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5 Cool Things to Do This Week in Vancouver (May 7 to 11)

By Jessica Wallin /

A comedy clubhouse fundraiser, Vancouver Design Week, a Gastown shop hop and more reasons to leave the house this week.

Delight in Design

May 7 to 13

Do you sigh with pleasure at the sight of a well thought out font or building? Have you ever wanted to see inside the studios (and minds) of Vancouver’s designers? Vancouver Design Week opens up the doors to everything from furniture and eyeglass maker studios to expertly devised buildings such as the MEC Head Office and Crosstown Elementary. Along the way, enjoy talks and workshops around design from the likes of Native Shoes and keynote architect Alison Brooks as well as tastings from innovative Vancouver breweries and Earnest Ice Cream.When: May 7 to 13Where: Various locationsCost: $0 to $30More info: Vancouver Design Week

Walk ‘n’ Shop

Thursday, May 10

For one night only, more than 40 businesses across Gastown will have their doors open late so you can take a stroll and discover deals and designers (and designer deals). Expect local legends such as Nettle’s Tail to have you fitted into your perfect swim suit, Community Thrift and Vintage’s racks to hold a gem just for you and John Fluevog shoes to have you walking away in style.When: 5 to 9 p.m.Where: Various stores in GastownCost: No cover chargeMore info: Gastown

Keep That Frown Upside Down

May 11 and 12

Two days, four shows and countless laughs. The little venue that could, Little Mountain Gallery, is putting on double knock-out nights of fun comedy as a fundraiser for renovations. Of note are Come Draw With Me, a night with the always delightful Alicia Tobin, smelly markers and the audience’s hilarious drawings to a common prompt; and Rapp Battlez Wezt Coazt which pairs unlikely duos (Wendy’s vs KFC, Tom Hanks from Castaway versus Tom Hanks from Big) in a rap battle show down.When: Shows at 8:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.Where: Little Mountain GalleryCost: $10More info: Little Mountain Gallery

Celebrate Public Art

Saturday, May 12

Bringing art outside, ART SMASH is a full day of live murals, Public Disco, craft beer garden, sparkle station, Vancouver Street Dance Festival performances and more! A partnership between Granville Island and Vancouver Mural Festival, ART SMASH will unveil over 10 new murals in the new public space of Chain and Forge from local and international artists.When: 1 to 9 p.m.Where: Granville Island, 1661 Duranleau St.Cost: FreeMore info: ART SMASH

Fight Crime with Your Mom

Sunday, May 13

Celebrate your Mom this Mother’s Day by becoming the crime fighting team you always knew you could be at Mysterious Mother’s Day Games. Vancouver Mysteries has two options for you: a family friendly Heroes and Villains comic book adventure or a murder mystery in the heart of Gastown. Either way, you can finally use your mom’s uncanny observation skills to find clues and save the city.When: 11 a.m. or 2 p.m. startWhere: Near Waterfront Station in GastownCost: $28 per personMore info: Vancouver Mysteries 

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