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5 Vancouver Events to Make You Smarter this Week (March 4-10)

By Stacey McLachlan /

From art to current events to whisky expressions, we’ve got you covered.

(Photo Credit: Vancouver International Dance Festival.)

Dance Dance Revelation

March 4-30

The Vancouver International Dance Festivaltakes the stage starting this week, and features movers and shakers from allover the world. International highlights include Dairakudakan, a butoh-inspired group from Japan well known for their spectacularcostumes and performance. A local favourite is Raven Spirit Dance, an Indigenous contemporary dance group that incorporates puppetryand multimedia into their productions.

When: Monday, March 4 – Saturday, March 30
Where: Various venues
Cost: From $15
More Info: vidf.ca

(Photo Credit: Poly Queer Love Ballad.)

Rhythm and Reconciliation

March 5-10

The buzz is real for Poly Queer Love Ballad, the slam poetry musical that has snagged both the New Play Prize andCritic’s Choice Award at the VancouverFringe Festival. Audiences getto see what happens when a polyamorous bisexual poet and a monogamous lesbiansongwriter butt heads in harmony – loop pedal included, of course.

When: Tuesday, March 5 – Sunday, March 12
Where: SUM Gallery
Cost: From $15
More Info: polyqueerloveballad.com

(Photo Credit: Vancouver Writers Fest.)

Whisky Business

March 8

Whisky & Words is sold out already, but lucky for you, there are a wide selection ofMasterclass tickets still up for grabs. Check out the Women and Whisky class taught by Beth Havers, the national brand ambassador for Glenfiddich.Participants will taste six different expressions during this virtual tour ofGlenfiddich Distillery, and learn how the world’s most awarded single malt goesfrom grain to glass. Cheers to International Women’s Day!

When: Friday, March 8 7:00 p.m.
Where: Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts
Cost: $65
More Info: writersfest.bc.ca

(Photo Credit: Vancouver Rape Relief and Women’s Shelter)

Keynote and Collaborate

March 9

Catch environmentalist, economist,writer, and certified smartypants Winona LaDuke’s keynote speech at this International Women’s Day event hosted by the Vancouver Rape Relief and Women’s Shelter. LaDuke’s work doesn’t shy away from politics – in fact, she tacklesfraught issues like police and pipelines head-on. If you’re looking for a spoonful of sugar to help thismedicine go down, the event will also feature the musical stylings of M’Girl, an Indigenous percussion-based ensemble.

When: Saturday, March 9 4:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Where: SFU Harbour Centre Campus
Cost: By donation
More Info: rapereliefcentre.bc.ca

(Image Credit: Storm Crow Alehouse.)

Sing up a Storm

March 10

Can you get smarter just by singing nerdysongs? There’s only one way to find out. As if karaoke isn’t quirky enough foryou already, you can scoot over to StormCrow Alehouse for Nerd Karaoke this Sunday. This musical evening is hosted by Carmin Carotenuto fromAdventure.exe Podcast – and for an extra twist, the theme is “Emo to theExtremo.” Musical Emo-Nerd 101 now in session.

When: Sunday, March 10 8:00 p.m.
Where: Storm Crow Alehouse
Cost: Free entry
More Info: stormcrowalehouse.com