by Gregory Adams
While there were plenty of great times to be had in 2017, most of us are ready to leave the past in the past and embrace 2018. From taking a frigid dip in English Bay with the rest of Vancouver’s “polar bears” to speeding down the ski slopes for charity to drinking the sweetest hot chocolate the city has to offer, these are some of the ways you can start the New Year off in style. [Photo courtesy of Tourism Vancouver/Suzanne Rushton]
Sing (or scream) your way through Punk Rock Karaoke
Punk rock’s greatest vocalists include Joey Ramone, Bikini Kill’s Kathleen Hanna and...you? Put your pipes to the test during Punk Rock Karaoke at the Rickshaw Theatre on January 7th. The travelling show features a backup band of seasoned vets from Bad Religion and Canadian pop-punks Sum 41 – and you can lead them through classics by the Clash, Green Day and many more. The current song list rattles off over 60 raucous options.
Watch Converge at the Rickshaw Theatre
The Rickshaw Theatre is really busy this month, with the venue also welcoming iconic hardcore quartet Converge to its stage on January 19th. The Massachusetts-based band will be bringing the guitar riffs and massive beats from their new The Dusk In Us album to metal-and-punk loving Vancouverites. The concert also features performances from SUMAC and Cult Leader.
Expand your artistic outlook during PuSh
Vancouver’s clubs and playhouses will once again host an awe-inspiring breadth of experimental performances this January as part of the annual PuSh Festival. The international roster of talent showcases everything from Taiwan’s Legend Lin Dance Theatre pulling off poetic choreography to Vancouver’s Turning Point Orchestra toasting the work of Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood. The full fest runs January 16th to February 4th.
Shred Seymour’s slopes to support the Downtown Eastside
Mount Seymour is hosting its Shred for a Cause charity event for the second year in a row. Every Monday between January 22nd and March 26th, women can ski from 6 pm to 10 pm for a minimum donation of $15 – with $5 going towards the Bloom Group, a DTES non-profit offering housing, healthcare and social services to vulnerable members of the community. Fundraising lift tickets are also available to men for $33.
Palm a mug of pure heaven during Hot Chocolate Fest
That it’s winter is reason enough to treat yourself to a piping hot, super sweet cup of cocoa. As if you needed added incentive, Vancouver’s Hot Chocolate Fest goes gangbusters this season with palate-exploding options at various participating cafés, chocolatiers and pastry shops. Velvety hints of vanilla? A spicy combo of chocolate and chili? Exquisitely whipped toppings? Sip all you can around town from January 20th to February 14th.
Take a tasty restaurant tour during Dine Out
Vancouver foodies start drooling once Dine Out season comes around, and with good reason – the city-wide food festival puts the spotlight on the greatest culinary treasures in town. The inaugural grand tasting at the Orpheum on January 18th kicks off the fest with plenty of local food and wine pairings. Special events include sushi and brunch tours, vegan pizza cooking courses and more.
Discover Fort Langley’s folklore
Take a weekend trip out of town and back in time to the Vive les Voyageurs Festival, which runs at the Fort Langley National Historic Site January 20-21. The village community hosts a 19th-century style celebration toasting the French-Canadian fur traders that settled in the area way back when. Enjoy a boisterous tune en français, learn how to play the spoons and enjoy a sticky-sweet maple taffy treat.
Splash around at the Polar Bear Swim
While many of us may be laying snug ‘neath the covers after a long night of New Year’s celebrations, the bravest Vancouverites will be working off their hangovers in the chilly waves of English Bay for the annual Polar Bear Swim. Starting at 2:30 pm, thousands clad in wetsuits and string bikinis will be bounding into the Bay. But whether you’re there for the 100-yard race or just a quick dip, keep in mind that it’s suggested you only swim for a maximum of 15 minutes. Break out the parkas and towels once you shiver back onto land.
