The Top Things to Do in Vancouver This Week

Monday, June 1, 2009 – The Crystal Method

Electronica dance masters Ken Jordan and Scott Kirkland are performing  their first tour as a live act in five years at the Commodore Ballroom (868 Granville) tonight. Guests LA Riots and DJ Sage; doors open at 9 pm and the show starts at 10. Get tickets here.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009 – Olympics Tickets

If you thought you'd missed your chance to sit rink-side for men's gold medal hockey or take in an opening or closing ceremony at the 2010 Winter Olympics Games, there's good news: another 150,000 tickets will be up for grabs this morning at 10 am. About 140,000 of those will be for various Olympic sporting events, with the remainder for Opening, Closing and nightly Victory Ceremonies. This time, the Vancouver Organizing Committee will use a "virtual waiting room” and randomly select customer numbers, rather than a lottery or first-come, first-served system. Sign up for tickets or get more information at Vancouver 2010.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009 – Tainted Love Fashion Show

It's the fashion party of the season: legendary DJ 151, $10,000 in door prizes, a charity raffle, airbrushed models, dancers, a fashion show, and hip hop MC Kanabliss Tha Supaspliff. A great show for a great cause, with all proceeds going to support prostate cancer research at VGH. Presented by Hardihood Clothing Co., the party is at Caprice Night Club starting at 9 pm, but doors open at 7:30. Get your tickets for just $15 at Brooklyn Clothing (418 Davie St.), Sku (1036 Hamilton St.), Triple Threat (3252 St. Johns St. in Port Moody) or Triple Crown (934B Brunette Ave. in Coquitlam), or at the door. Find out more at Caprice Nighclub.

Thursday, June 4, 2009 –  Rise Against

Political punk rock group Rise Against is in Vancouver with guests Rancid and the Riverboat Gamblers, tonight at the Pacific Coliseum. Doors open at 6 pm, and the show starts at 7. Get tickets here.

Friday, June 5,  2009 – Les Miserables

We've been hearing good things about the Stanley Theatre's production of Les Miserables. Rumour also has it that ticket sales have doubled for the Vancouver run after overnight international sensation Susan Boyle belted out I Dreamed a Dream on Britain's Got Talent. Les Miserables is based on Victor Hugo's novel about ex-convict Jean Valjean's struggles and ultimate redemption in 19th century France. Tickets are currently on sale for performances up until July 19, 2009 (Tuesdays @ 7:30pm, Wednesday–Saturday at 8:00pm, Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday 2:00pm). Tickets range from $25 to $84 inclusive of taxes and fees; find great seats here.

Saturday, June 6, 2009 –  Vancouver Symphony Masterworks Gold Concert #6

The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, with conductor Bramwell Tovey, performs Mahler's monumental masterpiece Symphony No. 6, from now until June 8 at the Orpheum Theatre (601 Smithe St). Get tickets and information by phone at 604-684-9100.

Sunday, June 7, 2009 – 7th Annual Paws for Peace

Paws for Peace is an annual fundraiser to help survivors of landmine and cluster bomb accidents and to raise awareness about people around the world who have lost their limbs and their lives to remnants of war. The event is presented by the Humanitarian Issues Working Group of the Canadian Red Cross. The walk starts at 11:00 am at Second Beach in Stanley Park, and participants will do a three kilometre walk around the scenic lagoon. There will also be refreshments, music, war displays and dog obedience demonstrations. Register as a walker and raise funds at Paws 4 Peace, or donate online if you can't attend the walk. There are also flyers and posters you can print out from the site to let others know about the event.