5 Things to Do in Vancouver This Week (July 12-18)

Credit: Ca Phe

1. Get a Bánh Box

Through July 30

Baker Maj Yee has joined forces with local coffee shop Cà Phê, and the result is pretty sweet. The new “Bánh Boxes” are all about nostalgia—Vietnamese and Filipino childhood favourites with a modern twist. The boxes include goodies like Bánh Bò (Vietnamese sponge cake, Maj’s cookies (made with cinnamon and marshmallows) and the Cà Phê bar (with layers of coconut shortbread, salted tres leches, and Vietnamese coffee caramel and dark chocolate).

When: Offered through Friday July 30
Where: Cà Phê Vietnamese Coffee House
Cost: From $18
More Info: caphecoffeehouse.com

Credit: Levi & Kailyn, photo by Mina Lumena

2. Watch a Local LGBTQ2S+ Documentary

Premieres July 16

This local documentary by Amazing Factory Productions and Shaka Productions follows Levi Nahirney, a North Van teen who was adopted by a white family from a small fishing village in Vietnam. The film is an intimate look into Levi’s family and relationships as he navigates his gender identity and travels to meet his biological mother.

When: Premieres Friday, July 16
Where: Online on CBC Gem
Cost: Free
More Info: gem.cbc.ca

Credit: Krause Berry Farms & Estate Winery

3. Eat Tons of Blueberries

July 15 to August 2

‘Tis the (blueberry) season. Of course you can eat blueberries all summer long thanks to the planet-killing miracles of refrigeration and global shipping, but there’s nothing like local. This Thursday is actually BC Blueberry Day, and the BC Blueberry Council is encouraging folks to support producers by—you guessed it—buying and eating blueberries during their Go Blue Event, and they’re providing some great online recipes (like blueberry waffles) and interviews with chefs and farmers.

When: Thursday July 15 to Monday August 2
Where: Online
Cost: Free
More Info: gobluebc.ca

Credit: Indian Summer Fest

4. Catch the Indian Summer Fest

Ends July 17

The Indian Summer Festival wraps up this week with live virtual performances on Thursday and Saturday. Thursday is Transcendence by Anosh Irani, a brand-new theatre/film hybrid, and Saturday is the festival finale streamed live from the Orpheum with musical performances from Naadaleela Ensemble and Mohamed Assani & Friends.

When: Through Saturday July 17
Where: Online
Cost: Varies
More Info: indiansummerfest.ca

Credit: Boulevard Seafood Boil

5. Boulevard’s Seafood Boil Series

July 18 to August 22

The menu for this seafood dinner really speaks for itself: lobster, jumbo prawns, clams, mussels, and Dungeness crab make up the main event, with Caesar Salad from Zaklan Heritage Farms as a starter and beignets to end. The series has always sold out in the past, so get tickets while they’re hot.

When: Sundays starting July 18
Where: Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar
Cost: From $72
More Info: boulevardvancouver.ca