Sample some of Japan’s best sake at Tonari Gumi’s Sake Tasting Night. Photo by Nemo’s Great Uncle, Flickr
Fall has brought with it some cracking stuff to do around the city. Check out the fruits of a two-week collaboration between a shadow puppeteer and astrophysicist at Brief Encounters; sample 25 different Japanese Sakes at Tonari Gumi’s Tasting Night; and get the low down on the weird and wonderful forest floor of Stanley Park at Fungus Among Us. Looking for something truly unique? Go get smacked in the face with spontaneity at BeDRoCC Poetry Slam. And don’t leave without visiting the Jimi Hendrix Shrine – the amateur robotics are fantastically creepy.
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Brief Encounters 18
September 27–29 8 p.m.
1218 Cartwright Street
www.briefencounters.ca
Twelve artists have been paired up and given only two weeks to create interdisciplinary mash-ups. This year’s pairings include a shadow puppeteer with an astrophysicist, and a hip hop artist with a jazz vocalist. Doors open 7:15p.m. Tickets: $23 in advance, or $25 on the door (cash only).
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Burnaby’s 120th Anniversary Celebration
Until September 30
Various Venues
604-294-7944
Join in the festivities as Burnaby celebrates its birthday through arts, culture and sports. There’s a series of mini concerts, raku firing and a Flag Football Fun Day. For more details have a look at the schedule.
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QPOCULYPSE
September 28, 8 p.m.
Rhizome Cafe
317 E Broadway, Vancouver
www.rhizomecafe.ca
QPOCULYPSE showcases the musical, artistic, poetic (and more!) stylings of queer and trans Indigenous people/people of colour (QTIPOC). QPOCULYPSE is a collective that seeks to create more visibility for QTIPOC in Vancouver – traditional Coast Salish territories; to build safer spaces that recognize the complex and multiple identities and histories that QTIPOC have; to provide a supportive venue for talents, ideas, passions, roots; to bridge QTIPOC communities and individuals with one another; and, above all, to celebrate!
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BeDRoCC Poetry Slam
Friday, September 28, 6 p.m.
207 Union Street
hapf2012.eventbrite.ca
Set in Hogan’s Alley by the Jimi Hendrix Shrine, this open mic, poetry slam competition will feature poets and performers, prizes and giveaways. Join Black Dot Roots and Culture Collective in their vision to connect the dots of the community to reveal the big picture of unity. Open to the public.
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Secret Seed Sculptures
Saturday, September 29,
11 a.m. & 1 p.m.
808 Richards Street
artstarts.com/free-weekend-workshops
This free workshop for families will have you transforming seeds, dried plants and clay into magic seed pod sculptures that grow in to flowers and herbs in the Spring. No pre-registration is necessary but make sure you arrive ten minutes early and wear your get-messy clothes.
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Come help battle cancer. Photo by sangudo, Flickr
Party in Pink Zumbathon
Sunday, September 30,
11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
5595 Kingsway
779-995-9426
The Latin Fitness Ztudio has joined the global Party in Pink movement with a 3 hour Zumbathon benefiting the BC Cancer Foundation. Sweat out the whole three hours or just pop in for a while. Tickets: $10.
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Vancouver Brewery Experience
Tuesdays and Thursdays until November 8
1500 Burrard Street
vancouverfoodtour.com/tours/molson-brewery
Ever wondered what really goes inside that mysterious building at the base of the Burrard Street Bridge? Learn some history, beer making science and how to pour the prefect pint. As it’s a working brewery, look over the dress code before you go. Tickets: $20.
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Ghost train. Photo by John Bolwitt, Flickr
Halloween Ghost Train
Wednesday, October 5 to 31
Stanley Park
vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/ghost-train.aspx
See what’s crawling up Rapunzel’s hair, why the fairy Godmother looks so hungry and if the Pied Piper really thinks you’ll follow him into the darkness. The train is fully covered so don’t let the weather hold you back. See website for hours of operations and ticket prices.
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Tonari Gumi’s Sake Tasting Night
Saturday, October 6,
7:30 p.m.–9:30 p.m.
1180 West Hastings Street
tonarigumi.ca
In its 11th year, this event provides the chance to learn about and taste more than 25 different Japanese sakes. Enjoy accompanying appetizers from various Japanese and Asian restaurants and food suppliers. Tickets $75 (VIP packages from $250).
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Do toads really sit on toadstools? Find out at Fungus Among Us. kr Photo by Tony Tanti, Flickr
Fungus Among Us
October 7, 14 and 21, 1:30 p.m.
Stanley Park Nature House
604-718-6522
stanleyparkecology.ca
Take a two-hour guided walk through Stanley Park to learn interesting names and fun facts about the weird and wonderful fungal flora. Find out whether toads really do sit on toadstools and get the lowdown on what’s going on under the forest floor. Tickets: $10 non members, $5 members, children and seniors.
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Bhangra Idols dance off sure to thrill audiences. Photo by Brendan Lally, Flickr
Bhangra Idols
Sunday, October 7, 5 p.m.
2080 United Blvd.
bhangraidols.com
Five senior and nine junior Bhangra dance teams will compete for the title of Bhangra Idols – The Best of the Best. It’s highly energetic, fiercely competitive and spectacularly colourful. Tickets: $30 (includes after party).
