Events

5 Things to Do in Vancouver This Week (April 19-24)

By Alyssa Hirose /

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 [email protected].

Read on for this week’s lineup.

Waiting for Garbo

Credit: Waiting for Garbo

1. Waiting for Garbo

Through April 29

This new original musical tackles plastic waste in the ocean and consumerism (but in song, so it’s not such a bummer). The show “recycles” content from the likes of Severn Cullis-Suzuki and Greta Thunberg—leading by example, right?

When: Through Friday, April 29
Where: Presentation House Theatre
Cost: From $15 in-person, $22 livestream
More Info: phtheatre.org

READ MORE: Severn Cullis-Suzuki Is Back and Ready to Fight

Coastal Dance Festival

Credit: Coastal Dance Festival

2. The Coastal Dance Festival

April 20 to 24

Indigenous artists from here and beyond take the stage at the 15th Annual Coastal Dance Festival this week. This year’s fest welcomes four Indigenous Sámi artists from Norway and Sweden—find the entire program here.

When: Wednesday April 20 to Sunday April 24
Where: Anvil Centre (New Westminster)
Cost: From $25
More Info: damelahamid.ca

Bad Parent

Credit: Bad Parent

3. Bad Parent

April 21 to May 1

Parents of pandemic babies, this one’s for you. This new play from Ins Choi (yes, of Kim’s Convenience) chronicles new parents figuring out what life looks like as a family of three. Raugi Yu and Josette Jorge star in this honest and comedic show.

When: Thursday April 21 to Sunday May 1
Where: The Cultch’s Historic Theatre
Cost: From $26
More Info: thecultch.com

Whisky and Words

Credit: Whisky and Words

4. Whisky and Words

April 22

This is our fave whisky event in the city—actually, we waxed poetic about it here. A ticket scores you unlimited whisky, from international bottles (Ardbeg, Bruichladdich, Glenmorangie, Octamore, Kilchoman) to local favourites (Odd Society, Arbutus Distillery), plus hors d’oeuvres and access to a sweet silent auction.

When: Friday April 22
Where: Performance Works, Granville Island
Cost: From $118
More Info: eventbrite.ca

READ MORE: The Return of Our Favourite Whisky Festival

Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden

Credit: Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden

5. The Chinese Garden’s 36th Anniversary

April 24

The Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden is celebrating its 36th anniversary this weekend. There’s a tea ceremony, calligraphy demonstration, seal engraving workshop and performance from the Vancouver City Opera, then a food-focused event at night with eats from Chinatown BBQ, DD Mau, Jade Dynasty and Kam Wai Dim Sum.

When: Sunday April 24 from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Where: Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
Cost: By donation (suggested $5)
More Info: vanouverchinesegarden.com

Alyssa Hirose

Alyssa Hirose

Alyssa Hirose is a Vancouver-based writer, editor, illustrator and comic artist. Her work has been featured in Vancouver magazine, Western Living, BCBusiness, Avenue, Serviette, Geist, BCLiving, Nuvo, Montecristo, The Georgia Straight and more. Her beats are food, travel, arts and culture, style, interior design and anything dog-related. She publishes a daily autobiographical comic on Instagram at @hialyssacomics.