or you know that you cant but love to watch people who can. The Vancouver Challenge Cup on January 17 and 18 at the Hellenic Community Centre (4500 Arbutus) is a ballroom dancing competition that promises to be full of glamour and elegance. Its the first time Clara Shih Marasigan, David Marasigan and Michel Guimond, competitive dancers all, are hosting such an event. After the closure of the Grand Ballroom, one of the biggest dance studios in the Lower Mainland, in December, they want to ensure that dancers can keep their competitive edge. Spectator tickets are $10 in the daytime, $35 for Friday or Saturday night, and $80 for a weekend pass.
Great beauty lies beneath the surface of that huge expanse of water we call the Pacific Ocean. On January 18 and 19, the Vancouver Aquarium invites you to dive right in. Its annual Divers Weekend is for divers and non-divers alike. This years Saturday seminars include A Northwest Naturalist Dives Fabulous Fiji, Tropical Splendour in a Cold Sea, Bonair: A Divers Paradise and All About the San Juans. Sundays workshops are much more skill-based: Managing Decompression Stress, Managing Risk, Technical Diving and Foundational Diving Skills and Team Diving Principles. The cost is included with general admission. Show your dive certification card and receive 50 per cent off Aquarium admission or 10 per cent off membership.
Its never too early to start dreaming of getting out onto the water: the Vancouver International Boat Show is sailing into Vancouver on January 22 and running every day until January 26. Along with the expected ships on display, Dawn Wells original cast member of Gilligans Island, pictured will also be on-hand with the original SS Minnow on Jan. 22 and 23 from 5-8pm. Other nautical attractions include the Kidzone and Sailfest, as well as guest appearances from the authors of the maritime cookbook West Coast Galley, Lorna Malone, Hilary Malone and Alison Malone Eathorne, and sports fishing workshops. The show will have two locations, the dry show at BC Place, and an in-harbour presentation at Granville Island. Day pass tickets are available at $15 for adults, and free for kids 16 and under. Go to WEVancouver.com/tickets for your chance to win a pass for four people.
Stephen Lows documentary about the global humanitarian relief response to the devastating earthquake in Haiti opens January 17 at Science World for a six-month run. Rescue, which follows a Canadian naval commander, two pilots and a volunteer rescue technician as they train to be emergency responders, complements the new feature exhibition coming to Science World on February 1 LEGO Travel Adventure: Where will YOU go? This exhibition explores transportation, both real and imaginary, around the world. Rescue tickets are $6 + admission for non-members and $5 for members. Go to ScienceWorld.ca/hoursrates for details.
