Sakura Days Japan Fair
Celebrate all things sakura and Japanese at this massive two-day event. Immerse yourself in Japanese culture, live performances and plenty to eat, see and do. Discover the fun of origami (paper folding), taiko drumming, martial arts, traditional tea ceremonies, haiku poetry and more.
When: April 13, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and April 14, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where:VanDusen Botanical Garden, 5251 Oak S.
Southern Pride Chicken
Juke Fried Chicken will get loud and proud with “Southern Pride Chicken” on at Juke’s Chinatown location. The event, hosted in collaboration with Drags Benny, will feature drag-themed cocktails, canapés, a three-course southern-style family feast and live drag queen performances by Vancouver’s Kendall Gender and Calgary’s Perla Coddington.
When: April 12, 10 p.m.
Where: Juke Fried Chicken, 182 Keefer St.
Amanda Smart: Recollect, a solo exhibit
Amanda Smart, a graduate of Emily Carr University of Art + Design, specializes in oil painting on canvas. The primary interest of her work is a love of reflection and transparency — the way that light reveals forms underneath water, the enigmatic glow of light on skin, and crystalline patterns on rocks are the sources of exploration in her work. Smart is having her inaugural solo show at East Vancouver’s Betamax gallery space. An opening reception is slated for April 12 from 7-11 p.m.
When: April 12 to May 12
Where: Betamax Gallery, 2244 East Hastings St.
Vancouver Vaisakhi Parade
Join in the colourful fun of Vaisakhi, an important annual Sikh festival that finds the streets of Vancouver packed with revelers, good eats and an exciting parade. The Vancouver Vaisakhi Parade is one of the largest Sikh parades in the world and draws thousands. To celebrate the harvest, vendors offer free food and drink to all attendees, no strings attached.
When: April 13, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Parade begins at 8000 Ross St. and travels west on SE Marine Drive, north on Main St., east on 49th, south on Fraser Street, east on 57th, and south on Ross Street.
Luv-A-Fair at LanaLou’s
Been there, lived that, have the T-shirt? If you want to tap your toes and time travel to the ’80s, head to Lana Lou’s for their Luv-A-Fair night. Expect authentic Luv-A-fair playlists and staff members, plus fashion designers, makeup artists, stylists, artist, freaks, punks, fashionistas, club kids and rebels all in one place, for one night only.
When: April 11, 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Where: LanaLou’s, 362 Powell St.
For more events, go to vancouverisawesome.com.
