Our carefully considered first rate list of super sweet things that we’re either doing, wishing that we could do, or conspiring to do this week…

THURSDAY 30th

The Life and Death of Cities From SFU: “For all their vibrancy and liveliness, cities face a growing challenge of providing secure and sustainable places to live. Even the world’s most ‘liveable cities’—Vancouver, Melbourne, Helsinki etc.— are currently in world-historical terms utterly unsustainable. Unless we rethink the ways that we present sustainability to ourselves and learn to act differently, crisis will become a way of life. Join Paul James, Director of the Global Cities Institute (RMIT) and Director of the UN Global Compact—Cities Programme at SFU April 30 | 7 – 8:30pm | SFU Harbour Centre | FREE (reservations are required call 778.782.5100) “The Wayne Gretzky of the Ukulele” Tonight at Heritage Hall Music on Main presents James Hill with cellist Anne Davison. The pure joy emanating from this duo when they are on stage together is worth the price of admission alone. But if you need more than that, Music On Main sums them up here: “From YouTube sensations to the New York Times, the ‘ukulele is hailed as one of today’s hottest musical instruments, and Canada’s James Hill is stoking the flames as one of the world’s hottest players. With his mind-boggling virtuosity, open-hearted artistry and sense of humour, James takes the ‘ukulele to places previously unimagined. Don’t miss his Main Series concert with cellist Anne Davison where you’ll hear inspired arrangements and original compositions. Come find out why CBC Radio calls him “the Wayne Gretzky of the ‘ukulele” April 30 | 8pm | Heritage Hall | $25 (was sold out but extra seats have been added) Spring Shop-Hop Gastown shops are hosting one of their famous shop-hops tonight. Here’s the deal: visit www.gastown.org for a map of participating stores (don’t worry, all the cool ones are on the list). The idea is that you follow the map, nip in to each store to have look at their Spring collections and enjoy a few sophisticated (and complimentary) refreshments while you browse (I scored some killer cupcakes and champagne on my rounds at the Winter hop) It’s like a scavenger hunt for fashion lovers. April 30 | 5 – 10pm | Various very cool locations in Gastown | FREE (until you can’t resist the deals and buy something for your Spring collection) The Cure for Death by Lightning Gail Anderson-Dargatz reads from her new novel, Turtle Valley as well as selections from A Recipe for Bees, A Rhinestone Button and The Cure for Death by Lightning. April 30 | 7:30 pm – 9 pm | VPL Main Branch | FREE

FRIDAY 1st

CR Avery at the Biltmore Get yourself over to Mount Pleasant tonight. Everyone’s favourite Vancouver-based poet and musician returns from Europe to play three sets with a string ensemble and his band the Boomchasers. If you haven’t experienced CR Avery you shouldn’t be calling yourself a Vancouverite. The illusive and enigmatic creative force known as CR Avery is an unpredictable treat that you shouldn’t miss. Just make sure you park your car somewhere sensible. I got a big fat parking ticket last week…It’s getting fatter as we speak. Maybe I should take care of that. May 1 | doors 8 pm, show 9 pm | Biltmore | $15 Stop Kiss Tonight at Havana: “This is a story about fast friends Callie and Sara played by Missy Cross and Joey Bothwell. Set in New York City, the two bond over Sara’s cat Caesar, New York food, ex boyfriends, and jobs. Unexpectedly, the two begin to fall in love. Their first kiss ignites a senseless act of violence. I don’t know – haven’t heard anything about it, but it looks interesting and Havana is a pretty cool venue – if you check it out, let us know what you think. May 1 | 8pm | Havana Restaurant | For Tickets call 604 630 9051

SATURDAY 2nd

[imgset:72157617375681024,square,false]

Make It So.. Find one-of-a-kind items from over 65 of Canada’s brightest urban artisans and designers! MAKE IT fuses indie shopping with live music to create a dynamic, upbeat experience! There will be something for everyone from fashion, accessories, baby items, art and jewelry. Scout picks are Lemonpark (for amazing necklaces), Monkey 100 (for awesome t-shirts with a conscience – see thumbnails above), and Bronsino (for REALLY beautiful handbags). This show continues through Sunday (check website for details). May 2 | Roundhouse Community Centre | 10am – 6pm | Free Pinatas? Grab a seabus over to Lonsdale Quay Market this afternoon for a practice run at Cinco de Mayo celebrations. There will be a real Mariachi band (Cocula de Alejadro Rivera from Cocula Jalisco) and plenty of good food. Additional Cinco de Mayo activities include Mexican candy, balloons, and a pinata giveaway. I’m a big fan of the pinata! And hey – of you can’t go to Mexico, let Mexico come to you. May 2 | 1 – 3 pm | Lonsdale Quay Market | FREE

SUNDAY 3rd

Got Craft? “…Because MALL is a four-letter word… Don’t take your money to the Mall. Walk, bike, take the skytrain over to Sixth and Commercial to take in the Got Craft? show. With over 50 vendors displaying handmade goods (from clothing and jewelry to ceramics and wall art). Got Craft is a good idea for many reasons. Chief among those reasons is that it helps the environment by reducing your carbon footprint, keeps your hard earned money in the community and supports Vancouver’s handmade revolution, but don’t overlook the fact that at Got Craft you can get your hands on the latest and coolest of indie wares. I’ll be checking it out right after breakfast at Little Nest. Mmmm…rice pudding and crafts. May 3 | 11:00 am – 5pm | Royal Canadian Legion (6th & Commercial) | $2 (Kids Free) Three Birds with One Can If you are looking for an excuse to get yourself down to the new convention centre – here you go: Today is the last day of the marvelous Canstruction exhibition. Clever individuals and teams challenge themselves to build sculptures from tin cans that will blow you away. This year tin can sculptors tackle the theme “Throughout History: from Caveman to Spaceman“. After the week-long event, the resultant structures are disassembled and all food items are donated to the well deserving Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society. You get to 1) check the building that everyone has been talking about 2) take in an art exhibit (of sorts) and 3) rack up a few good Karma points by donating to the Food Bank. Win win win. May 3 | 10am to 6pm | The new Vancouver Convention Centre | Admission By donation (Do keep in mind that for every $1 donated, the Food Bank can purchase $3 of food)

MONDAY 4th

Emily Carr University of Art + Design Grad Show Make a little time to check out the year end show featuring work of Emily Carr University 2009 Graduates and Undergraduates. You won’t be disappointed! The student creativity and innovation across visual arts, media and design is mind blowing and worth setting some time aside to appreciate. May 4 |10am-6pm | North and South Buildings | Emily Carr University of Art + Design, Granville Island | FREE

TUESDAY 5th

Mostrar Mexico Amor Today is Cinco de Mayo. I am planning to whip up a batch of tortilla soup and quesadillas with oodles of guacamole at home, but if I hadn’t already made the commitment to friends and family , I would be heading over to Dona Cata or Salsa and Agave to stuff my face in tribute to a great country who has had a tough go of it lately. Mostrar Mexico amor hoy – se podría utilizar un abrazo (Show Mexico some love today – they could use a hug). Free girly things… Today at Kiss & Makeup in Park Royal Village Kristin Petrovich of Sjal (a hot new skin care line that integrates elements of Chinese, Tibetan, Ayurvedic, Homeopathic and Vibrational (huh?) medicine) will be in store to offer her expertise on skin care. If she does her job well (word on the street is that she will) and you decide to purchase products, you also stand to leave with a free cleanser or toner (and we’re talking regular size, not the usual minuscule giveaway size). Hey, a trip to the North Shore can feel like a mini-holiday this time of year – go for it. May 5 | Kiss & Makeup | Park Royal Village | FREE Spring Cleanse If the sunshine and warm weather has you feeling motivated to crawl out of hibernation and get healthy – what better way to jump into it than a cleanse? At Lululemon in Kits tonight customers (ie – all of Kits) are invited to join Naturopath Physician, Dr Natalie Mazurin to learn about how everyday toxins can impact your health. Find out which toxins may be associated with health burdens and get the scoop on which cleanses may be right for you. May 5 | 6:30-7:30pm | Lululemon | FREE Kinnie Starr “Multi-talented artist Kinnie Starr reads from “How I Learned to Run”, her first book of poetry and drawings. Having mastered the art of making words live and breathe, this collection is a contemplative look at love, history, sex and the complexities of being part Mohawk in a Canadian family that has yet to come to terms with its indigenous roots. May 5 | 7:30pm | Vancouver Public Library | FREE (but seating is limited and expected to be in high demand) —————————————————————- 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. —————————————————————-