city

5 Fresh Things to Do in Vancouver This Week (Dec. 31 – Jan. 6)

By Alyssa Hirose /

Start 2019 off right with these shiny new events.

(Photo Credit: H.R. Macmillan Space Centre.)

Close Orbit

January 2

Calling all space enthusiasts—and people who can’t stay up past 10 p.m.—the “real” new year, or the moment when the Earth will be closest to the sun, is actually Wednesday evening. Celebrate perihelion at the H.R. Macmillan Space Centre with dry ice demos in the Cosmic Courtyard and out-of-this-world expert info on orbits, planets and moons. Let the countdown to 9:19 p.m. begin.When: Wednesday, January 2 6:30 p.m. – 9:45 p.m.Where: H.R. Macmillan Space CentreCost: $14 for adults, $8.50 for childrenMore Info: spacecentre.ca  (Photo Credit: Italian Film Festival.)

Fantastico Films

January 4 – 10

Check out the best new films, documentaries and classic cinema from your favourite boot-shaped country at the Italian Film Festival. This week-long fest starts with the world premiere of The Man Who Bought The Moon, a comedy that follows an undercover agent tasked with determining the identity of the mysterious Sardinian with legal title to the moon. All films have English subtitles (for cinephiles who can’t tell their grazie from their gnocchi).When: Friday, January 4 – Thursday, January 10Where: Vancity TheatreCost: $13More Info: viff.org (Photo Credit: Duo Pop-Up Show.)

Dynamic Doodles

January 5

2018 got you down? Get some giggles in early at the Duo Pop-Up Show, where improv meets art in the wackiest way. Vancouver’s most proficient pretenders will be paired up on the spot, while artists recreate their improvised tales through drawings. Colour us excited.When: Saturday, January 5 10:30 p.m.Where: Little Mountain GalleryCost: From $8More Info: littlemountaingallery.ca  (Photo Credit: It Just Flows.)

Letter Better

January 5

If scrolling through satisfying calligraphy videos is part of your self-prescribed therapy, this event is for you. Learn the basics of hand-lettering and calligraphy in this Calligraphy and Lettering Sampler Workshop, where participants will experience different kinds of lettering, types of lettering tools and… a guided life-coaching exercise? Gain clarity in your handwriting (or more?) in one artsy afternoon.When: Saturday, January 5 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.Where: 1033 Haro StreetCost: $10More Info: itjustflows.com (Photo Credit: Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden.)

Peaceful Practise

January 6 – 20

Try your hand at an ancient—and relaxing—martial art in Tai Chi at the Garden. Starting this Sunday, weekly tai chi classes run by instructor Sifu Lucas Trottier will be led in the beautiful Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese garden. Focus, relax, and try to forget about the housing crisis among the koi ponds and bonsais.When: Sunday, January 6 – Sunday, January 20Where: Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese GardenCost: From $12More Info: vancouverchinesegarden.com