5 Things to Do In Vancouver This Week (January 17-23)

Your weekly roundup of the top events in the city, including art exhibitions, local theatre, restaurant openings, concerts, film, markets and other to-dos we think you’ll love. If you have a Vancouver event you’d like to submit for consideration, send an email to ahirose@canadawide.com.

Read on for this week’s lineup.

Credit: Honolulu Coffee

1. The Hot Chocolate Festival

Through February 14

You heard it here first: Hot chocolate and walk is the new Netflix and chill. This is a pandemic protocol-friendly event that 67 local restaurants are participating in—each one has a specialty hot chocolate and a snack to go with it. Pictured above is Honolulu Coffee’s ‘Bananako’i’ (passionfruit and banana with dark hot chocolate) paired with a Bananas Foster ice cream sandwich and ‘Soyly Guìhuā’ (housemade Guìhuā sauce, 70% dark chocolate and soy sauce) with an oat walnut Guìhuā cookie. Mahalo.

When: On now until Monday, February 14
Where: Restaurants, coffee shops and cafes across the city
Cost: Varies
More Info: hotchocolatefest.com

Credit: Dahlia Katz

2. Our Fathers, Sons, Lovers and Little Brothers at the Firehall

January 20 to 22

Our Fathers, Sons, Lovers and Little Brothers tells the story of a Black teenager and his experience in the afterlife. The play is written and performed by Makambe K. Simamba, and was originally inspired by the murder of Trayvon Martin. It explores themes of protest and prayer for Black lives, and is a part of the 2022 PuSh performing Arts Festival (more on that below).

When: Thursday January 20 to Saturday 22
Where: The Firehall Arts Centre
Cost: From $15
More Info: firehallartscentre.ca

Credit: Vanessa Heins

3. The 2022 PuSh Performing Arts Festival

January 20 to February 6

The PuSh Performing Arts Festival kicks off this week, and the 2022 lineup is a stellar mix of theatre, dance, online shows and immersive art. There’s 16 performances to choose from on the festival program. A standout for us is Vivek Shraya’s How to Fail as a Popstar—it’s a one person show with music, comedy, and some very honest hot takes on not achieving your dreams.

When: Thursday January 20 to Sunday February 6
Where: Various venues throughout the city
Cost: Varies
More Info: pushfestival.ca

READ MORE: How to Fail as a Popstar is the Anti-Success Story We Need Right Now

Credit: Jane Wong

4. NOURISH at the Richmond Art Gallery

January 22 to April 3

This new exhibit at Richmond Art Gallery tackles the importance of feeding our bodies and our souls—literally. Chinese American artist Jane Wong makes her Canadian debut, sharing work that reflects the childhood comforts of her parents’ Chinese restaurant (pictured above). Taiwanese Canadian artist duo Mizzonk (Wan-Yi Lin and Roger Chen) focus their work on self-care. Viewers of NOURISH can contribute to the exhibit, too—they’re building a community cookbook that anyone can submit to.

When: Saturday January 22 to Sunday April 3
Where: Richmond Art Gallery
Cost: By donation
More Info: richmondartgallery.org

Credit: Drag ‘N’ Dim Sum

5. Drag ‘N’ Dim Sum at Cold Tea Restaurant

January 23

Drag collective House of Rice (Shay Dior, Maiden China, Valak, Ploypailin, Jas Minh, Kara Juku and Skim) collaborates with Cold Tea Restaurant for this Sunday pick-me-up—drag and dim sum. Is there a more fun combo? We don’t think so.

When: Sunday January 23 at 11:30 a.m.
Where: Cold Tea Restaurant
Cost: $44
More Info: eventbrite.ca