Soledad Barrio and Noche Flamenca will be performing at the PuSH International Performing Arts Festival in Vancouver on Saturday, Jan. 21.
La La La Human Steps
See the human body pushed to its limits of speed and stunning precision at New Work, the latest dance creation by La La La Human Steps mastermind Édouard Lock, who drew inspiration from two iconic operas, Purcell's Dido and Aeneas and Gluck's Orpheus and Eurydice (at the Centre Saturday and Sunday, ticketmaster.ca).
Behind the Myths
Bit of a science buff? Catch hilarious MythBusters hosts Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage as they tell behind-the-scenes tales from the show and offer up mind-blowing on-stage experiments that support, or lay to rest, the urban myths we live with every day – this time with audience participation (at the Queen E Sunday, ticketmaster.ca).
Canada's Top Ten 2011
Catch the best Canadian flicks of 2011 as chosen by critics, filmmakers, festival programmers and other industry pros at Canada's Top Ten – this year featuring fantastic films by Jason Eisener, Guy Maddin, Sarah Polley, Ken Scott and more, as well as 10 colourful shorts (at Pacific Cinémathèque until Jan. 29, cinematheque.bc.ca). And don't miss the award-winning documentary Position Among the Stars, which won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance and Best Documentary at the European Film Awards (at Vancity until Jan. 25, viff.org).
Dine Out Vancouver
Indulge in fine food and drink without breaking the bank at Dine Out Vancouver, in which you can enjoy three-course prix fixe menus at Vancouver top restaurants, as well as tasty events including the Street Food Cart City (until Feb. 5, tourismvancouver.com). Then try a wee dram at the Victoria Whisky Festival, which comes with master classes from top scotch aficionados (victoriawhiskyfestival.com), or celebrate Robbie Burns Day and Chinese New Year at Todd Wong's legendary Gung Haggis Fat Choy dinner (at the Floata Seafood Restaurant Sunday, gunghaggis.com).
Taboo Naughty But Nice Show
Steam up the chilly nights at the Taboo Naughty But Nice Show, where you can attend workshops such as "Improving Your Sex Life," "Spanking 101" and "Talking Dirty," check out exotic dancers and fashion shows, marvel at live demos and pick up all the goodies you need to stay plenty warm this winter (vancouverconventioncentre.com).
Dan Savage
Speaking of talking dirty, don't miss legendary sex columnist Dan Savage – who doesn't mince words when doling out advice in his column Savage Love – as he talks about everything from being "monogamish" to the U.S. Republican race, and takes questions from brave members of the crowd (at the Vogue Saturday, voguetheatre.com).
Olympic Qualifying Soccer
Head for BC Place and cheer on top women's soccer teams from around the globe – including Cuba, Mexico, Dominican Republic, U.S., Canada and more – as they vie for top spots at the 2012 CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament. The event runs until Jan. 29; Canada takes on Cuba Saturday (canadasoccer.com).
Trout Lake Community Centre
The official opening isn't until February 18, but you can test drive Vancouver's latest local hub as the Trout Lake Community Centre opens – and offers free classes all weekend, including painting and drawing, Bollywood and hip-hop dance, little league baseball, Tai Chi and more (vancouver.ca/parks).
Vancouver Motorcycle Show
Get your motor runnin' and check out the latest and greatest rides at the Vancouver Motorcycle Show, featuring top Enduro-X riders, stunt jumpers, guest speakers, a kids' riding academy, RCMP skills demos, women's clinics, a Harley wheelie machine, and of course, plenty of shiny new steeds (at Tradex, vancouvermotorcycleshow.ca).
Divers Weekend
Dive into your weekend at the Vancouver Aquarium, where you can check out exhibits by diving clubs, attend seminars about everything from underwater photography to ocean rescues and watch demos by the Royal Canadian Navy EOD, the Canadian Coast Guard and RCMP dive teams at the Vancouver Aquarium's annual Divers' Weekend (vanaqua.org).
City and Colour
Catch platinum-selling, Juno-winning singer-songwriter Dallas Green – aka City and Colour – on tour with his latest album Little Hell, about life's myriad heavens and hells (in Kelowna Saturday, ticketmaster.ca). Like your music made with ones and zeros? Catch D'eon, Grimes and Babe Rainbow at the Waldorf (Saturday, waldorfhotel.com). And if you're in the snowy north, don't miss Prince George's Coldsnap Festival, featuring B.C. favourites Hey Ocean!, Steve Dawson, Linda McRae and more (until Jan. 28, coldsnapfestival.com).
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