Fun (and unusual) things to do for Valentine’s Day in Vancouver
Looking for something fun yet unusual to do this Valentine’s Day? How about a burlesque show set to the music of Prince, a screening of Robocop (the original, not the remake, of course!) or an evening of female comics? We have all of those, plus a few more, listed below.
My Purple Valentine (Biltmore Cabaret, 2755 Prince Edward St., 7 p.m.) – Burlesque dancers shake their moneymakers to a live band playing Prince’s biggest hits. Iva Handfull, Burgundy Brixx, Audrey Hipturn, Chastity Twist!, Voracious V, Rebel Valentine and Jenny Magenta are among the performers. Purple attire is STRONGLY suggested. Tickets are $12 advance on ticketfly.com or $15 at the door. VIP reserved tables are available at kittynights.com.
Robocop Borscht Valentine Feasting Ritual (Storm Crow Tavern, 1305 Commercial Dr., 8 p.m.) – Vancouver’s greatest nerd bar celebrates Valentine’s Day in the time-honoured way – with a screening of the 1987 science fiction action movie Robocop. The evening includes vegan and non-vegan set menus. Tickets are $75 per couple and available either in person at the Storm Crow via a manager or by phone at 604-566-9669.
Small Stage 33: The Valentine’s Edition (Feb. 11-14, the ANZA Club, 8 p.m.) – We’ve already written about this event elsewhere. Suffice it to say, the long-running dance collaboration returns with a diverse lineup exploring “the many underrated faces of love – from the bond between family and friends, to the twisted underbelly of jealousy and obsession,” according to the media release.
Forget Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams. These are the two lovebirds you want to share Valentine’s Day with!
The Monthly (Yuk Yuk’s, 2837 Cambie St., 8 p.m.) – With the popularity of Amy Schumer, Chelsea Handler, and Whitney Cummings, to name a few, women comics have never been hotter. This Valentine’s Day sees the launch of a once-a-month showcase at local comedy club Yuk Yuk’s featuring some of the best local female comics, including headliner Kathleen McGee (Just for Laughs on The Nasty Girls Show, Winnipeg Comedy Festival, CBC Debaters, CBC Television, Bite TV) along with MC Jane Stanton, plus Amber Harper-Young, Fatima Dhowre, and Kate Belton. Tickets are $15 yukyuks.com.
Nina Forever (Vancity Theatre, 1181 Seymour St., Feb. 12-14)- The tragically deceased and much mourned Nina (Fiona O’Shaughnessy) turns up in bed when supermarket clerk Rob (Cian Barry) and his new girlfriend Holly (Abigail Hardingham) make love. Perhaps surprisingly, after she gets over her initial shock, Holly determines to make the best of the situation. Perri Nemiroff, writing in Collider, said: “Nina Forever is a superb horror movie in every respect… It has the energy, tension and gore genre fans are likely looking for, but rather than spilling blood for the sake of spilling blood, the carnage actually facilitates character growth and enriches the story making Nina Forever a far more engaging and satisfying watch than most…”
Forget Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams. These are the two lovebirds you want to share Valentine’s Day with!
Chinese New Year, Year of the Fire Monkey (Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, 578 Carrall St., 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.) – To celebrate traditional Chinese New Year, the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden presents The Year of the Monkey Temple Fair. A one-day community event taking place on Valentine’s Day, the Temple Fair is based on the 4000-year-old Chinese tradition of the Spring Festival. Visitors can check out Chinese and multicultural music and dance performances, martial arts demonstrations, traditional Chinese New Year customs, games and activities for the whole family. There will also be traditional foods such as sugar-dipped fruit candy, dumplings, Chinese burgers, corn-in-a-cup, and special spicy tea. Chinese New Year, Year of the Fire Monkey: Feb 14, 2016. Tickets by donation at evenbrite.ca. Suggested donation: $5.