📫 Things to do in Van (Jan 23-29)

Good morning, Vancouver! Hope you’re staying cozy—it’s been chilly lately (and where’s the rain?).

Here’s what’s on deck in this week’s issue:

• Festivals and food

• The Park Board’s hot debate: Are we headed to a future with Lululemon Park and Arc’teryx Beach?

• A fun place to unwind

-Mariana Park

Major Events:

🍫 The Hot Chocolate Festival, January 18- February 14, 2025: They had me at chocolate. This is a popular one with the kids.

🍱 Dine Out Vancouver, January 22 - February 9, 2025: Foodies delight! This is your chance to experience curated fixed-price menus at over 350 of Vancouver’s hottest restaurants.

🎶 PuSh: International Performing Arts Festival, January 23 - February 9, 2025: For over 20 years, PuSh has showcased daring and innovative performances by acclaimed local and international artists. Held at venues throughout the city.

🐍 LunarFest, January 27 - February 22: Celebrate the Year of the Snake with craft workshops, concerts and film screenings taking place in various venues throughout the city.

🧆 Street Food City (Part of Dine Out Vancouver), January 24–26 (11:00 am – 5:00 pm) at Vancouver Art Gallery. Indulge in food truck favourites and creative bites, from mac and cheese, souvlaki, and grilled cheese to Filipino fries, wood-fired pizza, Tex-Mex burritos, chimney cakes, and more.

🛥️ Vancouver International Boat Show, January 29 – Sunday, February 2. Western Canada’s largest boat show, held at BC Place.

What To Do This Week:

*note: live music is denoted with a 🎤

Thursday, January 23rd:

Owl Prowl: Stanley Park Night Walk, 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm at Stanley Park’s Nature House. Discover the secrets of owl breeding season and listen for Stanley Park’s owls on this popular guided nighttime walk.

Circa – Duck Pond, 8:00 pm at the Vancouver Playhouse (additional showtimes Jan. 24 & 25): Circa’s Duck Pond is an audacious, circus-infused reimagining of Swan Lake and The Ugly Duckling.

🎤 Sean Fyfe Plays Cedar Walton: 8:00pm | @Frankie’s Jazz Club

🎤 Dhruv Angrish: 6:00pm - 10:00pm | @ 2nd Floor Gastown

🎤 Early Show: Meredith Louise: 7:00pm - 8:45pm; GroundUp feat. Werewolves: 9:30pm - 1:00am | @ Guilt and Co

🎤 Infidels Jazz Social Music: Electric Miles: 7:00pm | @ Hero's Welcome

🎤 Paul Filek: 4:30pm – 8:30pm; DJ Yawn: 9:00pm – 11:59pm | @ The Lobby Lounge

Friday, January 24th:

A Classical Piano Showcase with Shoko Inoue, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm at Pyatt Hall at the VSO School of Music. Join world-renowned pianist Shoko Inoue for an extraordinary evening of classical music.

Snowed In Comedy Tour, 7:30 pm at York Theatre. Four award-winning comedians—Dan Quinn, Erica Sigurdson, Paul Myrehaug, and Pete Zedlacher—team up for a night of hilarious, diverse comedy. Celebrating its 16th year, this Canadian comedy tour has become a national sensation, bringing laughs across 70 cities and beyond.

Hollywood Rocks – Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Pops, 8:00 pm at the Orpheum. Experience iconic songs from blockbuster movies and TV series in one unforgettable concert! Featuring music from A Star Is Born, Rocketman, Bohemian Rhapsody, Top Gun, and more, with Broadway stars Julie Reiber and Bryce Ryness, conducted by Stuart Chafetz.

Ottawa Black Bears at Vancouver Warriors, 7:00 pm at Rogers Arena. Cheer on the Vancouver Warriors as they face off against the Ottawa Black Bears.

Theatresports™ at The Improv Centre, 7:30 pm at The Improv Centre. Watch two teams of top-notch improv comedians battle it out in a fast-paced, high-energy showdown for laughs and audience support.

🎤 Early Show: Hayley Wallis: 7:00pm - 8:45pm; Christine Lee: 10:00pm - 2:00am | @ Guilt and Co

🎤 Lewis Cardinal: 8:00pm - 11:00pm | @ Dublin Crossing

🎤 Shoplifter, NUMB?DAME?, Feedlot, checkedout: 7:00pm - 11:00pm | @ Green Auto

🎤Adam Thomas: 4:30pm – 8:30pm; DJ Buddha Sax: 9:00pm – 1:00am | @ The Lobby Lounge

Saturday, January 25th:

UBC Botanical Garden’s Annual Lunar New Year Market, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, January 25 & 26 at UBC Botanical Garden. Celebrate the Year of the Snake with over 40 local makers, food trucks, workshops, and performances, including a lion dance and Kung fu show.

Winter’s Green: Frosty Ferns and Firs, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm at Stanley Park Rose Garden. Explore the hidden ecosystems thriving under the snow and learn about the vital roles of plants like ferns and Douglas-firs in forest ecology.

T"ART"s with Chef Nasser: A Cooking Class, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm at Eden West Gourmet. Join Chef Nasser in this hands-on class to master the art of pâte sablée and create three stunning tarts. Perfect for dessert lovers and aspiring bakers.

Embroidery Workshop: Flowers in Winter, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm at Slocan Community Hall. Brighten your winter with a cozy embroidery workshop! Learn to create beautiful floral designs and take home your own finished piece. For beginners and craft enthusiasts alike.

Intro to Woodblock Printing Workshop, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm at Roedde House Museum (Workshop at Barclay Manor). Learn the art of woodblock printing with Richard Tetrault in this hands-on workshop. Open to ages 14+, participants will create colourful prints using provided tools and materials—no experience necessary.

Authentic Mexican Cuisine: A Hands-On Cooking Class, 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm at The Skript Kitchen. Dive into the vibrant flavours of Mexico with this hands-on cooking class. Learn to make fresh tortillas, salsas, and dishes like ancho-braised beef, scallop tostadas, and guava-cilantro rice, all guided by a chef sharing their recent culinary journey through Mexico.

Washington Capitals at Vancouver Canucks, 7:00 pm at Rogers Arena. Cheer on the Vancouver Canucks as they face off against the Washington Capitals

Voices Unveiled at 8:00 pm at ANNEX. An award-winning fusion of Iranian traditional and folk music, Voices Unveiled features vocalists Maliheh Moradi and Mina Deris alongside Grammy-winning musician Edward Perez.

🎤 Big Shoulders: 6:00pm - 10:00pm | @ 2nd Floor Gastown

🎤 Early Show: SIESKI: 7:00pm - 8:45pm; Jack Garton: 10:00pm - 2:00am | @ Guilt and Co

🎤 Saturday Sounds feat. Kentish Steele and the Shantelles: 2:00pm - 4:30pm | @ Hero's Welcome

🎤 Jim Kwan: 4:30pm – 6:30pm; Jim Kwan Duo: 7:00pm – 10:00pm; DJ Wonjo: 10:00pm – 1:00am | @ The Lobby Lounge

Sunday, January 26th:

Gung Haggis Fat Choy 2025, 11:30 am – 2:30 pm at Floata Seafood Restaurant.
Celebrate Chinese New Year and Robbie Burns Day in an afternoon of intercultural fusion featuring food, music, readings, and scotch. Don’t miss the famous haggis wonton and more surprises.

Mishti and More: A Taste of Bengal, 11:30 am – 6:00 pm at 401 Industrial Ave. Experience the vibrant flavors of Bengal at this pop-up event featuring authentic savory dishes and heritage sweets from Kolkata’s legendary Jugal’s.

Classical Kids Live! Vivaldi and the Ring of Mystery, 2:00 pm at The Orpheum. Join the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Kids Concerts for a captivating musical adventure blending Vivaldi’s masterpieces with an engaging mystery story. Perfect for ages six and up, this 50-minute performance combines theater, music, and history to bring Venice and Vivaldi’s world to life.

Miloš – Presented by the Vancouver Recital Society, 7:30 pm at Vancouver Playhouse. World-renowned classical guitarist Miloš returns to Vancouver! Known for his sensitive, charismatic performances and chart-topping recordings, Miloš will perform works by J. S. Bach, Weiss, Scarlatti, and more.

🎤 Neil Gray Quintet: 08:00pm | @ Frankie’s Jazz Club

🎤 The String Key Duo: 6:00pm - 10:00pm | @ 2nd Floor Gastown

🎤 Early Show: Daniel Lew: 7:00pm - 8:00pm; Latin Music Sundays feat. Frankie Hidalgo & the MVPs: 9:00pm - 12:00am | @ Guilt and Co

🎤 Mary Ocher: 7:00pm - 11:00pm | @ Green Auto

🎤 Olaf De Shield: 5:30pm – 8:30pm; Adam Thomas: 9:00pm – 11:59pm | @ The Lobby Lounge

Monday, January 27th:

Aperol Spritz & Pasta Class, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm at 1404 Commercial Drive. Join Chef Giulia to learn traditional pasta-making techniques in this fun, hands-on class. Sip on Aperol Spritz as you craft fresh pasta from scratch and enjoy your delicious creation!

All About Tagliatelle at Il Centro, 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm, at Italian Cultural Centre.
Master the art of fresh pasta making with Mamma Marzia at this hands-on class! Learn to make and roll out tagliatelle from scratch, including a vegan version. Bring your apron, a container, and plenty of enthusiasm for this fun culinary evening.

GAME ON! 4:00 pm at Hero's Welcome. Bring your board games, catch Monday Night Football, or book the Taurus Room for D&D. Enjoy $6 drinks, $18 Margherita pizza, and play Beat the Bartender for $5 drink deals!

Foster the People – Paradise State of Mind Tour, 8:00 pm at Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Join Foster the People, the indie pop sensation behind the hit "Pumped Up Kicks," for an unforgettable night of music with special guest Good Neighbours. VIP packages are available, including exclusive merchandise and early entry.

LunarFest Concert: Fluidity in Diversity, 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm at The Orpheum. Celebrate Lunar New Year with a harmonious blend of East and West, featuring the Suona Gang of Taiwan, Harmonia String Ensemble, West Vancouver Youth Band, and two talented violin soloists.

🎤 Big Band Mondays! Jill Townsend Jazz Orchestra: 07:00pm | @ Frankie’s Jazz Club

🎤 Pressley Murillo Trio: 6:00pm - 10:00pm | @ 2nd Floor Gastown

🎤 Dave Martone: 5:30pm – 8:30pm; Paul Filek: 9:00pm – 11:59pm | @ The Lobby Lounge

Tuesday, January 28th:

Paella Cooking Class, 6:15 pm – 8:15 pm at Northwest Culinary Academy. Master the art of paella in this hands-on class, learning techniques like layering flavors, using a traditional paella pan, and working with key ingredients like bomba rice and saffron. Enjoy your creation with a glass of wine.

🎤 Luvtenant: 6:00pm - 10:00pm | @ 2nd Floor Gastown

🎤 Early Show: Charles Johnson: 7:00pm - 8:00pm; Torben Brown: 9:00pm - 12:00am | @ Guilt and Co

🎤 David Capper: 5:30pm – 8:30pm; Paul Filek: 9:00pm – 11:59pm | @ The Lobby Lounge

Wednesday, January 29th:

The Great Canadian Baking Show Open Call – Vancouver, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm at Hyatt Regency Vancouver. Calling all passionate bakers! Showcase your skills and wow the casting team with your best sweet or savoury creation for a chance to compete on The Great Canadian Baking Show.

Nature Bound: Journal-Making Workshop, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm at SPES Office.
Get creative and craft your own hand-bound nature journal, perfect for recording outdoor reflections, sketches, or species observations. All materials provided

Harlem Globetrotters 2025 World Tour – Vancouver, 7:00 pm at Pacific Coliseum. Join the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters for an unforgettable night of jaw-dropping basketball tricks, hilarious antics, and high-energy entertainment.

The Arsonists, 7:30 pm at Telus Studio Theatre. In this sharp political satire, a complacent businessman unwittingly aids two arsonists, reflecting on the dangers of ignoring rising threats. Originally written as a commentary on Nazism and Communism, The Arsonists remains a powerful and timely story.

🎤 Wednesdays / Wine / Weeds Returns!: 07:00pm  | @ Frankie’s Jazz Club

🎤 Pressley Murillo Trio: 6:00pm - 10:00pm | @ 2nd Floor Gastown

🎤 Early Show: Antonio Larosa (solo): 7:00pm - 8:00pm; Hot Jazz Wednesdays feat. Bonnie Northgraves: 9:00pm - 12:00am | @ Guilt and Co

🎤 Jazz Jam: 6:30pm | @ Famoso Commercial Drive

🎤 Rob Eller: 5:30pm – 8:30pm; Jim Kwan: 9:00pm – 11:59pm | @ The Lobby Lounge

Civic News

On January 20th, the Vancouver Park Board approved a motion to update its Sponsorship and Sponsorship Naming Rights policy (to help increase non-tax revenues for the Park Board and City). The policy allows for sponsorship naming of Park Board programs and assets (which includes real property, services, vehicles, and digital platforms).

However, there are some key exceptions: parks, streets, the Vancouver Public Library, City Hall, non-profit community organizations, and a few more items are excluded. So we probably won’t be seeing “Lululemon Park” or “Arc’teryx Beach”.

For more details, check out the full motion.

Other Fun Things to Do:

If you’re looking for the ultimate way to unwind, The Good Sauna has you covered with a unique sauna-cold plunge experience. Book a 105-minute session and enjoy traditional Finnish saunas, invigorating cold plunge baths, and a cozy communal "campfire area." As an added bonus, they’re located at Container Brewing, so you can always stop by for a pint on the way out.

Have an amazing week,

Your friends at In the Loop Vancouver

P.S. If you’re still reading, could you take a second to let us know what type of events/activities you’d like to know about? Just hit reply!