10 Best Destinations To See Colorful Fall Foliage In Vancouver
LA Times Today: Glorious Things To Do In Vancouver, The 'California Of Canada'
April 18, 2024 1:46 PM PT
It's no surprise that Vancouver, British Columbia, with its beach volleyball, coastal forests and active film industry, is often referred to as the "California of Canada." L.A. Times travel writer Chris Reynolds explained how the destination is in many ways a home away from home for SoCal residents.
15 Fun Things To Do In Vancouver This Weekend: April 19 To 21
Time flies when you're having fun!
Make your weekend soar with our list of 15 great things to do in Metro Vancouver from April 19 to 21. Featuring the Surrey Vaisakhi Parade, Food Truck Wars, and more.
For more fun things happening around town, be sure to check out our Listed section.
And to stay up to date on everything happening in Metro Vancouver, BC, and beyond, sign up for our newsletters!
A.PAES/Shutterstock
What: The inaugural Coast City Country Festival is coming to Vancouver this spring, and it's bringing a huge lineup of music superstars to town.
American Idol judge Luke Bryan, Canadian rock icons Nickelback, and award-winning country superstar Dierks Bentley are just a few of the acts announced for the city-wide event, which will take place from April 19 to 20.
The new festival will offer music fans exciting experiences at BC Place, Commodore Ballroom, and other stages around Vancouver.
When: April 19 and 20, 2024Time: Various timesWhere: BC Place, Commodore Ballroom, and other venuesTickets: Starting at $99 all-in. Tickets available online
What: Trout Lake Community Centre in East Vancouver is celebrating Earth Day with a day full of green family fun. Guests will enjoy games and crafts, a nature hunt, and more. There will also be a variety of activities and informational booths to visit at the event.
When: April 20, 2024Time: 11 am to 2 pmWhere: Trout Lake Community Centre – 3360 Victoria Drive, VancouverCost: Free
What: Brewhalla takes over The Shipyards in North Vancouver for an evening of fun sipping and sampling the finest local craft beverages.
Guests will enjoy access to over 30 craft beverage vendors serving beer, wine, cider, mead, spirits, and zero-proof options. The 19+ festival will also feature live music, food trucks, friendly competitions, and more.
When: April 19Time: 5 to 10 pmWhere: The Shipyards in North Vancouver — 125 Victory Ship Way, North VancouverTickets: $45, which includes a tasting glass, three drink tokens, live music, and access to all vendors. Purchase online
What: Instant Theatre and yamjam team up for an improv jam showcase at the Slice of Life Art Gallery in East Vancouver. Interested audience members will even have a chance to join the fun onstage, so be prepared to join the fun.
When: April 19, 2024Time: 7 pmWhere: Slice of Life Art Gallery — 1636 Venables Street, VancouverCost: $20 plus fees; purchase online
Surrey Khalsa Day Vaisakhi Parade/City of Surrey
What: The largest Vaisakhi parade in the world returns to Metro Vancouver this spring.
Surrey Khalsa Day Vaisakhi Parade, organized by Gurdwara Sahib Dasmesh Darbar, will take place on Saturday, April 20. Over 500,000 people are expected to enjoy the variety of floats, live music and dancers, and community groups.
Hundreds of booths along the parade route, sponsored by local businesses and families, will provide free food and treats to the crowds.
When: April 20, 2024Time: 9:30 am to 4 pmWhere: Starts at the Gurdwara Dasmesh Darbar – 12885 85th Avenue, SurreyCost: Free
What: Ever wanted to learn more about coffee and where it came from? This is the event for you. You can expect live music, food vendors, and plenty of coffee demonstrations throughout the day.
There will be a Latte Art Contest, where expert baristas will test their skills, and a mixology show featuring all sorts of coffee-based cocktails.
When: April 20, 2024Time: 12 to 8 pmWhere: The Pipe Shop — 115 Victory Ship Way, North VancouverTickets: $25 to $35
What: The Stanley Cup Playoffs are kicking off this weekend and it's a fantastic time to be a Vancouver Canucks fan. To help you cheer on your favourite team in style, Good Co. Bars is hosting watch parties at all five of their popular locations. And you can reserve your table now.
The games will be played with sound on their numerous big screens, so no matter where you sit in the fan-favourite restaurant, you'll have front-row seats to all the action between the Vancouver Canucks and the Nashville Predators in Round 1.
Guests will enjoy drink specials including $5 beers, $6 tequila shots and $35 beer towers for groups of three or more. Plus all of your favourite dishes will be available on the menu, including nachos, smash burgers, chicken wings, poutine and more.
When: Every Vancouver Canucks playoff gameTime: Various timesWhere: Good Co. Bars in Vancouver, North Vancouver and RichmondAdmission: Free
What: DanceHouse and Vancouver Tap Dance Society are teaming up to present the Canadian premiere of Dorrance Dance's SOUNDspace.
Dorrance Dance aims to grow the tap audience by exploring new possibilities of the relationship between sound and movement. SOUNDspace is described as a breathtaking meeting of traditions and current techniques. Get ready to enjoy a virtuoso display of physical percussion that gives rise to a wall of sound, the performers uniting to build a syncopated conflagration that will set the stage afire.
When: April 19 and 20, 2024Time: 8 pmWhere: Vancouver Playhouse – 600 Hamilton Street, VancouverTickets: Starts at $35, purchase online
Greater Vancouver Food Truck Festival/submitted
What: Vancouver has a pretty incredible food truck scene, so naturally, you want to know which one is the best of the best. Hence, the food truck wars.
On April 19, the Greater Vancouver Food Truck Festival will be coming to Langley for its third annual Food Truck Wars 2024, pitting truck against truck for awards in multiple categories. You'll have the chance to eat some delicious meals and vote for your favourite trucks.
When: Friday, April 19: 3 pm – 9 pmSaturday, April 20: 11 am – 9 pmSunday, April 21: 11 am – 8 pmWhere: KPU Langley — 20901 Langley Bypass, LangleyCost: Entry by donation
What: Glory Days celebrates its 15th anniversary with the last DJ set by Vancouver's own MY!GAY!HUSBAND! Along with Glory Days resident DJs Sincerely Hana, Rico Uno, and Genie.
M!G!H! Has performed for hundreds of thousands of fans throughout a 20-year career. The acclaimed artist will now focus on producing great local events around the city.
When: April 20, 2024Time: Doors 10:30 pm, curfew 2 amWhere: Biltmore Cabaret — 2755 Prince Edward Street, VancouverTickets: Free RSVP ticket valid until 12 midnight, $15 skip the line VIP. Purchase online
What: Support local and shop one-of-a-kind gifts from over 45 small businesses, artists, entrepreneurs, and creatives at the Spring Pop-Up Market. Made in the 604 has curated a lineup of unique vendors offering jewellery, candles, giftware, home décor, clothing, artisanal chocolates, and more.
Admission is free, and the first 25 people to enter the Heritage Hall on Sunday, April 21, will receive market money to spend at any vendor booth. Pets are also welcome at all Made in the 604 markets.
When: April 21, 2024Time: 11 am to 5 pmWhere: Heritage Hall – 3102 Main Street, VancouverAdmission: Free; register online
Inlet Spring Regatta/Submitted
What: Dragon boat racers and fans are taking to the waters of the Burrard Inlet this weekend for Canada's first dragon boat event of 2024.
The fifth annual Inlet Spring Regatta will be held on Saturday, April 20, at Rocky Point Park in Port Moody.
This year's family-friendly event is the biggest in the event's history, with dozens of teams competing in several divisions. The Regatta will also feature plenty of activities and entertainment for all ages.
When: April 20, 2024Time: 7:45 am to 5:30 pmWhere: Rocky Point Park — 2800 Murray Street, Port MoodyCost: Free
What: Comedy fans can get their fill of laughter at the next Yuk Yuk's South Vancouver event at Norman & Annette Rothstein Theatre on Saturday, April 20. The show inside the Jewish Community Centre features Gavin Clarkson, Harris Anderson, Rory Dunn, Katrina Bennett, and Ty Boissonnault!
When: April 20, 2024Time: Doors 7:30 pm, show 8 pmWhere: Norman & Annette Rothstein Theatre – 950 W 41st Avenue, VancouverTickets: $20, purchase online
What: The City of Delta has announced that it will be hosting Canucks playoffs community watch parties at the North Delta Social Heart Plaza starting on April 21 at 7 pm. Additional watch parties are to be announced.
The free event is open to everyone and promises to deliver a lively atmosphere as the crowd cheers on the Pacific Division champions.
When: April 21, 2024Time: 7 pmWhere: Social Heart Plaza — 11415 84 Avenue, DeltaCost: Free
What: The Canada Cup is a thrilling evening of boxing, kickboxing, wrestling, and MMA at the Sungod Arena in North Delta. Hosted by The Bhullar family, the event will showcase world-ranked athletes from six different countries, including Josh Jauncey (the number two ranked Kickboxer in the world), Eric Basran (Commonwealth Games Bronze Medalist), and Boxer Jesse Arnett (title holder in the UAE league for MMA).
Over 3,000 spectators are expected, such as VIP guests like members of the Vancouver Canucks and BC Lions, multiple Olympians, and various other community leaders. There will also be a red carpet entrance, a live DJ, company booths, and food and beverage available on site.
When: April 20, 2024Time: 6 to 10:30 pmWhere: Sungod Recreation Centre — 7815 112th Street, DeltaCost: General admission starts at $50, with VIP tables and seating also available. Purchase online
The Rio Theatre/Facebook
What: Put on your comfiest onesie and your fuzziest pyjamas! The Saturday Morning All-You-Can-Eat Cereal Cartoon Party Volume II is taking over The Rio Theatre on Saturday, April 20.
The event, curated by film producer and programmer David Bertrand, will serve up three hours of retro cartoons, vintage commercials, PSAs, and more. And did we mention the unlimited cereal? Now that sounds like a sugar rush! Guests are also welcome to bring their non-breakable bowls and spoons, though compostable bowls and spoons will be provided.
When: April 20, 2024Time: 10:30 amWhere: Rio Theatre – 1660 East Broadway, VancouverTickets: Various prices; purchase online
What: Explore the immersive Dream Wardrobe pop-up at Guildford Town Centre, check out stunning spring fashion from retailers and meet personal shopping stylists on site.
Visitors can also enter to win a $10,000 shopping spree by scanning the QR code at the Dream Wardrobe pop-up experience at Centre Court or by filling out the online entry form.
When: Now until April 21, 2024Time: Regular mall hoursWhere: Centre Court at Guildford Town Centre – 10355 152 Street, SurreyCost: Free
Explaining Vancouver's Shockingly Successful Season
The Vancouver Canucks entered this season with +5000 odds to win the Stanley Cups. Only nine teams in the league had worse odds to win the Cup. For Canucks fans, a playoff spot was the goal. Considering Vancouver has two budding superstars, Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes, both young and in their prime, simply reaching the playoffs was an underwhelming goal. However, they have far exceeded those expectations and look more like the team fans were looking forward to. Here's how it happened.
Vancouver's Struggles To BuildVancouver fans came into the year with moderate expectations but understandable skepticism of their hometown team. For years, the Canucks have failed to build a successful program and have instead been prisoners of the moment. Former General Manager Jim Benning started his tenure as GM in 2014 with a dramatic fire sale that also included trading a 3rd round pick for Derek Dorsett, a mediocre right wing. Benning became known for bringing in expensive free agents in short-term attempts to become competitive rather than thoughtfully building a roster.
As a result, Vancouver's results have been average at best but mostly below average, considering the effort and money Benning put into some of these rosters. NHL betting lines were unkind to the Canucks coming into the season due to having made the postseason just twice since 2014, leading to Benning's departure in 2021. He was replaced by Patrik Allvin, who was marked by many of the same problems. However, Benning did get a few things right, starting with the 2017 and 2018 NHL Drafts.
Bringing In Pettersson and HughesWith the fifth pick of the 2017 NHL draft, the Canucks took Pettersson, a left-handed center from Sweden. A year later, Vancouver selected Hughes as the seventh pick to help sure up their defensive unit. After just over half a decade, these picks were absolute home runs. Pettersson has become one of the best players at his position, scoring a career-high 102 points last season. Hughes has also become one of the league's better defensemen and is the team's captain. His +13 net rating is in the top 10 among defenders in the NHL.
Despite having two stars, the Canucks still floundered a bit without proper roster construction around them. Vancouver hadn't reached the playoffs in three seasons, even with Pettersson and Hughes, and finished with just 83 points last season.
Modest Preseason ExpectationsTheir failures in the past led to less-than-stellar preseason expectations. Not only were they one of the bottom ten teams in the league in terms of Stanley Cup odds, but projection models gave them just a 50% chance of making the playoffs. These expectations were disappointing, given the strength of the top of their roster. Despite having two of the best players in the league, with Pettersson explicitly looking like a superstar last season, few people gave them much of a chance in the preseason.
Allvin's failures made fans and analysts skeptical because of the roster's construction and the potential fallout with Pettersson. He was due for a big contract, and with deals like the one the Canucks gave J.T. Miller on the books, it looked challenging to retain him. However, Vancouver's dramatic successes this season changed that conversation quickly.
Significant In-Season AccomplishmentsThe only way to describe Vancouver's sudden shift from meddling, underperforming franchise to Western Conference's #1 seed contender is shocking. Nobody could have expected this leap, not even the most optimistic fan. After starting the 2022–23 season with seven consecutive losses, the Canucks began this season by winning 10 of their first 13 games and haven't looked back since. While they have struggled a bit since the All-Star break, they are in the thick of it for the top seed in the West.
Pettersson is primarily to thank, and the team rewarded him with a massive eight-year, $92.8 million extension in March. With their best player locked up, the Canucks have their eyes firmly set on the Western Conference playoffs. For the first time since the late 2000s and early 2010s, they figure to be favorites. Despite holding the #2 seed, they have the 4th best odds to win the Western Conference today.
Where Does Vancouver Go From Here?The Canucks have been successful due to a balanced attack. They are in the top ten in scoring and the top five in goals against. However, as they prepare for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Vancouver remains a wild card. The team has little experience in the postseason, let alone as a favorite. One advantage they will have going for is the ability to play a lot of their postseason games in Vancouver.
The home-ice advantage will help tremendously, making the fight for the #1 seed more critical. However, as we saw with the record-breaking Bruins last season, home-ice advantage doesn't always lead to postseason success. Either way, the Canucks are in the midst of a dream season that nobody saw coming. Fans can enjoy it and hope that their team is ready to go come postseason play.
Comments
Post a Comment