Cirque du Soleil :KoozaHandout/ The Globe and Mail
Glengarry Glen Ross
Experience the real estate biz without dropping a million bucks on a run-down bungalow at the Arts Club's production of Glengarry Glen Ross, the David Mamet classic about four backstabbing real estate salesmen - two of whom are about to get the axe. Stars Will & Grace leading man Eric McCormack (until Aug. 22, artsclub.ca). Want even more drama in your life? Head to Armstrong, B.C., where the famed Caravan Farm Theatre is presenting Everyone!, an outdoor horse-drawn comedy created by top companies including Electric Company, Neworld Theatre and Theatre Replacement (until Aug. 22, caravanfarmtheatre.com), or check out Billy Bishop Goes to War, starring Jessie Richardson Award winner for best actor Ryan Beil, at the Belfry in Victoria (until Aug. 14, belfry.bc.ca). For fun on the silver screen, don't miss the eclectic Alloy Orchestra performing original compositions alongside silent films at Vancity Theatre (viff.org), or gross yourself out at Spike and Mike's Sick and Twisted Festival of Animation - now with beer (Sunday to Tuesday at The Academic, dhmbars.ca).
Cirque du Soleil
Enter a magical world of larger-than-life kings, tricksters, pickpockets, obnoxious tourists and more at KOOZA, the critically acclaimed Cirque du Soleil show that features breathtaking high wire acts, bone-defying contortionists, unforgettable clowns, and even the Wheel of Death - a never-before presented Cirque act that will leave you scraping your jaw off the floor (until Sept. 25, cirquedusoleil.com).
Celebration of Light
Ooh and aah at the battle between light and dark as Spain puts on its pyrotechnic best at the Celebration of Light. Saturday's theme is heaven and hell, which also describes getting in and out of downtown (Saturday, celebration-of-light.com). Or skip the throngs and head for Bard on the Beach's Bard-B-Q and Fireworks, where you can enjoy a Shakespeare play and a salmon barbecue, then coffee, treats and an uncrowded seaside seat for the fireworks (bardonthebeach.org).
Yogathon
Join more than 2,000 limber souls and line up your chakras for a good cause at the Camp Moomba Yogathon and Blissfest, a massive fundraiser for kids affected by HIV-AIDS (Saturday, campmoombayogathon.com). Then keep the blood pumping at the MEC Bikefest in North Van, where you can learn about bike safety and maintenance, check out hot new rides and enjoy a charity barbecue (Sunday, mec.ca). For more outdoor fun, learn to fish at Matsqui Trail Regional Park or explore Burnaby Lake by canoe on a guided tour (metrovancouver.org).
Mission Folk Fest
Didn't quite get your fill at last weekend's Vancouver folk fest? Catch top talent from across Canada and around the world at the Mission Folk Music Festival, featuring Murray McLauchlan, Le Vent du Nord, Batata y Las Alegres Ambulancias, Jill Barber and many more (missionfolkmusicfestival.ca). Want to get out of Dodge? Train your compass toward the Islands Folk Festival (folkfest.bc.ca), or the Discovery Coast Music Festival in the magical Bella Coola Valley (bellacoolamusic.org).
fivethingsbc@globeandmail.com