5 Things to Do in Vancouver This Week (March 20-26)

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.  Get Your Paella Fix with Top Chefs at Smitty’s Oyster House

March 24

Vancouver foodies, listen up. Smitty’s Oyster house on Main Street is bringing the heat with their Friday Night Paella Series. Starting March 24th, top chefs will join Head Chef Alan Older to whip up some unique twists on the classic seafood, rice, saffron and meat dish—with Chef Alvaro Montes de Oca (Ubuntu Canteen, Hapa Izakaya) kicking off the series this Friday. Sip on some fancy Spanish wine with the Beronia Rioja Reserva on special for $13 and $19 for a 6 and 9 oz glass— or just get the whole bottle for $50 and make it a paella party. And if you’re still in the mood to keep the party going, after 10 p.m. you can stick around for their late-night happy hour specials including cheap beers, mussels, crab cakes and raw oysters. It’s gonna be one shell of a time.

When: March 24
Where: Smitty’s Oyster House
Cost: From $22
More Info: smittysoysterhousemainstreet.com

2. Join the Conversation With Pulitzer Prize-Winning Linda Greenhouse

March 23

Tune in to a talk moderated by journalist Anna Maria Tremonti about who owns the U.S. Constitution. The speaker is Linda Greenhouse, a Yale Law School professor and former Supreme Court correspondent for The New York Times. She’s won a Pulitzer Prize and written several books, including a biography of Supreme Court Justice Blackmun. Tremonti herself is a veteran journalist who’s covered all sorts of exciting stories around the world. So, grab some popcorn and settle in for an informative and entertaining evening. Who knew the Constitution could be so fun?

When: March 23
Where: Frederic Wood Theatre
Cost: Free
More Info: lindinitiative.ubc.ca

3.  Enjoy A Full Orchestral Concert in Your Livingroom with Raise, Raise the Voice

March 24

Looking for a fancy night in? Why not check out Reginald Mobley and the Pacific Baroque Orchestra directed by Alexander Weimann at the Digital Concert Hall? Reginald Mobley is a nominee for the 2023 Grammy Awards and the 2023 Classical Music Awards, so you know he’s got some serious chops. Plus, he’s all about using his artistry to make a difference in the world, particularly when it comes to issues of race, gender, and sexuality in the classical music industry. So come raise your voice with some sacred music and support some great artists from the comfort of your own couch.

When: March 24
Where: online
Cost: $20
More Info: earlymusic.bc.ca

4.  Get Your Skates On For a Night at the Rink

March 25

If you like rollerskating or nostalgia, Rolla Skate Club has taken over Rollerland for weekly public rollerskating events that’ll have you skating backwards, forwards and into walls aggressively because you don’t know how to brake (if you’re me!). With free rental skates, DJ tunes and selfie stations, as well as all-ages and adult-only sessions, there’s no excuse not to join in on the fun. This Saturday, cheer on local roller derby heroes at the high-octane live roller derby bout. Expect special performances, raucous cheering and the time of your life (and an all-night beer garden). Come early for the all-ages early skate jam and if you stick around after the battle royale, you can get your skate on at the adult late skate after-party. So assemble your rolla squad and let’s roll.

When: March 25 (every Saturday until the end of the year)
Where: Rollerland
Cost: From $15
More Info: pne.ca/event

5.  Have Fun With Puppets in the Hilarious Parody Ubu on the Table

March 25-26

You won’t want to miss this hilarious and completely off-the-wall puppet show adaptation of Jarry’s Macbeth parody, King Ubu. With two armies of French baguettes facing off and tomato bombs exploding left and right, this show is an absolute farce. Plus, keep an eye out for the molasses-blood splattering on fork-soldiers as they charge Père Ubu, and watch in amazement as an egg beater hovers over fleeing troops. Check out the video trailer and see the chaos for yourself.

When: March 25-26
Where: Presentation House Theatre (North Van)
Cost: From $22, “choose your price” option
More Info: phtheatre.org