Can you believe it's May already? BC Mining Week, Free Comic Book Day, Rhododendron Festival, first day of River District Farmers Market, Bird Week, Cinco de Mayo Weekend, Jane's Walks Weekend, start of Starbucks Frappuccino Happy Hour...There are TONNES of stuff going on this weekend! We are suppose to get summery weather this weekend too! What are your plans for the weekend?

Friday, May 3, 2013

BMO Health, Sports & Lifestyle Expo
Friday, May 3rd, 11:00am – 8:00pm 
Saturday, May 4th, 10:00am – 6:00pm
Vancouver Convention Centre East, Hall C.
 Visit the FREE Health, Sports & Lifestyle Expo during the BMO Vancouver Marathon weekend to see and experience a variety of superb exhibitors showcasing products and services that suit your active lifestyle. Runners will pick up their bibs, timing chips, Saucony tech shirt, BMO gloves and other surprises at the Expo.
 
Doors Open Richmond
7:00pm - 9:30pm
Steveston Tram Building , 4011 Moncton Street, Richmond
Doors Open and Asian Heritage Month Celebrations kick-off with the Opening of the new Steveston Tram Building , 4011 Moncton Street. FREE admission . The evening features entertainment, refreshments and a special Pecha-Kucha Night presentation!

Cloudscape Comics Presents: Stratus at The Ayden Gallery
7pm - 11pm
The Ayden Gallery, 88 West Pender Street #2103 2nd Floor 
Opening May 3rd from 7pm - 11pm, Cloudscape Comics is proud to present 'Stratus' the biggest collective comic art exhibition it's ever curated. Taking over the Ayden Art gallery, we'll be displaying comic pages and illustrations from a wide variety of our professional and amateur dedicated Vancouver comic artists. Attend the opening to view new art, eat, drink, and maybe get your hands on some of our books and new merchandise!  Keep your eyes posted on our facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/Cloudscape) or our website (http://www.cloudscapecomics.com/) for more information!

Saturday, May 4, 2013

Free Comic Book Day
All day or until supplies last
Locate the stores nearest you here
Free Comic Book Day is a single day - the first Saturday in May each year - when participating comic book shops across North America and around the world give away comic books absolutely FREE* to anyone who comes into their stores. *Check with your local comic book shop for their participation and rules.

Cloudscape at Free Comic Book Day and Drawn Down Prequel 
Science World and Metropolis Comics
On Saturday, May 4th, you have two choices: join us at Metropolis Comics all day for Free Comics Book Day for goodies, free comics, sales, art auctions and general greatness, OR join us in front of Science World for a prequel to Draw Down between 10:00 and 4:00pm. There will be drawing activities and hopefully some sunshine!

River District Farmers Market
10:00am - 3:00pm each week from May4 - Oct26
Kerr Street Plaza – on Kerr Street, one block South of SE Marine Drive, Vancouver
This one-of-a-kind farmers market is the only riverfront market in Vancouver. Come shop for fruits and veggies, prepared foods, and handmade products produced farmers and artisans. Enjoy the waterfront, playground and pier. Be among the first 100 shoppers on the first Saturday of every month, and receive a free eco-friendly shopping tote.

Celebration of Bird Week
10:00am - Launch of Bird Week 
10:30am - Bird Walk, by Stanley Park Ecology Society
Come join the project partners in officially launching bird week in Stanley Park. Speakers will read the official City proclamation.

Doors Open Richmond
10am - 4pm Sat & Sun
Explore Richmond’s arts, culture and heritage during this FREE Doors Open weekend. Choose from 49 sites including: heritage landmarks; places of worship; art galleries and studios; museums and national historic sites and more.

Family Fun Day at Britannia Mine Museum
10 AM to 4 PM
Bitannia Mine Museum, Britannia Beach, on the beautiful Sea to Sky Highway
Family Fun Day as part of BC Mining Week on Saturday, May 4th.  Visitors of all ages can enjoy family friendly activities including gold panning races, pony rides and yummy cookie mining for kids, as well as learn how mining influences our daily lives through exhibits and educational resources. A blacksmith will also be on site demonstrating his craft as he forges and shapes metal into interesting objects. $5 off coupon on the website. See photos of my visit last year here.

BMO Health, Sports & Lifestyle Expo
Friday, May 3rd, 11:00am – 8:00pm 
Saturday, May 4th, 10:00am – 6:00pm
Vancouver Convention Centre East, Hall C.
Visit the FREE Health, Sports & Lifestyle Expo during the BMO Vancouver Marathon weekend to see and experience a variety of superb exhibitors showcasing products and services that suit your active lifestyle. Runners will pick up their bibs, timing chips, Saucony tech shirt, BMO gloves and other surprises at the Expo.

Baker's Market
11am - 3pm LAST DAY!
Moberly Arts & Cultural Centre, 7646 Prince Albert Street, Vancouver BC
Get your fill of sweet & savoury baked goodies from local bakers and artisans. Inspired by traditional farmers markets in Vancouver, this market is even better since it is indoors with lots of free parking too. You'll find talented budding, professional or home bakers selling fresh artisanal breads, soft German pretzels, butter croissants, chocolate croissants, cupcakes, yummy cookies, hand made chocolates, brownies, Belgian Liege waffles,vegan cupcakes, mini bundt cakes, muffins, gluten-free baked goods and much more!

Burnaby Village Museum Season Launch
May 4 - Sep 2, 11am-4:30pm, Tuesday-Sunday plus Holiday Mondays
Burnaby Village Museum, 6501 Deer Lake Ave Burnaby BC
Free Admission. Carousel Rides: $2.21 each
New for the Summer ~ On the Air: Live from the Village  Experience the golden age of radio here at the Village this summer. A radio station, set up in Stride Studio, will be transmitting to vintage radios located throughout the site. Archival sound recordings as well as live performances and on-the-spot interviews will be featured. Hands-on displays and activities will be based on early radio technology including creating sound effects.

Cinco de Mayo Weekend at La Casita Gastown 
11:30am - 11pm Sat & Sun
La Casita Gastown, 101 West Cordova Street Vancouver, BC
Massive celebration at the Mexican food restaurant La Casita Gastowwn! Lots of awesome, affordable, delicious and healthy specials. Bring your friends and have fun with us.  The holiday originated as a way to commemorate the cause of freedom and democracy during the first years of the American Civil War, and today the date is observed in North America as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride.  The first round of the fresh tortilla chips with two deadly salsas is on us.

Kits Bee-Line Walk
2pm
Meet at Wired Monk, 4th & Trafalgar 
Mary will share her enthusiasm for art, bees and community.  From the Wired Monk, we’ll walk together to Mary’s traffic circle garden at 6th & Trafalgar, which won the most bee and butterfly friendly garden at last year’s Green Streets celebration. If you’d like to pick some herbs, bring along a little bag to put them in. Picking is encouraged. The walk will include other bee-friendly highlights in the neighbourhood. RSVP appreciated. http://kits-bee-line-2013.eventbrite.com/

explorASIAN 2013 @Vancouver Chinatown Opening Reception 
2pm - 3pm
CCC Museum  555 Columbia Street, Vancouver  
The Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society (VAHMS)  &  The Chinese Cultural Centre (CCC) of Greater Vancouver  cordially invite  the pleasure of your company  at the opening ceremony & reception of  explorASIAN 2013 @ Vancouver Chinatown  May 4, 2013 (Saturday)  2:00 p.m.  in the CCC Museum  555 Columbia Street, Vancouver 

Bryght Wine & Cheese 
6pm - 9pm
Stage 6 Studios 65, East 6th Avenue, Vancouver
Join the Bryght team and the Vancouver design community for a sneak peek at 6 new collections of inspired design. Wine, cheese & entertainment.

Sunday, May 5, 2013

25th Annual Rhododendron Festival
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM 
Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, 6450 Deer Lake Avenue Burnaby, BC
Enjoy nature’s bounty in abundance as well as exhibitors, entertainment, guided nature tours, artisan wares and children’s activities. You don’t need a green thumb to make this floral festival your destination! Free giveaway bags to the first 400 visitors. See my post of last year's event here.

Doors Open Richmond
10am - 4pm Sat & Sun
Explore Richmond’s arts, culture and heritage during this FREE Doors Open weekend. Choose from 49 sites including: heritage landmarks; places of worship; art galleries and studios; museums and national historic sites and more.

Rain Barrels for Better - A Community Workshop
12pm - 1:30pm
57 Ave W & East Blvd Vancouver
Join us on May 5th, 2013 for our community workshop on Rain Barrels. There will be a rain water harvesting demonstration,  snacks and drinks. Bring the kids along to make their own DIY planters at the Happy Planet planting station while you learn how to make the best of your garden by harvesting your rainwater!

Hinge Park and Habitat Island at Vancouver's Olympic Village Walking Tour
1:00pm
Meet at Olympic Village Square
Learn about why Habitat Island and Hinge Park exisit, and how they are increasing the health of the water in False Creek. Located on a 32 hectare, previously industrialized waterfront site in Vancouver, The Village on False Creek, Vancouver’s premier sustainable neighbourhood, exemplifies a new green infrastructure based approach to public realm through the introduction of restored natural environments into a highly urban community.