Things To Do This Week - Aug 21-27, 2008

During this bleak week that is supposedly right in the heart of summer, you may have been more inclined to keep cozy in the warmth of your home rather than spend any time outside. Looks like the sun is returning on Thursday and will last until Sunday, so there will be at least another short stretch of summer before fall appears. Here are some things to do this week:

1 - Thursday, August 21, 2008 – BC Cultural Crawl

The BC Cultural Crawl continues until August 31st, with highlights like:

- The Chinatown Night Market (Fridays).

- Downtown Street Beats Busker Series, with over 30 world class buskers performing – shows rotate between the Granville/Georgia London Drugs, Canada Place and the Vancouver Art Gallery.

- The Main Street Cultural Crawl, with open doors in galleries, special exhibits at galleries like The Main Artery, Western Front Society and Vivo Media Arts Centre.

There's much more – explore arts, culture and heritage at lots of venues around Vancouver. Find info at www.art-bc.com.

2- Friday, August 22, 2008 – Weird Al Yankovic at The Red Robinson Theatre

He's still around with his accordion and polka medleys, and whether people are longtime fans or completely irritated by his music, most at least begrudgingly agree his songs are somewhat funny. You'll find quite the mix of demographics at a Weird Al show: fans in their 20's and 30's who knew his earlier work on Dr. Demento's radio show in the 80's, teens who have grown to appreciate the newer stuff like “White and Nerdy”, their parents and even grandparents. While his long-running career of parodies never really stopped, he has enjoyed quite a revival in the past few years due to the release of Straight Outta Lynwood. Weird Al plays at 8 p.m. at Red Robinson Show Theatre in Coquitlam. Tickets are $59.50/49.50 plus fees and service charges at www.ticketmaster.ca.

3- Saturday, August 23, 2008 – West End Dog Show

Come down and see dogs being embarrassed for a good cause. The West End Dog Show features a canine fashion show, a dog wash, and free giveaways to raise money for BC Guide Dog Services. (If you live in Yaletown, you may very well have a wardrobe of doggie couture already, so dress up your mini-dog and come down to Nelson Park). The event is also still in need of volunteers, so check out opportunities and get info at www.westenddogshow.com. The event starts at 11 at Nelson Park (corner of Comox and Bute) and goes until 4 p.m.

4- Sunday, August 24, 2008 – Chris Rock at the Orpheum

Much like Weird Al (how many times do you get to say that?) Chris Rock is the type of comedian that you either love or hate – you find his well-worn bits on race relations and the sexes hilarious, or you can't stand his braying catchphrases and observations. If you weren't in a hurry to buy tickets when they first went on sale, your only hope now is to find them elsewhere at an inflated price or get lucky with a radio giveaway, because the Orpheum Theatre show is sold out.

5 – Monday, August 25, 2008 – “And The World Goes Round”

If you're in the mood for a musical review, this lively jazz show combines songs from “Cabaret”, “Funny Lady”, Liza Minelli's “The Act” and of course “All That Jazz” at the Pacific Theatre until August 30th.The show also takes a look at the state of the world today through modern arrangements of jazz. It's directed by Shane Snow with music direction by Gordon Roberts, and features local performing artists. Find ticket info and showtimes at www.andtheworldgoesround.com. Pacific Theatre is located at 1440 West 12th Ave.

6 – Tuesday, August 26, 2008 – BC Place Official Development Plan Amendment Open House

Come voice your opinion on proposed changes to BC Place Stadium, and view how these changes would affect the site- and your city. The draft amendments would add both commercial and residential development capacity to the BC Place Stadium site. The meeting runs from 4-7 p.m., and also on Thursday, at Gate H of BC Place Stadium (777 Pacific Blvd). Learn more at www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/commsvcs/planning/nefc.

7 – Wednesday, August 27, 2008 – Oasis at GM Place

Oasis have matured some since their days of storming off Vancouver stages and causing brawls with rival Brit-pop bands. Just consider this quote from frontman Liam Gallager, made to the British newspaper the news Guardian, earlier this year:

" Yeah, I’ve mellowed, but not in the sense of liking Radiohead or Coldplay. I don’t hate them, I don’t wish they had accidents. I think their fans are boring and ugly and don’t look like they’re having a good time."

Um, okay then. Maybe not fully matured. The notoriously arrogant group haven't managed to reclaim the super stardom they had with Definitely Maybe and What's The Story Morning Glory in the years past, and some dismal album releases, in-band fighting, and an obnoxious air of superiority have made them a favourite band to hate. They group are at it again with another album due October 2008 called, one hopes propetically, Dig Out Your Soul. The new record will be their first since 2005's disappointing Don't Believe The Truth, but don't think that fans won't be out re-living Oasis's former glories at their GM Place show tonights. Tickets are of this moment still available, for $69.50 plus service fees and charges, available at www.ticketmaster.ca.