Top Things to Do in March

March promises to be a great month for dance, theatre and music in Vancouver. The Cultural Olympiad continues and two of Vancouver's favourite festivals, Chutzpah! and the Vancouver International Dance Festival have lined-up excellent programs.  In addition, the city will host the Paralympics beginning March 12th, which means that there will be a number of special exhibitions and events in town, such as the Royal Canadian Mint pavilion.

Balkan Beat Box @ Chutzpah!
Photo Credit: Todd Brown

Cultural Olympiad (until March 21)

Over the last month and a half, the Cultural Olympiad has brought together some of the world’s top artists to showcase their talents and make Vancouver a hub for arts and entertainment. The Cultural Olympiad offers genre-bending theatre, dance, music and visual and digital art displays. Don’t miss the last amazing events on the schedule.

Olympic Inspirations Gallery and Go Canucks Go! Exhibit (all of March)

The Olympic Inspirations Gallery highlights BC’s Olympic medalists who have been inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Fame. Olympic medals, posters and uniforms are on display. While at the Hall of Fame, don’t miss the Go Canucks Go exhibit, a must see all Canucks Fans. The exhibit features never before seen Canucks highlights from the past 60 years, artifacts of great Canuck Captains and a showcase of 40 Canuck Moments, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Canucks in the NHL. If you bring in a Canucks ticket stub, you’ll receive 2 for 1 admission.

For more details, visit the website. 
Hours: daily 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. until March 12 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from March 13 onward.
Location: BC Place

Donald and Lenore @ Chutzpah!
Photo Credit: Natasha Kanji

10th Annual Chutzpah! Festival (March 4-April 8)

A showcase of Jewish Performing Arts featuring music, dance theatre and comedic artists from Canada and around the world.

Theatre highlights include “Donald and Lenore” by internationally renowned Vancouver based playwright Tom Cone and “Odysseus Chaoticus” from Isreal’s Ish Theatre, a fantastical cabaret show that blends physical theatre, clowning, acting, dance and live music to tell the story of the Greek hero, King Odysseuss.

Upcoming dance performances include Aszure Barton & Artists from New York and Gallim Dance, which will perform to the sounds of Israeli band, Balkan Beat Box. Musical highlights of the festival include Les Yeux Noirs, Arc- Music in Exile and more.

Visit the website for a complete schedule and information on venues. 

Vancouver International Dance Festival (March 12-21)

The Vancouver international Dance Festival features contemporary and cutting edge-dance from around the world. Performers include Kokoro Dance, Mascall Dance, Kitt Johnson (from Denmark), Toronto Dance Theatre and more. Dance workshops are also being held. Visit the website for a complete schedule and list of venues. 

Paralympic Games (March 12-21)

Vancouver will host the Paralympic Opening Ceremony, as well as Wheelchair Curling competitions and Ice Sledge Hockey (at UBC). Read more about the the Paralympics here. For a list of free public activities during the Paralympics, click here.

Royal Canadian Mint- 2010 Athlete Medals (March 12-21)

The Royal Canadian Mint is re-opening its exhibition at a new location (the Vancouver Public Library) for the Paralympics. This may be one of the last chances for Vancouverites to see the medals and learn about their production first-hand. There will also be daily coin exchanges and collectibles on sale.

Hours: Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday noon to 5 p.m.
Location: Vancouver Public Library (350 West Georgia)

Nixon in China @ the Vancouver Opera (March 13, 16, 18, 20)

The much anticipated Canadian premier of John Adam’s Nixon in China happens this March at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. A series of community events is being staged in conjunction with show. 

Location: Queen Elizabeth Theatre. All performances at 7:30 p.m.
For complete details, visit the Vancouver Opera website. 

Dining out for Life (March 25)

Dine out on Thursday March 25th and your meal could help make a contribution to support people living with HIV/AIDS. Over 200 restaurants from Whistler to Whiterock are participating this year. See the website for a full list.