Worth Checking Out: Chicha Restaurant
Located at 136 East Broadway, this little spot is guaranteed to provide the perfect Peruvian fix. With a tantalizing menu loaded with authentic South American fixings from the region, be sure to save your appetite – you’ll need it. Taste test their empanadas, palitos de Yuca, chicharrone and plenty of ensaladas. Take a look at the full details here.
Vancouver Draw Down (June 15th, various locations)
This Saturday, unleash your inner artist and be sure to check out (and partake in) The Vancouver Draw Down. In celebration of creativity, this year’s Draw Down challenges everyday ideas about what drawing is with more than 35 free artist workshops taking place throughout the community, at galleries, museums, parks and studios. For more information, click here.
Tractor Restaurant (1903 West 4th Ave)
Having just opened within the last month, this is a definite must-do if you happen to be hungry and in the Kitsilano area of Vancouver. This colourful and quaint 34-seat restaurant (with additional 18 seats on the patio) is the perfect spot to satiate your appetite just off Cypress. Tractor serves up a tasty array of nearly a dozen healthy and unique salads, soups, sandwiches and stews cafeteria-style.
BC Shellfish Festival (June 14 to 15th)
Head to Comox this weekend and celebrate the best of B.C. shellfish at one of the largest shellfish festivals on the west coast. Join thousands of others as you check out a special chefs dinner, cooking demonstrations (courtesy of more than a dozen restaurants, cafes and more), enjoy sampling goods from the annual chowder challenge, check out the Comox Farmers Market and on site beer garden, do a shellfish farm tour, and catch the Oyster Shucking Championship. For more info, click here.
Car Free Festival (June 16th all day)
This Sunday, join thousands of other likeminded Vancouverites and park it. Car-Free Festival in Vancouver was first started in 2005 as a response to the provincial government’s Gateway Program (known as the Port Mann/Highway 1 Improvement Project). The Festival (run by volunteers) involves more than 30 core organizers and 300 volunteers and has expanded to attract more than 25,000 participants throughout the city – becoming one of Vancouver’s largest community events and street parties. Learn more about how you can get involved here.
Coming up: Make Music Vancouver (June 21)
Mark your calendar for the return of one of the city’s most popular free events next weekend and head to Gastown for Make Music. Historic Water Street will be fully closed to traffic in order to allow for transformation of sidewalks to stages and dance floors. This and plenty more will pop up showcasing more than 150 different bands, performers and amateur musicians for one night only – and as part of this world wide Fete de la Musique. For more info visit them online.
Photo courtesy Drawn Down Festival