Top 5 Things to do Today

The dog days of summer are upon us, and we're willing to bet you've got plenty to do on your days off. On the off-chance that you're stuck for fair-weather fun, here's our recommended intinerary for the week of July 17-23, 2008,

1. 1 - Thursday, June 17, 2008 - Think City: Dream On

   Join the prestigious Dream Vancouver organization as they outline their next steps in obtaining affordable housing, better transit, and greater citizen involvement for Vancouver. Admission is free, but pre-registration is required. More information at www.dreamvancouver.ca/. Event goes from 7 pm -9:30 pm SFU Harbour Centre (515 W. Hastings).

2. 2 - Friday, July 18-20, 2008 - Vancouver Folk Music Festival

   Get out your flip-flops and sun hat, it's time again for the Vancouver Folk Music Festival. Celebrating its 31^st year, the annual event's 2008 line-up is more eclectic that ever, featuring performances by Abigail Washburn and the Sparrow Quartet (with Béla Fleck), Kiran Ahluwalia, Bill Bourne and Madagascar Slim, John Boutté, the Carrivick Sisters, Charanga Cakewalk, Les Chauffeurs à pieds, the Checkerboard Guy, Jason Collett, Creaking Tree String Quartet, Dawn Tyler Watson and Paul Deslauriers, Delhi 2 Dublin, Del Castillo, DNA6, Dubblestandart, Etran Finatawa, Ferron, Eliza Gilkyson, Jenn Grant, Harry Manx and Kevin Breit, Jayme Stone and Mansa Sissoko, John Reischman and the Jaybirds, Jorane, Harrison Kennedy, Kobo Town, LAU, Maeve MacKinnon, Aimee Mann, Carolyn Mark, Markus James and the Wassonrai, Eneida Marta, Master Musicians of Jajouka, Michael Franti and Spearhead, T. Nile, Faith Nolan, Outlaw Social, Ozomatli, Pascale Picard Band, Murray Porter, Hayley Sales, Martin Sexton, Slide to Freedom, Meaghan Smith, the Sojourners, Spirit of the West, That 1 Guy, T-Model Ford, and April Verch. Tickets can be obtained either for one day ($54 for Friday night, $80 for Saturday or Sunday all day) or in a weekend pass ($165 for all three days). Discounts are available for students from 13-18, and seniors older than 65. Kids under 12 are free. For more info and scheduling, visit http://thefestival.bc.ca/

3. 3 - Saturday, July 19, 2008 – City TV's Taste of the City

   Join some of the city's best chefs for the 6^th annual Taste of the City Festival, presented by CityTv and hosted at the PNE Fairgrounds (Hastings and Renfrew). The free event allows amateur gourmands to sample some of Vancouver's best culinary fare, trading in 50 cent taste tickets for samples from top restaurants. This years exhibitors include Maurya Indian Cuisine, Brasas, Taverna Gorgona, Saffron Indian Cuisine, Patisserie Lebeau, Cassis Bistro and more. CityTv's Simi Sara will also be on hand to tape a live episode of her popular television cooking show, City Cooks. For more info, visit http://www.citytvtasteofthecity.com/.

4. 4 - Sunday, July 20, 2008 - Retro Design & Antiques Fair

   Get out and bargain hunt, with over 175 tables exhibiting vintage and estate jewellery, midcentury modernist décor, linens and textiles, kitchen collectibles, collector dolls and toys, pop culture classics, and much more. Tickets are $4 for this event, which takes place at the Croatian Cultural Centre (3250 Commerical) from 10 am – 3 pm. More info at www.21cpromotions.com/.

5. 5- Monday, July 21, 2008 - The Glenn Miller Orchestra

   Get your swing on with legendary big band conductor Glenn Miller and his orchestra. The still-going-strong outfit plays old hits like “In the Mood”, “That Old Black Magic” and “Chattanooga Choo Choo” tonight at the Orpheum Theatre (Seymour & Smithe), starting at 7 pm. Tickets are Tix $57/44 (plus service charges and fees) at www.ticketmaster.ca/.

6. 6 - Tuesday, July 22, 2008 - Supervolcanoes: Shaken & Stirred

   Cafe Scientifique, a local group of science enthusiasts, presents a lecture with UBC's Dr. Ben Kennedy from the Uinversity's Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences. Hosted by the Railway Club (579 Dunsmuir), this event is free, and takes place from 7:30 pm – 9 pm. For more information at contact@cafesci-van.com.

7. 7 - Wednesday, July 23, 2008 – Vancouver Film School Open House

   Whether you're just curious exactly what it is film students do, or you're considering a career as an auteur, VFS's open house event is guaranteed to be an enlightening event for film buffs and the people who love them. Head down to the school's VFS Café (390 Hastings) between 6 pm and 8pm for demonstrations of work going on in the school's 13 programs, including 3D Animation & Visual Effects, Classical Animation, Digital Character Animation, Acting for Film & Television, Acting Essentials, Digital Design, Entertainment Business Management, Film Production, Game Design, Makeup Design for Film & Television, Sound Design for Visual Media, Writing for Film & Television, and Foundation Visual Art & Design. Meet award-winning professors and view examples of student work. Admission is free, but registration is required.E-mail openhouse@vfs.com or call (604)631-3590 to sign up