Things we’re either doing, wishing that we could do, or conspiring to do this week…

MONDAY

Movie Appreciation And Screenwriting Tips

Emily Carr University’s Jana Williams gives a seminar on screenwriting essentials. “Whether you’re a beginning screenwriter or simply fascinated by movies – you’ll enjoy this Wordsmythe.ca seminar on how screenplays work.”

Feb 9 | 7:30 – 9:00 pm | Vancouver Public Library | FREE (registration required)

Button Making 101

Blim director Yuriko Iga leads a buttonmaking workshop. Bring mini art, collage, graphics, drawings, or text to Blim on Monday night and learn to make trendy and attractive buttons for all of your friends. Blim provides materials such as magazines, a photocopier, markers – that kind of thing – as well as 25 buttons of any size (included in your registration fee). There will be a snack bar and good music too! Call 604 872 8180 or [email protected] to register.

February 9 | 7 – 10 PM| Blim Community Based Art Resource Center | $20

TUESDAY

Bellini at WISE Hall

Opera Pro Cantanti means Opera for Singers. “And Opera Pro Cantanti is just that: an opera company whose purpose is to provide local singers with opportunities to prepare and perform mainstream operas in fully staged productions.” Opera Pro Cantanti performs I Puritani (The Puritans) by Vincenzo Bellini at WISE Hall this Tuesday night. From the Opera Pro Cantanti web site: I puritani is “An English Civil War tale of political heroism, love, madness and lovers reunited, I Puritani was Bellini’s last great melodic masterpiece. The opera is known for its two mad scenes and for that rarities of rarities in grand opera, a happy ending”.

Feb 10 | 7:30 | WISE Hall

Dinner at Bishop’s

Sweet deal. John Bishop and chef Andrea Carlson are doing a $38 prix fixe menu based on their current table d’hôte, and it’s available every day from 5:30pm to 6:30pm (including Friday and Saturday nights). Think Hazelmere sunroot soup with pink lady apple browned butter leading to a cassoulet of Blue Foot chicken, pancetta, kale and Berkshire pork sausage and closed with spiced apricot bread pudding sweetened further with vanilla cream and caramel sauce. Mmm.

2183 West 4th | 604-738-2025 | BishopsOnline.com

WEDNESDAY

Lykke Li

22 year old Swedish electro-pop songstress Lykke Li (pronounced Lick-ee Lee) plays the Commodore to what promises to be a very enthusiastic crowd. Get your tickets fast – they are selling out. I have already seen Craigslist ads that read “desperate for Lykke Li tickets, will pay anything”. By my understanding it hasn’t quite come to that yet. But it has come to this: both Red Cat and Zulu are sold out so if you are looking to snag a ticket – your looking at Ticketmaster or Craigslist as your only hope.

Feb 11 | doors 8 pm, show 9:30 pm | Commodore Ballroom | Tix $25

Sexy Third Floor

Just in time for Valentines Day – another lingerie sale. This one promises from 50-80% off lingerie designed by Vancouver company Third Floor at their pre-Valentines Day warehouse sale. Word is the first 20 purchases of the day will walk out with a free gift.

Feb 11-13 | 12 noon – 7pm | 1275 Venables | FREE (to look)

THURSDAY

Panties in the Chapel

Shea O’Connor of Shea Couturiere Lingerie shows her latest (and sexiest) creations against the backdrop of one of the East Side’s most unique gallery spaces to a live soundtrack courtesy of “The Golden Mean”. Sexy underwear, bar, art, live music, cool space: what’s not to like? If you are intrigued and plan to attend, consider the 10pm show for extra kicks. This one runs past midnight, taking spectators into Friday the 13th (remember this unique venue – a refurbished funeral home – is rumoured to be haunted).

Feb 12 | 7:30 & 10:00pm | The Chapel | $20 – try clubzone

Grace Gallery Launch

Two launches – one fabulous night. A captivating mix of old, new and found letters constitute the timely (and deliciously voyeuristic) “Love Letters” show at Grace Gallery. Also opening Thursday night –Wrighteous Designs jewelery designer Dawn Wright showcases her rosary style necklaces. Get out and expose yourself to art. Don’t worry – if you can’t make it, we’ll be there with cameras to fill you in on what you missed.

Feb 12 | Grace Gallery | FREE

Weird and Wild Prototypes and Samples Sale

Make your way to Hunt & Gather this Thursday evening to snap up some amazingly good deals on truly unique pieces! If you weren’t sure what you were waiting for – mystery is solved – this is probably it.

There will be many beautiful fabrics for sale too!! Silk! Wool! Cotton!

Feb 12 | 6 – 9 pm | Hunt & Gather 225 Carrall | FREE (until you purchase)

FRIDAY

Murder City Devils

Kickass Seattle garage-rock band, the Murder City Devils, play the Commodore. Tickets might be hard to find – but if you can track some down, you’ll be guaranteed a good show.

Feb 13 | 8:00 pm | Commodore | $26.50

Daniel Craig on the Big Screen

Forget buying the DVD. Quantum of Solace is playing at the Hollywood on Broadway.

Feb 13 | 7:30 | Hollywood Theatre | $7

SATURDAY

Eat Local

Head to the Winter Farmers’ Market at WISE Hall to pick up some hearty root vegetables, home-baked bread, crafts, and plenty of other cool bits. Visit EatLocal.org to see the full list of vendors.

Feb 14 | 10am – 2pm | WISE Hall, 1882 Adanac Street at Victoria Drive | FREE

Good karma event of the week: Chicken and Egg Dance

Looking for a Valentines event for the whole family? Check out the Chicken and Egg Dance – a fundraiser organized by Organic Friends of the Future. This year, proceeds will go toward helping farmers affected by recent flooding in the Fraser Valley. Farm-Friendly food and fun for all ages. Tickets are available at the Farmers market this Saturday (see above) or by calling 604-879-3276

Feb 14 | 6pm – 11pm | Capri Hall, 3925 Fraser | $12 adults, $6 kids, under 6 free

Beer My Valentine

The beer gurus over at justhereforthebeer.com host an evening that will see a selection of Granville Island Brewery’s best coupled with Rogers’ gourmet chocolates – how could this event possibly be anything but divine? There will also be live music, grub and the ever popular chance at winning a door prize.

Feb 14 | 7pm | Granville Island Brewery | $35

The Scout Guide To Valentine’s Day Restaurants

We’ve put together a list of some of Vancouver’s top restaurants (Salt, Boneta, Campagnolo, Bishop’s, and many more) and laid out what they’re offering for Valentine’s Day. Some have already sold out, but others still have plenty of tables to go around.

Feb 14th | Various locations and times | $28 and up

SUNDAY

Lace up for a free skate

To celebrate the fact that we are one year away from the 2010 Olympics, the Vancouver Parks Board would like to treat you to an afternoon of free ice skating. Countdown festivities on the ice will include athlete and 2010 mascot appearances. Bring a non-perishable food bank donation for your chance to win great prizes.. Lace up!

Feb 15 | various afternoon hours | Britania, Kits, Sunset, West End and Riley Park | FREE

Retro Design and Antiques Fair

From the website: 175 tables and booths of fabulous finds for you and your eclectic abode…a super selection to suit every taste and budget! From mid-century modernist decor to Boho & shabby chic accents, French country collectibles to retro glam accessories. Definitely worth the four bucks – check it out.

Feb 15 | 10-3 | Croatian Cultural Centre | $4

Biltmore Swap Meet

From the Biltmore: The good people at Sled Island Music Festival put this concept together. It’s a flea market that focuses on the trading of records/music & crafts. Great live bands (Japandroids & No Gold) and catered food lend entertainment value and warmth to this excellent gig.

Feb 15 | 12pm | Biltmore Cabaret

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Michelle Sproule grew up in Kitsilano and attended Bond University in Australia and the University of Victoria before receiving her graduate degree in Library Sciences from The University of Toronto. She lives by the beach in Vancouver and enjoys wandering aimlessly through the city’s shops and streets with her best friend – a beat up, sticky, grimy, and uncooperative camera.

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