Notable Now Vancouver: July 19, 2013

FUSE at the VAG (July 19, 8pm until late, 750 Hornby Street)
If you’ve been saving up to attend a FUSE event at the Vancouver Art Gallery, this Friday is your best bet.  Be sure to grab a $20 ticket to the upcoming event, which sees the VAG in collaboration with Arrival Agency for one incredibly memorable night.  It’ll be one of the largest FUSE events yet, expanding beyond performance art, DJs and exhibits. Expect a larger scale, bigger wow factor-style party. Click here for more info.

Fusion Festival (July 20-21)
Make the trek out to the City of Surrey this weekend and catch some of Canada’s hottest acts. Jordan Klassen, The Zolas and the one and only k-os will have you grooving in no time. Music aside, there is plenty more going on at the festival, including more than 30 cultural pavilions, a ceremonial Pow Wow, cooking demos and food stalls for sampling. For full details visit them online.

Plan ahead: Araxi’s Longtable Summer Dining Series at Stanley Park
It’s never too early to plan for a good, memorable night out on the town – and especially not when it comes to the quality dining experience that comes with Araxi’s Longtable series. Your $175 ticket gets you access to the Prospect Point locale, local spirits courtesy of Pemberton Distillery, award-winning wines from Mission Hill and a locally sourced al fresco four-course menu from Chef James Walt. For more information, click here.

Worth Watching: Avenue Q The Musical (Granville Island Stage)
You’re guaranteed to laugh at this (practically) x-rated puppetry performance (with a few humans thrown in for good measure), which has enjoyed packed houses and great success thus far on its run. Crude jokes are not for the faint at heart – be warned. This is definitely not Sesame Street fodder for grownups – maybe. Grab a seat to one of the remaining shows and learn more here

36th annual Vancouver Folk Festival (Jericho Beach Park)
This weekend, grab your bike and best hippie attire and make your way to Vancouver’s largest and arguably most chilled out music festival taking place along Jericho Beach in Kitsilano. Leave the packed snacks at home; there are plenty of culinary fixings on offer (with awards handed out by Vancouver Foodster Richard Wolak on Sunday). Headlined by Grammy-winning folk star Steve Earle, you can also catch former Dixie Chick Natalie Maines croon from one of eight beachfront stages. View full details and lineup here.

Illuminares Lantern Festival (July 20, Trout Lake Park and John Hendry Park)
Back to celebrate 25 years of lighting up the sky in Vancouver, head to East Vancouver’s Trout Lake Park this Saturday to partake in this traditional festival that celebrates community. It’s an annual signature event that brings thousands together to create beautiful paper lantern installations for a magical night. Learn more here

Photo: Araxi Longtable Series