Missing the non-stop festivities? Keep the party rolling with out-of-town festivals including the Pacific Rim Whale Festival, where you can celebrate the arrival of more than 20,000 migrating grey whales with tours, talks, culinary events and more (until March 14, http://www.pacificrimwhalefestival.com). In Whistler, catch the post-Olympic wave at WinterPRIDE, where you'll find queer-friendly activities from snowmobile tours to workshops on flirting (until March 8, http://www.gaywhistler.com). In the province's capitol, don't miss the Victoria French Fest, complete with music, art, traditional foods and more (until March 7, http://www.francocentre.com); and while you're there, make sure to catch the Paralympic torch relay and celebrations (today, vancouver2010.com).
Canada's top 10
2 Hollywood may be walking the Oscar red carpet this weekend, but you can also check out Canada's best features and shorts of 2009 at Canada's Top Ten (until March 10, http://www.cinematheque.bc.ca). Or see Xavier Dolan's I Killed My Mother - a French-Canadian feature that won three awards and a standing ovation at Cannes (until March 11, http://www.vifc.org).
Western Front Gala
3 Treat your visual cortex to great art events including the Western Front Gala Dinner and Art Auction (tonight, http://www.front.bc.ca), a new exhibit of Tiko Kerr paintings inspired by Vancouver neon (until March 28, http://www.winsorgallery.com), Greg Girard photos at Monte Clark (until March 20, http://www.monteclarkgallery.com), and a tour of Leonardo da Vinci drawings at the VAG (today, http://www.vanartgallery.bc.ca).
Salsa Festival
4 Spice up your weekend at the Vancouver International Salsafestival, featuring top salsa dancers from around the globe ( http://www.salsafestival.ca). Or see Gypsy magic in action when a 50-year-old man wishes for the perfect woman - and gets her - in The Love List (until April 10, http://www.vancouverplayhouse.com). And don't miss Bright Light's Procession of Performing Circles, featuring top local dancers, circus artists and more (tomorrow, http://www.bright-light.ca).
Chopin's 200th
5 Celebrate Chopin's 200th birthday with the VSO featuring renowned Canadian pianist Janina Fialkowska (March 6-8, http://www.vancouversymphony.ca). If you're more the 21st century kind, try Canadian faves Hawksley Workman and DJ Champion in Victoria, or Black Rebel Motorcycle Club in Vancouver - all happening this weekend ( http://www.ticketmaster.ca).