Things To Do This Week - Aug 7 -13, 2008

Now this is summer – and hopefully you've had a shorter work week thanks to BC Day on Monday. Our next stat holiday is Labour Day on September 1st, so some of us have only a few more weeks of nine to fives till we see one again. Whether you're working hard, enjoying a sunny Vancouver vacation or taking some time off, here are a few activities and events to keep you busy this week:

1- Thursday, August 7, 2008 –Theatre Under TheStars

See a performance of Jesus Christ Superstar or Annie Get Your Gun outdoors at the Malkin Bowl, for the annual summer tradition of Theater Under The Stars. Tonight's performance of Annie Get Your Gun, directed by Shel Piercy, gets underway at 7 p.m. and is approximately three hours long. Find ticket prices, maps and parking info at www.tuts.ca.

2- Friday, August 8, 2008 – Brooks & Dunn/ZZ Top

Country music's best selling duo Brooks & Dunn come to GM Place tonight, with ZZ Top and guest Rodney Atkins. If you've gone country, you know that Brooks & Dunn have had more than 20 number one hits and have received numerous Grammy's and CMA awards.

Blues-rock threesome ZZ Top has been around since 1969, and continues to release albums and tour with classic hits like “Sharp Dressed Man,” “Hellraisers,” and “Legs.” Show starts at 7:30, and you can get tickets and other info at www.ticketmaster.ca. Ticket prices are $79.50/59.50/45.50 plus fees and service charges.

3- Saturday, August 9, 2008 – 9th Annual Chinatown Festival

This Saturday and Sunday head down to Chinatown (Columbia & Keefer) for another year of multicultural exhibitions and family activities. Festival highlights include the Green Theme Exhibition, a new expo showing ways to reduce environmental impact. Leave the car at home and bring your bicycle as there will be a bike valet on site. Also on the agenda is the Youth Talent Showdown, giving kids aged 15-25 a chance to show off their skills as solo or group performers, Chinese folk art demonstrations, and a Kids' Corner with an adventure rock-climbing wall.

You can sample numerous Chinese delicacies as you make your way through the open air market, temples and heritage buildings in Chinatown. Admission is free, and the festival runs from 12 pm -6pm both days. See www.vancouver-chinatown.com for details.

4- Sunday, August 10, 2008 – Rona Multiple Sclerosis Bike Tour

You can opt to take part in the 30- or 60- kilometre bike tour or come and show your support at the finish line to help spread awareness and raise funds in the fight against multiple sclerosis. The bike tour starts off at Creekside Park, and will be followed by a barbecue sponsored by the Terminal City Club. All proceeds will go to the MS Society of Canada. Register for the tour or sign up to volunteer at www.msbiketours.com.

5 – Monday, August 11, 2008 – Free Yoga In The Park

Find your inner calm and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors with free yoga in various North Vancouver parks. Today Evolve Fitness will be holding a yoga class in the Boulevard Park picnic area (E15th St. and Moody) at 6 p.m. Donations can be made to Trips for Kids, a non profit organization that allows vulnerable youth to learn growth and leadership skills in the North Shore Mountains. Find all locations and times at www.tfkvancouver.org.

6 – Tuesday, August 12, 2008 – Architectural Walking Tours

See various perspectives of Vancouver through The Architectural Institute of British Columbia's summer walking tours, available until Saturday, August 30, 2008 (no tours on Sundays or Mondays). Take a walk where the city began in Victory Square and Gastown, see the changing neighbourhoods of Strathcona and Chinatown, and tour architecture in the West End. The cost of each tour is $5, and registration takes place onsite before each tour. Tours last approximately two hours in rain or shine. Get tour information and schedules at www.aibc.ca.

7 – Wednesday, August 13, 2008 – Hero In You Summer Speaker Series

Every Wednesday during August brings a different Hero In You sports legend to the BC Sports Hall of Fame and Museum for their Summer Speaker Series. Come hear from athletes like Bobby Lenarduzzi (North American Soccer League star), Gareth Rees (former Canadian international rugby player), Dale Walters (Canada's first Olympic boxing medal winner in 52 years) and Marni Abbott (three-time Paralympic and world championship gold medalist winner for wheelchair basketball).

Today at 1 p.m. Bobby Lenarduzzi speaks about his experiences as President of the Vancouver Whitecaps, playing for England's Reading Club, and his induction into the Hall of Fame in 1992. Admission to the speaker series is included with museum admission. Call (604) 687-5520 for more info, or check out the website at www.bcsportshalloffame.com.