The Top 5 Things To Do This Week

This year February has just 28 days (our next leap year will be in 2012). It's almost warm enough to pack away our winter gear as we head into March, but hang onto the gumboots for at least another few weeks. Here are some things to do in and around Vancouver during the last few days of February:

Monday, February 23, 2009 – Fantasies and Odysseys: the Exciting Music of Liszt and Strauss

Louis Lortie

Conductor Bramwell Tovey and pianist Louis Lortie perform a variety of pieces (Beethoven The Ruins of Athens: Overture, Liszt Totentanz, Liszt Fantasy on Motives from Beethoven’s Ruins of Athens, and Strauss Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30). Tickets range from $25 to $78.50 at vancouversymphony.ca or by phone at 604.876.3434. The show begins at 8 p.m. at the Orpheum Theatre (884 Granville Street).

Tuesday, February 24, 2009 – Tibetan Sand Mandala Ceremony

At the Dr. Sun-Yat Sen Garden (578 Carrall Street ) until the 28th, the  Tibetan Sand Mandala Ceremony showcases a sand mandala created by the Tibetan monks of the Dzongkar Choede Monastery. The sand mandala is an iconic part of Tibetan artistic and spiritual culture, meant to convey the expression of inner peace and harmony between the inside and outside world. It involves the delicate process of placing multi-colored grains of sand in the shape of a two-dimensional palace.

It's a beautiful time of year to take a walk through the Dr. Sun-Yat Sen Garden garden, full of pine, bamboo and winter-flowering plum. Make a donation to the garden, or buy a ticket for $10 for visits anytime during the 24th to the 28th. Two dollars of every ticket will be donated to support the young monks of Dzongkar Choede Monastery - many of whom are orphaned or come from poor Tibetan families.

On Tuesday February 24, from 10 - 4 is the ceremony to begin the Sand Mandala; Wednesday February 25, 10 -4 there will be ongoing work on the Sand Mandala; Thursday, February 26, 10 - 2 the Sand Mandala will be on display and from 2 -8 more ongoing work on the Sand Mandala; Friday February 27, 10 - 2 on display, 2 - 8 ongoing work on the Sand Mandala; Saturday February 28 10 -8 is the Sand Mandala completion and closing ceremony.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009 – A Year In Wilderness Solitude

Hear Robert Kull, an adventurer and the author of Solitude: Seeking Wisdom in Extremes, discusses his wilderness survival and spiritual transformation following his year of solitude in Chile. Admission is free, and the talk goes from 7 - 8:30 p.m. at the Capilano Branch Library (3045 Highland Blvd., North Van).

Thursday, February 26, 2009 – Stanley Park's Hollow Tree

Have you ever wondered about Stanley Park's Hollow Tree? Find out more about this longstanding Stanley Park feature from heritage consultant Hal Kalman and engineer Lorne Whitehead, at the Vancouver Museum (1100 Chestnut) at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, February 27, 2009 – The B-52's

The B-52's are back and they have a new CD: Funplex. If you're a fan of their unmistakable sound and catchy songs like "Rock Lobster" and "Love Shack" let them take you back to happier times of polyester and beach parties. Tickets are $74.50/64.50 at ticketmaster.ca. The show takes place at the Red Robinson Show Theatre (Boulevard Casino, 2080 United Blvd., Coquitlam).

Saturday, February 28, 2009 – Speaking Of Maya

Maya Angelou

It's Black History Month, so celebrate with a special tribute to the legendary poet, actor and playwright Maya Angelou, featuring Joy Coghill, Denis Simpson, Vanessa Richards, Judith Maxie, Hector Johnson, and Dalannah Gail Bowen. The event benefits the Downtown Eastside Centre for the Arts. Get tickets for $20 at ticketmaster.ca; benefit takes place at the St. James Community Square (3214 W. 10th)at 8 p.m.

Sunday, March 1, 2009 - The Adventures of Bertolt and the Search for the Golden Hanky

Bring the kids and help Bertolt find the Golden Hanky! See the fun kids show at Lions Hall (770 Commercial Dr.) on March 1 and 7. In this adventure, both kids and adults are asked to volunteer and play a part in the story as Bertolt goes from beanstalks and balloon animals to disappearing flowers and the Danger Danger forest. Magic, balloons and a lot of falling down makes this show a unique experience that you or your kids won soon forget! Tickets are just $8, call the box office at 604-657-8858 or email explorer@bertolt.ca; find out more and watch a preview video at bertolt.ca.