Launch into these 5 Vancouver Events This Week

Propel through our city this week with aircraft art, animal sex talks and an interactive alley.

Get a Good ’Gram

August 6-11

The Vancouver Mural Festival is the stuff that Insta-worthy dreams are made of—not to mention it’s the largest free annual public art celebration in Vancouver. Murals celebrating and connecting our city’s diverse cultures are in the spotlight this week, and many of the wacky wonderwalls were created by female artists. The fest stretches from Fairview to Mount Pleasant to Gastown, with the most murals peppered along Main Street.When: Monday, August 6 – Saturday, August 11Where: Full map here.Cost: FreeMore Info: vanmuralfest.ca (Photo: More Awesome Now)

Party in an Alley

August 9

Think Extreme Makeover: Alley Edition. After a wildly successful Kickstarter campaign to transform a Vancouver alleyway, Artist Alex Beim of Tangible Interaction has created a stunning interactive art exhibit that turns drab alley to fab alley. The Ackery’s Alley exhibit has a field of sensors that can detect the presence of a person, and emits different sounds and colours in reaction to movement. For its launch party, the alley will be dressed head-to-ground in red velvet paint and gold paneling—and you can bet on a pop-up performance or two from the Vancouver street dance community.When: Thursday, August 9, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.Where: Ackery’s Alley (beside the Orpheum Theatre)Cost: FreeMore Info: kickstarter.com (Photo: Vancouver Aquarium)

Dive Deep into Drag

August 9

This might just be the Vancouver Aquarium’s edgiest after-hours event yet. “You Better Work, Fish” takes the plunge with aquatic animal sex talks, drag queens and a “fishiest drag performer” contest (yes, fishnet stockings are encouraged). Grab a drink or two and prepare to learn more about the reproductive strategies of marine creatures than you’ve ever wanted to know.When: Thursday, August 9, 6:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.Where: Vancouver AquariumCost: from $27More Info: vanaqua.org (Photo: Abbotsford International Air Show)

Crane Your Neck

August 10-12

If you took a few seconds to stop hate-scrolling through Twitter and looked up at all last week, you probably saw a few planes practicing for the Abbotsford International Air Show. This three-day long aviation fest boasts over 20 civilian and military aerobatic performances from all over the world. A few sky-highlights include the Friday night fireworks, the 30 food trucks, and the dozen craft beer vendors. Live vicariously through the performers with both feet on the ground and a funnel cake gripped firmly in hand.When: Friday, August 10 to Sunday, August 12Where: Abbotsford International Airport Cost: From $12.50More Info: abbotsfordairairshow.com Photo: indiGem

Rock On

August 10-12

The Vancouver Gem and Mineral Show is this weekend, and if you’re thinking, “Hey, Vanmag, I noticed your hilarious and original title for this feature, but rocks and minerals are totally different things!” then it is definitely the event for you. The show will feature over 60 of the best Canadian gem, mineral and jewellery vendors, including indiGem, Siberian Mammoth, and Tk’emlups Traditions. With interactive demos and hourly door prizes, it’s sure to be a solid event.When: Friday, August 10 – Sunday, August 12Where: Kitsilano Ice RinkCost: From $8More Info: vancouvergemshow.com