Local foodies will line up in front plenty of food trucks during this month’s Food Truck Festival at Nat Bailey Stadium. Photo by Invoke Media, Flickr

Drizzle, fog and gray skies continue to be ignored this month as Vancouver presents some cracking things to do. Get into history with the Gritty City mini-film festival; carb load at the Winter Farmers Market; or warm up by sampling the offerings of the Hot Chocolate Festival. And let’s not forget Valentine’s Day. Whether you’re in love, looking for love or hating on love – there’s plenty to distract you.
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Chutzpah! Festival
February 7 to March 3
Various venues
604-257-5145
chutzpahfestival.com
Entering its thirteenth year, the Chutzpah! Festival strives to foster artistic growth through dance, theatre and music. It continues to cross cultural and generational boundaries with a wealth of extraordinary work by emerging and established artists. See website for schedule and tickets.
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February Food Truck Fest
Saturdays
Nat Bailey Stadium
4601 Ontario St., Vancouver
www.eatlocal.org/foodtruckfest.html

During the month of February, the Vancouver Farmers Markets will feature double the regular number of food trucks. New recruits include Slavic Rolls, Old Country Pierogi and Ze Bite. Open to the public.
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Jan Ken Pon! Family Games Day
Saturday, February 9, 1 p.m.–4 p.m.
Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Centre
6688 Southoaks Cres., Burnaby
604-777-7000

Experience over 20 traditional Japanese heritage games and toys, make your own sumo wrestlers and beanbags, and a rock-paper-scissors tournament with prizes. Admission: $5.
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B.C. Family Day
Monday, February 11
Various venues

B.C.’s first Family Day statutory holiday has prompted many local attractions to post special offers for families to enjoy together. The Vancouver Aquarium is extending its hours; the Vancouver Lookout is hosting a scavenger hunt and orienteering, and check out the local ski mountains for discount rates.
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Gritty City: Vancouver in the 60s
February 12 and 26, 7:30 p.m.
Hollywood Theatre
3123 West Broadway, Vancouver
604-264-9642
vancouverheritagefoundation.org

Catch the final two nights of Gritty City, the Vancouver Heritage Foundation’s mini-film festival featuring Vancouver’s earlier days of neon, mid-century architecture and the evolution of the West End. Entry by donation at the door.
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Dances for a Small Stage 28 Valentine’s Edition
February 14–16, 8 p.m.
Legion on the Drive
2205 Commercial Dr., Vancouver
604-831-6856

Local dancers and choreographers will create and perform works about love, lust, complication, infatuation and everything in between. Doors open at 7 p.m. and audience members must be 19+. Tickets: $20 at the door (cash only).
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Martial Artists of the World Lunar New Year Gala
Sunday, February 17, 6 p.m.–10 p.m.
River Rock Casino
8811 River Road, Richmond
604-255-5149
www.shouyuliang.com

Vancouver invites elite martial artists from around the world to gather for a once in a lifetime event hosted by seventeen organisations and they’re expecting international media to spotlight this one of a kind masters demonstration. Tickets: $95 for show and dinner; $60 for show only.
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Warm up at the Hot Chocolate Festival.Photo by Simon Hayter, courtesy of The Arts Club Theatre Company Photo by Invoke Media, Flickr

Hot Chocolate Festival
Until February 14
Various Venues
www.cityfood.com/events/hotchocolate2013

The Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival is back for its third year with more chocolate makers than ever. There are over 60 flavours to try at 23 different venues across the city. Search by venue or flavour at the website. Funds raised go to A Better Life Foundation.
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Object(ing):The Art/Design of Tobias Wong
Until February 24
Museum of Vancouver
1100 Chestnut St., Vancouver
604-736-4431
www.museumofvancouver.ca

Wong engaged in a range of mediums including installations, performances and fashion design. Considered a forerunner of conceptual design, Wong continues to fascinate and outrage through his art. MOV admission: $12 adults; $10 students; $8 youth.
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How Has My Love Affected You?: Zak with photo of Roleene Youssef (left) and Marcus Youssef (right).Photo by Simon Hayter, courtesy of The Arts Club Theatre Company

How Has My Love Affected You?
February 28–March 23 (except Sundays)
Revue Theatre
1585 Johnston St., Vancouver
604-687-1644
www.artsclub.com

The Arts Club Theatre Company presents a family memoir about a young playwright who discovers a storage locker full of his mother’s journals. The nature of familial obligation is questioned through humour, tension and affection. See website for tickets.