4th – The Wizard of Oz – Wear a costume for free popcorn!
• Friday, August 11th – The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run 
• Friday, August 18th – Spies in Disguise
• Friday, August 25th – The Lost City
• Friday, September 1st – West Side Story (2022)

This year, Edmonds Park (7433 Humphries Ave) will also be hosting a movie night with a showing of Shazam! Fury of the Gods on Saturday, August 26th at 8:30pm.

Miss604 is a proud sponsor of Summer Stages and Summer Cinema in Burnaby

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Music on Main returns to Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant Park to brighten up your summer evenings with a series of free concerts in August. What started as sharing free live music safely outdoors during the pandemic has turned into an annual event, filling the park with even more live music and the gorgeous sounds of instruments like the flute, harp, cello, and the voices of Vancouver.

Music on Main Summer Pop-Up Concerts in Mount Pleasant

• When: August 14-16 and 21-23, 2023 concerts begin at 6:30pm
• Where: West 16th Ave at Ontario Street, Vancouver
• Tickets: Free admission

Relax and enjoy music that reflects the sounds of Vancouver as the entertainment returns this August. Become immersed in the gorgeous sounds of a string quartet, original Persian compositions, classical arrangements, and more talented performers.

Lineup

• Monday, August 14: Raincity Quartet (Brooklyn Wood & Yiyi Hsu, violins; Alex Beggs, viola; and Bruno Quezada, cello)
• Tuesday, August 15: Saaz o Raaz (Saina Khaledi, santour; Ali Sajjadi, oud; Ali Razmi, tar; Sharanjeet Singh Mand, sitar; and Sunny Matharu, tabla)
• Wednesday, August 16: Paolo Bortolussi (flute); Calvin Dyck (violin and accordion); Krystal Morrison (clarinet); and Mark Beaty (bass)
• Lineup for August 21-23 to be announced!

Bring your friends and a picnic, and join in a variety of top-flight musicians that invites you to take a breath and simply, listen. Additionally, local food trucks will be onsite on certain dates.

For more information on schedules and food truck dates visit Music on Main online, on Twitter, and on Facebook.

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The Fraser Valley Sun and Soil Concert Series is expanding to include more locations in Abbotsford and Langley this summer. Enjoy live music, food and beverage options, and the scenic backdrop of the Fraser Valley at each of these unique events.

Fraser Valley Sun and Soil Concert Series 2023

Showcasing diverse musical talents and beautiful country views, the Sun and Soil Concert Series is the perfect way to celebrate the season. These events are all 19+. Please enjoy responsibly.

Langley

(Past) July 8th at Fraser Valley Cider Company with Antonio Larosa

Saturday, August 26, 2023 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Location: Roots and Wings Distillery
Musical Artist: Shawna Palmer

This experience includes a 90-minute performance from BC musician Shawna Palmer, along with a charcuterie cup and beverage options ranging from local beer, wine and cider to cocktails made from spirits crafted onsite by Roots & Wings Distillery. Tickets are available now. Use code LANGLEYFRESH now till July 31st, 2023 for Early Bird pricing!

Abbotsford

Saturday, July 22, 2023 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Location: Cannon Estate Winery
Musical Artist: Ryan McAllister

Tickets for this event are available now and they include a 1.5-hour set from Ryan McAllister, sharing charcuterie boxes (one per pair) from Lepp’s Farm Market, and 1 bottle of wine from Cannon Estate Winery.

Saturday, August 19, 2023 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Location: Lakeland Flowers, site of the Abbotsford Tulip Festival & Summer Flower Festival
Musical Artist: Tanner Olson Band

Tickets for this event are available now and include a 1.5-hour set from the Tanner Olsen Band and 4 menu options (one/attendee) from Raven’s Brewing Company. Use code MOREABBY now till July 31st, 2023 for Early Bird pricing!

Visit Destination Fraser Valley on Facebook and Twitter for more event information.