Don’t get rusty this fall
By Chitwan Khosla, Features Editor
Chilly mornings, gusty evenings, golden and crimson leaves, pumpkin pies, and acorns all sing the melody of autumn. Autumn has finally arrived after months of wait, and now everyone is busy. Children are excited for Halloween, home cooks are preparing their turkeys and pies, hockey fans are planning their game nights, and everyone’s raking leaves. Amidst all this liveliness, sipping a steaming cup of coffee while draped in a cozy cashmere blanket and watching TV is my idea of an autumn weekend. But this year there’s so much happening in the Metro Vancouver area that I wouldn’t want to miss it by staying in. Summer’s over, but not the fun. There are paid and free events around the city that you can, and should, attend with your friends and family this autumn. Whether you want to indulge in delicious food, go clubbing, or explore new things, there’s something for everyone. Here’s a list of events and other activities that you can do this fall.
RIPE 2015: Exhibition Hall, Roundhouse Community Centre, Vancouver on October 18, 4–8 p.m.
A foodie’s haven, RIPE is an annual event that brings the city’s top chefs together to serve lip-smacking dishes using produce from local farms. There will be craft beverages, dessert tastings, and 10 culinary stations at the event. The majority of the tastings are vegetarian, but some have meat. Not only will you get to try different cuisines, you will also get to meet other foodies. All proceeds from tickets will go to Vancouver Farmers Market, a non-profit society. There will also be entertainment for adults and children.
Cineplex Theatres’ Community Day: October 24, 8:30 a.m.
On October 24, you can get your friends to wake up early and join you for early morning movie mania with $2 popcorn and drinks. All proceeds go to the Free the Children Foundation. You can watch any one of the six free movies—The Lorax, Pitch Perfect, Despicable Me 2, Fast and Furious 6, Dumb and Dumber To, and Hop—at any of the eight participating Cineplex locations: Scotiabank Theatre Vancouver, Fifth Avenue Cinemas, Cineplex Odeon International Village, SilverCity Metropolis, Cineplex Odeon Park & Tilford, SilverCity Riverport, and SilverCity Coquitlam. You can get more info at Cineplex.com
Vancouver Writers Fest: Various locations in Vancouver from October 20–25
Over one hundred authors, poets, graphic novelists, and writers will come together for this year’s Writer’s Fest. There are 89 events in total at various locations around downtown Vancouver, and tickets range from $17–35, with group, student, and senior discounts offered. It is a great opportunity to meet new people, network, and share your thoughts on various topics. Storytelling, poetry, and discussions provide an ocean of knowledge ready to burst into a tsunami. You might even bump into your favourite author. The complete list of events and authors can be found at WritersFest.bc.ca. Tickets can be bought at VancouverTix.com
Clue: Haunted Mansion Murder Mystery: The Belmont Bar on October 31.
If you don’t want to just go trick-or-treating on Halloween, then you can go to this much-awaited party. Special guest DJs will play, and there is a prize for best costume. Early bird tickets are $15, and are expected to sell out quickly, so book early if you want to go. Great for an extreme night out with your buddies, the bar is giving out free treats from Beefeater to those there before 9 p.m. More info at ClubZone.com
Competition Night: Crime in Downtown: Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7 p.m. until October 31
Ever wanted to be a homicide detective? If crime drama series and murder mysteries captivate you, then you shouldn’t miss this one. You and up to four of your friends can book your tickets as a team to solve a murder mystery in Vancouver’s Gastown. Solve the case in two hours by finding the real killer out of the three suspects using clues, brain-teasers, puzzles, and more. You will compete against other teams for scores and points. For tickets and info, go to VancouverMysteries.com
Heart of the City Festival: October 28–November 8, Downtown Eastside, Vancouver.
This is the real beat of the season. With 90 events at 25 different locations, this festival is full of thrill and inspiration. The annual festival is a celebration of the Downtown Eastside community, reflected in this year’s theme: “Nourished by Community.” Their official website reports, “The 2015 Festival features a feast of twelve days of music, stories, songs, poetry, cultural celebrations, films, theatre, dance, processions, spoken word, panels, workshops, discussions, gallery exhibitions, multi-media, art talks, history walking tours, and a diverse array of artists.” This is an incredible opportunity to experience the art and learn the stories of this diverse community, socialize, or just explore. Many of the events are free, which makes them easily accessible. More information at HeartOfTheCityFestival.com
Diwali Downtown: November 3–15
A free event for people of all ages, Diwali Downtown is a celebration of lights, colours, and life. Diwali is a traditional five-day celebration and the most important festival in India, during which different avatars of the Hindu female deity are worshipped each day for bringing in good luck and fortune. With over 15 live performances for entertainment, colourful rangoli art, and scrumptious Indian food, you will be jumping with excitement. Along with this, you can also join other events hosted during the Diwali Festival this year, such as workshops, cooking classes, and rangoli art lessons. So put on your most vibrant clothes and be part of the celebration! You can get more info at DiwaliFest.ca.
Eastside Cultural Crawl: November 19–22, Vancouver.
This is a visual arts, crafts, and design festival that will feature free events at various locations in Vancouver.
Thousands of artists across Canada will participate in this festival, and you can buy their art to adorn your homes. Even if you don’t intend to buy anything, it is always a refreshing experience to watch and admire beautiful paintings, portraits, and craft items. If you want to spend some time alone, but don’t want to go for a walk in the woods, then you should consider going here. More info can be found at CulturalCrawl.ca
Other notable free admission events include:
Arts at One: free concert series at Douglas College’s New Westminster campus every Thursday at 1 p.m.
Family Night Pumpkin Carving at Cloverdale Recreation Centre on October 16 from 5-7 p.m.
Vancouver Art/Book Fair at Vancouver Art Gallery, October 17–18
Zumba Your Way into Happiness at West Vancouver Memorial Library on October 17 from 3-4 p.m.
Autumn Fair at Kits House in Vancouver on October 24 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Garden Light Festival at Bear Creek Park on November 5 from 5-8 p.m.
Another way to enjoy fall is to take a walk—they have a completely different meaning during fall. The crispiness of the air feels so good while watching the breath-taking views of trees and mountains. Stanley Park, Queen Elizabeth Park, Green Timbers Park, and other beautiful parks of the Lower Mainland offer unique experiences every time you go during the fall. Make the most of this autumn by treating yourself with the best of nature, music, arts, and delicacies.
