1. Paintbucket Presents: Paintskillet, a Skill-Based Podbucket

Tuesday May 12, 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Local comedy trio Paintbucket Improv is as dedicated to providing you with quarantine laughter as they are to paint-themed photoshoots. Maddy Rafter, Vivian Tang and Steve Currie present their take on self-improvement (“Whether you’re quaran-toning, quaran-tanning or quaran-fine-tuning, we are here to help you be your best, isolated self”) in this weekly interactive show hosted on Facebook live. 

More Info: facebook.com

2. The Danger of a Single Story: Webinar with Jill Baird

Thursday May 14, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Who determines which stores get told, and how? In the case of this webpost, it’s me, through a listicle. But there’s plenty of other ways to share information, and to think critically about what kinds of stories we’re listening to. This free webinar presented by the Museum of Anthropology and inspired by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s TED Talk “The Danger of a Single Story” encourages viewers to think beyond mainstream media. But please, keep reading magazines.

More Info: facebook.com

3. Outside

From Thursday, May 14

Okay, we’ve always been allowed outside—but starting this week, some BC parks are opening to the public again. For those of us who don’t have backyards, it’s a godsend. Get some fresh air, hug a tree, remember how to ride a bike again, but also remember to keep a safe distance from strangers. This is our sweet way of saying have fun, but not too much fun, you excitable little city, you.

More Info: bcparks.ca

4. Vancouver Art Gallery’s Art at Home

Gone are the days when we would walk through the Vancouver Art Gallery and think, “Oh man, I wish I could do that.” Partly because the gallery is closed, but also (and more importantly) because their new online program means you can do that. “Art at Home” takes would-be art gallery patrons step-by-step through their own creations, each inspired by one of the real-life exhibits. Make upcycled sea life, abstract landscapes, and action silhouette portraits (pictured above) with the gallery’s easy-to-follow instructions. It’s kid-friendly, but also super-bored-adult-friendly.

More Info: vanartgallery.bc.ca

5. Pastificio di Luigi Pop-up

Kitchen Table Restaurants’ new Pastificio di Luigi is couch-surfing for the time being, but Pourhouse is a pretty good place to hang in the meantime. The pop-up, which will be moving to a permanent location eventually, is serving up fresh pastas and sauces, grocery staples and Italian specialty ingredients (think sliced meats, cheeses, and olive oils). Diners can pick up their orders from noon to 8:00 p.m., or order through Uber Eats. Let’s be honest, you were never going to make that braised pork neck ravioli yourself.

Where: Pourhouse
More Info: pastificiodiluigi.com