Things To Do In Vancouver This Weekend: Jan. 12, 2017

This weekend the winter festivals that began with Solstice and Yule in December continue with Maghi on Friday, celebrated across India for the winter harvest. Friday the 13th is looking anything but unlucky, with art shows, a film festival, a drag show and a virtual flight with a dragon starting up. You can end the weekend with some comedy, symphony, or hockey on Sunday with some David Bowie tributes and wrestling in between on Saturday.

Friday | Saturday | Sunday | Ongoing

Friday January 13

Flight of the Dragon
Where: FlyOver Canada
What: For a limited time, FlyOver Canada presents Flight of the Dragon, a flight ride experience that takes you over the breathtaking Chinese countryside and renowned landmarks. FlyOver Canada invites all guests to come and enjoy both FlyOver Canada and Flight of the Dragon; two virtual flight rides for the regular admission price.
Runs until: Sunday February 26, 2017

STOMP
Where: The Queen Elizabeth Theatre
What: The eight-member troupe uses everything but conventional percussion instruments – matchboxes, wooden poles, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters, hubcaps – to fill the stage with magnificent rhythms. The return of the percussive hit also brings some new surprises, with some sections of the show now updated and restructured and the addition of two new full-scale routines, utilizing props like tractor tire inner tubes and paint cans. Tickets available at Tickets Tonight.
Runs until: Sunday January 13, 2017

It’s Just Drag!
Where: The Commodore
What: RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 5 All Stars 2 “thick and juicy” queen Roxxy Andrews, and Season 8 “all legs no dairy” queen Naomi Smalls join Vancouver queens Rose Butch, Carlotta Gurl, Jaylene Tyme, Coco Klein, Adam Zapple, Peach Cobblah and more for a glamatron evening of make up, sarcasm, and oh, the outfits.

Canada’s Top Ten Film Festival
Where: The Cinematheque
What: The year’s best Canadian films are in the spotlight in The Cinematheque’s annual presentation of the Canada’s Top Ten Film Festival. Established in 2001 by the Toronto International Film Festival, this celebration of excellence in our national cinema showcases Canadian achievements in feature-length films, short films, and student short films.
Runs until: Sunday January 22, 2017

Strong Female Character
Where: Hot Art Wet City
What: 3 female artists look at feminine identity, both past and present, as defined within Western culture.
Runs until: Saturday January 28, 2017

Herd
Where: Kimoto Gallery
What: Within the confines of a farmers field, the animals naturally form a hierarchy of responsibility in the herd. We, artist Kevin Boyle argues, also live in a controlled environment, and assume our own conditioned roles in society, though the controls are much less obvious than a barbed wire fence.
Runs until: Saturday February 4, 2017

The Fighting Season
Where: VanCity Culture Lab
What: Inspired by his father’s deployment in Afghanistan, Sean Harris Oliver’s searing new play investigates the Afghan war through the eyes of a Canadian field medic, a doctor, and a recovery room nurse.
Runs until: Saturday January 21, 2017

Haroon Mirza
Where: The Contemporary Art Gallery
What: The Contemporary Art Gallery presents the first solo exhibition in Canada by British artist Haroon Mirza.
Runs until: Sunday March 19, 2016

Saturday January 14

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Bowie Ball
Where: The Rickshaw
What: Celebrate the life and legacy of the great David Bowie and to support the fight against the disease that took him last year. Local talent will be covering some of their favorite Bowie music.

ECCW Ballroom Brawl VII
Where: The Commodore
What: It’s wrestling. Kind of like theatre, but with more testosterone, body building, and a lot of touching. You also get to yell a lot and probably do a pre-game crafting project with glitter to make a big sign.

Symphonic Dances
Where: The Orpheum
What: Outstanding young conductor Otto Tausk makes a return visit to the Orpheum stage, conducting a program that includes Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances and Shostakovich’s stunning Violin Concerto No. 1, performed by violinist Simone Lamsma in her VSO debut.

Electro Swing Circus
Where: The Imperial
What: Live circus show and dance party with stilt walkers, side show, acrobats, juggling, strong woman, clowns, contortionists, burlesque/boylesque and other circus performers.

A Live Band Burlesque Tribute to David Bowie
Where: The Rio Theatre
What: In honour of both the day of his birth and the day of his passing, Kitty Nights presents a new version of their sell-out 2014 Live Band Burlesque Tribute to the incomparable David Bowie.

Lost Girls Burlesque
Where: The Fox Cabaret
What: A burlesque show that will possibly involve poetry.

Stanley Park Eco Stewards
Where: Stanley Park, 10am & 1pm
What: Natural habitats in Stanley Park are being overtaken by invasive species. Learn about the ecology of the park while working with other volunteers to help conserve its biodiversity.

Gluten Free Expo
Where: Canada Place East
What: Discover, sample, and save on hundred’s of gluten free products while learning from leading experts.
Runs until: Sunday January 15, 2017

Sunday January 15

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The Anxiety Show Ep. 1: F**k Fat Shaming
Where: Guilt & Co. 8:30pm
What: A dark comedy variety show exploring different mental health disorders, as told from those who experience them firsthand. The first half features stand-up, sketch, music, and storytelling by comedians; and the second half is open-mic style to the audience, giving the chance to share their own stories.

Symphonic Dances
Where: Bell Perfoming Arts Centre
What: Outstanding young conductor Otto Tausk makes a return visit to the Orpheum stage, conducting a program that includes Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances and Shostakovich’s stunning Violin Concerto No. 1, performed by violinist Simone Lamsma in her VSO debut.

Vancouver Canucks vs. NJ Devils
Where: Rogers Arena, 4:00pm
What: Watch some hockey, drink some beer, yell when you are pleased. Or displeased. I don’t know, but I’m pretty sure it’s OK to yell in general at this.

Ongoing

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STOMP (this weekend only)
Where: The Queen Elizabeth Theatre
What: The eight-member troupe uses everything but conventional percussion instruments – matchboxes, wooden poles, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters, hubcaps – to fill the stage with magnificent rhythms. The return of the percussive hit also brings some new surprises, with some sections of the show now updated and restructured and the addition of two new full-scale routines, utilizing props like tractor tire inner tubes and paint cans. Tickets available at Tickets Tonight.
Runs until: Sunday January 13, 2017

STOMP Out Hunger (ends this weekend)
Where: Red Truck Brewery
What: Everyone who drops off a cash or non-perishable food donation at the Red Truck Brewery before January 13th will receive a coupon good for $5 off a ticket to see the touring production of STOMP during its January 13th-15th run at Queen Elizabeth Theatre. In addition, Red Truck Beer will donate $1 from each pint of its seasonal beers sold in the Truck Stop during the month of December to the Vancouver Food Bank.
Runs until: January 13, 2016

And Bella Sang with Us (ends this weekend)
Where: Firehall Arts Centre
What: A stylish play with a dark and wicked sense of humour with a shot of song that celebrates two of Canada’s unsung pioneers: Constables Lurancy Harris and Minnie Miller, Vancouver’s first female police officers.
Runs until: Saturday January 14, 2017

Gluten Free Expo (this weekend only)
Where: Canada Place East
What: Discover, sample, and save on hundred’s of gluten free products while learning from leading experts.
Runs until: Sunday January 15, 2017

The Fighting Season
Where: VanCity Culture Lab
What: Inspired by his father’s deployment in Afghanistan, Sean Harris Oliver’s searing new play investigates the Afghan war through the eyes of a Canadian field medic, a doctor, and a recovery room nurse.
Runs until: Saturday January 21, 2017

Canada’s Top Ten Film Festival
Where: The Cinematheque
What: The year’s best Canadian films are in the spotlight in The Cinematheque’s annual presentation of the Canada’s Top Ten Film Festival. Established in 2001 by the Toronto International Film Festival, this celebration of excellence in our national cinema showcases Canadian achievements in feature-length films, short films, and student short films.
Runs until: Sunday January 22, 2017

Walker Evans: Depth of Field
Where: Vancouver Art Gallery
What: The American photographer Walker Evans (1903–1975) is among the most influential artists of the 20th century. Covering the full arc of his career, Walker Evans: Depth of Field presents the most comprehensive look at Evans’ work ever mounted in Canada.
Runs until: January 22, 2017

Strong Female Character
Where: Hot Art Wet City
What: 3 female artists look at feminine identity, both past and present, as defined within Western culture.
Runs until: Saturday January 28, 2017

Alexine McLeod
Where: Monte Clark Gallery
What: The artist presents wall-mounted abstract compositions that combine everyday materials including plastic, fabric, found objects, and light.
Runs until: January 30, 2016

In the Footprint of the Crocodile Man
Where: UBC Museum of Anthropology
What: The Sepik River of Papua New Guinea is one of the largest river systems in the world, extraordinarily beautiful, but seldom visited. It is here that the Iatmul people, who live along its banks, have created internationally renowned works of art primarily inspired by stories of the majestic crocodile as the primordial creator. This unique exhibition will showcase the most comprehensive collection of contemporary Sepik art in North America for the first time. In addition to highlighting the exquisite carvings of Papua New Guinea’s latmul people, the exhibition will delve into their economic, cultural, and spiritual connections to the river system, drawing urgent attention to the logging and mining operations that pose environmental threats to the region.
Runs until: January 31, 2017

Herd
Where: Kimoto Gallery
What: Within the confines of a farmers field, the animals naturally form a hierarchy of responsibility in the herd. We, artist Kevin Boyle argues, also live in a controlled environment, and assume our own conditioned roles in society, though the controls are much less obvious than a barbed wire fence.
Runs until: Saturday February 4, 2017

Juxtapoz x Superflat
Where: Vancouver Art Gallery
What: A manifesto for new creative practices that can no longer be adequately described by the traditional categories of art and production. Presenting the work of more than 30 artists from Japan, China, Korea, Europe and the United States this remarkable exhibition offers a unique insight into contemporary art and its place in cultural life.
Runs until: February 5, 2016

As Heavy as a Feather
Where: Centre A
What: Indigenous Taiwanese artist Chang En Man is having her first exhibition in North America. Chang’s practice is characterized by a dynamic interplay between story, tradition, and the struggles of indigenous peoples in the face of ongoing experiences of colonization.
Runs until: February 11, 2016

Robson Square Ice Rink
Where: Robson Square
What: Ice skate for free or rent a pair for $4 on this outdoor, covered public rink right downtown.
Runs until: February 14, 2017

Judy Chartrand, What a Wonderful World
Where: The Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art
What: Her beautiful and provocative work presents her own personal history and insights into life in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, and commentary on racism and post–colonial relations between Indigenous and non–Indigenous cultures.
Runs until: February 19, 2016

Flight of the Dragon
Where: FlyOver Canada
What: For a limited time, FlyOver Canada presents Flight of the Dragon, a flight ride experience that takes you over the breathtaking Chinese countryside and renowned landmarks. FlyOver Canada invites all guests to come and enjoy both FlyOver Canada and Flight of the Dragon; two virtual flight rides for the regular admission price.
Runs until: Sunday February 26, 2017

Haroon Mirza
Where: The Contemporary Art Gallery
What: The Contemporary Art Gallery presents the first solo exhibition in Canada by British artist Haroon Mirza.
Runs until: Sunday March 19, 2016

Layers of Influence
Where: UBC Museum of Anthropology
What: This stunning exhibition will explore clothing’s inherent evidence of human ingenuity, creativity and skill, drawing from MOA’s textile collection — the largest collection in Western Canada — to display a global range of materials, production techniques and adornments across different cultures and time frames.
Runs until: April 9, 2017

Vancouver Special
Where: Vancouver Art Gallery
What: The first iteration of this series and it features works by 40 artists produced within the last five years—Vancouver’s post-Olympic period. The exhibition includes many emerging artists as well as those who are more established but whose ideas were prescient. Some are recent arrivals to Vancouver, while others are long-term residents who have already made significant contributions. Others are nomadic, less settled in one place and are working energetically between several locations.
Runs until: April 17, 2016

Nat Bailey Stadium Winter Farmers Market
Where: Nat Bailey Stadium
What: Don’t fret the summers Farmers markets packing up – winter is here, and you can still shop local for fresh produce, preserves, baked goods, and crafts.
Runs until: April 22, 2017

Hastings Park Farmers Market
Where: Hastings Park (near the PNE)
What: The Hastings Park Farmers Market features a great selection of local produce; nursery items, fish, meat & dairy; artisan prepared foods, baking and treats; local crafts, and of course, food trucks.
Runs until: April 30, 2017

What are you up to this weekend? Tell me and the rest of Vancouver in the comments below or tweet me directly at @lextacular