special events in vancouver, british columbia, canada

January 1, 2009
Polar Bare Plunge. Surrey's two naturist groups present the third annual Crescent Rock Naturist Beach Polar Bare Plunge. Hot coffee and chocolate will be provided by South Surrey's Holy Smoke Coffee. Registration fees are by donation (suggested $10.00). All proceeds will be donated to the War Amps / Child Amps program. Registration starts at 11:30am. https://club.skinnydipper.ca/polar_bare/polar_bare.php

January 8, 2009
Vicki Robin. Vicki Robin is co-author with Joe Dominguez of the national best-seller, Your Money Or Your Life: Transforming our Relationship With Money & Achieving Financial Independence. Vancouver Public Library, Central Branch 350 W. Georgia Street, 604-331-4040, www.vpl.ca

January 10, 2009
Burn the Floor. BURN THE FLOOR is a dazzling display of Ballroom dance that forever blurs the line between the frenetic energy of an electrifying rock and roll arena show and the seductive glisten of Broadway-style theatre. Featuring a high-voltage, superbly executed blend of Rumba, Cha-Cha, Samba, Salsa, Waltz, Tango, Quickstep, Swing and Jive, BURN THE FLOOR ushers in a new era of Ballroom dance. Stripped of pretence, the performances have an unbridled energy that makes this sensuous mix of dance and music a stunning rhythmic spectacle of dramatic sophistication never before seen on stage.Tickets, $29.50 - $69.50, are on sale through Ticketmaster.ca or by calling 604-280-4444. Queen Elizabeth Theatre.

January 10, 2009
For the Luv of It! Entertainment Workshops. In addition to the "For the Luv of It Pro!" and For the Luv of It Youth!" performances (Jan 10 &11), “For the Luv of It” is offering free workshops on January 10 on how to make it in the entertainment business. www.fortheluvofit.com

January 10 - 31, 2009
The Playhouse Theatre Company presents Miss Julie. In this new adaptation, August Strindberg’s play about class, gender and power is transposed to Mississippi in 1964, adding a new layer of racial conflict to the sexual tensions simmering below the surface of a hot night. Miss Julie, the white daughter of a Mississippi judge, incites a dangerous liaison with the family’ black chauffeur, John, leading to a struggle for control and power that shatter the social bonds that restrict – and shield – them. Vancouver Playhouse, https://www.vancouverplayhouse.com

January 11, 2009
For the Luv of It Youth! “For the Luv of It Youth!” is a live entertainment showcase which highlights the burgeoning talents of Greater Vancouver’s up and coming singers, musicians and dancers. ARTS CLUB THEATRE (GRANVILLE ISLAND STAGE); www.fortheluvofit.com

January 12, 2009
UBC Botanical Garden Lecture: Glacier National Park, Montana. Going to the Sun in Search of Wildflowers - Glacier National Park, Montana. Images of plant communities and rock formations from Two Dog Flats to Logan Pass and Hidden Lake. A sacred place preserved. Its Canadian sister in peace is Waterton Lakes National Park. www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org

January 13, 2009
DanceHouse: Speaking of Dance. "Speaking of Dance" is a speaker's series developed to enrich and deepen the Vancouver public's experience of dance. Vancouver Public Library, Central Branch 350 W. Georgia Street, 604-331-4040, www.vpl.ca

January 14, 2009
Grandparenting in the 21st Century. A screening of Simon Fraser University's Seniors Outreach interactive video project. The project aims to provide seniors in our community an opportunity to engage in dialogue and exchange ideas. Vancouver Public Library, Central Branch 350 W. Georgia Street, 604-331-4040, www.vpl.ca

January 14, 2009
SEEING EYE TO EYE. SEEING EYE TO EYE is a charity event for Operation Eyesight on January 14 at the Roundhouse Community Centre, Yaletown. Music, art and theatre collide for one night. The Adam Woodall Band, Friends With Liam, Tessa Amy, The Racoons, and Fully Loaded perform inside this gallery event featuring a short theatre performance. Tickets are $37 for adults and $22 for 26 years and under with 100% of the ticket sales going to Operation Eyesight. Online tickets are available at www.stubmatic.com/seeingeyetoeye/event/237 or by phone at 604 803 0555. Further information is available at www.seeingeyetoeye.ca. Roundhouse Community Centre, Yaletown.

January 15 - 17, 2009
Ballet BC's Swan Lake. Witness the grace and intensity of one of ballet’s most famous masterpieces – Swan Lake. Performed by the Universal Ballet of Korea to Tchaikovsky’s immortal score, Swan Lake tells a tragic tale of love and betrayal. January 15-17, 2009 at 8pm at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Tickets from $35.75 at www.ticketmaster.ca, 604-280-3311, or www.balletbc.com, 604-732-5003, ext. 207.

January 17, 2009
Tiller’s Folly Robbie Burns Special at the Gateway Theatre, Richmond. A musical concert celebrating Robbie Burns Day. This event is for all ages! Disability access is available with designated parking spaces. For more information contact: RICHMOND CONCERT ASSOCIATION Phone: 6042742168 or Visit https://www.richmondconcertassociation.ca/

January 17, 2009
Greighlan Crossing & White Sport Pipe Bands Robbie Burns Night. Pipe Band presentations; solo performances; Highland Dancers; Owen Barrington, 2008 World Irish Dance Champion; silent auction; whisky tasting. All welcome. North Delta Recreation Centre 11415 – 84th Avenue, Delta; 604-882-0953, https://www.whitespotpipeband.org/burn09-new.pdf

January 17, 2009
Indie I Do. Indie I Do - the first show of its kind in Canada revolutionalizes an industry that is dominated by commercial products and provides couples with the opportunity to think outside the box! Bringing together local independent, edgy, and innovative exhibitors, Indie I Do provides alternatives to express your unique personalities and style.Whether you're going for totally off-beat or traditional with a touch of personality, this will be the place to find it. www.indieido.com Heritage Hall, 3102 Main Street, Vancouver;

January 18, 2009
21st CENTURY FLEA MARKET. Boho chic to 50's kitsch, collectibles and memorabilia to vintage kitchenalia, 175 tables of bargains on deluxe 20th century junque! Retro furnishings, books, antiques, dolls & toys, jewelry, country stuff, china & glass, records, mid-century Modern, linens & lace, postcards, garden accessories, lamps & shades, sports items, silverware, paintings & prints, advertising, collectibles & much, much more...Plus Drop-In Appraisals All Day - Call or Visit www.21cpromotions.com for Full Details - General Admission $3 at Door - Children Under 13 Free - Free Parking - On-Site Snack Bar. Croatian Cultural Centre, 3250 Commercial Drive at 16th Avenue, Vancouver.

January 18, 2009
Centennial Theatre proudly presents the 2008/2009 Family Festival Series: Corpus - Les Moutons and A Flock of Flyers. Discover the delightful and quirky Les Moutons, a unique live installation that brings a typical country scene right into the theatre lobby. Children are encouraged to participate as CORPUS enacts a carefully studied and hilarious overview of sheep behaviour. (604) 984-4484, www.centennialtheatre.com

January 19, 2009
Drew Hayden Taylor. Join award-winning author Drew Hayden Taylor reading from his novel "The Night Wanderer: A Native Gothic Novel", and his most recent anthology, "Me Sexy: An Exploration of Native Sex and Sexuality." Taylor is widely known for his thoughtful and sharply witty observations on Aboriginal subjects and issues. (Free admission. We gratefully acknowledge the financial assistance of The Canada Council for the Arts). Vancouver Public Library, Central Branch 350 W. Georgia Street, 604-331-4040, www.vpl.ca

January 21 to February 8, 2009
PuSh International Performing Arts Festival 2009. The annual PuSh International Performing Arts Festival is one of Vancouver’s signature events. Produced over 20 days each January, 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 For more information and show descriptions visit www.pushfestival.ca

January 24, 2009
Gung Haggis Fat Choy Robbie Burns 250th Birthday & Chinese New Year's Eve. Cross-cultural literary, music and food celebration, blending BC's Scottish and Chinese history and culture. This is the dinner that inspired the CBC TV performance special and the SFU Gung Haggis Fat Choy Festival. Featured performers: Silk Road Music Ensemble, Opera Soprano Heather Pawsey + guests, Rita Wong BC Book Prize for Poetry winner, debut of the Gung Haggis Fat Choy Pipe Band, Robbie Burns Chinese clapper tale by Dr. Jan Walls, Joe McDonald "rapping bagpiper", lots of special guests, a Gung Haggis dragon dance, special celtic musicians, lots of Robert Burns poetry, lots of surprises, more to be announced! Floata Seafood Restaurant, #400 - 180 Keefer St., Vancouver Chinatown; www.gunghaggisfatchoy.com

January 26, 2009
Chinese / Vietnamese / Korean New Year. Year of the Ox. The first day after the new (dark) moon is a religious and cultural festival celebrated by Chinese, Vietnamese, and Koreans of Buddhist and other backgrounds as New Year's Day for the year 4707 in the Chinese calendar. INFORMATION SOURCE: Multifaith Calendar produced by the Multifaith Action Society of Vancouver. For more information please contact the Multifaith Action Society directly, or visit www.multifaithaction.org

January 28 - 31, 2009
The Cultch presents England. Forget thoughts of skinheads or nostalgia, England is about an empire of a different kind — one of transmigrations and transplantations. It’s the story of one thing placed inside another: a heart inside another person’s body, a culture inside another country’s culture, theatre inside a gallery, a character inside an actor, a play inside its audience. The Vancouver East Cultural Centre; https://www.thecultch.com/

January 28 to February 15, 2009
The 22nd Annual St. Valentine's Day Massacre. Vancouver Theatresports League presents the 22nd Annual St. Valentine's Day Massacre. A ruthlessly funny & cuttingly competitive comedy improv tournament to be held from January 28th to February 15th 2008 at the New Revue Stage on Granville Island. Visit www.vtsl.com for up to date programming information.

January 30, 2009
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/)

January 31, 2009
Monster Jam at BC Place; www.monsterjamonline.com.

January 31, 2009
SWINGIN' WITH BOB CHILCOTT Choral Jazz. Brilliant British composer and conductor Bob Chilcott is our special guest for this delightful programme. (You may remember Bob’s first Vancouver appearances many years ago as the tenor in the King’s Singers.) He’ll lead the Vancouver Chamber Choir in a jazz-influenced repertoire including his own A Little Jazz Mass and some “jazzy folksongs”, along with other music by Shearing, Bennett, Berring and Oscar Peterson. Christ Church Cathedral - 690 Burrard Street at West Georgia Street; 604-738-6822.

January 31 to February 1, 2009
Chinese New Year Tea. Come and celebrate the beginning of "The year of the Ox" at London Heritage Farm with a special new year tea and cultural displays. For more information visithttps://www.londonheritagefarm.ca This event is for all ages!

February 15, 2009
Centennial Theatre proudly presents the 2008/2009 Family Festival featuring Jack Pine, A Vancouver Opera World Premiere. Vancouver Opera brings the World Premiere of this delightful story of the tenacious and truly remarkable Jack Pine to Centennial Theatre before heading out on tour across BC. Sung in English and commissioned specifically for children, this magical 45-minute production will transport children and families deep into Canada’s vast forests and will introduce them to the beauty, relevance and sheer fun of opera. (604) 984-4484, www.centennialtheatre.com

February 21, 2009
2009 Kidswapmeet at Cloverdale Fair Grounds 6050 -176st , Cloverdale. Huge event for parents and those expecting. 9am-1pm Baby to teen itemsClothing , books , furniture, toys ect .Too much to name All name brands you can imagine , FisherPrice , Roxy, Little Tykes , Childrens place and more .See your kids stuff call 604-513-8880 or email kidswapmeets@hotmail.com

March 22, 2009
Kids’ Stuff Swap Meet. If you have children’s toys, clothes, or books you no longer use then this is your chance to sell these items instead of keeping them in storage. Tables are sold by first come, first served. Money raised from the tables goes directly towards Children’s Programs. Coal Harbour Community Centre (480 Broughton Street, Vancouver). 604.718.8222.

Ongoing until January 7, 2009, 2008
Banner Years - Hidden Hockey Treasures. This hockey season be sure to take a break and check out the newest exhibit at the BC Sports Hall of Fame. Banner Years - Hidden Hockey Treasuresis like a look into an old hockey bag; you never know what you'll find. So now's your chance to get up close to items representing British Columbia's great hockey heritage. Here's a list of just a few items on display in the exhibit: - Five Original Vancouver Canucks' banners, Hockey cards from the ultimate hockey card collection, Giant signed "white towel" from 1982, A look at the stories of the 8 hockey teams and 26 players inducted for hockey; https://www.bcsportshalloffame.com/

Ongoing to February 15, 2009
The Unnatural History of Stanley Park. We interfered with, altered, and rearranged Stanley Park's forests, creatures and people to make nature more 'natural'. With "The Unnatural History of Stanley Park" exhibit, the Vancouver Musuem sheds some light on puzzling blind spots in our romance with this national treasure, which turns 120 this year. The exhibit showcases souvenirs collected by park visitors over 120 years, behind-the-scenes stories of the park's plants, animals, people and landmarks, and a selection of proposals to 'improve" Stanley Park - a list that includes the bizarre, amazing, and scary, as well as the sublime. Vancouver Musuem, 604-736-4431, www.vanmuseum.bc.ca

Ongoing
For the last 12 years I've been running a non-profit organization in Delta called Air Time Canada. We offer a free Aviation Camp where kids (and adults) learn how to co-pilot an airplane and get a chance to try it out for real. It's completely free, in that we cover the cost of the ground school, food, flights, fuel, instructors, etc. Participants do have to pay for their own classroom supplies. You can find out a lot more at: https://www.airfun.org David Black, Director, Air Time Canada;

Ongoing
MR DANCE in Vancouver - Social and ballroom dancing every Sunday and Tuesday. We are teaching dancing since 1991. Admission: $6.00 for a group lesson and a dance. No partner required. No membership. Learn to dance like the Stars in 2008. FREE ticket for new people every Tuesday. Location: Vancouver, Astorino's Hall, 1739 Venables Street. Visit www.MrDance.ca or call Esie at 604 436 4436 for more information.

Ongoing
Totems - Silent Messengers of the West Coast. Visit the largest and most diverse collection of totem poles Vancouver has seen and pay homage to this ancient icon in Pacific Northwest Coast native culture, known as the silent messenger. Coastal Peoples Fine Arts, 1024 Mainland St., Vancouver; 604.685.9248, https://www.coastalpeoples.com

Ongoing
Vancouver Public Library presents OPEN MIKE FOR TEENS. Are you tired of singing in the shower or reading poetry to your cat? We are too and we're here to do something about it! On the first Monday of every month between October and June, teens are invited to come on stage in the Peter Kaye room at Central Library and do their thing! Anything goes, from stories to poetry to songs. It can be your own material or someone else's. It doesn't matter who wrote it, we wanna hear it. Library Square, 604.331.3691.