What to Do in Vancouver This Week (February 12 to 18)

Sensory-deprived comedy, inspiring film, culture festivals and more.

Pay Tribute to a Powerful Woman

Monday, February 12

The documentary Anita tells the story of Anita Hill whose testimony of sexual harassment against Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas was ignored despite compelling evidence. The film explores the legacy of her courage to voice her experience and the cultural conversation it ignited about sexual harassment that continues on today. After the screening, a discussion will be held with Angela Marie MacDougall, director of the Battered Women’s Support Services, and Mebrat Beyenne, the director of WISH. Anita is presented as part of Black History Month at the Vancouver International Film Centre.When: 6:30 p.m.Where: Vancity Theatre, 1181 Seymour StCost: $11 to $13More info: VIFF

Upgrade Your Wine-Nerd Cred

Tuesday, February 13

Earls Kitchen and Bar and Vancouver magazine present a rowdy night of brown bag, blind wine tasting chaperoned by David Stansfield, Sommelier for Earls and co-host of the legendary Sunday School at Vancouver Urban Winery. Expect a bit of learning, a bunch of wine, snacks and swear words—lots of swear words—in this two-hour crash course in how to shop for wine without sounding stupid.

When: 6:00 p.m.Where: The Loft at Earls Yaletown, 1095 Mainland StCost: $50More Info: Eventbrite

Get Close for Valentine’s Day

February 14  to 17

Celebrate Valentine’s day with a romantic night of dance and entertainment as Small Stage presents their Valentine’s day edition, celebrating love in all forms. Featuring incredible dancers performing original work at an unconventional and intimate venue, Small Stage 37: the valentine edition is part dance part cabaret.When: 7:00 p.m.Where: ANZA, 3 West 8th Ave.Cost: $25More info: Eventbrite

Watch Amazing Indigenous Performances

February 14  to 24

Back for its 17th year, the Talking Stick Festival is a multi-disciplinary festival celebrating Indigenous performing art and performance.  Showcasing Indigenous artists in dance, visual arts, theatre, music, powwow and film, this festival has something for everyone! Of note is The Celebration of Powwow Culture, which gathers hundreds of people to enjoy traditional and contemporary Indigenous dance and art. The Yukon’s only Indigenous-centred theatre company, Gwaandak Theatre, will also perform Map of the Land, Map of the Stars, a theatre dance piece about how the gold rush changed connections between land and sky.When: February 14 to 24Where: Various venuesCost: price varies by eventMore info: Full Circle

Laugh Yourself Senseless

Friday, February 16

Some of the city’s top standup comics—Graham Clark, Kyle Bottom, Katie-Ellen Humprhries, Sophie Buddle and Fatima Dowhre—take the stage to perform a grand experiment as part of the new comedy show Senseless: A Night of Sensory Deprived Standup Comedy, telling their best jokes while wearing a blindfold and professional-grade ear plugs. Produced by Slide Show‘s Max Mitchell (who, full disclosure, is married to our executive editor) and comedian Bottom, this weird and wonderful concept show is the ultimate expression of Little Mountain Gallery’s experimental late-night comedy shows of late.When: 10:00 p.m.Where: Little Mountain Gallery, 196 E 26th AveCost: $10More info: Senseless: A Night of Sensory Deprived Standup Comedy

Play in the Snow from Sunrise to Sunset

Saturday, February 17 to Sunday, February 18

Have you ever dreamt of snowboarding at 1 a.m. or snowshoeing as the sun rises? Grouse Mountain is about to make your dreams come true.  24 Hours of Winter is exactly as its name would suggest: Grouse Mountain will be open for 24 hours so you can ski and snowboard to your heart’s content! The weekend will also feature DJ skate parties, chocolate fondue snowshoe tours and more.When: February 17 to 18Where: Grouse Mountain, 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North VancouverCost: Most activities free with lift ticketMore info: Grouse Mountain

Celebrate Chinese New Year

Sunday, February 18

Join thousands of spectators at the Chinese New Year Parade in celebrating the new year of the Chinese lunar calendar! In its 45th year, the parade features beautiful and vibrant traditional lion dances, dances troupes, marching bands, martial arts performances and more. The parade is part of the Lunar New Year Festival with events around the lower mainland celebrating the Year of the Dog.When: 11:00 a.m.Where: The parade starts at Abbot St. on West Pender St.Cost: FreeMore info: CBA Vancouver