Kick things into gear this weekend and hit up the casual Gala Italia at The Cultch (tickets start at $99) and live la dolce vita as you make your way around the room surrounded by all things Italia. Try your hand at a game of bocce, take in live entertainment, view Italian art and sip wines, and nosh on plenty of Italian food that’s sure to impress. This gala fundraiser aims to raise money for The Cultch Youth Arts Program and Performing Arts Presentation series.
Alternatively, opt to head out for the annual wine-infused event of the season, Sip into Spring, which celebrates BC VQA wines in all their gloried abundance. The ladies behind House Wine at the Vancouver Urban Winery will host the event. Event details can be found here and the sipping starts at 6:30pm until 9pm.
Post-quaffing vino, wind things up a notch and make your way over Yaletown to check out the newly-opened (soon-to-be) notable hot spot Hookers Green. The venue takes its name from a unique shade of green created by famed 18th century botanical artist William J. Hooker. This space guarantees a red-hot night of fun. Hooker’s boasts an expansive covered patio, its own library and massive lounge, as well as a thoughtfully-curated craft beer and cocktail list we think will see neighbouring bars going green with envy.
Start of your (hopefully sunny) Saturday with a trip to the West Side to check out the newly-opened Kitsilano Farmer’s Market. Stop for a bite of brunch at Sophie’s Cosmic Cafe (always entertaining) and then dust off those green thumbs and head across the Lion’s Gate to check out the 13th Annual Art in the Garden Tour happening on the North Shore (in West and North Vancouver). Enjoy a day trekking around to view 15 private gardens on this self-guided tour that offers a glimpse at some of the city’s most lush and enviable properties (insert dream here). To sweeten the deal, take in musical performances and the works of more than 30 local artists at each stop. Admission is a buck and more info can be found here.
Vancouver Craft Beer Week runs until this Saturday night with plenty of options to satiate your hopped-up cravings. Take a look at the various Vancouver-based venues offering craft-brewed goodness, special menus and more here.
Swing into your Sunday and be sure to venture over to the Fair In The Square taking place at 11am at Gastown’s Victoria Square Park. This benefit brings together the community in true Vancouver style, featuring the collective talents of local DJs, Juno award-winning artist Moka Only, local artisans and more. Mix and mingle with other like-minded Vancouverites hoping to help build a new community and enjoy a free BBQ lunch as you are hosted by the always-great Dawn Chubai of CityTV, who’ll be on-hand to entertain the crowd.
Post fair-for-a-cause, we think it might be the perfect time to go hunting for that perfect piece of ‘je ne sais quoi’ at the 21st Century Flea Market taking place at the Croatian Cultural Centre. Admission is only $5 and gets you into one of the largest flea markets in BC with more than 175 vendors on hand just waiting to bargain with you.
Wind things down on Sunday night with a pit stop at notable fave Stackhouse Burger Bar on Granville for a BBQ fix to go. Head home, put your flea market finds away and put your feet up to chow down and recharge for the week ahead.
Photo courtesy Stackhouse Burger Bar