Singer and song writer Ron Sexsmith, poses for a photo on the streets of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.Deborah Baic/The Globe and Mail
Art In April
Get a hefty dose of art at the Waldorf Hotel's Art in April opening weekend, where the eclectic offerings include Michael Turner's three-act opera made from Rolling Stones film footage, Vancouver artist Attila Richard Lukacs's exterior slideshow taken from his collection of over 1,200 Polaroids, a screening of Rainer Werner Fassbinder's Berlin Alexanderplatz with an introduction by Stan Douglas, Paul Wong's site-specific installation and more (waldorfhotel.com).
Walking + Falling
Want more thought-provoking works? Check out the Vancouver Art Gallery's Walking + Falling: Jim Campbell, Chris Marker and Eadweard Muybridge, a show that explores movement, time and memory through the creations of three famous artists from three different eras (until September 5, vanartgallery.bc.ca).
Vancouver Auto Show
See the future of the automobile without the time machine at the Vancouver International Auto Show - now in its 91st year - where you can check out groundbreaking electric and hybrid vehicles, see the latest gas- and diesel-powered rides, find out how charging stations will spark up the city, and enter to win a jaw-dropping $145,000 Mercedes convertible (vancouverinternationalautoshow.com).
Shirley MacLaine
Get a rare behind-the-scenes look into a life lived in the limelight as Oscar-winning actress, best-selling author and outspoken New Ager Shirley MacLaine mixes memorable film moments with private revelations about her life, her career and her spirituality. At the River Rock Saturday (ticketmaster.ca).
Ron Sexsmith
Legendarily underrated Canadian musician Ron Sexsmith - who counts Chris Martin, Elvis Costello, Elton John and Paul McCartney among his admirers - should be selling out stadiums; but for now, you can still soak in his elegantly understated sound in an intimate Victoria venue (Saturday, ticketmaster.ca). Want memorable music on this side of the Strait? Catch Pete Yorn and Ben Kweller at the Commodore Saturday, and "Golden Voice of Africa" Salif Keita at the Vogue Sunday (ticketmaster.ca), or enjoy the music of Jordan Nobles as performed by Negative Zed under the exotic flora and fauna of the Bloedel Conservatory (Saturday, redshiftmusic.org).
Another Home Invasion
See renowned actress Nicola Lipman in Joan MacLeod's award-winning play Another Home Invasion, which tells the story of Jean - a senior who, along with her husband, is about to move from the home she's had for decades and into a senior's facility when an unlikely stranger appears on her doorstep (until April 23, artsclub.com).
Springfest at Cypress
Celebrate spring without letting go of the banner ski season at Springfest on Cypress Mountain, a family-friendly event that kicks off with a free pancake breakfast at the Nordic Base Area, then moves to Hollyburn Lodge for festivities including races, tugs of war, an outdoor barbecue, the famed "dummy jump" (employees build dummies then send them hurtling) and the polar dip - where mountain staff do their best to make it across a slushy pool to the cheers of toasty warm onlookers (Sunday, cypressmountain.com).
Sakura Days
Celebrate Japan's vibrant culture and indomitable spirit - even in its darkest hour - at Sakura Days, where you can take part in a tea ceremony, try your hand at origami and ikebana, sample Japanese foods and sake, take in performances from classical dance to taiko drumming and more. All proceeds to the Japanese Red Cross (at VanDusen, japanfairvancouver.com). To show even more support for our Pacific Rim neighbours, join the Japan Walk of Hope starting at Science World Sunday (vancouverjapanrelief.com), or check out a Tom Lee benefit concert at Aberdeen Centre Saturday (tomleemusic.ca).
Special to The Globe and Mail
RightHere@globeandmail.com