Things To Do This Week - Aug 28 - Sept 3, 2008: Long Weekend Special!

Coming up soon is the long weekend, and the week leading into September brings musicians who were first popular in the era of grunge and MTV reality television, 16th century Renaissance performers, and an eclectic mix of modern-day plays in the Vancouver Fringe Festival. Here are some things to do around Vancouver this week:

Thursday, August 28, 2008 – Beck

Beck is in Vancouver tonight performing songs from his latest album, Modern Guilt. The Danger Mouse -produced album a is low key affair, especially compares compared to the baby-faced eccentric's creative high-points of Odelay and Mutations. Still, the wildly eclectic artist is eager to traverse many terrains musically, and his latest venture with the like mind Danger Mouse has born (strange) fruit. Beck plays the Orpheum at 8 p.m. with guests Band of Horses. Tickets at www.ticketmaster.ca, or at Scratch, Zulu, Red Cat and Highlife Records for $55 plus fees and service charges.

Friday, August 29, 2008 – BC Renaissance Festival

Nothing says 1510 like jousting competitions, medieval costumes and corsets, fiddle music and ye olde Mr. Cool Ice Cream booth. The BC Renaissance Festival brings together performers and exhibitions for a fun-filled weekend event. Highlights include Pub Sing, where commoners can raise a glass (alcoholic or non-) and sing along with medieval musicians. The BC Renaissance Festival is at Fort Langley beginning today, continuing until the 31st. Tickets are $10 for adults, and $7 for kids and seniors. Their website www.bcrenfest.com has all the details.

Saturday, August 30, 2008 – Stone Temple Pilots

Recently kicked out of hard rock "supergroup" Velvet Revolver, Scott Weiland hasn't wasted any time getting together his old band. Stone Temple Pilots is playing more than 50 summer and fall dates, including GM Place tonight. Weiland got the boot from Velvet Revolver after his “personal problems” and onstage behaviour got out of control – so out of control that even weathered band mates Slash, Duff and Matt Sorum from Guns N' Roses couldn't take it anymore. Let's see if STP can reclaim some of their earlier glory playing hits like “Plush,” “Interstate Love Song,” and “Big Empty” - or maybe just hope that Weiland can even remember the words. Show starts at 7:30 p.m., featuring guests Sloan. Tickets are $66/56/37 plus fees and service charges at www.ticketmaster.ca.

Sunday, August 31, 2008 –Stanley Park Singing Exhibition

This two-day festival features some of Vancouver's hottest indie rock acts, as well, as a number of pretty exciting guests from around the world. Under what we hope is the sun, at the Park's fantastic Malkin Bowl, this first annual festival will feature Vancouver artists Neko Case, Destroyer, and The Evaporators as well as Chicago singer-songwriter Andrew Bird, and San Francisco noise band Deerhoof. Monday night's line up features more local stars, including the New Pornographers and Black Mountain along with Stevie Jackson of Scottish indie band Belle & Sebastian, Chicago indie pop band The 1900s and Seattle power pop band Visqueen.

Shows start at 8 both nights, with tickets available at $30-$35 at Ticketmaster.ca. Proceeds from teh event will go to The ALS Society of Canada and The Urban Native Youth Association.

Long Weekend Extra:

Today is the last day to see The Changing British Columbia Landscape Explored, an ehxibition of sketches, drawings, watercolours, photos and prints from some of BC's top artists like Emily Carr, Lawren Harris, Jock Macdonald, Ann Kipling and Charles H. Scott. The exhibit shows the changes to the BC landscape – both urban and rural - over the past two centuries.

Admission is free to the Burnaby Art Gallery (6344 Deer Lake Avenue). Hours are 10 a.m. To 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday to Friday, and 12 to 5 p.m. on weekends. Details at www.burnabyartgallery.ca.

Monday, September 1, 2008 – Opera & Arias

The UBC Opera Ensemble performs a staging of Mozart's Don Giovanni (presented by Bard on the Beach). Directed by Nancy Hermiston and members of the Vancouver Opera Orchestra, conducted by Leslie Dala and hosted by Christopher Gaze. The show starts at 7 p.m. at Vanier Park (1000 Chestnut Street), tickets $34/31. Visit www.bardonthebeach.org for more details.

Long Weekend Extra:

The Victory Square Block Party, thrown by Only Magazine, is held today at (where else) Victory Square at Cambie and Hastings. The free event will feature performances by local bands, including Basketball, Defektors, No Kids, The Evaporators and Ice Cream, with an after party at the Bourbon (50 W. Cordova) featuring popular metal acts Bison and Sorcerers. Outdoor show goes from 2 p.m. - 9 p.m. More info here.

Tuesday, September 2, 2008 – KRAZY! The Delirious World of Anime + Comics + Video Games + Art

It's the last week of this exhibition of animated cartoons, anime, graphic novels, manga, comics, visual art and video games. Krazy takes up two floors of the Vancouver Art Gallery, showing visitors a century of various artists' work including original notes, sketches, production drawings and 3D models. Times and prices are online at www.vanartgallery.bc.ca.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008 – 24th Annual Vancouver Fringe Festival

The Vancouver International Fringe Festival starts today, featuring over 500 performances by more than 65 different groups. Taking place in various theatres around Granville Island, the Fringe Festival is BC's largest theatre festival and continues until the 14th.

The lineup of shows is chosen on a first come, first serve lottery basis, so you won't know if Wok Hard: The Story of Stir Fried Crazy is genuinely funny and worth seeing, or if the musical comedy Oy Calcutta falls flat – until other show goers have let everyone know what they really think by writing an online review and voting for favourite plays on the site.

With everything from cabaret and audience participation to one act plays and stand up comedy, the Fringe Festival is a melting pot of various mediums and artistic interpretations. Apart from the Mainstage Venues, there are also BYOV's – Bring Your Own Venues – which have included cars and trees in past years.

The festival begins with an opening night gala at the Granville Island Stage on Sept. 3. Go to www.vancouverfringe.com for ticket and show information.