The Vancouver Art Gallery is seen in this file photo.ANDY CLARK/Reuters
FRESH AIR CINEMA | Grab yourself some summer picnic food and stake out a spot on the ocean-flanked deck of the North Point of Canada Place on Thursday night. It's movie night! This week it's Back to the Future Part II. Pro tip: Tractor Foods – located in the Marine Building at 335 Burrard – has great picnic-style take-out.
Thurs., Aug. 13 | 8:30 p.m. | North point of Canada Place www.canadaplace.ca
ART | Vancouver artist Johnny Taylor is self-taught – his abstract impressionist paintings feel like an elegant cross section of architectural renderings and maps seen through the prism of structured geometric stained glass. Cool stuff! Schedule yourself a little bit of time to swing by Chinatown on Friday night for the opening of his pop-up show, Landmarks: New Landscapes. Have a cold beer, talk to some interesting people and check out some stunning paintings.
Fri., Aug. 14 (7-10 p.m.); Sat. Aug. 15 and Sun. Aug. 16 (12-6 p.m.) | 263 E. Pender (upstairs) | www.johnnytaylor-artist.tumblr.com
FILM | Showcasing queer alternatives to mainstream film, the Queer Film Festival takes place at International Village this week. With more than 70 films from 21 countries, covering themes from "transgender trailblazers" to "spectacular queer con artists," there's a lot going on.
Now through Aug. 23 | Cineplex Odeon International Village | $12
FUSE | It's time for Fuse at the Vancouver Art Gallery. Head to the VAG on Saturday night to see it transformed into a one-night party palace. This time around, technology is key. Dig the decidedly different evening "vibe" that includes live music and performance, a lounge and a heavy electronic art component – see what 50 local and international artists can do by combining art and technology. There's something sort of magical about wandering an art gallery after hours, particularly when one is permitted to enjoy a glass of adult refreshment.
Sat., Aug. 15 | 8 p.m.–1 a.m. | Vancouver Art Gallery (750 Hornby St.) | $20 | www.vanartgallery.bc.ca
GREEN | VanDusen Botanical Garden celebrates it's 40th anniversary this weekend. Head to the gardens for a full day of activities on the serene and informative garden grounds. We're particularly looking forward to the botany of gin-tasting, the bee safari and the heirloom veggie harvest and tasting. Also of note: a fairy postal office, educational talks and tours, tattoo stations (we're guessing they will be of the temporary variety) and a climbing wall. "Retro" admission rates are in effect – get in for only $2.
Sun., Aug. 16 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | VanDusen Botanical Garden (5251 Oak St.) | $2
NATURE | Head to Stanley Park on Sunday afternoon for a guided trail walk with nature enthusiasts from the Ecology Society. Leave better informed about one of the cutest of the trouble-making city creatures: the racoon. Learn about where the little rascals like to live, what they love to eat and hear about some of the antics that they get up to.
Aug. 16 | 3:30-5:30 p.m. | Lost Lagoon Nature House | $10
SUNDAY SUPPER | Take a step out of your regular routine to attend a special potluck dinner in Strathcona this weekend. Sunday Supper brings the idea of an artist's talk together with good food and bright conversation, laying them all out in a lovely backyard setting for maximum summer enjoyment. This weekend, Sunday Supper features a talk by artist Erin Siddall. As event organizer Sydney Southam explains: "Siddall is a visual artist who works primarily with film, video, photography and installation which interrogates the viewer into thinking about looking rather than what they are looking at." There will be some food provided, but please arrive with a dish to share. To RSVP, email ssoutham@gmail.com. Once you RSVP, you will receive the location details.
Sun., Aug. 16 | 8 p.m. | Location details upon RSVP | Free www.specialsundaysupper.tumblr.com