📫 Things to do in Van: Feb 20-26

Good morning, Vancouver!

Hope you’re staying dry in this rainy weather. Despite the wet forecast, we've got plenty of (indoor) activities to brighten your week. Check out the details below!

-Mariana, Publisher of In the Loop, Vancouver

Major Events This Week:

🏉 2025 HSBC SVNS Vancouver (Vancouver Sevens) rugby tournament and festival, BC Place, February 21–23, 2025. Enjoy world-class rugby alongside an epic costume party.

🎭 Primary Trust, Feb. 6–March 2 at the Granville Island Stage, various showtimes: Watch the Canadian premiere of a Pulitzer-winning drama about a laid-off bookstore clerk discovering courage through his small town’s warmth.

🕸️ FanExpo Vancouver, Vancouver Convention Centre – West Building, February 21–23, 2025: Into comics, sci-fi, horror, anime, gaming, or cosplay? Join 35,000 fellow fans for an out-of-this-world pop culture playground where you can celebrate your favourite fandoms and find your community.

Things To Do This Week:

*note: live music is denoted with a 🎤

Thursday, February 20th:

Just For Laughs VANCOUVER presents The Basement Yard Live, Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 7:00 pm (also Feb. 21st): Join Joe Santagato and Frank Alvarez for an unscripted, unpredictable live experience that has the audience participating as much as the hosts.

🎤 Cory Phillips LIVE: 6:00pm–10:00pm | @ 2nd Floor Gastown
🎤 Early Show: amarElas: 7:00pm–8:45pm; GroundUp feat. Tabbies w/ Christine Lee: 9:30pm–1:00am | @ Guilt & Co
🎤 Adam Thomas Duo: 4:30pm–8:30pm; DJ Yawn: 9:00pm–1:00am | @ Lobby Lounge
🎤 Shoecraft, Semi-Athletic, Runner: 7:00pm–11:00pm | @ Green Auto
🎤 Infidels Jazz Social Music: Yoro Noukoussi: 8:00pm | @ Hero's Welcome
🎤 GRAVEYARD GHOSTS / THE SHINDIGS: 8:45pm–10:30pm | @ The Roxy Cabaret

Friday, February 21st:

Library Talk: Erica Cardwell and Nya Lewis, Vancouver Art Gallery Library & Archives, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm: Join writer, critic, and educator Erica Cardwell in conversation with Curator in Residence Nya Lewis as they discuss her book, Wrong Is Not My Name: Notes on (Black) Art (2024).

Hand-Shaped Pasta, Northwest Culinary Academy, 6:15 pm – 8:15 pm: Learn to craft handmade pasta—complete with baked cheese, tomato and asparagus, and a version with flavourful pesto—in this fun, artisanal cooking class.

Saskatchewan Rush at Vancouver Warriors, Roger’s Arena, 7:00 pm: Catch the live action as the Saskatchewan Rush face off against the Vancouver Warriors.

Rachmaninoff's Second Piano Concerto, Orpheum, 7:00 pm (Also Feb. 23rd at 2:00 pm): Experience a passionate performance as pianist Alexei Volodin and conductor Daniel Raiskin deliver sweeping romance and virtuosic brilliance in this iconic concerto.

Sankofa Danzafro – The City of Others (La Ciudad de los Otros), Vancouver Playhouse, 8:00 pm (also on Feb. 22nd): Celebrate Colombia’s 159th Anniversary of the Abolition of Slavery with a powerful dance and music performance that transforms the stage into a vibrant space of democracy, equality, and hope.

🎤 Dutch Robinson Trio LIVE: 6:00pm–10:00pm | @ 2nd Floor Gastown
🎤 Early Show: The Royal Sundowners: 7:00pm–8:45pm; Camaro 67: 10:00pm–2:00am | @ Guilt & Co
🎤 Rob Eller: 4:30pm–8:30pm; DJ Buddha Sax: 9:00pm–1:00am | @ Lobby Lounge

Saturday, February 22nd:

Bits + Bobs Samples and Seconds SALE, Heritage Hall, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm: Shop an exciting collection from 40 local makers featuring reduced-price items, one-off samples, and seasonal treasures at up to 80% off.

Mask Workshop – Carnevale, Italian Cultural Centre, 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm: Create your own Venetian-style mask in this hands-on workshop as part of the Carnevale 2025 collection.

Spring T-shirt Upcycling Workshop, DreamStill, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm: Transform your old T-shirts into fresh, stylish pieces in this creative upcycling workshop.

Cooking for Change, Lind Hall – False Creek Community Centre, 6:00 pm: Tackle food waste and celebrate the journey from seed to plate with chefs, farmers, and food industry experts sharing practical, delicious solutions.

Nurse John: The Short-Staffed Tour, Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 4:00 and 7:00 pm: Nurse John, a real-life nurse turned comedian, delivers relatable humour about the ups and downs of working short-staffed—mixing reality, truth, and entertainment to remind you that with enough caffeine, you can get through any shift.

VMO 22nd Spring Concert, Orpheum, 7:00 pm: Enjoy a stellar performance by the Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra featuring Beethoven’s Fantasia and Orff’s Carmina Burana, preceded by a pre-concert talk.

TPE Miniature, ANNEX, 7:30 pm (also on Feb 23 at 2:30pm): Discover a dynamic chamber program of solos, duos, and premieres celebrating diversity and Black History Month.

Ivan Decker, York Theatre, 7:30 pm: Vancouver-born comedian Ivan Decker delivers sharp, multi-layered observational humour in an engaging live show.

Ebi, Roger's Arena, 8:00 pm: Legendary Ebrahim Hamedi returns, captivating audiences with his signature satin yet powerful voice.

🎤 Dreams2Reality LIVE: 6:00pm–10:00pm | @ 2nd Floor Gastown
🎤 Early Show: Serengeti: 7:00pm–8:45pm; Empanadas Ilegales: 10:00pm–2:00am | @ Guilt & Co
🎤 Adam Thomas: 4:30pm–8:30pm; Adam Thomas Duo: 7:00pm–10:00pm; DJ Wonjo: 10:00pm–1:00am | @ Lobby Lounge
🎤 Hazel Blackburn, Houseguest, Cursed Words: 7:00pm–11:00pm | @ Green Auto
🎤 Saturday Sounds feat. Souled Out: 2:00pm–4:30pm | @ Hero's Welcome

Sunday, February 23rd:

Birds of a Feather: February Flights, Nature House, Stanley Park, 9:30 am – 11:00 am: Join their monthly birding program and enjoy a late winter morning immersed in nature and community.

The Ultimate Sunday Brunch, The Skript Kitchen, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm: Level up your brunch game with a hands-on cooking class featuring Brioche French Toast, Eggs Benedict with avocado, and more delicious dishes.

Culture Club at MOA: Tiny Manifesto, MOA, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm: Experiment with self-expression and create your own unique zine in this family-friendly creative workshop.

Hero’s Market, Hero’s Welcome, 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm: Explore a vibrant market featuring 15+ local vendors offering vintage clothing, housewares, jewelry, skin care, plants, crafts, and more—no cover charge.

tenThing, Vancouver Playhouse, 3:00 pm: Enjoy an engaging afternoon of music from the all-female brass ensemble tenThing, performing a richly varied program by Albeniz, Bacewicz, Bernstein, and others.

Film Screening: Mami Wata + Drexciya, VIFF Centre - Vancity Theatre, 3:30 pm: Watch the black-and-white fantasy thriller Mami Wata (2023) based on West African folklore, and the short documentary Drexciya (2010), exploring urban decay in Accra.

Emma Willmann Comedy Show Live in Vancouver, Granville Island Stage, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm: Laugh along with top New York comedian Emma Willmann in a live, high-energy performance.

🎤 Ballads, Bossas, and Blues LIVE: 6:00pm–10:00pm | @ 2nd Floor Gastown
🎤 Early Show: Michael Meroniuk: 7:00pm–8:00pm; Latin Music Sundays feat. Brejera: 9:00pm–12:00am | @ Guilt & Co
🎤 Olaf De Shield: 5:30pm–8:30pm; Adam Thomas: 9:00pm–11:59pm | @ Lobby Lounge
🎤 JEREMY PRICE – LEE MORGAN LEGACY (CONTINUED): 8:00pm | @ Frankie's Jazz Club

Monday, February 24th:

Pour Over Pop Up by Slothee Coffee and Honeysuckle Collective, Yuán Coffee, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm: Join Jess of Slothee Coffee and Claire of Honeysuckle Collective for a chill coffee pop-up featuring 20 specialty coffees brewed as pour-overs, so you can taste and compare unique light roasts from Canadian roasters.

Japanese Canadian Heritage Cooking Class: Shoku On The Go! w/ Michael Ouchi, Vancouver Japanese Language School and Japanese Hall, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm: Michael Ouchi serves up a crash course in Japanese cuisine classics—oyakodon and dorayaki—complete with homemade pickles, green tea, seasonal fruit, and sweet mochi brownie bites.

Live Nation presents Apocalyptica Plays Metallica Vol. 2 Tour, Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 7:30 pm: Experience heavy metal history reimagined as Apocalyptica, the legendary Finnish cello group, pays tribute to Metallica with powerful collaborations and iconic tracks in a tour that brings metal’s past into the present.

🎤 Early Show: Matthew Presidente: 7:00pm–8:00pm; DAñSE: 9:00pm–12:00am | @ Guilt & Co
🎤 Dave Martone: 5:30pm–8:30pm; Paul Filek: 9:00pm–11:59pm | @ Lobby Lounge

Tuesday, February 25th:

Light Up Lee Square, Lee Square Plaza @ UBC, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm: Admire light projections from winning designs, plus enjoy a giant Light Brite, glow in the dark swings, music, and a dance activation by Move UBC.

3D Printing 101, MakerLabs, 6:00 pm: Learn how 3D printers work, set up and run them, and explore MakerLabs' resources—ideal for artists, designers, and makers.

Trivia Night, Dublin Crossing Vancouver, 6:30 pm: Enjoy a themed trivia night featuring Pixar Movies, with free admission and prizes to win.

IQ 2000 Trivia, Hero’s Welcome, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Test your knowledge in this weekly trivia event, complete with food specials from 4–6 pm and free entry.

PechaKucha Night Vol. 59 Food Edition, Vancouver Playhouse, 7:30 pm: Experience rapid-fire presentations as creatives share ideas in a concise 20x20 format with a focus on food.

A Boy Band Symphony, Orpheum, 8:00 pm: Relive the boy band era with a symphonic tribute as the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra performs iconic hits with a stellar lineup.

Classical Road to the Junos, ANNEX, 8:00 pm: Celebrate Vancouver’s classical music scene with CBC and Music on Main in an evening of emotionally powerful performances and engaging onstage conversations.

🎤 Black Space Jam feat. WavyFay: 7:00pm–8:00pm; Funk Yourself: 9:00pm–12:00am | @ Guilt & Co
🎤 David Capper: 5:30pm–8:30pm; Adam Thomas: 9:00pm–11:59pm | @ Lobby Lounge
🎤 THE TWITCH: 9:45pm–10:30pm | @ The Roxy Cabaret

Wednesday, February 26th:

Spectacle Nights: Rare and Astonishing Photographs and More, Science World, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Experience an intimate 19+ evening featuring a National Geographic photography exhibition, Spectacle. You’ll also get access to Extreme Sports: Beyond Human Limits, and the Creative Technology Gallery—sip, mingle, and marvel at breathtaking imagery and innovative technology.

From Oysters to Orcas 2025, Fanny Bay Oyster Bar & Shellfish Market, 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm: Enjoy Vancouver's freshest seafood at this annual fundraising event in support of the Salish Sea, with canapés made from local seafood and inspiring talks on marine stewardship.

Paint Nite Brand Creative Events, Smith's Irish Pub, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Unleash your creativity at this beginner-friendly painting party in Gastown, where you'll follow a guided, step-by-step art class.

🎤 Silent St. J: 7:00pm–8:00pm; Hot Jazz Wednesdays feat. Josh Roberts: 9:00pm–12:00am | @ Guilt & Co
🎤 Rob Eller: 5:30pm–8:30pm; Jim Kwan: 9:00pm–11:59pm | @ Lobby Lounge
🎤 WEDNESDAYS / WINE / WEEDS RETURNS!: 7:00pm | @ Frankie's Jazz Club
🎤 Pop Duo, Molly & Taylor: 6:30pm | @ Famoso Commercial Drive
🎤 JONATHON GOLDIE / MORSE CODE LITERATURE / HUMAN UNITY: 8:15pm–10:45pm | @ The Roxy Cabaret

Coming Soon:

Alexander Boldachev Concert, Vancouver Academy of Music, March 2, 7:00 pm: Internationally-acclaimed harpist Alexander Boldachev returns to Vancouver for a much-anticipated performance.

All About Ravioli at Il Centro, Italian Cultural Centre, March 3, 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm: Learn to make fresh ravioli from scratch, with both traditional and vegan options.

Girls and STEAM Livestream: Explore STEAM Careers!, Science World, March 7, 11:00 am – 11:45 am: Celebrate STEAM with inspiring professionals on International Women’s Day.

Beginner Felting Class, Baaad Anna’s, March 8, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm: Master the basics of 3D needle felting in a fun, hands-on workshop with local artist Mel Broome.

Chocolate Tour and Tasting, Granville Island, March 30, 10:00 am: Discover how cacao transforms into chocolate and enjoy award-winning samples.

Shop Local 🇨🇦

Riley Park Farmer’s Market, Saturdays, 10:00am-2:00pm

Kits Farmer’s Market, Sundays, 10:00am-2:00pm

Have an amazing week,

Your friends at In the Loop Vancouver