5 Things to Do in Vancouver this Week (October 24-30)

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. Enjoy Gourmet Food and Entertainment at the Bijou Cabaret

October 28-March 5

Like your dinner with a side of cabaret? Get sent back to the Gilded Age at the opulent Mirror Palace, located in Vanier Park. Reserve a table (or private booth) and enjoy a four-course gourmet meal with a menu inspired by Chef Sean Reeve of The Mackenzie Room, Say Mercy and Collective Goods fame while being entertained by aerial artists, contortionists, musicians, jugglers, comedians and other cabaret-style favourites. It’s like having a meal at the Moulin Rouge (or maybe cuisine with some Cirque de Soleil?)

When: October 19-March 5
Where: Burrard Civic Marina in Vanier Park
Cost: From $129.00
More Info: cabaretbijou.com

2. 19th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival

October 26-November 6

The theme for this year’s festival is Community Is Our Mentor, and it’s all about listening and learning from the lived wisdom and cultural practices of the community and artists of the Downtown Eastside (DTES). Join the 12 days of live and online events happening at over 40 venues throughout the DTES with music, stories, poetry, theatre, ceremony, films, dance, readings, forums, workshops, and so much more. Find all the events (there are over 100) including The Gathering Mural Launch, The Prop Master’s Dream (Vancouver Cantonese Opera) and Housing Justice with SRO Tenants (interactive dialogue and film screening), just to name a few. Pick up a guide or take a look at this online guide for more event information.

When: October 26- November 6
Where: Throughout the DTES (Festival map)
Cost: Free
More Info: heartofthecityfestival.com

3. Come Celebrate for a Cause at The Soirée

October 27

Want to have some fun while supporting families in need? Why not check out this year’s The Soiree hosted by Family Services of Greater Vancouver (FSGV). They’ve transformed the Terminal City Club into a tribute to classic circus entertainment. You can find roving circus performers, carnival bites along with musical entertainment from classical and jazz pianist Bill Costin and Cookin’ With Brass, a seven-piece funk band. There’s even a live auction and raffle (one prize is round-trip tickets from Air Canada!) with proceeds going to help FSGV provide critical programs and services to vulnerable families across Greater Vancouver.

When: October 27
Where: Terminal City Club
Cost: $250
More Info: fsgvsoiree.com

4. Get Festive at Latin Market’s Dia De Muertos

October 29-30

It’s Latin American Heritage Month! And what better way to celebrate Latin American culture than to join the Latin Market’s weekend-long celebration of Dia de Muertos or Day of the Dead. This free, family-friendly event is taking over Granville Island and offers some amazing workshops for adults and children alike (why not learn to become La Catrina, Mexico’s iconic ‘lady of death’ while your kids decorate sugar skulls!) You can also enjoy some amazing food (Mexican snacks, Venezuelan street food, Colombian and Peruvian cuisine, vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options) or hit up the beer garden and enjoy live music with performers from Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and more.

When: October 29-30
Where: Granville Island
Cost: Free
More Info: latincouver.ca

5. A Conversation with David Suzuki and Brandi Morin Moderated by Naomi Klein

October 30

The Chan Centre for the Performing Arts hosts an engaging sit-down between acclaimed journalist Brandi Morin and Canadian legend and environmental champion David Suzuki to celebrate the 25th-anniversary edition of Suzuki’s seminal book The Sacred Balance: Rediscovering Our Place in Nature. Moderated by Naomi Klein, the event will include a closing address by Hereditary Chief Na’moks of the Tsayu Clan of the Wet’suwet’en. There’s also an opportunity to have your books signed by the authors following the event.

When: October 30
Where: The Chan Centre for the Performing Arts
Cost: $35
More Info: chancentre.com