It’s fall in Metro Vancouver and the rain is on its way, but there’s still plenty to do this weekend. Here are some events worth checking out. 30th annual Vancouver Asian Film Festival The Vancouver Asian Film Festival is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year with 22 programs screening in person this weekend and next, with online screenings in between. Thursday through Sunday, films will show at Cineplex Odeon International Village Cinemas, while next weekend’s programs will be screened at Scotiabank Theatre on Nov. 14. There are also a variety of industry week events happening Saturday through Nov. 14. Visit the festival’s website for more information. Jade Music Fest The fifth annual Jade Music Fest began Tuesday and continues through Sunday at various venues, primarily on Granville Island. The festival celebrates “Chinese-language and heritage language music” by Asian and Asian-Canadian artists, and the schedule includes nine showcases, plus workshops, panels and community events. Most events are free, and ticket information for the others can be found on the festival website. Cirque du Soleil presents: LUZIA Cirque du Soleil’s latest show LUZIA—a portmanteau of the Spanish words for light (luz) and rain (lluvia)—opened at Concord Pacific Place in Vancouver on Wednesday. Described in promotional materials as “a waking dream of Mexico,” the show is the first touring Cirque du Soleil production to incorporate water into the acrobatic presentation. LUZIA will be in Vancouver through Jan. 10. Ticket and schedule information can be found online. Bear Creek Lights Head to Bear Creek Park in Surrey for the 14th annual Bear Creek Lights display, which organizers say is 25 per cent larger this year. The lighted walking path follows a 1.5-kilometre loop through the park from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. nightly starting Friday. The lights will be lit nightly through Nov. 20, except on Remembrance Day. Family friendly programming from local organizations will be available each night, along with food trucks, and weekends will feature live music from local performers. Admission is free, but tickets can be reserved online in advance. Holiday craft markets Though Christmas is still more than a month away, there are several holiday markets happening this weekend. More details about each can be found at the link provided. For the sports fans The UBC Thunderbirds have earned the top seed in Canada West’s football playoff this year and will host the Manitoba Bisons in the semi-final on Saturday at 1 p.m. On the ice, the Vancouver Giants are hosting back-to-back games this Friday and Saturday at the Langley Events Centre. Friday’s opponent is the Tri-City Americans, while Saturday brings the Moose Jaw Warriors to town. The puck drops at 7 p.m. both nights. Farther into the Fraser Valley, the Abbotsford Canucks are also in action Friday and Saturday, hosting the Ontario Reign both nights. Friday’s game begins at 7 p.m., while the puck drops at 5 p.m. Saturday. The NHL Canucks are back at Rogers Arena on Monday against the Philadelphia Flyers.
