Arts & Culture

5 Things to Do in Vancouver This Week (February 27-March 5)

A community art night, a multidisciplinary performance centering Black creatives and a new skin exhibit at Science World

By Kerri Donaldson /

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 kdonaldson@canadawide.com.

People doing art on a table, with paints, paper and art supplies
Credit: North Van Arts

1. Learn How to Watercolour at North Van Art’s Monthly CityScape Date Night Series

March 2

Bring your date, your sibling, your mom, your favourite barista or fly solo for an evening of watercolour fun with Surnoor Singh as part of a new monthly series encouraging people to leave their houses and create. Last month was the first CityScape Date Night and explored acrylics with artist host Jinfei Wang—this month it’s all about watercolour. Taking place at the CityScape Community ArtSpace from 6:30-8:30 pm in North Van, the Date Night Series is an opportunity for people to connect with others in a new and fun way while showing off their art skills. The art supplies are all provided (and a glass of wine!) so you can discover your inner Picasso or at least leave with something that’s fridge-worthy. Register online before it fills up, there are only three more in this series which ends in June.

When: March 2
Where: CityScape Community ArtSpace
Cost: $45
More Info: northvanarts.ca

Theater performance with traditional indigenous masks
Credit: Chris Randle (Pictured) Dancers of Damelahamid

2. Celebrate Indigenous Stories, Song and Dance at the 16th Annual Coastal Dance Festival

March 2-5

Witness an exclusive excerpt from their upcoming full-length work Raven Mother, set to premiere in 2024 by Northwest Coast’s own Dancers of Damelahamid, who host the annual 4-day indigenous performing arts festival honouring Indigenous stories, song, and dance from Canada and around the world. In celebration of reciprocity between global Indigenous communities, this year’s festival will support cultural exchange with New Zealand, featuring the festival debut of New Zealand Indigenous performing artist Rosie Te Rauawhea Belvie. It starts with a free artist sharing followed by the signature evening dance performance (you’ll need a ticket for this) with Saturday and Sunday’s stage performances being donation only. Catch them now before the Dancers of Damelahamid travel to New Zealand to share their cultural knowledge at the biannual Indigenous performance festival, Kia Mau, in June 2023.

When: March 2-5
Where: Anvil Centre 
Cost: From $25
More Info: damelahamid.ca

 

Artist Ebon Empress in white dress with arms up in air posing (black and white still)
Credit: Teresa Trovato (Pictured) ebonEmpress (music)

3. Enjoy music, comedy, dance and spoken word poetry at Black Space Jam

March 3

Pi Theatre, as part of its Provocateurs Series, presents this evening of multidisciplinary art produced by Black Space Media/Afro Van Connect. Black Space Jame (BSJ) showcases, amplifies and celebrates local and international Black artists and creatives and the theme of the night is cultural renaissance. Featuring dance, spoken word, stand-up comedy, music and a live DJ, BSJ offers attendees a cultural experience and spectrum of Black art. There will also be various vendors selling their locally made goods and time between each artist’s 20-minute set for all to mix and mingle. Check out the amazing line-up here and don’t miss out on this night that is not a reimagining of the movie Space Jam (like I first thought when I saw it)— it’s even better.

When: March 3
Where: Biltmore Cabaret
Cost: From $15 (plus applicable venue fees)
More Info: pitheatre.com
a shadow (the back) of someone staring at a display of portraits of people's faces
Credit: Kat Aquino. Science World

4. Check Out Science World’s Newest Exhibition, Skin: Living Armor, Evolving Identity

March 3- May 29

Did you know that about 16 percent of a human’s body weight is made up of skin? If you’re into skin-crawling facts like that you’ll want to come to see Science World’s latest installment which covers skin across different organisms, and its impact on shaping physical and social interactions with its outside world. Featuring a range of collections and engaging interactive experiences, you can expect to see a variety of skin across the animal kingdom (including a life-size rhinoceros model that shows the largeness of its skin) examine keratin-based feathers, furs, and quills; and touch different specimens, like snakeskin and otter fur. This fun is more than skin-deep.

When: March 3- May 29
Where: Science World
Cost: From $30.40
More Info: scienceworld.ca

 

Christine boyle in front of the skytrain line
Credit: christineboyle.ca (pictured) Vancouver City Councillor Christine Boyle

5. Join a Series Discussion on Corruption with Guest Speaker, City Councillor Christine Boyle 

March 5

Corruption is an ongoing issue across different leadership spheres all across the globe… but can creativity defeat it? Questions like these and many more will be wielded at the upcoming Vancouver Chapter of CreativeMornings latest guest speaker discussion surrounding March’s global theme of corruption with exciting special guest, city councillor Christine Boyle. You can register for the in-person event or join virtually.

When: March 5
Where: SFU Woodward’s — Goldcorp Centre for the Arts
Cost: Free
More Info: creativemornings.com