Musician and producer Jack White
You might remember him from the much-missed rock band The White Stripes, and more recently from The Raconteurs or The Dead Weather, but chances are if you’re a music fan, you know Jack White. It’s taken the guitarist, producer and nine-time Grammy winner 15 years to record a solo album. He sings tracks from his debut, Blunderbuss, at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre (May 27).—Kristina Urquhart
Max's Burgers photo by KK Law
Discerning carnivores sink their teeth into the perfect patties at Max’s Burgers (pictured), Fatburger and Romer’s Burger Bar. Locals love to order burgers and shakes at take-out shack Nimby Burger, which re-opens for the summer May 18, then eat seaside at nearby Kitsilano Beach. Talk about a picture-perfect picnic.—Kristina Urquhart
"Master of Ceremony" by Shawn Hunt, courtesy Vancouver Art Gallery
More than 20 artists reinterpret traditional Native motifs using modern mediums in Beat Nation: Art, Hip Hop and Aboriginal Culture at Vancouver Art Gallery (to Jun. 3). The innovative installations show how urban culture shapes aboriginal identity.—Kristina Urquhart
The Summer Night Market in Richmond
May 11 to September 16
Barbecued squid and bubble waffles are just a couple of the exotic eats you’ll find at the Summer Night Market (pictured), deemed one of the world’s best by Travel + Leisure magazine. Foodies and bargain hunters hop on the SkyTrain to taste Asian street food, enjoy live entertainment and haggle with retail vendors over super-cute trinkets and jewellery. The nearby Richmond Night Market (May 18 to Oct. 8) is also worth a visit for snacks, shopping and carnival rides. —Kristina Urquhart
Canadian skater Kurt Browning is the choreographer of this year's Stars on Ice Canada tour
He’s been skating with Stars on Ice Canada (May 18 at Rogers Arena) since it began 21 years ago, and now Kurt Browning (pictured) is finally in the driver’s seat. This year marks his first as show director, leading an all-star line-up that includes recently minted World Champion ice dancers Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir. Browning, himself a four-time World Champion and the first skater ever to land a quadruple jump in competition, says he’s excited to end the tour in Vancouver, where he once hiked Grouse Mountain. “If I didn’t think my 45-year-old legs would hate me during the show, I would do it again!” —Kristina Urquhart
Photo copyright Fotohunter/iStockPhoto
Mom’s the word on May 13, which is Mother’s Day in North America. It also happens to be one of the most popular days of the year to go for brunch, so reserve ahead. Treat your marvellous mama to a delicious spread at Bacchus Restaurant and Lounge, Coast Restaurant, Fleuri, Horizons Restaurant or Raincity Grill. She’ll love it almost as much as she loves you.—Kristina Urquhart
"Janie Jones" by Alex Couwenberg
Less is more. That statement perfectly describes the minimalist work of Alex Couwenberg, whose visually arresting paintings strike a balance between emotion-evoking expressionism and hard-edged abstraction. The LA-based artist crafts unusual layered pieces with visible underpainting, using bold lines and graphic shapes that hark back to the mid-century modern school of design (“Janie Jones,” pictured). Jennifer Kostuik Gallery mounts the first exhibition of Couwenberg’s work in Canada (to May 13).—Kristina Urquhart
"Canoe" by Doug Cranmer, photo courtesy RBCM and Museum of Anthropology
See the work of a Northwest Coast visionary in Kesu’: The Art and Life of Doug Cranmer at the Museum of Anthropology at UBC (to Sept. 3). The retrospective includes totem poles, masks, bentwood boxes and prints (“Canoe,” pictured), all done in the colourful, punchy style associated with the Kwakwaka’wakw artist’s work. —Kristina Urquhart
AYA flip-flop by Claudia Alan
Summer days aren’t too far away. Give your tootsies a treat with a pair of AYA flip-flops by Claudia Alan. The Canadian company adorned its comfy rubber-soled sandals with frog and raven motifs by local First Nations artist Corrine Hunt, who designed the medals for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Now that’s what we call a winning combination. Available at www.claudiaalanstore.com. —Kristina Urquhart
Coldplay photo by Sarah Lee
The Brits are back. Coldplay frontman Chris Martin (pictured, centre) brings his falsetto and frenzied piano playing to Rogers Arena this month, promoting new material from his band’s fifth studio disc, Mylo Xyloto (Apr. 20 and 21). Longtime fans won’t be disappointed, with the boys’ breakout hit “Yellow” and sweepers such as “The Scientist” also featured on the set list. Rock on, mates.—Kristina Urquhart
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Stay, Dine, Do
