Disclaimer the first: Not all of these happen on Halloween night
Disclaimer the second: Yes, I know I missed that event, and that one, and that other one, so include them in the comments.
Disclaimer the third: There isn't one. I just think things should come in threes.

Fright Nights
The PNE Vancouver, 6pm - Late
$25 ($30 for Oct 30 & Oct 31)

Halloween Ghost Train
Until November 1, Stanley Park, 6 - 10pm
$10 adults, $6 kids
Price includes access to the Haunted Farmyard

OCW Halloween Release Party
October 28th @ The Astoria, 8pm
$10 entry gets you a new copy of the mag/CD
Bands: Kick Evrything, Hayfa Makes Music, and more

Saturday October 24th check out Here is Now: A Pop-Up Art Exhibition happening at 2152 Main St from 7pm until 2am.

There will be art, music, and cheap drinks. A pretty good combination, in my opinion.

"HERE IS NOW is a 'pop-up' art show organized by Natasha Lands and Victor Wang. This exhibit features the works of eleven contemporary Vancouver artists, who will be taking over a storefront at the corner of 6th and Main St, Vancouver Canada for one night only. The intention is to exhibit a diverse range of talented young Vancouver artists in a non-conventional space. This 'pop-up' aesthetic demonstrates what can be accomplished independently, with limited time, and limited resources. "HERE IS NOW" hopes to add to the city's cultural diversity and create more attention for the amazing younger contemporary arts community in Vancouver. As 2010 approaches an increasing number of 'pop up' art shows will be happening in various unconventional and alluring locations around the city."

Thanks to organizer Natasha Lands for the informational blurb.

As you turn the corner onto Maple from 4th to take a break from dodging rolled up yoga mats, you may have noticed a strangely juxtaposed blue cube of a building, oddly sporting rooftop solar panels. Sitting unassuming among the bountiful crops, this structure in fact has been the homestead of many successful local environmental movements, housing the headquarters of one of Canada's oldest environmental organizations, the Society Promoting Environmental Conservation, otherwise known as SPEC.

Since 1969, SPEC has been a strong and consistent advocate for environmental protection, offering practical solutions for building healthy communities - from helping eliminate the use of DDT to establishing the first recycling depots in BC and stopping logging in Vancouver's watersheds, to their current work promoting food security in the Lower Mainland.

Sunday, August 23

OK, technically not part of this week, but anyway: Blim Community Market at Main St Car-Free Days. And if you're there, check out Jenn Upham's "Buttons for Cancer" where she makes earrings from buttons. She sells the buttons for $10 and donates the entire proceeds to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada. She hopes to raise $5000 for the society.

On Main St between 12th and 16th, from noon until 5pm.

Monday, August 24

Elvis Costello plays at Stanley Park's Malkin Bowl tonight. You could buy a ticket. Or you could, you know, just sit outside the fence and listen for free. Doors at 5:30, show at 7pm.

Tuesday, August 25

The Vermeer, Rembrandt and the Golden Age of Dutch Art exhibit at the VAG ends on September 13, which means that tonight is the third last 'by donation' day to go and see it and avoid the regular admission rates. By donation runs on Tuesdays from 5:30 - 9pm.

Wednesday, August 26

one cool word magazine summer lovin' release party at The Biltmore at 8pm. Grab a copy of the new issue and compilation CD of all Vancouver content, while listening to:

World Club
Maria in the Shower
Spoon River

$10 entry, or $12 with a magazine/CD

I've been well aware of Vancouver's burgeoning neo-burlesque community for awhile now, as our city has been gaining some international renown for the scene. Despite a personal proclivity to attend local theatre for free, my closest experience to real burlesque was dealing with an over-champagned and over-sarcastic sister at an overpriced evening of cabaret-tourism at the Moulin Rouge in Paris. That counts, right?

Over the last few years local burlesque has been moving out of the underground; shows have been staged at The WISE hall since the mid-90s, but it's only with the 2006 establishment of the Vancouver International Burlesque Festival that the scene really reached the local theatre "mainstream." Shine: A Burlesque Musical has received major media hype and began its 10-day run on August 12th. With the existence of a full length neo-burlesque musical in a theatre on Granville Island, playing just down the street from Altar Boyz, I figured it was finally time to experience this local renaissance of subversive sexuality. Oh, and nipple tassels.

Monday, August 17th

Test drive the new Canada Line for free from 1 - 7pm, then head over to The Biltmore to see:

The Wind Whistles
e.s.l.
Greenbelt Collective

Tuesday, August 18th

Vancouver Queer Film Festival shows tonight are:
Her Name Was Steven @ 5pm
For My Wife @ 7pm
Fig Trees @ 7pm
I Can't Think Straight @ 9:30pm

also:
Silversun Pickups @ The Commodore