5 Things to Do in Vancouver This Week (October 16-22)

Here’s 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.

1. Bid on Some Art for a Cause

October 21

Grab your bidding paddle (I think that’s what they’re called?!) and come down to the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver for Arts Umbrella’s 41st Splash Art Auction. There’s a curated collection of nearly 100 masterpieces from Canada’s top artists like Rebecca Belmore and Stan Douglas. Preview the art at Pendulum Gallery until October 19, with insightful art talks and tours. The main event? A dazzling art-inspired fashion show in collaboration with Holt Renfrew featuring top model Heather Marks. While in-person tickets are waitlisted (October 21), you can still join the vibe online (closing October 23 at noon). Proceeds for the auction go towards helping young people across Metro Vancouver in the visual and performing arts. Support local art and help future artists—it’s an auction where everybody wins!

When: October 21
Where: Fairmont Hotel Vancouver (and online)
Cost: Free
More Info: www.splashartauction.com

2. Admire the Art of Bonsai at the Opening of Tom Ulecki’s Growing Perspectives Exhibit

October 19

Tiny trees your thing? Then get thee to the opening of Tom Ulecki’s bonsai exhibit, Growing Perspectives. In partnership with Propellor Studio, the Vancouver-based multidisciplinary artist (and Best Coast Bonsai founder) is currently working with ceramics and bonsai, and this exhibition will be showcasing a selection of his own bonsai collection (along with the ceramic pots he’s made for them). Can’t make the opening? Drop by anytime between 10 am to 5 pm to ogle and learn all about these bougie little shrubs before it’s too late (and it’s back to boring old tall trees!)

When: October 19
Where: Propellor Studio & Gallery
Cost: Free
More Info: www.instagram.com/bestcoastbonsai

3. Get Wordy at the 36th Annual Vancouver Writer’s Fest

October 16-23

With more than 115 authors at more than 80 events taking over Granville Island, this year is literarily going to be the best one yet! Kids, adults and families, there’s something for everyone! Curated by CBC podcast host and bestselling author Elamin Adbelmahmoud, topics range anywhere from Blackness as a portal and witchy novels to the precariousness of our modern state and tangling with cultural inheritance. This week’s highlights include: a Morning with Jon Klassen, some Spooky Stories (with Joel A. Sutherland and Natasha Deen) and youth activism program, Rise Up! with Andrea Warner (joined by musicians Missy D, Kimmortal and Chris Reed/Continental Breakfast). Check out this year’s jam-packed schedule (or why not peek the eight events we’re most excited to see here.) See you there, word nerds!

When: October 16-23
Where: Performance Works
Cost: From $25
More Info: writersfest.bc.ca

4. Dance to Some Chinese-Language Beats at the Jade Music Fest 2023

October 18-20

The Jade Music Fest returns, showcasing multilingual melodies from 16 global artists (from Taiwan to Canada) at the glamorous Hollywood Theatre. It’s three days of electrifying performances, artist talks and workshops. Why not check out the opening concert, Strike the Chord featuring Xiao Bing Chih, a fantastic taste test of music to expect for the fest!

When: October 18-20
Where: Hollywood Theatre
Cost: Free (reservation required)
More Info: jmfa.ca

5. Get Expert Design Advice at the WL Design Talks Series

October 17

Full transparency: this is our sister mag’s event, but even if we’re biased, we think you design fiends will want to join this convo taking place at the Kitchen Infinity Atelier with local design stars Trish Knight and Nicole Varga (of Knight Varga Interiors) for an evening of wine, appies and design convo. This series focuses on the question: How to define warm and inviting spaces within large, open-concept rooms.

When: October 17
Where: KI Atelier
Cost: $10
More Info: www.eventbrite.ca