Photo by David Cooper
Enjoy an evening of seaside stagecraft at Bard on the Beach (to Sep. 24). Players perform four of Shakespeare’s plays, including Richard III and an adaptation of all three parts of Henry VI (pictured), on open stages with the Vancouver skyline as a backdrop. Make sure to reserve your seats in advance for the best possible view of the royalty of yore.—Amanda Peters
The seaside tents at Bard on the Beach
All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players at seaside summer festival Bard on the Beach (Jun. 2 to Sep. 24). See four of Shakespeare’s plays, including As You Like It and The Merchant of Venice, under open-air tents offering peekaboo views of Vancouver’s skyline. Reserved seating is a welcome addition this year, so buy tickets early for the best spots.—Kristina Urquhart
Historic Burnaby Art Gallery
1 Watching Antony and Cleopatra (to Sep. 24) at Bard on the Beach.
2 Sara Canning. The actress wasn’t born here, but we still claim her as a local.
3 Shakin’ your groove thang at the city’s most popular nightclubs.
4 Burnaby Art Gallery and all the other sights in Deer Lake Park.
5 Eating at any of the local cooking schools, such as Bistro 101 at Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts, Culinaria at The Art Institute of Vancouver, and JJ’s Restaurant at Vancouver Community College.
6 The annual Terry Fox Run (Sep. 19), raising money for cancer research.
7 Local wineries.
8 Taking the first ferry to Victoria or Nanaimo and watching the sun rise.
Perch on "Echoes" by Michael Goulet. Photo by KK Law
9 “Echoes” by Michel Goulet, an art installation on Kits Beach and part of the Vancouver International Sculpture Biennale.
10 Dining at Earls.
11 Robert Bateman. The Canadian painter is visiting Vancouver to meet fans and sign copies of his new book, Bateman: New Works, at Chapters on South Granville (Sep. 25, 2 p.m.).
12 Reading reminiscences of a month’s eating in Paris in Cooking for Me and Sometimes You: A Parisienne Romance with Recipes (French Apple Press, $29.95) by Barbara-Jo McIntosh, owner of Barbara-Jo’s Books to Cooks, which stocks every tome a budding chef could ever need.
13 The Superdogs at the PNE (to Sep. 6).
14 Indulging our sweet tooth at Stuart’s Bakery.
15 Dropping by The Granville Island Brewing Tap Room for a pint of Brockton IPA—and picking up some small-batch beers to take home after.
Dean Paul Gibson as Falstaff. Photo by David Cooper
A rogue and a scoundrel who leads Prince Hal astray, Sir John Falstaff has nonetheless always been adored by Shakespeare’s audiences. A new play adapts sections of Henry IV, Parts I&II to tell the cowardly knight’s full story. See it at Bard on the Beach (to Sep. 22), which also features Much Ado About Nothing, Antony and Cleopatra and Henry V.—Sheri Radford
Photo of Jennifer Lines and John Murphy in Much Ado About Nothing by David Cooper
Shakespeare is at his comedic best in this frothy play filled with matchmaking, mischief and merriment. It runs all season long at Bard on the Beach (Jun. 17 to Sep. 25), the annual tented festival in Vanier Park. Also on offer this summer: Antony and Cleopatra (Jun. 16 to Sep. 24), Falstaff (Jul. 1 to Sep. 22) and Henry V (Jul. 14 to Sep. 24). There’s no better way to enjoy the Bard’s works than outside in the fresh air, cuddled under a fleece blanket, warm despite the cool breeze off the ocean.—Sheri Radford
The Keg Steakhouse and Bar has sinful sweets on hand to finish off your meal. Photo by KK Law
1 Mouthwatering desserts from The Keg Steakhouse and Bar.
2 Spending a leisurely day wandering through the Vancouver Art Gallery.
3 Sweet treats and tasty souvenirs from Canadian Maple Delights.
4 All the unique brollies at The Umbrella Shop. Yes, it’s June, and the weather is beautiful, but it never hurts to tuck an umbrella in your bag alongside the sunscreen and sunglasses.
5 Titillating fundraising events such as Fit for a Queen (Jun. 19) and The Glass Slipper (Jun. 26).
6 Spotting orcas on a whale watching trip.
7 This year’s crop of award-winning restaurants.
8 Sightseeing the charmingly old-fashioned way with Stanley Park Horse-Drawn Tours.
9 Pampered pooches at Barking Babies.
10 Getting our geek on at Star Wars in Concert (Jun. 22 to 23).
11 Vancouver TheatreSports League, which recently relocated to stylish new digs on Granville Island.
12 Admiring the artfully stacked apples and oranges at Urban Fare.
13 National pride, which ignited during the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and is building again as Canada Day (Jul. 1) approaches.
O, Canada. Photo by Coast Mountain Photography courtesy Tourism Vancouver
14 The Corner Suite Bistro De Luxe, which was recently named Canada’s best new bar in Food & Wine magazine.
15 Antony and Cleopatra—and three other Shakespeare plays—running all summer long at Bard on the Beach.
16 Live jazz every night of the week at O’Doul’s Restaurant & Bar.
17 Local farmers’ markets.
Billy Bishop Goes to War photo by Time Matheson
One of the most produced shows in Canadian theatre, this musical tells the story of the celebrated World War I flying ace. Ryan Beil portrays Billy, plus 17 other characters, accompanied only by pianist Zachary Gray. Beil is familiar to local audiences thanks to the annual Shakespeare festival Bard on the Beach, while Gray is the son of playwright John Gray. This slice of history is at the Granville Island Stage (to Apr. 17).—Sheri Radford
Photo by David Blue
Bard on the Beach
TO SEPTEMBER 26 What do you get when you perform some of Shakespeare’s greatest plays in two tents facing picturesque backdrops? This annual festival, which marks its 20th anniversary by staging Othello (to Sep. 25)—for the first time—and The Comedy of Errors (to Sep. 26) on the Mainstage, and Richard II (to Sep. 18) and All’s Well That Ends Well (pictured; to Sep. 19) on the Studio Stage. Hie, get thee to the theatre!
Photo by Greg Descantes
Gastown Show ‘n’ Shine
AUGUST 16 Fans of choppers, cruisers, vintage bikes and sport bikes all descend on the cobblestone streets of Gastown, Vancouver’s oldest district, for this annual event. Manufacturers show off their wares while musicians perform live. Best of all? Motorcycle parking is free.
Aliencat/Fotolia.com
Maritime festival
AUGUST 8 AND 9 Even if you can’t tell your porthole from your poop deck, you’ll still find plenty to enjoy at this nautical festival marking the 50th anniversary of the Vancouver Maritime Museum. Jugglers, comedians, storytellers and musicians keep everyone amused, while birthday cake provides a sugar rush. Bonus: anyone born in 1959 gets in free.
SPXChrome/iStockphoto.com
Play Ball!
Sports fans have plenty to cheer about in Vancouver this month.
1. FOOTBALL The BC Lions take on Saskatchewan (Aug. 7) and Winnipeg (Aug. 21).
2. BASEBALL The Vancouver Canadians play several home games.
3. SOCCER The Vancouver Whitecaps men’s team has the home-turf advantage four times.
4. HOCKEY Gearing up for the 2010 Winter Games, women’s teams from Canada, the United States, Sweden and Finland compete for the Hockey Canada Cup.
– Sheri Radford
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