5 Things to Do in Vancouver This Week (October 25-31)

Your weekly roundup of the top events in the city, including art exhibitions, local theatre, restaurant openings, concerts, film, markets and other to-dos I think you’ll love. If you have a Vancouver event you’d like to submit for consideration, send an email to ahirose@canadawide.com.

Read on for this week’s lineup.

Credit: Talking Stick Fest

1. See the Talking Stick Fest’s Spoken Word Spectacular

October 26

Full Circle First Nations Performance is celebrating 20 years of its Talking Stick Festival with an event in each season (the winter, spring and summer events were all held online). The last event, called Feasting Our Words, begins this week with (in-person!) spoken word performances from poets Joseph A. Dandurand, Nicola I. Campbell and Dr. Jules Arita Koostachin. There will also be live music from Rocky Mountain Badlands duo Blue Moon Marquee.

When: Tuesday October 26 at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Roundhouse Community Centre‘s exhibition hall
Cost: Free
More Info: eventbrite.ca

Credit: Imagine Picasso

2. Get Immersed in Art at Imagine Picasso

Opens October 27

Whether it’s just for the photo op or a genuine appreciation of the art (who cares!) Vancouverites cannot get enough of these massive art projection installations. Following the success of Imagine Van Gogh, Imagine Picasso opens this week. There’s over 200 of the iconic artist’s paintings in this exhibit, projected onto 9 huge origami-esque paper structures.

When: Opens Wednesday October 27
Where: Vancouver Convention Centre East
Cost: From $40
More Info: imagine-picasso.com

Credit: Grace Eiko Thomson

3. Grab Tickets to the Heart of the City Fest

October 27 to November 7

This Downtown Eastside community festival is bursting with talent. Highlights include a reading from author Grace Eiko Thomson, an extraordinary archival collection of Chinese Canadian social movements from Sid Tow Chan and a ground-shaking performance from Indigenous grass dancers.

When: Wednesday, October 27 to Sunday, November 7
Where: Online and throughout the Downtown Eastside
Cost: Varies
More Info: heartofthecityfestival.com

READ MORE: What It’s Like to Be an Indigenous Grass Dancer

Credit: Chris Randle

4. Catch Arno Kamolika on Your Lunch Break

October 28

Local artist Arno Kamolika is a specialist in the classical Indian style of Bharatanatyam dance—it’s a rhythm-heavy form that draws inspiration from poetry, music, mythology and spirituality. She’s joined on stage this week by BC-based musicians Curtis Andrews (mridangam), Shankhanaad Mallick (vocals), and Sharanjeet Singh Mand (sitar). The lunchtime show on Thursday sounds like a good break from your daily routine (and so does a post-show happy hour).

When: Thursday October 28 at 12:00 p.m.
Where: Scotiabank Dance Centre
Cost: $15 for adults
More Info: thedancecentre.ca

Credit: Parade of Lost Souls

5. March in the Parade of Lost Souls

October 30

It’s back! The Parade of Lost Souls has a lighthearted take on all things macabre (for example, bringing your own shrine to the dead is highly encouraged). Along with 3 hourly parades starting at 7:00 p.m., this year’s festivities include workshops in a flash mob, the Time Warp dance and “phoenix making” (BYO fabric scraps to contribute to a huge phoenix puppet).

When: Saturday October 30 at 7:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.
Where: Britannia Community Centre
Cost: Free
More Info: dustyflowerpotcabaret.com