Sheri Radford

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Hot Entertainment: Fan Expo Vancouver

Adam West as Batman

What do Burt Ward (Batman), Adam West (Batman), Kevin Sorbo (Hercules: The Legendary Journeys) and Lou Ferrigno (The Incredible Hulk) have in common? They’re all coming to town Apr. 21 and 22 for Fan Expo Vancouver, along with Kristen Bauer (True Blood), Jeremy Bulloch (Star Wars), Nicholas Brendon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Michael Dorn (Star Trek: The Next Generation)—and scores of other pop-culture favourites from film, TV, games, comics and anime. Don your geekiest costume and head to the Vancouver Convention Centre for celebrity autographs and photo ops, workshops and seminars with industry professionals, and panel discussions with sci-fi, fantasy and horror authors. Be sure to check out the sketching duels, in which comic artists go pen to pen to produce original art that immediately goes up for auction. And may the Force be with you.—Sheri Radford

Hot Entertainment: The Importance of Being Earnest

The Importance of Being Earnest photo by David Cooper

The tone is anything but earnest in Oscar Wilde’s beloved farce that examines the theme of triviality and skewers Victorian social conventions. The Importance of Being Earnest runs until Apr. 15 at the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage.—Sheri Radford

Hot Entertainment: Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival

Cherry blossom tree photo by Tom Ryan courtesy Tourism BC

Snow may be falling elsewhere in Canada, but here on the West Coast only cherry blossom petals are falling. In the 1930s, Japan gave Vancouver more than 37,000 ornamental cherry trees. An additional 3,000 trees were planted last year for the city’s quasquicentennial (125th birthday). The annual Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival (Apr. 5 to 28) celebrates the delicate pink blooms with a bouquet of special events, everything from zen yoga to heritage walks to bike tours.—Sheri Radford

Hot Entertainment: Elvis Costello Plays Vancouver

Musician Elvis Costello

At 57 years old, Declan Patrick MacManus—better known to the world as Elvis Costello—shows no signs of sitting back and taking it easy. The English punk/new wave singer, who was banned from Saturday Night Live for 12 years after his infamous unplanned performance of “Radio Radio,” is still shaking up the status quo decades later. During his Spinning Songbook Tour, which kicks off Apr. 10 at the Orpheum Theatre, no two concerts are alike: fans come on stage to spin a wheel that determines the evening’s set. Bonus track: keep an eye out for Costello and his wife, jazz singer Diana Krall, out and about in Vancouver, as the musical pair keeps a home here.—Sheri Radford

Hot Shopping: CB2 Lands on Robson Street

Crate and Barrel's younger sibling, CB2, has arrived in Vancouver

Condo dwellers and homeowners alike are flocking to the newly opened CB2 on Robson Street, its second location in Canada. This younger sibling to the United States’ popular Crate and Barrel stores stocks unique yet affordable home furnishings that brighten your home without emptying your wallet. If you’re looking for just the right yellow filing cabinet, or orange bird-shaped candle holder, or blue bar cart, then this is the place for you. —Sheri Radford

Hot Dining: Going Green at Trafalgars Bistro

The GreenGood Composter at Trafalgars Bistro. Photo by KK Law

Kermit the Frog said it’s not easy being green, but Trafalgars Bistro and its bakery sibling Sweet Obsession would disagree. Thanks to their new GreenGood Composter (pictured), they no longer send any organic waste to the landfill. Instead, the high-tech composter converts food waste into garden-ready compost in just 24 hours. Of the businesses’ remaining garbage, 98 per cent is recycled. Going green, indeed.—Sheri Radford

Hot Shopping: Shopping for Charity with Karma Exchange

Silk blankets at Manito Silk

Want to feel good about spending money? With each purchase of a luxurious silk robe or full-sized silk blanket (pictured) from Manito Silk, or of Karma Noodles from Sala Thai, or of stunning Karma Crystals from The Crystalworks Gallery, the Sanga Primary School Water Project comes a step closer to its goal of a rainwater harvesting tank to store drinking water for the seven-month-long dry season in Sanga, Ghana. Karma Exchange brings together responsible businesses, socially aware shoppers, and charities that help end the poverty cycle by providing access to education and clean water. Who knew indulging yourself could be so spiritually fulfilling? Visit www.karmaexchange.com to find out more.—Sheri Radford

Hot Shopping: Crafting at Make

Kids craft at Make on Granville Island

Budding da Vincis and Michelangelos love designing their own buttons and t-shirts at Make on Granville Island. Staff can personalize lots of other items, too: printing meaningful text onto a pillow, transferring a family photo onto an apron, laser engraving a favourite quotation onto a leather journal. The colourful store definitely gets creative juices flowing, with its assortment of unique wares running the gamut from ninja-shaped cookie cutters to Scrabble-tile jewellery to stylish but sturdy bags made out of old bicycle tires. Make sure to check out the fun section devoted to toques—practical at this chilly time of year.—Sheri Radford

Hot Entertainment: Canoe Culture

A Squamish canoe at Vancouver Maritime Museum

Explore the full life cycle of a Squamish canoe—from a majestic tree standing in the local temperate rainforest, to being painstakingly carved by a Squamish craftsman, to launching into the Salish Sea—in Chátwilh: The Craft and Culture of the Squamish Canoe at the Vancouver Maritime Museum (to May 21).—Sheri Radford

Hot Dates: Hedley

Hedley

March 24

The Canadian pop-rockers have had their ups (a string of number-one videos, a Juno Award, performing at the closing ceremony of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games) and their downs (several line-up changes), but all seems to be smooth sailing these days. They recently released their fourth disc, Storms, a full-length concept album full of ballads and hard-driving anthems. Hedley’s high-energy tour rolls into Rogers Arena this month, guaranteeing fun for both fans and newbies.—Sheri Radford