Things To Do This Week - Sept 11-17, 2008

Once you've gotten past hump day – whether it's partaking in mid-week cocktails to get by or enjoying a taste of crisp fall weather in your off time – the weekend is only a few short days away. The Fringe Festival continues until the 14th, so if you haven't stopped by to check out some local theater, do so before next week. Here are a few other ideas to keep you occupied during this mid-September week:

Thursday, September 11 – Delerium

Canadian band Delerium dates all the way back to 1987, when Front Line Assembly's Bill Leeb and Rhys Fulber joined forces to begin creating moody ambient electronica albums. They later started to add female vocals, bringing an ethereal Enigma-type quality to the mix. Delerium plays tonight at the Commodore Ballroom (868 Granville St.) at 9:30 p.m. with special guests Morgan Page, Elsiane, and Sarah Fimm. Get tickets at www.ticketmaster.ca or at Zulu and Highlife Records for $25 (plus fees and service charges).

Friday, September 12 – SPARK Animation Festival

Ever wonder how Kung Fu Panda was made, or how animation in games has evolved over the years? SPARK is five days filled with animation presentations, premiere screenings and expert panels with all star guests like Jimmy Hayward & Steve Martino (directors of Horton Hears a Who!), Mark Osborne & John Stevenson (directors of Kung Fu Panda), and Paul Topolos (designer/matte painter for Pixar).

Whether you're in the animation industry, hope to be, or simply want to take in an entertaining film screening, you can mix and match the à la carte sessions depending on your area of interest. SPARK is presented by Vancouver ACM SIGGRAPH and the Vancity Theatre, and it continues until September 14th. Find extensive festival info, ticket prices and availability at www.siggraph.ca. Vancity Theatre, 1181 Seymour Street.

Saturday, September 13 – Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival

The sixth annual Moon Festival celebrates the full moon, onset of autumn and local Vancouver communities with a harvest fair at Slocan Park, followed by a beautiful twilight lantern procession that ends at Renfrew Park Community Center. The harvest fair will feature a drumming circle, blue grass band performance, Chinese seniors dancers and and a walking tour of Renfrew ravine. Enjoy tea and moon cake and a grand fireworks finale at 9 p.m. If you're crafty you can even fashion your own lantern for the ceremonies, or cheat and buy one from the Moon Festival site at www.moonfestival.net.

Sunday, September 14 – The 28th Annual Terry Fox Run

Come out for a good cause and continue Terry Fox's courageous mission to find a cure for cancer. After being diagnosed with bone cancer and having his right leg amputated as a teen, Terry set out on his Marathon of Hope across Canada. Although he died in 1981, his dream has been kept alive by fund raising efforts that have brought in more than $360 million for cancer research. You can walk, bike, wheelchair or run. Find run locations in Vancouver and around BC at www.terryfoxrun.org.

Monday, September 15 – Re-shaping Memory, Owning History: Through The Lens Of Japanese Canadian Redress

The Japanese Canadian National Museum presents the commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Redress Agreement, which acknowledged Japanese mistreatment by the government during the 1940's. The exhibit focuses on the history of Japanese Canadians as told through government documents, books, diaries, letters, newspapers, photographs, artifacts and even oral histories. The Japanese Canadian National Museum and National Nikkei Museum and Heritage Centre are located at 6688 Southoaks Crescent in Burnaby; the exhibit continues until Sept. 21.

Tuesday, September 16 – Frost/Nixon

Tonight is the opening performance of Frost/Nixon, a rapid fire play about British talk show host David Frost and his series of interviews with President Richard Nixon. Based on some of the most famous political interviews of all time, Frost/Nixon recreates the on-air exchanges between the “political giant in need of redemption” and a playboy TV host with a slew of money problems. The New York Times calls it “nail-biting, fast and fluid.” Frost/Nixon was written by Peter Morgan and stars Len Cariou and David Storch. Find ticket prices and show times – there are both matinees and evening performances – at www.vancouverplayhouse.com or call the box office at 604 665 3034. The Vancouver Playhouse is located at Hamilton and Dunsmuir Streets in downtown Vancouver.

Wednesday, September 17– Green Drinks

Stop by Steamworks (375 Water St.) for a pint and an informal gathering of people who are passionate about the environment. Discuss sustainability issues and socialize with a mix of academia, government and business folk, make new contacts and have fun. Green Drinks takes place on the third Wednesday of each month, find out more at www.greendrinks.org.