February 2, 2011 Steven Heighton. One of Canada's finest writers, Steven Heighton reads from "Every Lost Country." A doctor with a history of embroiling himself in conflicts and his daughter travel to Nepal to join a climbing expedition. Inspired by an actual event, it is a gripping novel about heroism, human failings and what love required. (Admission is free. Seating is limited. Vancouver Public Library, Central Branch 350 W. Georgia Street, 604-331-4040, www.vpl.ca February 3 - 13, 2011 2011 CIBC LunarFest. See Vancouver Art Gallery Plaza being transformed by thousands of children into the worlds first Lantern Aquarium. CIBC LunarFest is returning to Downtown Vancouver during 2/3 -2/13. Celebrate the Lunar New Year in style and immerse yourself in the beauty of sea world. For information about the New Year concert, lantern workshops, processions and exhibit hours, visit lunarfest.org. FREE admission. Open daily from 4pm-11pm at the Vancouver Art Gallery Plaza. www.lunarfest.org February 4 to March 4, 2011 Sail the World at the Maritime Museum - 2011 Ocean Cruising Adventure Lectures.  Adventures, a series of illustrated lectures coordinated by circumnavigator and author Anne Brevig. Local skippers share their exciting experiences and practical advice about offshore sailing aboard small boats. Speakers this year are Ian and Susan Grant (Rebel X), Judy and Urs Boxler (Raven Song), Werner Gysi (Kristy Nicole), John Kirstien and Elaine Zameruk (Goolka) and Nancy Erley (Tethys). info@vancouvermaritimemuseum.com February 5, 2011 Family Boogie Concert. Bobby Boogaloo loves to sing his inspiring songs for kids of all ages! He has quickly become one of Canada's most in-demand children's entertainers. Enjoy an afternoon of great music that will get you moving, no matter your age. Cost: $6.00 per person. Champlain Heights Community Centre. www.bobbyboogaloo.com February 9 - 13, 2011 Vancouver International Boat Show.  Marking the start of the boating season in B.C., the 2011 Vancouver International Boat Show is back after a one-year Olympic Games hiatus. Western Canada's premier boat show takes place in one of the most beautiful settings in the world - the new Vancouver Convention Centre. Visit more than 300 exhibitors showcasing the latest boats and marine products on the market at the best deals of the year. The Vancouver International Boat Show runs February 9-13, 2011, at the Vancouver Convention Centre and the False Creek Yacht Club. Visit www.VancouverBoatShow.ca for discounted tickets, schedules and Show updates. February 10, 2011 Tim Ward.  Reads from his bestselling classic, "What the Buddha Never Taught", an account of one of the strictest monasteries in Southeast Asia. (Admission is free. Seating is limited. Co-sponsored by Banyen Books). Vancouver Public Library, Central Branch 350 W. Georgia Street, 604-331-4040, www.vpl.ca February 11 - 12, 2011 Illuminate Yaletown is back this year bigger and better than ever! This winter’s best free public event: Illuminate Yaletown is a spectacle of light and art provided by light designers and new media technology. In 2009 this event brought more than twenty thousand people out to party outdoors and bask in the glow of light art installations that lit up the streets. Join us to discover the leading edge of this art form. Visit https://yaletowninfo.com/events/illuminate for details. February 11 - 13, 2011 Vancouver Internation Swordplay Symposium. A gathering of Western Martial Arts (WMA) instructors, practitioners, and enthusiasts from all corners of the world for three intense days of swordplay, instruction, combat and socialization. Come to observe, learn and be part of the workshops, lectures, demonstrations and tournaments! 412 W Hastings, Vancouver. www.vancouverswordplay.com February 12, 2011 AMSSA Vancouver Diveristy Health Fair. A combination of fun and educational activities, the Diversity Health Fair is a free community event that takes place each Spring. The first Diversity Health Fair took place in 2005 and it has since became the largest event of its kind in Canada. The 2011 Diversity Health Fair will focus on the theme of Promoting Physical & Emotional Well-Being. At the Croation Cultural Centre, 3250 Commercial Drive, Vancouver; www.amssadiversityhealthfair.org February 12, 2011 Music with Marnie.  Join in the excitement and come be the Super Kid that you ARE at the Scottish Cultural Centre at 8886 Hudson St., (near 70th & Oak) at 11 a.m. Tickets $12 in advance or $15 at the door and available on-line at www.MusicwithMarnie.com February 12, 2011 Richmond Sports Club is hosting the West Coast Submissions Championship on Saturday, February 12, 2011, 8:30am. The Worlds Largest Round Robin Submissions-only Gi and No-Gi Tournament. Registration starts now. Spectator tickets available now as well. Children 12 and under are free. LOCATION: #150-2251 #5 Road., Richmond. PHONE: 604-279-9220 WEBSITE: www.richmondsportsclub.ca February 12 - 27, 2011 Carousel Theatre presents BIRD BRAIN by Governor General Award-winning playwright Vern Thiessen. A magical adaptation of a German children’s book, Albert Wendt’s Vogelkopf , this delightful tale about being different will make your heart sing. Waterfront Theatre (1412 Cartwright Street on Granville Island). For tickets, contact Carousel Theatre Box Office @ 604.669.3410 or purchase online at www.carouseltheatre.ca. February 13, 2011 Valentine’s Luncheon – Feb 13, 2011:  12noon-3pm. Elegant 3 course meal @ the Vancouver Hungarian Cultural Society Hall:  728 Kingsway Ave, Vancouver; Reservations for tix can be made, but will be available @ the door.  Contact Michelle or Judith @:  hungariandancegroup@gmail.com www.hungariandancegroup.blogspot.com February 13, 2011 ~Free Classical Voice & Piano Concert~ February 13th. at World of Music and Arts, #140-6231 London Road, Richmond; www.WorldofMusicandArts.com February 14, 2011 World Poetry Anniversary Gala. Come help us celebrate our tenth anniversary! An evening of poetry, music and award presentations. World Poetry hosts: Ariadne Sawyer and Alejandro Mujica-Olea. (Admission is free. Seating is limited). Vancouver Public Library, Central Branch 350 W. Georgia Street, 604-331-4040, www.vpl.ca February 17, 2011 Moonlight Snowshoe 2011. A guided moonlit snowshoe with great people, warm soup, hot apple cider and chocolate fondue amongst snowcapped trees to raise money to support youth at risk in Vancouver. Early Bird Registration December 1 - 31, 2010. Register early to be entered into a draw to win fantastic prizes! All registrants will receive a free Take a Hike Foundation scarf. In addition to a $20 registration fee, each registered participant commits to raise over $100 by collecting pledges from friends and family. With the additional support from the community and our sponsors, our goal for this year is $30,000 to fund two multi-day expeditions for 40 at-risk youth in Vancouver.Register at www.takeahikefoundation.org/snowshoe February 18, 2011 Day of the Arts: Stormy Weather.  Day of the Arts: Stormy Weather features a variety of visual and performing art classes that will fit right in with our stormy February days. Kids from Kindergarten to grade 5 can whirl up a tornado from clay, fashion a kite to fly on a windy day, create thunderous rhythms with taiko drums, finger-knit a warm scarf and more. To view the full time-table and class descriptions, visit www.placedesarts.ca or pick up a brochure at Place des Arts. Registration opens January 10 and may be done by phone at 604.664.1636, online at www.placedesarts.ca or in person. February 18 - 19, 2011 Snowdeo.  Snowdeo is a rail jam, the largest of its kind to be held in the Lower Mainland, that combines a new breed of snowboarding rail jam competitions with a jam-packed weekend of live musical performances and entertainment. Taking place at Burnabys Swangard Stadium on February 18th & 19th, the competition will feature top snowboarding athletes performing tricks on a unique urban course that will include handrails, ledges, wall rides and a step-down jump. Athletes will compete for over $20,000 in prize money! Live music and entertainment will take place throughout the two-day event. Complete athlete and performer line-up will be released soon check out www.snowdeo.ca for more information. Feb. 18 at 5:00pm to 10:00pm & Feb. 19 at 3:00pm to 10:00pm. February 19, 2011 HUGE INDOOR KIDSWAPMEET! Two Buildings.  Familes and those expecting this is a goldmine , everything from toys to strollers , clothing to baby gates we got it! Cloverdale Fair Grounds.  Table rentals for Feb & April please email me for a registration form : kidswapmeets@hotmail.com. Or call Susan 604-513-8880 February 19, 2011 Japanese Canadian National Museum presents a double-bill film screening “Henry’s Glasses” and “Ishizue; fusion of the hearts” Henry’s Glasses: In a Japanese-Canadian internment camp a young boy must use the power of his imagination to escape reality and help his elderly new friend. The director Brendan Uegama and some of the cast will be in attendance. Ishizue; fusion of the hearts: Ishizue features 13 young Vancouver Chibi Taiko players who traveled to Japan, most for the first time, and practised taiko with a traditional Japanese group in Onomichi, Hiroshima-ken---and experienced connecting with their cultural roots. National Nikkei Museum & Heritage Centre, www.jcnm.ca February 19, 2011 Top Ten Endangered Sites Bus Tour.  Time: 1pm to 5pm (loading begins at 12:30 and bus departs at 1pm sharp) Location: Meet in the Vancouver Museum Parking Lot, 1100 Chestnut St. Admission: $30.00; Heritage Vancouver Members $25.00 Climb aboard a Transit Museum Society historic bus for an exclusive guided tour of Heritage Vancouvers 2011 Top Ten Endangered sites. Be the first to know what sites are on the Top Ten this year. For the first time ever, Heritage Vancouver is announcing the 2011 Top Ten Endangered Sites right before the bus tour departs. Tour guide Donald Luxton, well-known author and heritage expert and the President of Heritage Vancouver, will fascinate you with his stories of this years endangered sites. www.heritagevancouver.org February 21, 2011 Film Screenings: Everybody's Children & Breakin' In.  Join us for documentary film night at the library. Monika Delmos' documentary "Everybody's Children" captures a year in the life of two teenage refugees who left their own countries to make a new life in Ontario. Director Elizabeth St. Philip's film "Breakin' In" chronicles the challenges faced by black women trying to launch their careers in the hip hop music industry. (Admission is free. Seating is limited. Co-sponsored by National Film Board of Canada). Vancouver Public Library, Central Branch 350 W. Georgia Street, 604-331-4040, www.vpl.ca February 23, 2011 Event Title: Pink Shirt Day (BC Anti-Bullying Day). Mark your calendars for Wednesday, February 23, 2011 when we hold our Fourth Annual Pink Shirt Anti-Bullying Day. For 2011, Boys & Girls Clubs across Canada will be participating in Pink Shirt Day and we anticipate adding more partners to make this the biggest anti-bullying awareness day in North America if not the world! For more information please visit our website: www.pinkshirtday.ca February 24 - 27, 2011 The stage adaptation of C.S. Lewis' classic tale, "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe" is being presented live on stage by Imagine That! Productions at The Venue in Langley.at 5708 Glover Road in Langley.  email to imagine@imaginethatplace.com or call 604.612.6167 to reserve a spot for your class now. February 25, 2011 Critical Mass in Vancouver; Critical Mass is a grassroots reclamation of public space -- a bike ride and skate -- held the last Friday of every month. You are invited to enjoy the safety and comfort in the car-free space that we create by simply riding together! Bicycles, skateboards, rollerskates, self propelled couches, and any other form of human powered locomotion are all welcomed! We ride around the city wherever people want to go - this is decided collectively - the length of the ride depends on enthusiasm and is also collectively decided. No one who comes is forced to or needs to break the law in order to participate.  Meet 5 to 5:30 at the Vancouver Art Gallery, leave at 6pm; Critical Mass in Vancouver (https://www.bikesexual.org/cm/) February 26, 2011 Big Computer Swap Meet /Sale & Pop Culture Collectibles Fair.  Great selection of electronics , computer items, printers, monitors, memory, and much much more! Plus rare toys, vintage comics, die-cast, movies, records, cds , dvds and all kinds of collectibes! Scottish Cultural Centre, www.funpromo.ca February 26, 2011 Music of the World on Sitar. Travel the globe without leaving home! Sitarist James Hamilton and special guests play an exotic, eclectic blend of South Asian, Middle Eastern and Celtic music in the intimate setting of Place des Arts. Place des Arts, 1120 Brunette Avenue , Coquitlam | www.placedesarts.ca February 26, 2011 Richmond Sports Club is hosting the WFKKO Western Canadian Championships and Worlds Qualifier for Kickboxing Continuous Sparring Western Canada. This event will be held on Saturday, FEBRUARY 26, 2011 at 9:00am. Registration starts now for competitors. Spectator tickets also available now. LOCATION: #150-2251 #5 Road, Richmond. (Minutes from the Knight Street Bridge.) PHONE: 604-279-9220 WEBSITE: www.richmondsportsclub.ca February 26, 2011 Surrey WinterFest 2011.  The City of Surrey is pleased to announce the return of WinterFest, Surrey’s premier Music Sport and Art festival, on Saturday, February 26th at Central City Plaza. For more details visit www.surrey.ca/winterfest February 26 - 27, 2011 Olympic Glory Relived. Join thousands of Canadians as they relive the spirit of the games in a mass gathering on Granville Street. Be sure to dress in red and white and bring your Canadian flags! Granville St: Drake to Georgia. olymglryrelived@gmail.com March 1, 2011 Join Georgia Straight Film Critic Mark Harris for a FREE screening of Tim Burton’s acclaimed movie Alice in Wonderland coupled with an exploratory talkback on how Lewis Carroll’s masterpiece paved the way for fantasy literature of the future. Presented by Vancouver Public Library and Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet on Tuesday, March 1, 2011 at 7:30 pm in the Alice MacKay Room, Central Library, 350 West Georgia Street. Admission free. Info: www.vpl.ca/events or 604.331.6303. March 12, 2011 Hugh Masekela. Legendary South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela performs at The Chan Centre for the Performing Arts on Saturday, March 12, 2011, at 8pm. Playing tracks from his new album, Phola, coupled with classics that raised international awareness of South African issues and became anthems around the world, the renowned musician will take to the stage with five South African performers for a celebration of world music and jazz. Tickets from $65 at www.ticketmaster.ca (student/senior/group discounts available). March 13, 2011 Kids Stuff Only Market - Coal Harbour Community Centre, 480 Broughton Street, Vancouver;  Sell old children's books, clothing and toys that you have in storage! Or, find a good deal for that little someone. All proceeds from table sales go to Children Programs. Vendors: $19/table. More information at Coal Harbour Community Centre - 604 718 8222 March 16 - 20, 2011 CelticFest Vancouver 2011. Western Canada’s largest and best-loved Celtic festival returns to rock the city with an extraordinary range of over 50 free and ticketed events over five days. CelticFest’s most popular free event is sure to be the 7th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, presented by Pacific Centre on Sunday, March 20th. This huge, enchanting spectacle kicks off at 11am in downtown Vancouver with a new parade route. It’s estimated that more than 300,000 people will line the streets to cheer on almost a hundred parade entries with around 2,000 enthusiastic participants. International award-winning pipe and drum bands, marching Colour Guard, Celtic music and dance groups, the Vancouver police motorcycle drill team and fire brigades, acrobats, giant stilt walkers, rare, vintage cars, youth performers, multicultural displays, distinguished local guests and many more will take to the streets, donning their best green attire, to share the Celtic spirit. For full information and to purchase tickets for all concerts, go to www.celticfestvancouver.com. March 18 - 19, 2011 Ballet BC is proud to announce the Vancouver performances of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre on March 18 and 19, 2011 with two performances at 8 pm and a matinee at 2 pm.  Created by Alvin Ailey in 1958 and under Artistic Director Judith Jamison since 1989, the company is well established as one of the world's favourite dance companies, called by The New York Times "...possibly the most successful modern dance company on the planet." For more information, visit our web site: www.balletbc.com. March 21 - 25, 2011 Place des Arts Spring Break Camp (K – Grade 5). Music, dance, drama and visual arts for elementary school children abound at Place des Arts over spring break. With seven blocks of fun activities to choose from, including cartooning, pottery, dance, drumming, a variety of fine art classes, Musical Theatre and much more, kids will have fun, make friends and learn new skills over the break. Small class sizes and highly skilled teachers make this an engaging art experience. Register after January 31 online at www.placedesarts.ca, by phone at 604.664.1636 or in person at Place des Arts, 1120 Brunette Avenue, Coquitlam. March 21 - 25, 2011 Place des Arts Spring Break Mud Sling! (Grades 6 – 8). Youth in grades 6 to 8 will get their hands in the mud and spin up some fun in this weeklong pottery class, which covers the basics of wheel throwing and hand building decorative and functional works of art. Register after January 31 online at www.placedesarts.ca, by phone at 604.664.1636 or in person at Place des Arts, 1120 Brunette Avenue , Coquitlam. March 21 to April 1, 2011 Two-Week Young Shakespeareans Workshop with Bard on the Beach (Grades 6 – 8). Professional actors from Bard on the Beach will lead middle-school-aged youth on a creative journey through an abridged version of A Midsummer Nights Dream. Students will gain a greater appreciation for Shakespeare’s stories and use of language, while learning more about acting, voice and movement for the stage. Family and friends can join in the fun, as the workshop concludes with a final presentation on Sunday, April 3. As an added bonus, each student will receive two tickets to a Bard on the Beach main stage production in the summer of 2011! Register after January 31 online at www.placedesarts.ca, by phone at 604.664.1636 or in person at Place des Arts, 1120 Brunette Avenue , Coquitlam. March 24 - 27, 2011 RWB’s Wonderland.  Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet presents the Vancouver premiere of Wonderland: a visually stunning, dynamic reinterpretation of Lewis Carroll’s beloved tale.  Acclaimed choreographer Shawn Hounsell takes audiences on a spectacular trip down the rabbit hole with breathtaking, athletic dance, an original soundscape and a reworking of characters  from the classic story, including Alice, The Queen of Hearts and The Mad Hatter. Wonderland runs from March 24 to 27, 2011, at 8pm and March 27 at 2pm at The Centre in Vancouver for the Performing Arts. Tickets from $32.50 at www.Ticketmaster.ca or 604-280-3311. March 26, 2011 Motown Meltdown.  Featuring over 30 artists. Backed by our 12-piece hot Motown band “The Scorchers”! Commodore Ballroom (868 Granville St.). Tickets Advanced: $30 (+ s/c) at Ticketmaster (604) 280-4444 or online at www.ticketmaster.ca or Highlife Records April 7 - 10, 2011 We Are The People.  An original musical celebration commemorating 125 years of laughter and tears in the Downtown Eastside – the heart of our city. Ukrainian Hall, 805 East Pender Street, www.vancouvermovingtheatre.com April 14 - 16, 2011 Vancouver, BC--Ballet BC is proud to announce its 25th Anniversary Celebration with The Turning Point Ensemble at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre from April 14-16, 2011. “To celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Ballet BC as a unique contemporary ballet company, we are delighted to be bringing our Vancouver audiences an exciting evening of new works by Canadian and Ballet BC alumni.  We are also honoured to be collaborating with one of Canada’s leading chamber orchestras, The Turning Point Ensemble. This magnificent program of four new creations promises to be a thrilling experience for both dance and music lovers alike.” says Ballet BC Artistic Director Emily Molnar. For more information, visit our web site: www.balletbc.com. May 7, 2011 You are invited to The 10th Annual Sea to Sky Heritage Fair, a multi-media education program developed to increase awareness and interest in Canadian History.  The Fair encourages students from Grades 4-10 to tell stories and share information about Canadian heroes and stories. A jam-packed schedule of entertainers and events, including live music, arts and craft workshops, and vintage vehicles promises to be a fantastic day of education and free fun for the whole community! North Vancouver Museum and Archives’. For more information please contact Ella McGeough, Heritage Fair Coordinator at 604.99.3700 ext 8008 or by email at mcgeoughe@dnv.org Ongoing to February 5, 2011 January Exhibitions Opening Reception, 7pm. Fine art, inspiration and a glass of wine — the perfect way to spend an evening. Join us at the opening reception for three exquisite exhibitions. Suzy Stroet presents Library, works in multiple media; Robi Smith visits the oceans deep in her acrylics exhibition, The Voice of the Sea; husband and wife team Nathania Vishnevsky and Rick Glumac explore memories of Italy in Remembering Venice. All three exhibitions run to February 5. Place des Arts, 1120 Brunette Avenue , Coquitlam | www.placedesarts.ca Ongoing to February 6, 2011 Dine Out Vancouver.  Dine Out Vancouver is a city-wide celebration of food & BC wine. Virtually every type of restaurant in the city gets involved, giving you the chance to taste Vancouver's hot restaurant digs, new hit eateries and neighbourhood favourites, all for a reasonable prix-fixe price. We hope you're hungry! Indulge in your love of food and BC VQA wine at over 200 restaurants with 3-course meals at $18, $28 or $38. Participating restaurants and their menus will be listed on www.tourismvancouver.com Ongoing to February 6, 2011 PuSh: International Performing Arts Festival.  As one of Vancouver's signature events, the PuSh Festival presents groundbreaking work in the live performing arts: theatre, dance, music and various hybrid forms of performance. It attracts acclaimed local, national and international artists and their work. Various Venues, https://www.pushfestival.ca Ongoing to February 28, 2011 Free Skating at Robson Square Ice Rink.  Lace up your skates and kick off the festive season with FREE SKATING at the Robson Square Ice Rink. Skating is free. Skate rentals available for $3. Helmet rentals available for $2. Robson Square Ice Rink Hotline: 604-646-3554. www.yougottabehere.ca Ongoing to March 26, 2011 The Japanese Canadian National Museum presents The Art of Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani.  "Make art not war" is Jimmy Mirikitani's motto. Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani is a fiercely independent, 90-year-old Japanese American artist who has survived the traumas of war and homelessness by creating art every day. This remarkable exhibition about his art and life is a poignant exploration of the lasting impacts of discrimination, and the healing power of creativity. www.jcnm.ca Ongoing until March 31, 2011 The Golden Age of Steam Ship Travel. This exhibit is focused on the Wallace and Madeleine Chung donation of important early 20th century steamship ephemera and artifacts. The exhibition will draw upon more than 600 posters, ship models, and over 4,000 archival items. Collection includes pamphlets, reports, deck plans, promotional brochures, clippings, books and photographs. https://www.vancouvermaritimemuseum.com Ongoing until March 31, 2011 Vancouver Winter Farmers' Market.  Check out our Winter Farmers Markets. Everything from organic and conventional produce, meat, cheese and seafood, preserves, baking and bread. Plan to grab lunch from our on-site Creperie or sausage vendor. Warm up with a hot coffee on a cold winter day and start shopping. We'll also have select craft vendors selling high quality craft items for gifts and treats for yourself. Don't forget your reusable bags and parking in the area is limited so walk, bike or take transit if you can.  Saturdays, 4610 Ontario St, Nat Bailey Stadium Parking Lot,  https://www.bcfarmersmarket.org