Singers Taboo (L) and Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas perform at the Staples Center on March 29, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.Kevin Winter
Dust off your dancing shoes and head for some great concerts, including pop megastars Black Eyed Peas at GM Place tomorrow. (Note to diehard fans: Frontman Will.i.am is at L2 boutique tomorrow from 1-2 p.m. to launch his men's clothing line.) Other musical must-sees include award-winning French actress and musician Charlotte Gainsbourg - daughter of French music legend Serge Gainsbourg - at the Vogue tomorrow, Aussie pop songstress Sia tonight at the Commodore, indie darlings Spoon (tomorrow at the Orpheum) and Beach House (at the Rickshaw), and a pairing of local choral favourites Elektra Women's Choir and Chor Leoni performing music by famous Canadians (today at Ryerson United Church). Feel like dusting off the leather pants too? Brave a show by the band that set a new bar for hair rock, Twisted Sister (tonight at the Red Robinson Show Theatre). Tickets at ticketmaster.ca.
Tulip Festival
Give your eyes a feast at the Tulips of the Valley Tulip Festival, where you can explore more than 40 acres of colourful spring blooms (tulipsofthevalley.com). For more fun in the fresh air, see birds of prey flight demonstrations and enjoy a guided nature walk at the Wildlife Week Celebration at Brookswood Park (today, metrovancouver.org). But before you venture too deep into the backwoods, join Bear Essentials, a workshop about bear behaviour and biology, and how to avoid making our furry forest friends angry (tomorrow, metrovancouver.org).
Bat Boy: The Musical
Follow the hilarious tale of a half bat, half boy found deep in a West Virginia cave in Bat Boy: The Musical - an off-Broadway hit that was inspired by Weekly World News headlines (until April 18, ticketstonight.ca). Also catch new works by some of Canada's most innovative young theatre companies at Tremors (until April 17, rumble.org), and don't miss the magical Blood.claat: one ooman story, a huge hit at 2008's Magnetic North Festival (until April 17, firehallartscentre.ca).
Reel 2 Real
Give the kids some food for thought at the Reel 2 Real International Film Festival For Youth, where they'll find top animation, drama and documentary films from around the globe (until April 16, r2rfestival.org). Want even more time away from the video games? Hit the Vancouver Public Library's annual spring book sale and find great deals on hundreds of used books for kids and adults (today 10 a.m.-6 p.m., tomorrow12-5 p.m., vpl.ca).
Vancouver Fashion Week
Have a hankering for some hobnobbing? Check out what's in store for fall at Vancouver Fashion Week shows and parties, happening all weekend (vanfashionweek.com). Or rub elbows at the annual SUCCESS Fundraising Gala, featuring a gourmet banquet and performances by top Asian artists (tonight, successfoundation.ca).
fivethingsbc@globeandmail.com