Flower blossoms at the Celebrate Spring Festival – Photo by Danielle Harms, Flickr
Springtime calls for some singing and dancing in the rain. That’s probably why there are a few music events happening, such as the Vancouver Music Industry Awards and Electro Vaudeville Festival. Other notable events include the Celebrate Spring Festival, Nifty for Fifty Sale and the Vaisakhi Day Parade.
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Secrets of the Forest: An Archaeologist Explores the North Shore
Tuesday, April 9
7 p.m.–8:45 p.m.
Burnaby Public Library,
McGill Branch
4595 Albert St., Burnaby
604-299-8955
Archaeologist Bob Muckle will talk about his findings in North Vancouver’s Seymour Valley – artefacts that reveal the history of early 20th century life. Some of the discoveries he and his students made include a camera excavated from a bathhouse in a secret Japanese camp, a marijuana grow-op and a supposed Sasquatch lair. Open to the public, but seating is limited. Early arrival encouraged.
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Tea: A Mirror of Soul
Tuesday, April 9
7 p.m.–9 p.m.
Vancouver Public Library
350 W. Georgia St., Vancouver
604-331-3603
Discover the history, rituals and mythology of tea with tea experts. Focus will be on China and Japan. Open to the public, but seating is limited. Early arrival encouraged.
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Vancouver Music Industry Awards
Wednesday, April 10
6:30 p.m.–10:30 p.m.
Vancouver FanClub
1050 Granville St., Vancouver
604-689-7720
http://www.vancouvermusicindustry.theinnerface.com
Celebrate Vancouver’s music industry as the awards night spotlights local acts. Shaun Verreault of Wide Mouth Mason will be the night’s entertainment. There’s also a silent auction of various rock n’ roll treasures and memorabilia. Tickets: regular tickets $50, last call tickets and at the door $60, after party $20.
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Dark Secrets of the Universe
Thursday, April 11
7 p.m.
H.R. MacMillan Space Centre
1100 Chestnut St., Vancouver
604-738-7827
As part of the Women in Science Speaker Series, Stéphanie Côté will talk about the phenomena of dark matter and dark energy that make up the universe. Côté is an astronomer and currently the group leader of the Canadian office at the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory in Victoria. Admission by donation.
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Electro Vaudeville Festival
April 12–13
Grandview Legion
2205 Commercial Dr., Vancouver
778-989-6674
http://www.electrovaudevillefest.org
Old swing and jazz tunes are revamped with electronic music and modern beats. Dance to electro-swing music performed by bands from Europe and North America. There will also be cabaret and circus performers. Tickets: $29 for Friday, $38 for Saturday, $50 for two-day pass. Age restriction: 17+.
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Celebrate Spring Festival
Saturday, April 13
11:30 a.m.–4 p.m.
Nikkei National Museum
6688 Southoaks Crescent, Burnaby
604-777-7000
http://www.centre.nikkeiplace.org
Celebrate spring by the Japanese Canadian garden under the cherry blossoms while dressing up in a kimono, participating in a tea ceremony, enjoying Japanese and Korean choir performances and much more. Order your Sakura Bento lunch in advance for $12. Event is free and open to the public.
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Some of the clothing on offer at the Nifty for Fifty Sale – Photo courtesy of Nifty for Fifty
Nifty for Fifty Sale
Sunday, April 14
11 a.m.–8 p.m.
Heritage Hall
3102 Main St., Vancouver
778-997-1944
http://www.ferrmelissa.wix.com/
niftyforfiftysale
Featuring over 30 Vancouver artists and indie designers under one roof. Everything from clothing and accessories to shoes and hats is $50 or less. Admission $1.
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World Malbec Day Tasting
Monday, April 15
2 p.m.–6 p.m.
Legacy Liquor Store
1633 Manitoba St., Vancouver
604-331-7900
http://www.legacyliquorstore.com
World Malbec Day is celebrated on April 17 to mark the day Argentine president Domingo Sarmiento officially sought to transform Argentina’s wine industry. Malbec is a kind of purple grape used for making red wine. Enjoy some free wine tasting and empanadas. Open to the public.
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Earth Day
Saturday, April 20
11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Broadway to Grandview Park
Vancouver
Join Windermere High School’s Youth for Climate Justice Now for the annual Earth Day parade, starting from Commercial and Broadway and culminating at Grandview Park. There will also be speakers, musicians and performers. Open to the public.
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Vaisakhi Day Parade
Saturday, April 20
9:30 a.m.–4 p.m.
Gurdwara Sahib Dasmesh Darbar
12885-85 Ave., Surrey
604-724-7264
http://www.surreyvaisakhiparade.ca
Sikhs worldwide celebrate April 20 as a holy day, and it was also harvest time when farmers celebrated the coming of a new year. The parade starts and ends at Gurdwara Sahib Dasmesh Darbar. See website for route information. There will also be food, drink and live music. Open to the public.
