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5 Things to Do in Vancouver This Week (November 23-29)

By Alyssa Hirose /

1. Dine Strathcona

Through November 30

It’s takeout time. 17 local restaurants are serving up Dine Strathcona, an initiative that donates $1 from each featured menu item to WISH Drop-In Centre. The featured dishes include margherita pizza from Strathcona Beer Company (I got one last week, 10/10 would recommend), fried cauliflower and chickpeas from Ask for Luigi (pictured above) and the vegetarian combo from Axum Ethiopian Restaurant (that’s yellow split peas, red lentils, cabbage, carrots and spinach simmered in a spicy sauce). Check below for full menu. WISH Drop-In centre is a refuge and an essential point of contact for vulnerable street-based sex workers, and you can donate to them directly here.

When: Through Monday, November 30
Where: Select Strathcona restaurants
More Info: strathconabia.com

2. Gimpy: A New Musical Reading

November 25

This your chance to get the first look at a brand-new musical production by Realwheels Theatre’s playwright-in-residence, Kirsten Kirsch. Gimpy: A New Musical stars Kirsh herself as Soren, a woman with a disability who dreams of being a Broadway star. Audiences can look forward to heartfelt moments, humour, and universal themes of resilience. This virtual event will be a sneak peek of the whole show plus a Q&A session with the playwright.

When: Wednesday November 25 7:00 p.m.
Where: Online
More Info: realwheels.ca

3. Origins: Music of the Tang Dynasty

November 25

This one’s for all of you suona, erhu and pipa fans out there (or folks curious about how the Chinese double-reeded horn, spike fiddle and lute sound). This free concert by Qiu Xia He and Silk Road Music will take you on an auditory journey through China from the 7th century to the 20th. It’s free to watch, but donations are appreciated, of course.

When: Wednesday November 25 7:30 p.m.
Where: Online
More Info: earlymusic.bc.ca

4. Offering

November 28 and 29

Catch this livestreamed collection of six solo works by Vancouver dancers. Joshua Ongcol, Olivia Shaffer, Marc Arboleda, Antonio Somera, Molly McDermott and Marissa Wong take to the virtual stage this week exploring movement as a form of transcendence in these super trying times. This show celebrates Co.ERASGA‘s 20th anniversary—and how dance (and the arts in general) are more important now than ever.
When: Saturday November 28 and Sunday November 29, 3:00 p.m.
Where: Online
Cost: By donation
More Info: companyerasgadance.ca

5. Museum Store Sunday

November 29

‘Tis the season for shopping, and our local museums have you covered for the people on your list who love handcrafted, unique gifts (so yeah, pretty much everyone). Museums and art galleries like the Bill Reid Gallery and the VAG are all taking part in Museum Store Sunday, an educational and artistic gifting extravaganza—and lots have online offerings too, so you can do your shopping from home.

When: Sunday November 29
Where: Museums across the city
More Info: museumstoresunday.org